"You Ran?"
Seeing that Li Youran's eyes were dim, Liu Zhiyuan assumed that she was overworked because of the bookstore, so he asked her with concern.
"If all else fails, leave the affairs of the academy to me. You should go back and get some rest."
"I'm fine. Young Master Liu, please return to the academy quickly. I've almost finished my work here, and I'll be preparing to open tomorrow."
Li Youran did not explain. After watching Liu Zhiyuan leave, she paid the helper his wages and then closed the bookstore door.
Everything is going well; we're just waiting to open for business tomorrow morning.
On the way back, Li Youran drove the carriage absentmindedly, her mind preoccupied with how to explain things to Tang Lei.
Just as Liu Zhiyuan was wiping the dirt off her face, Li Youran saw Tang Lei's departing figure and knew that Tang Lei must have misunderstood.
When Zhao Lanshan misunderstood her before, Li Youran was only anxious and afraid that it would cause trouble for the two lovers.
But when Tang Lei misunderstood her, she felt anxious and uneasy, and even a little guilty.
In the past, when Tang Lei passed by the steamed bun shop after work, he would buy some cooked food to take home. But today, Li Youran waited until the shop closed, but Tang Lei never showed up.
Li Youran felt a sense of emptiness, but because the bookstore was opening tomorrow and she had many things to do, she didn't have the mind to think about these things.
After the steamed bun shop closed, Li Youran went to the pancake shop to discuss with her family how to entertain guests the next day.
In just a few months, Li Youran had already built up a considerable network of contacts, including Mr. Guo, the owner of Guo's Grocery Store, Mr. Yang, the owner of Yonghezhai across from the wonton shop, as well as many relatives, friends, and business associates.
“I’ve already spoken to Madam Tian and told her to keep an eye on the wonton shop tomorrow, and to pay her double the wages.” Madam Li wiped her hands on her apron, looked at Li Youran, and continued, “I’ve also told Ah Lang to attend the banquet tomorrow.”
After speaking, Madam Li hesitated, looking as if she wanted to say something more. Seeing that Li Youran hadn't noticed her change, she breathed a sigh of relief. Rather than saying something that would upset the young lady, it was better to remain silent.
"Little sister, don't worry, I'll definitely keep an eye on the shop for you tomorrow." Li Haoran patted his chest and said, "Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've still seen pigs run, right? I know all about the stuff in the bookstore."
Seeing her family's support, Li Youran's low spirits lifted slightly, and she focused all her attention on the opening of the store the next day.
While the bookstore opening was important, other business operations still needed to be carried out. The second brother and sister-in-law would remain at the pancake shop to continue supplying the academy with vegetable-filled pancakes. The steamed bun shop was handed over entirely to Xiao Zhou and Hua Ruyu. Aunt Tian was asked to help manage the wonton shop.
Li Dazhu, Li Niangzi, and Li Haoran went to help out at the academy. Li Dazhu was in charge of greeting the guests who would be attending the event the next day, while Li Haoran and Li Niangzi accompanied Li Youran to greet the guests at the academy.
The reasons for this arrangement were twofold: firstly, time was short and Li Youran had not been able to find a manager; secondly, Li Youran wanted his elder brother to help out at the academy and participate in its management.
Since her eldest brother and Zhou Yingying divorced, he has been helping out at the pancake shop, and everything has returned to the state it was before the family split up.
Li Youran had considered giving one of her two food stalls to her elder brother, but she didn't know how to bring it up.
After all, she was the youngest sister, and it would be a bit embarrassing for her older brother to be taken care of by her. So Li Youran took this opportunity to help her older brother, since they were all family and should share the wealth.
Moreover, Li Youran felt that if she wanted to do great things, she couldn't face these challenges alone; she needed the help of others, and her family was the best choice.
Now that she's in this world, she's determined to live freely and clearly. She wants to become wealthy and change her current situation.
She wants to find her family and trace her origins. In this life, she wants to live life to the fullest and enjoy it to the fullest.
"General Tang, His Highness has sent me to assist you."
A man dressed in black knelt down, cupped his hands in a fist salute, and said to Tang Lei, "The situation is critical and complicated. Your Highness needs your help."
"Go back and tell His Highness the Second Prince that I will go to the military camp in three days," Tang Lei said coldly.
The man in black took his leave and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye, as if he had never been there.
Tang Lei originally planned to capture Liu Wei and his men in one fell swoop before going to the military camp, but he suddenly changed his mind.
He felt inexplicably agitated, and his anger surged around him, its origin and destination unknown.
Damn woman, doesn't she know that you can't let other men touch your face?
Tang Lei was unaware that in his heart, Li Youran had already been labeled as his, someone no one else could touch.
The imperial concubine selection notice was posted, and the cosmetics shops were booming, which also made Lu Chuan's jewelry shop a fortune.
"My son, Xiangyu hasn't even entered the family yet, but she's already brought good fortune to the Qian family!" Old Mrs. Lu walked briskly, her face beaming with excitement, and said to Lu Chuan, who was reading at the study.
"The fortune teller was right, Xiangyu really is a lucky charm for her husband. Why don't we settle on the wedding before the new year?"
These past few days, the jewelry shop has been doing very well, and Mrs. Lu is overjoyed, all because of the good things that have happened with her son's engagement.
She attributed all the credit to Wang Xiangyu, believing her to be a woman who brought good fortune to her husband and the Lu family.
"Mother, we'll talk about this later. I need to go to the academy today," Lu Chuan said, getting up to leave.
Lu Chuan had already been invited by his classmate, who said that a bookstore near the academy was opening today, and they were going to visit the newly opened bookstore together.
The appointment was only for the afternoon, but staying at home would only lead to more pressure about the wedding, so I decided to leave for the academy early.
Our store is officially open today, and everything is 20% off.
After the lion dance ended, the bookstore was packed with customers.
What's appealing isn't just the unique design and elegant decor, but also the perks offered for the new store opening.
"Everyone can come here to get a membership card. Just write down your personal information, and you can accumulate points for shopping. The accumulated points can be redeemed for writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones!"
"Deposit one tael of silver and receive fifty coins as a bonus! Deposit three taels of silver and receive two hundred coins as a bonus! The more you deposit, the more you receive. Limited quantities available, first come, first served!"
Having many customers doesn't necessarily mean good business. What Li Youran needs to do is retain these customers and strive to get most people in the academy to spend money in her bookstore.
The students at the academy had never seen such a scheme before. But since there were benefits, they rushed to get membership cards and deposit money in advance.
"Li Youran?"
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