Lu Yanzhao was annoyed by the chatter of the girls, feeling like 500 ducks were quacking in his ears. Seeing that Gu Nanjiao was busy, he greeted her and went back.

As soon as Lu Yanzhao left, the shop fell silent. Lü Siniang said sternly, "What are you doing? Don't you know we have guests?"

The girls instantly took their places and got busy with their own things.

Just then, a female customer entered the shop. She looked around at the ready-made clothes hanging on the wall, then picked up a round fan and examined them a few more times. Lü Siniang smiled and politely asked, "Madam, what would you like to order?"

"We have all kinds of clothes here; if you can think of it, you can buy it."

The female customer was about 30 years old, and her dark blue silk dress made her look dignified and elegant. She did not answer Lü Siniang's question, but asked directly, "Do you have any undergarments or panties for sale?"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's in the back room. I'll get it for you." Lu Siniang gestured to Gu Nanjiao, who understood immediately. She opened the door to the back room with a beaming smile and said, "Madam, undergarments are private items, and we keep them in the back room. Please come and take a look and see which one you need."

The female guest nodded and followed Gu Nanjiao into the back room.

The back room had two windows, which made it very bright when the curtains were drawn back. All the clothes inside were clearly visible.

The female customer picked up a bra and asked, "What's this?"

Gu Nanjiao glanced at the modern bra she had designed and explained, "It's a new style of lingerie I designed. It not only has a great support effect, but it can also enhance the intimacy between couples."

Seeing that the female customer was very interested, Gu Nanjiao picked up another triangular one and handed it to her: "Wearing these two together will make it look even better."

The female customer was very fond of the items recommended by Gu Nanjiao and bought several sets. Before leaving, she asked Gu Nanjiao, "Do you sell Cistanche deserticola here?"

"Cistanche deserticola?" Gu Nanjiao was very puzzled.

The female customer leaned close to Gu Nanjiao's ear and whispered a few words, then looked at her nervously after asking them.

Gu Nanjiao was stunned. Were women in ancient times really this open-minded? Unbelievable…

Seeing that Gu Nanjiao did not answer, the female customer pursed her lips: "No... never mind, sorry for bothering you."

"That thing you mentioned isn't for sale, but if you need it, I can ask my family's hairpin maker if they can make it." Gu Nanjiao snapped out of her reverie and instantly remembered that Huang Qingqing could carve all sorts of things from stone, so she figured she could probably carve these things too. How could she let this business opportunity slip by?

"Sure, if it can be customized, price is no problem."

After seeing the female guest off, Gu Nanjiao kept glancing at Huang Qingqing, hesitating to speak for a long time.

Huang Qingqing blinked her dark eyes and leaned closer to Gu Nanjiao, teasing her, "Why are you staring at me without blinking? What do you want to say?"

Gu Nanjiao pursed her lips, swallowed hard, and pulled Huang Qingqing into the back room, telling her what the female guest wanted.

"Wh...what?" Huang Qingqing's face showed a complicated expression. She didn't refuse outright, nor did she immediately agree. Instead, she rubbed her forehead and said to Gu Nanjiao, "Let me think about it."

She instinctively wanted to refuse, but hesitated when she heard that the price was negotiable.

What did she come to Beijing for? To change herself, to make money, and to become a different person.

So what if she's a widow? So what if she's a divorced woman? They have their own needs, just like her. She needs money because it makes her happy. With money, what kind of man can't she have?

Gritting her teeth, Huang Qingqing nodded and said, "I'll carve it. It's a fool not to make money when you can."

Gu Nanjiao admired Huang Qingqing for her straightforwardness, boldness, and forthright personality. If it were an ordinary woman, she would have been mortified and wanted to disappear into the ground.

Having spent so much time with Huang Qingqing, Gu Nanjiao found her personality to be the most to her liking. She was quick to act and never let romantic feelings hold her back. She was single-mindedly focused on self-improvement, sunny, confident, and genuinely adorable. The only drawback was that she married that scumbag Lu Yanzhao.

Fortunately, Huang Qingqing was decisive in divorcing him, never dragging things out, and I never saw her being sad and crying after the divorce.

She really likes this kind of personality.

...

For several days in a row, Gu Nanjiao was either drawing or drawing. She was extremely busy since arriving in the capital.

Lu Yanzhao also locked himself in his room to study, ignoring everything else.

The two of them hadn't gone out since the day they arrived in the capital.

Everyone is busy with their own things, and no one bothers anyone else.

But for some reason, I haven't seen Bai Luochen for several days since I came back.

However, considering that Bai Luochen owns many private residences and businesses, and is much busier than her, it's not surprising!

After arriving in the capital, she discovered that the small businesses in the county town were merely a cover for his true nature; his real businesses were all in the capital, simply registered under other people's names and managed by hired agents.

As night approached, the crescent moon hung in the sky like a jade hook.

Lu Yanzhao looked out the window. It was so late, why hadn't Gu Nanjiao returned yet?

He arrived at his father's door and knocked: "Father-in-law, has mother-in-law returned?"

Gu Qingyan was also studying in his room. He had been catching up on his studies these past few days, hoping not to do too badly in the spring exam.

"No!" Hearing his son-in-law's voice, he opened the door and let Lu Yanzhao in.

Lu Yanzhao bowed and said, "Father-in-law, I won't go in. The shop must be too busy. I'll go and fetch them."

"I'll go with you." Gu Qingyan went back into the house and got two pieces of clothing. He put one on himself and draped the other over Lü Siniang's arm.

"Let's go."

Looking at the clothes on Gu Qingyan's arm, Lu Yanzhao's eyes flickered. He was indeed too young. Look at his father-in-law, how considerate he is.

Following suit, Lu Yanzhao also went back to his room and took one of Gu Nanjiao's cotton coats, draping it over his arm.

When the two arrived, Jiaoniang Pavilion was just about to close. Seeing Gu Qingyan and Lu Yanzhao return, Lü Siniang quickly put down her clothes carrying pole, rushed happily to Gu Qingyan, grabbed his hand and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I've come to pick you up and take you home!"

Ignoring the two's sweet talk, Lu Yanzhao asked Huang Qingqing directly, "Where is Gu Nanjiao?"

"In the back room!"

Just as Lu Yanzhao was about to enter, Huang Qingqing stopped him, stammering, "You... men are not allowed to enter the back room."

Lu Yanzhao was taken aback: "Why?"

"In short, you can't go in; that's Manager Gu's rule."

Huang Qingqing was both ashamed and embarrassed, and begged Gu Nanjiao to come out quickly. If Lu Yanzhao found out that they were doing these things, would she still have the face to face people?

Oh my god, I'm going to die! Why did you have to come at this critical moment? Gu Nanjiao, Gu Nanjiao, come out quickly!

Upon hearing this, Lu Yanzhao didn't make things difficult for Huang Qingqing. He straightened his cotton coat and found a place to sit down.

Huang Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, he didn't insist, or she would have been mortified.

But what exactly is Gu Nanjiao doing? Why is she dawdling and not coming out yet?