A few days ago, in the afternoon, Jiang Huaiyu went to check out this shop and found that it perfectly met her expectations. So she nodded and agreed: "No need for such complicated procedures, I am willing to pay the full amount at once."
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in the eyes of the brokerage manager.
“Very good. Madam, please review the contract. If there are no objections, we can formally sign it.”
Jiang Huaiyu turned his gaze to Bai Yujing, "Yujing, let us witness this together."
Her eyes sparkled with a smile, gentle yet firm.
In her previous life, even though she eventually took control of the Marquis's mansion and became the enviable matriarch of the Marquis's family, she was never truly happy, which led to her untimely death at a young age.
In this life, she found someone she was willing to spend her life with.
Returning to the business world seemed to inject new vitality into her; she longed to build a better home with her loved ones, and she was full of confidence in it.
Bai Yujing gazed at her affectionately for a while before nodding with a smile, "Mm."
After both parties signed and sealed the contract and settled the payment on the spot, the brokerage manager immediately brought out an exquisite wooden box, beaming with a smile and revealing a set of white teeth.
"Madam, young master, the deed and key to this shop now officially belong to you both."
When Jiang Huaiyu received the land deed, it felt as if she were holding a heavy hope in her hands, and her sense of security increased accordingly.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and smiled at Bai Yujing, saying, "Yujing, let's explore this new territory together."
The two stepped into their newly purchased shop, located on Lion Street, just two alleys away from the bustling main street—a perfectly situated location. The previous owner had recently sold it, so the shop remained clean and tidy, with little dust accumulation.
Jiang Huaiyu held Bai Yujing's hand tightly and walked straight towards the backyard.
She pointed to the quiet side rooms and said gently, “This is our own corner. Tomorrow I will have someone thoroughly clean it. This courtyard is peaceful and pleasant, so you can move here and study poetry and books in peace. Your brother and sister-in-law will manage the shop, and you can take care of each other. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”
Bai Yujing nodded politely, "I will follow your arrangements."
They strolled around the shops. Jiang Huaiyu felt a little tired, so she took out a handkerchief, gently wiped the dust off the chair, and then sat down with Bai Yujing.
Just then, a slight noise came from the doorway, and a young man dressed as a servant walked in.
He held a delicate, slender box in both hands and bowed respectfully to the two men. “Distinguished guests, I have delivered the ‘Chess Game Diagram’ you requested. Please inspect it.”
Bai Yujing was still full of doubts, but Jiang Huaiyu had already opened the box, taken out the scroll, examined it carefully, and then handed it to Bai Yujing.
"This is a chess game diagram personally drawn by Zhou Ju of the previous dynasty. Examine it carefully and see if there are any errors."
Bai Yujing examined the document carefully several times, and after confirming its authenticity, he nodded.
Jiang Huaiyu then took out a silver note from his pocket and handed it to the servant, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."
The servant accepted the silver note, waved goodbye with a smile, and said, "Madam, you flatter me. If you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
After he left, Bai Yujing held the chess diagram tightly in his hand, still unable to understand its meaning.
"Huaiyu, what is the reason for this?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently rolled up the scroll and put it back in the box, then explained, "I have already found out that although Tu Jijiu does not like gifts from his students, he has a special fondness for paintings, especially the exquisite figure paintings by Zhou Ju of the previous dynasty. Now it is the twelfth lunar month, and the date of the spring imperial examination is approaching. If you present this painting to Tu Jijiu and win his favor, he will definitely pay more attention to you."
Bai Yujing looked at her, his heart filled with gratitude and guilt, and for a moment he couldn't find the right words to express his feelings.
Just then, another person walked into the shop, carrying two food boxes. He greeted them with a smile and said, "Distinguished guests, these are the dishes you have ordered."
Jiang Huaiyu asked softly, "Has the food from the other location been delivered yet?"
She was referring to the direction of the Yang family.
The waiter smiled warmly and nodded in response, "On my way here, I delivered the food over there first before arriving here."
After the waiter had arranged all the dishes, Jiang Huaiyu paid the bill, waved goodbye, and said with a smile, "I'm starving. Let's enjoy the food first."
Seeing how well she arranged everything, Bai Yujing couldn't help but feel a sense of inferiority.
Jiang Huaiyu gently picked up a piece of food for him, "Eat more. You'll have to come with me to the city later. The shop has been purchased, and I hope to open it before the Spring Festival."
The shop's renovation and staff recruitment must be resolved as soon as possible.
After taking a few bites, she noticed that Bai Yujing remained silent, so she put down her chopsticks.
"Yujing, are you troubled by something?"
Bai Yujing's gaze was deep. He sighed and said slowly, "Huaiyu, you have given so much for me, but I have given nothing in return."
"How could you think like that?" Jiang Huaiyu gripped his hand tightly. "We're husband and wife, isn't that my duty?"
"But I still feel that I owe you something."
Do you think I'm the only one making sacrifices right now?
Bai Yujing nodded. "Everything the Bai family has is because of you. The responsibility you bear is too heavy."
Jiang Huaiyu gazed into his eyes, "But I did it willingly, and I got what I wanted. I don't feel that the Bai family is a burden to me. My elder brother and sister-in-law, we are all working together, and so are you, Yujing. Don't feel that you haven't helped me. If you didn't have the status of a scholar's wife, how could I have so smoothly purchased property in the city?"
"Therefore, until the world eliminates its prejudices against women, you will be my strong support in acting boldly. We are just doing our jobs. If you succeed in your studies in the future, I will also be honored by you. What do you say?"
Looking at her radiant smile, Bai Yujing shook his head with deep remorse.
"I was being too rigid."
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook his hand, "Don't think about it anymore. I'll take care of things at home. Just go for it and pursue your future. You've told me countless times how outstanding I am, but in my eyes, you are just as dazzling. I believe you will one day shine, and I am willing to walk hand in hand with you."
Bai Yujing is not someone who wallows in self-pity or gets caught up in details.
After thinking it through, he regained his composure and said, "My wife is absolutely right. Let's move forward together and create a better future."
...
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, after careful preparation, the shop's renovation was finally completed, and it was ready to open for business on an auspicious day two days later.
Jiang Huaiyu, accompanied by Yang Shi, came to conduct a final, detailed examination.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
