Chapter 92

The shop assistant’s attitude was extremely arrogant, showing little interest in engaging with Ye Baizhi. Clearly, it was because his store never had trouble selling its goods. In fact, he didn’t need to do anything—customers eagerly snatched up the items.

Ye Wulan observed the Assistant’s demeanor, his expression turning cold as a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

The shop assistant, being a beastman, instinctively sensed the killing intent. When he looked at Ye Wulan, an inexplicable chill rose from the soles of his feet.

Ye Wulan gazed at him as if looking at a dead man, his presence exuding danger. His voice was eerily calm yet chilling. “Can you speak properly?”

Feeling the overwhelming threat, the shop assistant couldn’t help but tremble. He quickly nodded. “I can.”

Instantly, his tone became much more respectful toward Ye Baizhi. “Miss, to be honest, I don’t set these prices—our master does.”

“Our master’s merchant caravan purchases these goods from the southern region and transports them back. The journey involves many risks, making the items expensive. So, naturally, they can’t be sold cheaply.”

“Sometimes, several caravan guards are even injured along the way.”

Seeing that the Assistant was now willing to speak properly, Ye Baizhi considered asking for more information. She was genuinely curious about the southern region—no wonder it was the most prosperous. It turned out they had managed to cultivate rice there. She suspected that people in the southern region might cultivate rice, or perhaps only the noble tribes had mastered farming techniques.

Ye Baizhi asked, “Which influential family in Huai City does your master belong to?”

Each city had a few powerful families that controlled its resources. However, the central city of the northern region was Yongxue City, home to the Snow Wolf Tribe. That was the true center of power, where the most beastmen resided. Only noble families and wealthy beastmen could afford to live there. It was also the most prosperous place in the northern region.

The shop assistant responded, “Our master is from the Shen family. They live in Yongxue City, not in Huai City.”

“Our master has stores in various cities—this is just one of their branches in Huai City.”

The shop assistant spoke with evident pride when mentioning their master’s family.

Ye Baizhi understood that powerful backing provided security. If the Shen family was truly influential, no one would dare challenge their businesses. Moreover, establishing merchant caravans meant they weren’t just any ordinary family.

Ye Baizhi’s thoughts shifted—if the Shen family held such authority, how much did they know about the Snow Wolf Tribe?

She had intended to ask more, but just then, someone rushed in from outside, calling out, “Assistant! Hurry up, the young master has arrived!”

The shop assistant immediately dropped everything, called for the manager in the back, and rushed out according to protocol.

Ye Baizhi asked, “The Shen family’s young master came to Huai City in person?”

Ye Wulan’s gaze sharpened as he explained, “It’s said that the Shen family’s young master is physically weak and often ill. That’s why the Shen family expanded their businesses and merchant networks—to make it easier to find powerful healers to treat him.”

Ye Baizhi looked up at Ye Wulan, blinking. “You really do know a lot.”

Ye Wulan chuckled and gently stroked her hair. “Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

However, as he spoke, a captivating gleam flickered in his gaze. A gaze that could effortlessly draw Ye Baizhi in, making her lose herself in it. He truly wished he could hide her away so no one else could see her.

Just then, voices from outside the shop drifted in.

“That’s the eldest son of the Shen family!”

“Yes! My heavens, he’s unbelievably handsome.”

“Not only is he good-looking, but they say he possesses extraordinary intelligence and inherited ancestral memories. Unfortunately, he’s been frail and sickly since childhood, and no healer has been able to cure him.”

“Then why isn’t he resting at home? What’s he doing outside?”

“No idea. Maybe he’s here to inspect the shops.”

“In the past, wasn’t it always the Shen family’s servants who handled inspections? Why would the eldest son come personally?”

“Who knows? I heard that he was originally engaged, but later, he started coughing up blood, and the healers said he was dying…”

Before hearing anything further, a breathtakingly refined young man stepped into the shop. He wore a pale bamboo-green robe embroidered with cloud patterns, layered beneath a matching outer cloak. His figure was slender and elegant, standing like a jade tree in the spring rain—ethereal and distinguished. His eyes, clear as water, radiated warmth and intelligence, though his complexion was noticeably pale, hinting at lingering illness. His presence exuded a graceful charm.

As Shen Yunchu entered, his gaze immediately landed on the woman in the shop. With one glance, he effortlessly saw through her disguise, clearly recognizing her features. A subtle tremor coursed through his heart. His eyelashes lowered slightly, veiling the emotions hidden in his gaze.

The shop assistant stood by the young master’s side, looking up nervously. “Young Master, please be careful.”

He was visibly anxious, fearful that anything happening to the young master inside the shop would bring severe punishment upon him—if not death, then at least harsh consequences.

The young master possessed extraordinary intelligence and was the most valued member of the Shen family. Had it not been for his frail health, he would already have taken control of the Shen family’s affairs.

Shen Yunchu waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine.”

“Since there are customers in the shop, go ahead and attend to them first.”

The shop assistant was completely stunned—nothing was more important than the young master.

Shen Yunchu calmly said, “I’ll take a look around first.”

A dark glimmer flickered in Ye Wulan’s eyes. He clearly understood that although Shen Yunchu was frail, his strength was formidable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived this long.

Ye Baizhi sensed something off in Ye Wulan’s aura—his mood seemed unsettled. Given the situation, they couldn’t linger here.

The shop assistant, unable to ignore the young master’s words, quickly turned his attention to Ye Baizhi.

Ye Baizhi promptly said, “I’ll take one jin each of glutinous rice, regular rice, red beans, and mung beans.”

She wanted to purchase the ingredients quickly and return home to plant them in her space. Although she could see Shen Yunchu’s health issues, she wasn’t the type to meddle. To her, family was the most important.

Da Bao pursed his lips, seeing that his mother had only bought a small amount of glutinous rice. “Mom, we need to make pastries. Pastries!”

He thought a single jin of rice wouldn’t be enough. He wanted plenty of pastries to eat.

Ye Baizhi spoke gently, “Don’t worry, Mom will make pastries for you when we get home.”

“This should be enough. If it’s not, we can always buy more later.”

Ye Baizhi wouldn’t rush away at the expense of being impatient with Da Bao.

Da Bao grinned happily. “Mom’s cooking is the best!”

Ye Baizhi was amused by him and couldn’t help but pinch his little cheeks. “Such a sweet talker.”

Ye Wulan watched the mother and son with indulgent fondness.

Shen Yunchu glanced at Ye Wulan, then noticed Da Bao. His expression shifted slightly. He also saw Ye Baizhi’s stomach but quickly looked away, though his heart trembled for a brief moment. No one knew what he was thinking.

Shen Yunchu gave a subtle signal to his subordinate.

Immediately, his subordinate stepped forward and personally weighed the grain, bypassing the shop assistant entirely. Not only that, but he measured out twice the amount, keeping the price unchanged.

Ye Baizhi immediately noticed the surplus. “Did you weigh too much?”

A gentle and refined smile appeared on Shen Yunchu’s face, like a soft breeze. He spoke with a calm elegance. “It’s not too much. The shop’s grain prices were due to drop in the coming days.”

“You don’t need to worry about it, miss.”