He Yang, wearing witch-colored lipstick, said with a serious face, "No way! Setting up a stall in front of your brothel will damage our reputation. We are doing legitimate business. Don't come up with such a bad idea. What kind of good place is yours?"
He was a gentleman. Although he used to be somewhat dissolute and irresponsible, he never set foot in those places of debauchery, nor did he yearn for them.
Not to mention becoming addicted to it.
Upon hearing this, the courtesan's face turned ugly. "You all have no good reputation to begin with, and I attract customers through my own abilities. I haven't stolen or robbed anyone. You old devil from Black Mountain, shut your mouth and get out of here."
Seeing that they were about to start arguing again, Yu Zhizhi had no choice but to step in and smooth things over. "Girl, don't be angry. Thank you for coming to support my business and for bringing so many of your friends. I'll give you a lipstick in a 'man-slaying' shade later. I hope your business gets better and better."
After getting the better deal, the brothel owner glared at He Yang and said, "You're so sweet-talking, you know how to speak properly."
He Yang cursed inwardly: You're the Black Mountain Demon! I should have given you a witch's lipstick to cut off your romantic entanglements and see how you manage to pimp then.
After seeing off several groups of guests, when Liu Xuanyi left, Yu Zhizhi gave her a bottle of rose essential oil, even though she wasn't planning to charge her for the lipstick.
But Liu Xuanyi refused, saying, "I'll accept the rose essential oil; but I'll pay for the lipstick."
Seeing her determination, Yu Zhizhi didn't say anything more.
"Xuanyi, thank you so much today! Without your help, we couldn't have sold so much so quickly," Yu Zhizhi said, holding Liu Xuanyi's hand.
"Zhizhi, we're friends, no need to be so polite. I'm so glad to have met such an interesting friend like you. Remember to call me if you get too busy in the future!"
The two looked at each other and smiled, their friendship reaching a new level at that moment.
By evening, Yu Zhizhi and her team had finally sold out all 500 lipsticks and over 100 bottles of essential oil they had brought that day.
This was the highest daily income He Yang had ever earned since he started his stall. Looking at the silver in the ceramic jar, He Yang was overjoyed.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
It seems I won't have to ask my family for money anymore.
The next day.
At the stroke of 9:00 AM, Yu Zhizhi and her two companions, in high spirits, pushed their wooden cart and headed towards the entrance of Xu's Wine Shop on Jinghe Street.
However, along the way, they discovered that something was amiss.
Many shops on the street had their doors tightly closed, making it appear exceptionally deserted. The usually bustling street was now unusually quiet, with very few pedestrians.
Yu Zhizhi wondered to herself: Could something have happened?
Normally, this time of day should be when all shops are open for business, so why is the street so deserted today?
Yu Zhizhi was very puzzled. She immediately stopped an old man passing by and asked, "Uncle, do you know why the streets are so deserted today?"
The old man stopped and looked at Yu Zhizhi, saying, "Young lady, didn't you see the notice posted this morning?"
Yu Zhizhi, He Yang, and Xiao Tao exchanged glances and shook their heads to indicate that they hadn't seen it.
"Last night, the owner of another liquor store on Jinghe Street was murdered. He was found dead in the liquor storage area in the backyard of the store, and the way he died was quite gruesome. I advise you not to go towards Jinghe Street; it's dangerous."
After hearing this, He Yang became frightened. He tightly gripped Yu Zhizhi's sleeve and said nervously, "Boss, is our life more important or our money?"
His meaning couldn't be clearer.
If Yu Zhizhi said that life was more important, they would immediately turn back and abandon their journey to Jinghe Street.
But if money was the priority, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and press on.
At this moment, Yu Zhizhi was in a state of great inner turmoil.
If I don't set up my stall today, I definitely won't be able to complete the tasks issued by this lousy system, which means I'll lose the chance to get the elixir reward.
This made her feel extremely unwilling and helpless.
The location for setting up a stall was already bizarre enough, but they added to the difficulty by pulling this stunt.
Oh dear! How unlucky she is!
Finally, after some thought, Yu Zhizhi firmly said to He Yang, "Life is more important than money. You and Xiao Tao go back first, I'll go set up the stall by myself."
Now that she had promised the Sixth Prince, she should do her best to complete the mission, even if she might face some difficulties and challenges.
Besides, it's broad daylight, and she doesn't believe the murderer would be so brazen as to come out and continue committing crimes.
He Yang had no intention of being a coward, so he looked firmly at Yu Zhizhi and said, "Boss, don't even think about abandoning me. We promised to share joys and sorrows and stand together through thick and thin."
"Although I'm a little scared, I can keep going as long as you're by my side."
Xiao Tao quickly nodded in agreement: "Young Master He is right, we should stand together through thick and thin."
Yu Zhizhi was deeply moved after hearing this.
"Alright! We'll see how things go. If there's really no business to be had and hardly anyone is out shopping, then we'll go back."
The two responded in unison, "Okay."
One hour later.
The sun had risen high in the sky, and its rays shone brightly on the streets.
They only made a few sales at their stall, and they were all repeat customers.
At this moment, He Yang was sitting bored in front of the stall, picking at the garlic hanging around his neck with his hand.
Yu Zhizhi looked down at the pile of lipsticks, her mind going blank.
As she was considering whether to go to other streets to solicit business, she suddenly heard the clattering of horses' hooves ahead.
Zhao Yunjin nimbly jumped off his horse, strode to the stall, looked directly at her, and said in a cool yet concerned voice, "Why are you still setting up a stall here? Go back!"
He had heard that there were three fearless men on Jinghe Street who dared to set up a stall in front of Xu's Wine Shop.
Later, when Zhao Er returned from patrol, he reported to him, and only then did he realize that the three fools who were willing to risk their lives for money were Yu Zhizhi and her group.
Yu Zhizhi was somewhat surprised.
How did he end up here?
Could they be here to investigate a case?
With him around, she felt much more at ease.
Yu Zhizhi looked at Zhao Yunjin and replied softly, "Sixth Prince, I want to hold on a little longer."
Zhao Yunjin frowned, rubbing his temples with his fingers, and said sternly, "Don't you know where you are? Are you out of your mind?"
Yu Zhizhi lowered her head, clasped her hands tightly together, and responded in a slightly low voice:
“I know, but I promised you I would help you remove the scars on your face as soon as possible. If this stall is successful, everything will be settled, so I thought…”
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Yunjin interrupted her.
He looked at Yu Zhizhi intently, then said gently, "I can wait, you don't need to rush. Now, be a good boy and take them both back."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
