“Miss Lin, you are too modest. But don’t worry, since you are working with me, I won’t let you suffer any losses.”

Su Qianjin laughed heartily and made his promise.

“Well said! Now that we know each other, I won’t call you Boss Su anymore. I’ll call you Uncle Qianjin instead, and you can call me Yuxin. That way, it won’t feel so formal!”

Seeing Su Qianjin’s straightforward nature, Lin Yuxin readily changed how she addressed him. This way, when it was time to get paid, she wouldn’t feel like an outsider—hehe!

“Alright! Then Uncle Qianjin will take advantage of this closeness. Yuxin! Hahaha!”

“Uncle Qianjin, I’ll go back and sketch some clothing designs first. I’ll bring them over in a few days. That’s all for today—I have something else to do, so I’ll take my leave.”

Lin Yuxin stood up, ready to go. She hadn’t forgotten that she still had to visit the most handsome man in town!

“Alright, then Uncle Qianjin will wait for your designs!”

Su Qianjin also stood up to see her off.

[Hmm… There are so many internal conflicts within Uncle Qianjin’s business. Should I remind him?]

After walking a few steps, Lin Yuxin paused, then turned around and said to Su Qianjin:

“Uncle Qianjin, be wary of the people around you. Only when the internal troubles are cleared can you live a better life.”

Su Qianjin was stunned. He recalled the voice he had heard earlier—so it was really Lin Yuxin speaking? But she hadn’t even opened her mouth at the time! Could it be… a voice from her heart?

If that was the case, then was everything she said true? His wife and his sworn brother were having an affair? And they were poisoning him? He had to investigate this!

Regaining his composure, Su Qianjin looked at Lin Yuxin seriously and said,

“Got it, Uncle Qianjin understands. Thank you for the warning, Yuxin!”

“Good, as long as you’re aware. Here, take this—it’s an antidote pill. It might come in handy.”

Lin Yuxin took out a small medicine bottle from her pocket and handed it to Su Qianjin.

“Alright, Uncle Qianjin will accept it and appreciate your kindness.”

Su Qianjin took the bottle. Even if he wasn’t sure if it would be useful, Lin Yuxin’s unconditional help was already rare and precious.

“Alright, we’re leaving now!”

Lin Yuxin waved and called over the small stool. Then she woke up Xiao Hao and walked out of Cuiya Pavilion.

Su Qianjin escorted them to the door but didn’t go any further.

“Boss, what’s going on with them…?”

The shopkeeper, seeing Su Qianjin personally send them off, felt uneasy and cautiously asked.

Su Qianjin withdrew his gaze and looked at the shopkeeper, recalling Lin Yuxin’s heart voice. She had said that this man was working for his wife, often stealing money from the store and even poisoning him!

His expression turned cold as he stared at the shopkeeper and said in a chilling voice:

“You don’t need to come to work tomorrow!”

“Wait—Boss, why?! Did that little brat say something to you? She’s just talking nonsense! I’ve worked diligently for so many years. Even if I haven’t made great contributions, I’ve worked hard!”

The shopkeeper panicked upon hearing that he was fired. If he lost this job, where else could he find such a well-paying one? Not to mention, he occasionally helped himself to some silver.

No, he couldn’t leave!

Su Qianjin ignored him and went straight to the counter. Opening the drawer, he found that one hundred taels of silver were missing—the same amount he had placed there just this morning.

So that explained why his business was getting worse, and the store’s income was shrinking. The missing silver had all gone into the shopkeeper’s pocket!

“Over the years, you’ve taken more than a thousand taels from me. If you don’t leave now, I’ll report you to the authorities and make you return every last coin!”

Su Qianjin’s voice was sharp and commanding.

“No, no! I didn’t take anything!”

The shopkeeper panicked and desperately denied it.

Su Qianjin didn’t waste any more words. He grabbed the shopkeeper’s collar, reached into his sleeve, and pulled out two silver ingots.

“Still claiming you didn’t take anything? What’s this, then? A mere shopkeeper walking around with a hundred taels of silver? Say one more word, and I’ll have you flogged before you leave! Now, get lost!”

When Su Qianjin got serious, he was terrifying. Besides, the shopkeeper knew he had indeed taken a lot over the years. If he were reported, he would spend the rest of his life in prison!

Terrified, the shopkeeper hurriedly said,

“I’ll go, I’ll go!”

Hunched over, he scurried away.

Su Qianjin put the hundred taels back into the drawer. It seemed he needed to find someone reliable to manage the store.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuxin had no idea what had happened at Cuiya Pavilion after she left. She and her companions were now looking for a place to eat. Because of the delay earlier, it was already dinnertime.

Xiao Dengzi mentioned that there was a famous restaurant nearby called Fuman Tower.

Their crispy roast chicken was particularly renowned, something Lin Yuxin knew from the story’s plot—it had once been incredibly popular.

Without hesitation, Lin Yuxin headed straight for Fuman Tower.

When they arrived, the restaurant was packed with customers enjoying their meals.

“This way, please, esteemed guests.”

A waiter led them to a corner table on the first floor—the last available seats.

Lin Yuxin wasn’t picky; she was here to eat, not to worry about where she sat. So the three of them sat down.

She ordered several signature dishes and, of course, the famous crispy roast chicken. Before long, the food arrived, and the three of them eagerly dug in.

“Mmm! This crispy roast chicken is delicious—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! I’ll pack a portion to take home for Mother.”

Lin Yuxin stuffed her mouth full of food while complimenting the dish.

“Good idea! Madam will definitely love it!”

Xiao Hao was also eating earnestly. In the past, he often went hungry, but now that he was well-fed in the Zhao household, he cherished every meal.

“Xiao Hao, eat more!”

Lin Yuxin tore off a chicken leg and placed it in Xiao Hao’s bowl.

“Thank you, Sister!”

Xiao Hao didn’t mind that her hands were greasy. He picked up the chicken leg and took a big bite.

Mmm! Anything Sister gave him always tasted better!

“Ugh! Where did these starving beggars come from? How long has it been since you last ate? You’re embarrassing yourselves! Get lost and give up the table!”

Just as they were enjoying their meal, a sharp female voice rang out above their heads.

The three of them paused, then looked up.

Standing before them were three people—one man and two women.

The man… was unfamiliar.

The women… also unfamiliar.

Though judging by her clothing, the one behind them was likely a maid.

Yep! Still didn’t recognize her!

Lin Yuxin glanced at them, confirmed she didn’t know them, then continued eating.

Mmm!

The braised lion’s head meatballs were also delicious.

Not bad, not bad. She liked this restaurant—the chef’s skills were truly top-notch!

“Hey! I’m talking to you! Get out of my way, you ugly freak!”

Li Jiayi became furious when Lin Yuxin ignored her. No one had ever dared to treat her like this before!

“Brother, have them thrown out! This is the famous Fuman Tower—how can beggars like them dine here? They’re lowering the restaurant’s standards!”

Li Jiayi pouted and whined to her brother, Li Yuxuan.

“Alright, Jiayi, don’t be mad. I’ll have them kicked out immediately!”

His doting tone showed that he was just as brainless as she was.