Chapter 9: Don’t Fall for Big Sis—She’s Just a Legend

Meng Guangping felt incredibly awkward under everyone’s gaze and quickly raised his hands in surrender.
“Wife, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those things. Please forgive me.”

He Lianrong gave him a coy glare, crossed her arms, and huffed loudly in displeasure.

Meng Guangping’s pupils contracted—uh oh, his wife clearly wasn’t satisfied yet. He needed to turn up the effort and pacify her before she really got upset.

More importantly, he didn’t want to sleep alone that night. Hugging his soft, sweet-smelling wife to sleep—wasn’t that way better?

He shot an apologetic glance at Tangyuan and then declared loudly,
“As Tangyuan’s father, how could I not love my daughter?”

“I spoil her every chance I get. There’s no way I’d let her marry off and suffer at someone else’s home. I fully support her finding a live-in husband!”

Everyone else in the room rolled their eyes in unison.

Then, with a meaningful glance at Qingzhu, he added,
“And Qingzhu too—he’s my son. As his father, I won’t let him go off and start his own household.”

“If he really does that, wouldn’t it become a joke for outsiders? And besides, I doubt Miss would approve either.”

An Xiyan had been happily munching on gossip like snacks, but when she heard her name brought up, she straightened up immediately.

Putting on a mock-serious expression, she replied solemnly,
“Meng Uncle, this is your family matter. I won’t interfere.”

Tch, who would’ve guessed this Meng Uncle was such a sneaky old fox—trying to use her status to suppress Qingzhu and the others?

Hmph! She wasn’t about to do something so thankless and get caught in the middle.

“Ahem, ahem…” Meng Guangping’s little scheme failed. He forced a sheepish smile.
“Miss, I was out of line. This is indeed our family’s internal affair—I shouldn’t have dragged you into it.”

He Lianrong shot him another sharp glare and snapped,
“Then shut your mouth. If it’s something you shouldn’t say, don’t say it. And please—use your brain properly for once.”

Seriously, is he tired of living? Daring to speak so disrespectfully in front of their Miss?
Later, she was definitely going to give him a good scolding—remind him what manners were.

Meng Guangping, properly scolded, lowered his head, feeling guilty and ashamed.
Yes, he had gotten too ahead of himself.

Sensing the tension in the room, An Xiyan smiled to ease the atmosphere.
“It’s really not a big deal. Meng Uncle, why don’t you take Tangyuan and Qingzhu to start packing things up? I’ll go check the inventory with little brother and Aunt Meng.”

“You all—”

“Just place everything you’ve packed off to the side,” An Xiyan instructed. “I’ll store it all in my space later. We’ll only leave out a few basic living items to keep up appearances. Uncle Meng, you understand what I mean, right?”

“Yes, Miss. I understand,” Meng Guangping nodded, then asked, “Miss, what about this three-entry courtyard? Should we sell it or keep it?”

An Xiyan paused. She wasn’t too familiar with real estate prices or market trends in ancient times.

She turned pleadingly to He Lianrong for help, blinking her watery eyes like a pitiful kitten.

He Lianrong chuckled softly and analyzed the situation clearly,
“Miss, this place is quite remote. The Master and Madam likely won’t return here in the future, and since we’re moving to the capital, we probably won’t come back either.”

“If we keep it, no one will live here. Besides, property in a small town like this doesn’t appreciate in value. So I suggest we sell the house—we can at least pocket some cash from it.”

“Once we’re in the capital, if you’d like, we can purchase a new residence. Real estate in the capital only goes up in value—it rarely depreciates.”

“If we don’t want to live in it ourselves, we can sell it when prices are high and make a nice profit.”

An Xiyan’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she listened. She gave He Lianrong a big thumbs-up.

“Aunt Meng, you’re amazing! You really have a mind for business. From now on, I’ll let you handle all my business affairs. When we start making money, I’ll give you a share of the profits.”

He Lianrong waved her hands humbly.
“Miss, I dare not take credit. These things were taught to me by Madam. Besides, I belong to you. It’s only right that I help you manage your business. I won’t take a share.”

An Xiyan smiled and said,
“Aunt Meng, don’t be so quick to decline. Once our business takes off, we’ll discuss it again. After all, even blood brothers keep their accounts clear—I won’t let you give your time and effort for nothing.”

“Remember what we said earlier—we’re going to earn a lot of money and use copper coins to smack anyone we can’t stand.”

“If you don’t take your share, how will you afford to smack people with coins?”

He Lianrong grew anxious. She was Miss’s person—how could she take a cut of the profits? That wouldn’t be right. She was about to refuse again when she heard her Miss’s charming voice say—

“You don’t like money?”

He Lianrong nodded. “Miss, of course I like money.”

An Xiyan continued, “Don’t you want to become a strong, independent woman? Someone who can hold her own no matter the situation?”

He Lianrong nodded like a pecking bird. Yes, yes, she constantly dreamed of becoming a strong, independent woman.

An Xiyan smiled and said, “Then what reason do you have to refuse the share I’m offering you?”

He Lianrong: “…” She… seems to have no reason to refuse at all.

Fine, whatever. She was completely convinced by her miss now. Since Miss was so eager to give her a benefit, then she’d just accept it.

At the same time, she silently vowed to herself: she would definitely help grow Miss’s business and make it flourish, to be worthy of the kindness shown to her.

“Miss~~~” Tangyuan pouted, staring expectantly at the back of An Xiyan’s head.

Back of the head: “…” Uh, thanks for giving me so much attention?

An Xiyan shivered all over. Oh my god, that voice nearly sent her straight to the afterlife.

She turned around with an odd expression and forced a smile. “Sis, could you talk a bit more normally next time? I really can’t handle it when you speak like that.”

Tangyuan froze, her face immediately turning pink. She stomped her foot, feigning a little tantrum. “Miss~~ how could you say that to me?”

“You used to talk to me in that tone all the time. I only learned it from you. So why is it okay when you do it, but unbearable when I do?”

She was wronged, but had nowhere to file a complaint.

An Xiyan’s expression cracked instantly. Who was she? Where was she?

After a good moment of internal struggle and self-soothing, she finally convinced herself: The ‘Miss’ Tangyuan was talking about definitely wasn’t her.

Yes, definitely not her.

After all, her image was that of a strong, tough, peppery woman—how could she possibly talk like that?

Her eyes darted around, and she quickly changed the subject with a smile. “Sis, you’re my bestie. I could forget anyone else, but never you. When my business takes off, I’ll give you a share too, okay?”

Tangyuan instantly lit up with excitement. “Miss, I love you to death! Don’t worry, I’ll work hard and make sure you never lose money!”

An Xiyan patted Tangyuan’s hand and said coolly, “Sis, don’t fall in love with me. I’m just a legend.”

Tangyuan: “…” Uh… in this moment, she was truly left speechless by her Miss!