Zhou Li was carrying a light bundle on his back, and their already empty courtyard had been tidied up, as if they were never going back.
Su An looked completely confused, but Fu Zhun gently explained to her, "We've gotten used to your cooking. Since you're moving out, we'll move next door to you for convenience."
He paused, then added without changing his expression, "There's another two-story shop next door. I'm planning to open a bookstore there. You can come to the bookstore if you want to read and learn to read in the future."
"Really!" Su An's eyes lit up immediately, genuinely surprised and delighted. "That's great! I won't hold back!"
She was also reluctant to part with such a good neighbor, and now she could also freeload at the bookstore—truly a double blessing.
"Hmm." Fu Zhun lowered his dark eyes, his calm and handsome face remaining expressionless.
Only Zhou Li noticed that his ears were turning slightly red without him realizing it, and he couldn't help but click his tongue in disapproval.
That's not about wanting to open a bookstore, it's blatant enticement of a small business owner!
What a repressed but stubborn person!
With the help of several people, Su An's family's belongings were all moved by the afternoon.
The two families became neighbors again, separated only by a wall. Sanwa was especially happy about this. To celebrate and express his gratitude, Su'an specially invited his neighbors to have a bonfire and barbecue in the evening, and the noisy day finally came to an end.
The news of the Su family's relocation had already been spread by Su An, who also announced that a new product, soup dumplings, would be launched on the opening day.
It immediately became the focus of everyone's attention, generating both anticipation and gossip.
Su An had just returned from shopping when, unexpectedly, as she reached her shop, she overheard an old woman on the street cracking sunflower seeds and pointing at her.
"Why else could the Su family move here? It's because Boss Liu has taken a liking to Su An, and the shop is the dowry for the Su family!"
"Otherwise, do you think she suddenly became rich by selling steamed buns? How did she manage to get a shop in this location?"
In fact, people had been speculating about this as soon as the news first came out, but they still couldn't quite believe it.
"Boss Liu looks to be over forty or fifty. No matter what, a young lady like her wouldn't stoop so low as to marry such an old man just for a shop, would she?"
The old woman immediately spat and said disdainfully, "That kind of shameless wretch would take a scholar to court just to get back ten taels of silver! What's so great about marrying an old man?"
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense..."
Su An's expression immediately turned cold; she couldn't listen any longer.
She walked over speechlessly and directly confronted the noisy old woman who was cracking sunflower seeds: "You're making it sound so convincing! Did you see it with your own eyes? If you like talking nonsense so much, why don't you go sing some songs? It would save you from being a gossip who can't stand seeing others doing well all day long!"
The old lady was just being nosy and gossipy; she never expected the protagonist to suddenly appear, and she was immediately startled.
Faced with Su An's aggressive gaze, the old woman couldn't help but shrink back, awkwardly pouting and saying, "Oh, why be so petty? It's all just guessing. How would I know!"
After saying that, he quickly picked up his little stool and ran home in a flash.
Upon seeing this, the crowd dispersed with a sigh.
Gossip is one thing, but you can't do it in front of the shop owner. What if they won't let you buy steamed buns from him in the future?
Su An glared at them and snorted coldly, but didn't really pursue the matter.
After all, gossiping is human nature, and she can only try to stop it, but she can't silence the public.
In a couple of days, this matter should be forgotten by everyone.
Su An's plan was quite good, but unfortunately, the rumors circulating on the street two days later became even more outrageous.
Everyone secretly gossiped that it was Su An who insisted on having a teahouse before she would marry Boss Liu!
At this time, the bookstore...
Mr. Liu cautiously looked at the man in the wheelchair opposite him. Seeing the increasingly cold aura in the man's dark eyes, he was so frightened that he swallowed hard.
He could only ask tremblingly, "I wonder why you suddenly summoned me, young master..."
Good heavens! He hasn't even started working at the breakfast stall yet, and suddenly this guy has his eye on him!
Halfway there, I was inexplicably grabbed by the guards!
Fu Zhun narrowed his eyes, feeling increasingly angry and displeased the more he looked at the man. He suppressed his irritation and waved his hand.
Zhou Li immediately handed over a drawer full of silver.
Fu Zhun said expressionlessly, "Here is a thousand taels. I'll use it to buy your shop for Miss Su."
"Ah...ah??" Boss Liu trembled and stared blankly at the gleaming silver.
Wasn't his shop extorted by these robbers? What's going on here?!
Fu Zhun's brows furrowed, and he impatiently tapped the table. "The money and goods are settled. Go and clarify the rumors with the people. The shop was bought by Miss Su, not given to you. You two have no connection whatsoever."
"Get far away from her in the future, and never appear around her again."
Mr. Liu finally came to his senses and realized what was going on. It turned out that he had touched the heart of this man!
He immediately felt a pang of unease. He didn't want to, but what could he do when others were gossiping? He couldn't just shut them up, could he?
He had no choice but to grit his teeth, muster his courage, and push the silver back, saying ingratiatingly, "Young master, you are mistaken. The shop is my apology to Boss Su. Besides, I am thinking of working odd jobs in Boss Su's shop in the future to atone for my sins and show my sincere repentance!"
He wouldn't be content with just learning the recipe!
Fu Zhun's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, seeing through his thoughts, and he said in a low voice with a mocking tone, "Is it repentance or a desire to steal knowledge? I advise you not to try to be clever in front of me."
"This..." Boss Liu trembled violently, looking embarrassed and wanting to refute, but was so frightened by the sudden low pressure that he choked and broke out in a cold sweat.
No, no, if I anger this person who's not easy to mess with, I'll be in big trouble!
But giving up on him like this is just too hard to accept!
Just as Mr. Liu was so conflicted he felt like he was going to vomit blood, a woman's clear voice suddenly came from the doorway: "Wait, I have a problem with that."
Fearing further gossip, Su An brought Sanwa along. When they turned to look, Sanwa peeked out and greeted them politely.
"Greetings, Great God of Wealth and Little God of Wealth!"
This wasn't the first time Sanwa had visited someone's home. After greeting everyone, they all obediently went to find books to read, while Su An walked over to Fu Zhun and the others.
Seeing Fu Zhun staring at her with surprise, seemingly wondering why she knew Boss Liu was here.
She then gestured towards Zhou Li and said, "He said you wanted to help me clear up the rumors, so I came over to check it out."
"..." Fu Zhun fell silent immediately, glancing at Zhou Li, but Zhou Li pretended not to see it and hurriedly ran off to play with Sanwa, feeling guilty.
Hehe, he just didn't want the prince to be jealous, and for all his efforts to go unnoticed. It was all out of good intentions!
Su An had no idea of his ulterior motives. Thinking through her own calculations, she thanked Fu Zhun for his kindness before turning to the anxious Boss Liu and saying directly:
"Boss Liu, I know you have ulterior motives for wanting to stay, but what if I said I'd let you be the manager of the breakfast stall from now on?"
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