Seeing Lady Ding, the people working indoors like Hong Qin and Aunt Guixiang felt a trace of disdain in their eyes.
Hong Qin, who was always outspoken, couldn’t hold back and said disdainfully, "The tasks we lowly country girls do are not suitable for your precious daughter. Don’t bother us. We are already busy enough here. We don’t have time to cater to an Eldest Miss!"
Even the ever-obedient and never-angry Zheng Xiaocui didn’t give Lady Ding and her daughter a glance. After all, when big brother Ji was bedridden, they drove him out of the house. She would hold a grudge against them for a lifetime over this matter.
Lady Ding stomped her foot angrily. She originally intended to come at a time when there were many people so that Ji Xinhe wouldn’t dare to treat her and her husband poorly in front of everyone. However, she didn’t expect that this girl was so cunning that she managed to win everyone’s hearts with just a few words!
"You dead girl, just you wait and see!" Lady Ding glared at Ji Xinhe and angrily dragged Ji Xiulan away.
After they left, Xiao Bei emerged from behind her sister: "Sister, you’re so amazing."
Ji Xinhe smiled and patted Xiao Bei on the head: "They scared my Xiao Bei, how could I let them stay? Don’t worry, this little thing won’t bother your sister."
Whether it was Lady Ding or Ji Xiulan, they were just insignificant people to her. As she was getting better and better, these small-minded people would naturally be unable to bear their jealousy and would impatiently try to get a share of her success. She had already anticipated this, but didn’t care. Like today, she shattered their dreams of getting something for nothing without any mercy. If they wanted to try this again, well, just let them try!
It wasn’t long before the sound of cursing and smashing things came from the main room.
It must be Lady Ding venting her anger again.
Ji Xinhe didn’t bother with her and took Xiao Bei’s hand: "Our new house will be built on the east side of the village, far away from them. In the future, our two families will live separately so we won’t have to see them again."
Xiao Bei nodded repeatedly: "Good! Xiao Bei doesn’t like to see them either."
Once they moved into the new house, they wouldn’t have to see them again!
But Zheng Xiaocui suddenly asked softly: "Xin He, I don’t know if big brother Ji has fully recovered from his severe injuries? Did he suffer any after-effects?"
Ji Xinhe was startled and remembered that when she humiliated Lady Ding just now, she had mentioned her "bedridden big brother". She didn’t expect this innocent girl to take it to heart and was quite worried.
"Big brother was never actually..." Xiao Bei was about to tell the truth enthusiastically, but Ji Xinhe pulled her back and took her to the side. Then she said with some worry: "Actually, ever since my big brother suffered that serious injury, his body has been very weak. He’s always been strong-willed and doesn’t want to admit it, but he has been taking medicine to nourish his body."
Xiao Bei stared with watery eyes, blinking several times, and stayed there.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiaocui’s heart tightened: "What can be done then? He’s been working so hard without fully recovering from the injury. It’s really..."
Ji Xinhe sighed gently: "My big brother is doing it all for us. After all, our mother is dead, our father doesn’t care about us, and for the sake of Xiao Bei and me, he endures all the hardships himself. How can I not want him to recuperate properly?"
Zheng Xiaocui nodded with a worried look on her face: "Yes."
Ji Xinhe chuckled to herself. Zheng Xiaocui was just a simple-minded girl, easily convinced by her words.
"Actually, it’s not very serious now. He just needs someone to take good care of him and not let him work too hard. You don’t have to worry too much." Ji Xinhe’s words were either to comfort Zheng Xiaocui or to give her a hint.
Zheng Xiaocui thought for a while, then nodded lightly: "Okay."
"Ah, right." Ji Xinhe lowered her voice and whispered into Zheng Xiaocui’s ear, "My brother doesn’t like outsiders to know about his poor health. He’s a bit face-conscious, so don’t tell him about this."
Zheng Xiaocui nodded solemnly: "I definitely won’t!"
Only then did Ji Xinhe smile with relief. Since she wouldn’t say anything, he wouldn’t know about her fabrications.
---
In the following days, Ji Xinhe was busier than ever. She left the construction of the new house to Ji Dong. After several days of effort, she finally settled on a storefront and started to prepare for its opening after cleaning and organizing.
The current price of grape wine at Gui Lin Ju had risen to fifteen silver taels per pound, and honest shopkeeper Wu Zhanggui had voluntarily given Ji Xinhe an increased share of the profits.
Now was the perfect time to open a shop!
"In half a month, it will be Chinese New Year. Many people are preparing to stock up for the festival, and during this time, drinks are the best-selling items. For wealthy families, this rare and expensive grape wine is suitable for sending as New Year’s gifts and for drinking during the celebration. So, we need to hurry up and get our shop ready to open." Ji Xinhe said.
Mu Houchu replied, "Since you want to target high-ranking nobles, the storefront should be decorated elegantly, otherwise it may look shabby. Fortunately, the store you’ve chosen used to sell gold and silver utensils, so the decoration is already quite good. If you want to open for business quickly, you can clean it up and open first. After Chinese New Year, you could have craftsmen redo the decoration."
Ji Xinhe nodded: "Yes, that’s the only way."
As Ji Xinhe looked at the storefront, she excitedly scurried around inside, planning the layout: "Here, we’ll set aside a space for a counter to sell pickles. On this side, we’ll place a wine vat, a big one right at the entrance to attract attention! If our business grows and we have more products, we can make the divisions more detailed! Ah, what’s a good name for the sign?"
After thinking for a moment, Ji Xinhe snapped her fingers and excitedly said, "Let’s call it Qinghe Shop! The name is elegant and also has my name, making it easy for people to remember."
Mu Houchu made a thoughtful noise, "I think Chuhe Shop sounds better. It contains both our names, so everyone could know we’re a couple."
Ji Xinhe’s mouth twitched, and she ground her teeth: "Qinghe it is!"
Mu Houchu laughed: "Alright, whatever you say."
The hint of indulgence in the corner of his mouth made Ji Xinhe’s heart tremble involuntarily. She quickly turned around, covering her slightly racing heart. Damn it, she was becoming even less resistant to him! A single smile from this man could make her lose her bearings?
He truly was an evil man!
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