Gu Ruinian raised his eyes and saw a young woman, her head adorned with pearls, smiling at him from the carriage.

The woman held a child in her arms.

She looked very familiar, Gu Ruinian thought, but he couldn’t remember having such a relative in Pingchuan County.

He didn’t recall which cousin had married into Pingchuan, so he dared not step forward to recognize her.

"What’s wrong? Don’t recognize me? I’m your Sister Zao Hua," Xu Zaohua said with a smile.

Xu Zaohua?

Gu Ruinian remembered now. Xu Zaohua had never gotten along with Gu Taohua since childhood. Adhering to the idea that an enemy’s enemy is a friend, the original persona and Xu Zaohua always had a good relationship.

Gu Ruinian heard after returning to Qinghe Bay that Xu Zaohua married Mr. Zheng of the Pingchuan Zheng Family. Her husband died shortly after the wedding, but fortunately, she was pregnant with Mr. Zheng’s posthumous son, who was a boy, allowing her to secure her position in the Zheng Family.

Seeing Gu Ruinian daydreaming, Xu Zaohua pursed her lips and said, "You become a child student and forget your Sister Zao Hua."

Gu Ruinian approached Xu Zaohua to apologize, saying, "Sister Zao Hua, you say that, but don’t you see your own grandeur now? You look every bit the young mistress of a wealthy family. It’s not just me; even the elders from Qinghe Bay, who watched you grow up, probably wouldn’t recognize you."

Flattery always hits the mark.

Xu Zaohua laughed.

Gu Ruinian said, "In the village, I heard that Sister Zao Hua married into a rich family and is living happily. I’ve been wanting to visit since I arrived in Pingchuan, but I’m just a nobody and reluctant to disgrace your family, so I felt embarrassed to come."

Xu Zaohua said, "Your words annoy me, making me sound like a snob."

Gu Ruinian wore a smile, thinking, that’s exactly what you are.

He knew it well; Gu Taohua never regarded anyone since childhood except Gu Jingzhe.

Tong Huaqiong’s Jufu Supermarket was making waves in Pingchuan County, which Xu Zaohua certainly heard about, even sending her servants to patronize it.

With nothing else to do today, she deliberately took a carriage with her child to inspect Jufu Supermarket herself, searching for its flaws.

Whenever Tong Huaqiong was proud, she wasn’t pleased.

No flaws found in Jufu Supermarket yet, but she did catch onto Gu Ruinian’s intentions.

Xu Zaohua laughed; it wasn’t a wasted trip.

The Gu Family’s second branch was at odds with Tong Dajiao, something Gu Ruinian could exploit.

Xu Zaohua beckoned to Gu Ruinian, and when he approached, she whispered, "I saw everything."

Gu Ruinian was perplexed, asking, "Sister Zao Hua, what did you see?"

Xu Zaohua sneered, "Don’t pretend to be mysterious around me. What’s your intention towards Miss Lian?"

Gu Ruinian almost flushed with anger at being exposed by Xu Zaohua.

Xu Zaohua coldly watched Gu Ruinian. She had seen clearly his scene with Miss Lian since she left the shop.

Another toad lusting after swan flesh.

Xu Zaohua fully understood the logic behind Gu Ruinian’s actions.

Xu Zaohua recalled a chat her mother had during confinement, mentioning the return of the Gu Youtian family from the south, saying Gu Ruinian had become clever, able to read and work, but she felt he was as foolish as before, not sharper.

Who would conspicuously hold a handkerchief and brazenly offer it to a wealthy family’s young lady in the street? Lucky he wasn’t beaten for it.

Coming from Qinghe Bay, no matter how much he studied, he couldn’t wash away the mud in his mind.

Knowing he couldn’t hide it from Xu Zaohua, Gu Ruinian smiled awkwardly but felt bitter hatred inside.

He saw the contempt in Xu Zaohua’s eyes.

Gu Ruinian said, "Sister Zao Hua, you caught me."

Xu Zaohua beamed at Gu Ruinian, saying, "We’re childhood friends, closer than others. I won’t mock you, as Gu Jingzhe used to recite poetry about the elegant lady pursued by a gentleman. Your desire to woo Miss Lian is natural. But Miss Lian has a fiery temper, how could you think this method would win her? She’s not locked away, never seeing men, nor someone you can impress like that. She manages her father’s pearl business, even the family’s first officially recognized son fears her."

Gu Ruinian really was clueless, brandishing a handkerchief in the street. It was like winking at a blind person.

Gu Ruinian took the bait, anxiously asking, "Sister Zao Hua, what should I do?"

Gu Ruinian had heard in Qinghe Bay that the Zheng Family was a wealthy family in Pingchuan County and surely interacted with the Lian Family. As the Eldest Young Madam of the Zheng Family, Xu Zaohua would understandably know the Lian Family’s affairs.

Xu Zaohua lowered her voice, saying, "Let’s see if you’re willing to take a risk. What use is your handkerchief? Not to put you down, but unless caught in public with Miss Lian in intimate contact, even holding her underwear wouldn’t matter."

Gu Ruinian was taken aback.

Intimate contact, Xu Zaohua was bold with her words.

Xu Zaohua said, "There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s said the timid die, the bold thrive. You’re different from a hooligan; you truly admire Miss Lian. If something happens between you and her, you’ll respect and care for her. She’s lucky to have you. Otherwise, who knows what might happen if she ended up with someone else."

Gu Ruinian considered that Gu Taohua made sense.

Someone like Miss Lian would be stifled if she married a conventional man, trapped in the home, losing her brilliance. If she were with him, he could let her continue business.

Seeing Gu Ruinian persuaded, Xu Zaohua added fuel to the fire, saying, "I heard the Wuji Shop is a partnership between your family and the Wu Family. Since it’s named Wu Ji, you’ll eventually be cast out. What then? Will you return to Qinghe Bay satisfied? I heard you have a talent for studying, and it’s a shame the spring exam affected your performance due to horse fright injury. If you stop studying, you’ll waste your talent. If you continue, your family doesn’t have the money to support you. Becoming the Lian family’s son-in-law allows you to focus on studying. When you succeed, Miss Lian will reap the prestige you’re awarded."

"Look at Widow Tong’s Jufu, and Gu Jingzhe is thriving; are you content?"

Xu Zaohua pointed towards Jufu Supermarket, filling Gu Ruinian’s eyes with clouds.

Xu Zaohua made valid points.

He wasn’t satisfied, not at all!

He then wondered how to approach Miss Lian for intimate contact when she ignored him.

"Sister Zao Hua," Gu Ruinian frowned, asking, "But how can I approach Miss Lian?"

Xu Zaohua said his handkerchief chance method wasn’t feasible. If he had a better way, he wouldn’t have used it.

The storyteller was right; it was a lousy cliché!

Hooked.

Xu Zaohua laughed, "Miss Lian oversees the family business, her three half-brothers are practically thirsting for her blood, especially the second son who despises her most. I can help you contact the second son."

Xu Zaohua whispered a plan into Gu Ruinian’s ear.