There are no fish in the desert, just as there is no you in his heart.

"Girl! Hurry! Hurry! There's a whole bunch of people!" the waiter shouted.

"The money-giver has arrived?" Business is so good today; it must be because Heaven has taken pity on Ye Qingzhou.

"Yes, it costs money." The shopkeeper looked troubled. "We've run out of money in the account. The young master took it all with him when he went on his long trip."

“Half a month ago, Yu Xi received a deposit of one hundred taels of silver, but to this day, he hasn’t paid a single grain of rice. The tax collection period is approaching, isn’t this just setting me up for disaster? The current laws are so cruel that some are skinned alive and stuffed with chaff. If I get a beating this time, it will be considered lenient.” The tall and strong man sighed as he spoke.

Ye Qingzhou took the receipt, which clearly stated the name of Ye's Grain Store.

Before her death, her parents entrusted the grain store to Yu Xi's management so that they could provide a safe haven for their orphaned daughter.

As a result, not only was the company emptied out, but it was also left with a mountain of debt.

Ye Qingzhou returned the receipt to the man: "Jinghong, I'll figure something out."

The noise ahead grew louder and louder. Even worse, the people collecting the property had arrived.

Jiang Jinghong frowned upon hearing this: "You should leave for a while. I'll go out and send them back."

Ye Qingzhou smiled and shook his head: "Listen, they said they'll come back if they don't get the money."

After saying that, Ye Qingzhou lifted the curtain and walked out.

Dozens of eyes immediately fixed on Ye Qingzhou. In the past, she wouldn't have said much in front of others. Today, nothing mattered to her except life and death.

"Uncle, aunt, brother, sister-in-law. I've heard everything you said. From today onwards, I'm in charge." Ye Qingzhou's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm enough.

"Those who haven't received their grain allowance should come to the head steward to register. They will definitely receive their money in three days."

As Ye Qingzhou's voice fell, dozens of people squeezed through.

These were the largest group of people; they were quiet, making the hall much quieter.

"The purchase and sales accounts should be registered here with the head clerk. I will review them personally in a moment."

More than ten people also joined in.

Before Ye Qingzhou could speak, a thin middle-aged man spoke first: "Boss Ye, you are a woman, yet you have a mountain of debt. How are you going to pay it back?"

"Then pay with your buttocks. This young lady is incredibly pretty. Her face is as red as a glutinous rice cake." An elderly man chuckled maliciously, looking her up and down. "Master Ye, do you sell 'beauty cakes'?"

"Dude! Get him out of here!" Ye Qingzhou gritted his teeth in anger.

Two or three men pushed the two men out.

The thin man, being pushed along, craned his neck and protested, "I really have something to do. Boss Yu sent me to take over the shop. The price has already been agreed upon."

"Not for sale!" Ye Qingzhou waved his hand at the shop assistant.

The men saw the two men off, but then politely welcomed in another one.

As soon as Ye Qingzhou saw this person, she stood up immediately. She would rather argue with that scoundrel for three days than see this advisor in front of her.

"Please sit down, Master Fu! What brings you here?" Ye Qingzhou offered him a seat and then instructed, "Waiter! Bring some good tea."

"It sounds quite lively from afar. I thought it was Brother Yu returning, and I was thinking of having a drink with him." Master Fu took the tea that Ye Qingzhou handed him: "Thank you, sister-in-law! Oh! This tea smells quite fragrant!"

The cup of tea was finished. Then another cup was poured.

Master Fu rambled on, asking all sorts of questions. His eyes scanned the shop three times, looking it up and down.

After finishing his work, the shopkeeper came over to greet him: "Master Fu, is there anything you need to advise me on?"

"No!" Master Fu cleared his throat and laughed heartily.

Why aren't you leaving? Are you welded to the stool? The shopkeeper was getting annoyed.

Ye Qingzhou's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "I heard that Master Fu has some spare change. He often helps others in their time of need."

Master Fu pointed at Ye Qingzhou: "You're a smart girl! Your Yu Xi needed it urgently, so I gave it to him. The interest should have been paid long ago."

After saying that, Master Fu counted three on his fingers and chuckled, "I also have my pride. Wouldn't it be bad to make a scene in front of the county magistrate? It's not worth it, is it?"

They're collecting debts again.

After pawning a few pieces of jewelry, Ye Qingzhou sent Master Fu away. She then reviewed the head shopkeeper's accounts one by one.

Then another old woman came, saying that Mother Yu wanted ginseng for nourishment.

The male servant who was following them said that Yu's father was throwing a tantrum and scolding his daughter-in-law for being unfilial.

Unfilial piety? Ginseng nourished them, making the two old people incredibly strong, so they killed themselves with just a few cuts?

Ye Qingzhou took out the accounts and crossed out a large portion: "Tell Yu Xi's mother that there is no more ginseng. There won't be any more in the future."

The old woman paused, then remained still.

Ye Qingzhou closed the ledger: "If she asks, just say you didn't see me."

After seeing everyone off, Ye Qingzhou went to the backyard. The innkeeper, seeing her looking around, said, "Master Jiang has left. I inquired and found out he's staying at the Haokelai Inn."

"Understood. Get the carriage ready," Ye Qingzhou said.

"Where are you going?" the waiter asked.

"Make money! What else? Creditors are everywhere." Ye Qingzhou climbed into the carriage: "Pumpkin, come with me. Let's go ask my uncle. He used to treat me so well, he'll definitely help me."

Half an hour later, they arrived at their uncle's house.

Upon hearing that he needed to borrow money, the butler went inside and never opened the door again.

Listening to the woman performing opera at the door, Ye Qingzhou sighed and had no choice but to leave.

After two incense sticks had burned, Ye Qingzhou asked all his relatives and friends who lived nearby.

As the sun set, Ye Qingzhou returned to the front of Ye's Grain Store.

Before the closed gate lay a large red invitation. Ye Qingzhou opened it and saw that it was an invitation from Yu Xi to marry a concubine.

A mournful note from the erhu resounded.

The street performer, along with two companions, had also arrived. The bowl in front of them was empty.

Ye Qingzhou reached into his pocket, but it was empty. There wasn't a single grain of rice in his pocket, just as there wasn't a single fish in the desert, and you weren't in his heart either.

Wait, the date on this post is tomorrow? She remembers it was today in her past life. So, she's unintentionally changed something?

"Isn't that opera singer Bai Rihong?"

"That's right! That's right! Even the county magistrate praised her!"

Passersby pointed at the woman performing and whispered among themselves.

The woman was recognized and hurriedly tried to leave, but in her panic, her legs gave way and she fell to the ground. She crawled forward and grabbed Ye Qingzhou's leg, pleading, "Please, have mercy! Save me!"