With such a broad vision and magnanimous heart, it's no wonder the other party said they thought they were friends. It seems that in her eyes, she was no different from the other people in Huaishan County.
He couldn't help but feel somewhat offended and rude for his previous presumptuousness.
"I heard that your snack stall recently started selling hot pot soup base for only eight coins a bowl, and people are allowed to buy it and cook it at home. Many people in the county rely on this soup to get through the cold winter nights. Last year, during the drought and scorching heat, you sold ice cream and cold drinks, and now during the snowstorm and cold winter, you sell warm food. On the surface, it seems like you are a businessman who is just going with the flow, but if you investigate carefully, you will find that your costs are actually very high and you don't make much money at all. The reason you do this is actually for the benefit of the people, right?"
"You don't need to rush to deny it. During last year's drought, countless people in the surrounding counties died from the heat, and even more people fell ill due to the high temperatures. Clinics were overflowing with patients every day. But what about our Huaishan County?"
“The snow disaster is bound to be more severe than the drought. If it weren’t for your help, the people of the county would probably be suffering terribly.” As Zhou Yin spoke, his eyes were fixed on Cheng Ruyi, his gaze burning with intense heat.
Cheng Ruyi was momentarily confused about the other person's intentions. Had they noticed something amiss? And why were they staring at her like that? Were they trying to force her to give herself away? No, she couldn't panic!
Thinking of this, she immediately lowered her head and pretended to drink tea, intending to remain calm and composed in the face of change.
However, Zhou Yin interpreted her actions in a different light. He smiled, shaking his head with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence. Then, his expression changed, and he said with utmost seriousness, "You don't need to be ashamed. You have indeed helped the people of Huai Shan County overcome several difficulties these past few days. Both morally and logically, you deserve these praises."
Huh? So they didn't discover her secret? You should have said so earlier! You scared her half to death!
Cheng Ruyi raised her head again, took a deep breath of the incense, and said, "Master Zhou, you flatter me. If I were truly a philanthropist, I should be giving away my wealth without expecting anything in return. Why would I use the guise of doing business?"
"Offering oneself for free?" Zhou Yin chuckled disdainfully upon hearing this. "Hmph, that kind of person isn't a great philanthropist, they should be called a great fool. A wise person doesn't stand under a dangerous wall, and helping others should be done with moderation."
Cheng Ruyi's eyes lit up after hearing this; finally, they could get to the point!
“What Master Zhou said is true. Half a month ago, I went to Dabeisi Temple to pray for blessings and met Master Lingjue. I learned by chance that there would be great chaos in the future. After thinking it over, I still feel that we need to make some preparations to deal with the disaster!”
She thought Zhou Yantang would have a strong reaction after hearing this, since his family had a closer relationship with Dabeisi Temple and would definitely believe what the monks said.
However, the man in front of him simply looked away, lowered his head and continued drinking his tea. After a long while, he spoke softly, "What's so strange about the Great Yue being beset by internal and external troubles and in great chaos?"
Cheng Ruyi was puzzled. Judging from the man's reaction, it seemed he had long anticipated that chaos would ensue, but why was he so calm? She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then sincerely asked, "So, Master Zhou must have made preparations long ago? What are your plans, Master Zhou? Could you tell me so I can take a look?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yin lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with an inscrutable expression as he looked at the cup in his hand. "What's the plan? I'm just an ordinary businessman, like an insignificant ant in this raging torrent. The building is about to collapse, and I can't hold it up with just one pillar!"
"But you just said that a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. Since you sensed the danger early on, why didn't you prepare in advance and leave the dangerous situation in time?" Cheng Ruyi stood up excitedly. The other party's nonchalant attitude really provoked her. As someone who is cautious and timid, she really couldn't understand it.
If the Zhou family, such a behemoth, wanted to flee as a whole, they would definitely need to make a lot of preparations beforehand. That's why she thought of reminding him early on so that he would have enough time to deal with it. But not only did he know about it all along, he didn't even think about escaping. He looked like he was going to his death. It's infuriating!
Seeing Cheng Ru's indignant appearance, Zhou Yin actually found her somewhat adorable. So, he unconsciously smiled and explained with great patience, "The Zhou family has been rooted in Huai Shan County for a long time, with businesses and industries all over the place. How can we just leave so easily? Besides, since it's such a big mess, it's the same no matter where we go. In that case, it's better to stay in our hometown, at least we won't die in a foreign land in such loneliness."
In his youth, he was also full of enthusiasm and wanted to serve his country and make a name for himself. Although he did not enter officialdom, he has been working hard to expand his influence over the years in order to collect more intelligence. Unfortunately, the more he learned, the more disappointed he became with the court, and the more he understood, the more he realized that he was powerless.
"The world, after a long period of unity, will inevitably divide, and after a long period of division, will inevitably unite again. This cycle will continue to repeat itself. Many things are inevitable and beyond human control. As for me... I have neither the ability to strategize nor the courage to burn my bridges. Therefore, I can only accept this outcome with equanimity."
“Mr. Zhou has other matters to attend to. Please make yourself at home, Madam Cheng.”
After saying this, Zhou Yin finished the water in his cup in one gulp, ignored Cheng Ruyi's reaction, and left gracefully. When he opened the door to the room, a sudden gust of wind blew in, and the fierce wind mixed with cold snowflakes made the departing figure appear desolate and resolute.
When Cheng Ruyi came to her senses, she realized that the stove in the room had been blown out by the wind. She sighed, quickly grabbed her cloak, and hurried away.
She wasn't sure whether Zhou Yantang was a pessimist or someone who had seen through life and death and transcended the mortal world. She only knew that she wasn't; she was terrified of death!
Having barely escaped death and given a second chance at life, is she now expected to accept her fate and resign herself to death? Impossible!
Cheng Ruyi walked down the busiest street in Huaishan County, glancing back at Zhiwei Restaurant behind her. She had already informed the Zhou family, and whatever choices they made were not her responsibility.
Although she was powerless to stop the chaos, it didn't mean she couldn't fight back. Perhaps it was just a futile attempt, but how could she know she would fail if she didn't try?
She was unwilling to give up. Now that she knew how to get home, she was determined to fight for it no matter what.
After her unpleasant parting with Zhou Yin, Cheng Ruyi returned to Lishan Villa and threw herself back into her hectic daily life.
In mid-February, the temperature continued to drop. Cheng Ruyi felt that the temperature felt like minus thirty degrees Celsius when she stood outside. The only good news was that it hadn't snowed for almost ten days, so many roads were cleared in time. Not only were there more pedestrians on the road, but the mountain road in Guan's village was finally open, and Guan's family was able to deliver charcoal in time again.
As if good things come in pairs, after solving the heating problem, Cheng Ruyi made an unexpected discovery.
"Mommy, Mommy, I have something to give you, guess what it is?" Little Cheng Yunle, wrapped up like a round ball, suddenly appeared by Cheng Ruyi's door, peeking out with his little head and asking happily.
"Oh my god~~ How can our Yunle be so well-behaved and sensible? She even gave her mother a gift!" Cheng Ruyi had actually heard her youngest daughter's footsteps earlier, but she still pretended to be very surprised and picked up the chubby girl. "Whatever Yunle gives you, it's all from your heart, and your mother will love it!"
Cheng Yunle was overjoyed as her mother hugged her. Her mother was always so busy that it was difficult to even see her on ordinary days. She had waited for several days before she finally got a chance to see her mother at home. So she excitedly brought over her newly acquired "treasure".
The chubby little girl carefully took out a sheet of Xuan paper from her bosom, unfolded it, and happily handed it to her mother, proudly saying, "Mommy, look, this is what I drew! Even Teacher Li praised my talent!"
After putting down her youngest daughter, Cheng Ruyi picked up the painting and examined it closely. She was shocked by what she saw. "Is Yunle painting... me?"
This piece of Xuan paper is not large, about the size of A4, but it contains a lifelike and vivid painting of a woman holding a peach wood sword in her right hand and kicking a thief away with her left foot. Judging from her figure, appearance and the familiar props, it is clearly her!
"Yes, yes, this is Mommy. Do you think my drawing looks like her?"
"So alike...so very alike..."
Cheng Ruyi glanced at the painting and then at Cheng Yunle, unable to help but wonder if her youngest daughter was truly a favored daughter of heaven, a darling of the heavens, and the heroine of a historical novel? How could she not only have extraordinary talent in martial arts but also such high artistic talent?
Before Cheng Ruyi could even react, Cheng Yun'an's stern voice came from outside the door: "Cheng Yunle, you're not allowed to lie!"
In an instant, the chubby little girl, who was as proud as a peacock, immediately felt guilty and quickly shoved the drawing paper behind her back, protesting softly, "I didn't lie...this is what I drew..."
Unfortunately, if her voice hadn't gotten softer and softer, her words might have been a little more believable.
"What's going on?" For a moment, Cheng Ruyi was also confused about what had happened between the two sisters. "Yun'an, tell me about it~~"
Cheng Yun'an held a large pot of hot longan and red date water in her hands. She knew that her mother's period had just ended and her complexion had not been very good in the past few days, so she specially went to the kitchen today to make this to help her mother replenish her blood.
Drinking sweet and nourishing jujube water on a cold day is naturally very comfortable and pleasant. Cheng Ruyi couldn't help but kiss Yun An's cheek, then took her hand and praised her profusely before listening to them recount what had happened.
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