Jiang Yan looked at the note and couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Father-in-law is afraid that you will deduct money from me."
"He's right." Su Jinli stood on tiptoe, reached out and gently pinched Jiang Yan's face, her fingertips touching the slight stubble on his chin. "Come on, Mr. Accountant, I'll take you to buy rouge."
As they walked out of the bookstore hand in hand, snowflakes began to fall from the sky again. Jiang Yan quickly opened an oil-paper umbrella, and the tassels on the umbrella brushed the top of Su Jinli's head gently. She tilted her head slightly, looking at the silver bill faintly visible in his sleeve pocket, and her thoughts drifted back to her lonely self in her previous life. "Jiang Yan," she suddenly whispered, "How about we have a daughter in the future and let her learn to count?"
"Okay." Jiang Yan looked at her tenderly, tilting the umbrella slightly towards her. Snowflakes fluttered down on his shoulders like a handful of silver coins. "Let her learn to write storybooks from you, and from me... how to love others."
At a sugar painting stall on the street corner, Old Man Zhang was intently painting a phoenix for Princess Shou'an. The princess, dressed in casual clothes, looked particularly approachable, with a hint of frosting on the tip of her nose, giving her a playful look. As soon as she saw Su Jinli and Jiang Yan, she excitedly called out, "Sister Su! Jiang Zhuangyuan! Bring me a box of 'Yi Zhang Hong'!"
Su Jinli smiled and agreed, but turned to see Jiang Yan still grinning foolishly beside him, clutching the stack of banknotes tightly in his hands as if they were the most precious treasure in the world. A warm current surged in her heart, and she suddenly felt that the blizzard had become warm, even hotter than the blazing fireplace in the bookstore. The grievances and hardships she had experienced in her previous life had long been slowly transformed into the sweetest honey in the world, in Jiang Yan's foolish smile and the loving noise of his family. The sweetness was so rich that she couldn't help but want to cry.
"What are you grinning at?" She nudged his arm gently.
Jiang Yan slowly lowered his head and looked at her tenderly, his eyes filled with sparkling snowflakes and endless laughter: "The best deal I've ever made in my life is marrying you."
The snow fell heavier, its flakes drifting like goose feathers, attempting to obscure everything. However, it couldn't drown out the crisp clacking of abacuses from the bookstore, or the happy laughter of the couple walking in the snow. In this complex world, the most precious treasure is never the mountain of banknotes, but the silly smiles of happiness and satisfaction on the faces of those around you as they receive their wages. Those smiles, like the warm sun on a winter's day, warm each other's hearts and become life's most precious treasures.
In the days that followed, Jinyun Bookstore's business flourished. As the serialization of "The Oil Seller" continued, readers' enthusiasm for the book grew even stronger. Every morning, long lines formed outside the bookstore, eager to purchase the next chapter and immerse themselves in the fascinating story.
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan's work became increasingly busy, yet increasingly fulfilling. Jiang Yan not only oversaw the bookstore's financial management but also assisted Su Jinli in handling various matters, from communicating with authors to planning bookstore events. Su Jinli, with her keen business acumen and unique understanding of culture, continuously revitalized the bookstore. She meticulously selected outstanding works for serialization and focused on engaging with readers, frequently hosting engaging events such as story writing competitions and character selections to allow readers to more deeply participate in the bookstore's cultural atmosphere.
Su Qingyao's rouge business also flourished thanks to a joint venture with Jinyun Bookstore. She constantly innovated, developing a series of new rouge products based on the plot and characters of "The Oil Seller," each of which proved incredibly popular. Her rouge shop gradually gained prominence in the capital, becoming a beloved beauty destination for many women.
Influenced by his sister and brother-in-law, Young Marquis Su developed a keen interest in business and culture. He began to diligently study arithmetic and cultural knowledge, striving to improve himself. On a daily basis, he volunteered to help with the bookstore's mundane tasks, such as organizing books and posting notices. In this process, he not only honed his abilities but also gained valuable experience.
As Jinyun Bookstore's reputation grew, more and more scholars and cultural enthusiasts flocked to the store. Some came to exchange cultural ideas with Su Jinli and Jiang Yan, while others sought opportunities for collaboration. Jinyun Bookstore gradually became a key venue for cultural exchange in Beijing, hosting a variety of cultural events such as poetry recitations, calligraphy exhibitions, and academic lectures, attracting a large number of people from both inside and outside the capital.
However, success always comes with challenges. As Jinyun Bookstore's influence grew, some of its peers grew jealous and attempted to suppress it. They spread rumors and maliciously slandered Jinyun Bookstore, attempting to undermine its reputation. Faced with these difficulties, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan remained steadfast. They chose to confront them head-on, holding public information sessions to showcase Jinyun Bookstore's creative process, the quality of its books, and its contributions to cultural endeavors, dispelling the rumors with facts.
At the briefing, Su Jinli said earnestly, "We at Jinyun Bookstore have always upheld a reverent respect for culture and a responsible attitude towards our readers, and are committed to bringing you excellent works. We are well aware of the power of culture; it can enlighten the mind and warm the heart. We will never allow anyone to maliciously discredit our efforts or destroy the pure cultural environment."
Jiang Yan also added: "We welcome healthy competition among our peers, which can drive our common progress. However, this malicious suppression not only hurts us, but also the entire cultural market. We hope that everyone can work together to promote the prosperity and development of Dajing culture."
The briefing was a complete success, and Jinyun Bookstore's reputation was not damaged. Instead, it gained more recognition and support. After seeing Jinyun Bookstore's determination and hard work, those peers who were once jealous of it began to reflect on their own behavior and began to seek opportunities to cooperate with Jinyun Bookstore.
After weathering these storms, Jinyun Bookstore has firmly established itself on the Beijing cultural scene. Su Jinli and Jiang Yan now cherish each other's companionship and the fruits of their joint efforts even more. They know the road ahead is long and may present more challenges, but as long as their family works together and supports each other, nothing can stop them from moving forward.
On a quiet night, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan strolled in the backyard of the bookstore. The moonlight shone on them like water, reflecting their happy figures. Jiang Yan gently held Su Jinli's hand and said, "Jinli, look, our efforts have finally paid off. But this is just the beginning. We still have many more dreams to realize in the future."
Su Jinli smiled and nodded: "Yes, with you by my side, I am not afraid of anything. Together we will build Jinyun Bookstore into the most influential cultural center in Dajing, so that more people can feel the charm of culture."
The two smiled at each other and made a beautiful promise for the future under the moonlight. And under their guidance, Jinyun Bookstore will continue to write its own glorious chapter, becoming a shining pearl in the cultural history of Dajing, illuminating the spiritual path of countless people.
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