Zheng Qi

Two days passed peacefully.

These past two days, Jiang Yuning has been busy preparing for the New Year and hasn't had time to look after the snack shop. Fortunately, Dongmei is already very familiar with bookkeeping, and the shop's affairs can be handled by Dongmei and Changxi.

It was late at night. Jiang Yun Ning was fast asleep when she reached out and touched the cold ground beside her.

She woke up with a start and realized that she was all alone on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Puzzled, she got up, put on her coat, and pushed open the door. She saw Jiang Che standing quietly in the courtyard, looking up at the gray night sky.

As the door opened, Jiang Che turned around and saw that she was only wearing a coat. He immediately came over and said, "Don't come out, it's cold outside."

He reached out and put his arm around Jiang Yun Ning's shoulder, then led her back into the house.

Once the door was closed, the person was tucked back into bed, covered tightly with a thick quilt, leaving only their head sticking out.

"What's wrong with you?" Jiang Yun Ning looked at him and felt that Jiang Che was surrounded by loneliness and sadness at this moment.

Jiang Che lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze: "I...I had a nightmare. I couldn't fall back asleep after waking up, and I didn't want to disturb you."

Jiang Yunning didn't believe it, but didn't ask any further questions.

She reached her hand out from under the covers, took his hand, and pulled it back under the covers: "Your hands are so cold, let me warm them up for you."

Jiang Che's eyes widened, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he took off his clothes and crawled into bed.

"Don't be afraid, I'll stay with you." Jiang Yun Ning hugged his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

Jiang Che hummed in agreement, closed his eyes, and hugged her tightly.

As dawn broke, the group packed up and set off for the town again.

As soon as I got off the carriage, I saw Zhou Yushu already standing at the door.

"Aunt Zhou?" Jiang Yun Ning called out with some confusion.

Zhou Yushu smiled faintly: "Yun Ning, I have something I'd like to ask for your opinion on."

Jiang Yuning led her into the house and found a place to sit down casually: "Auntie, what's up?"

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and the weather at this time is no joke, especially for someone like Zhou Yushu who comes from the south. Whether he can adapt to the weather is a question.

Moreover, Zhou Yushu's health didn't look very good; he seemed sickly.

If she were to catch a cold outside, she would feel a little guilty, given her limited conscience.

"I came yesterday, and Dongmei said you left in the morning. That's why I thought I'd come earlier today." Zhou Yushu was still a little conflicted, unsure of how to begin.

Jiang Yunning smiled: "I went to the county town yesterday. It's almost Chinese New Year, so I bought some clothes for my family."

Zhou Yushu nodded, rubbed his hands together awkwardly, and hesitated before speaking, "Yun Ning, um, my son is here. May I bring him to meet you?"

Jiang Yun Ning was stunned for a moment, and before she could speak, Jiang Che, who had been wiping the table with a rag, rushed over like a gust of wind.

His brows were furrowed, and his cold, fierce eyes were fixed on Zhou Yushu.

What do you mean? You're letting his wife meet with another man right in front of him?

Zhou Yushu was startled, then immediately realized he had misunderstood: "No, no, I didn't mean anything by it. Don't misunderstand. My son is a businessman, and he's always wanted to know who made such a magical thing as soap."

Hearing this explanation, Jiang Che's brows relaxed slightly, and he picked up the rag and continued wiping the table.

"Aunt Zhou, I signed a contract with the Xie family. I will only supply goods to the Xie family." Jiang Yun Ning immediately understood her meaning and directly explained the contract.

Zhou Yushu was taken aback, then nodded: "Such a good thing, whoever discovers it first will want to keep it all to themselves."

She pursed her lips: "Can I still send my son? I'm afraid he won't give up."

Jiang Yun Ning nodded: "That's fine."

It's a good opportunity to see what kind of person Zhou Yushu's son is.

If she's reasonable, she'll continue associating with Zhou Yushu. But if she tries to take things by force like Master Qian, then no matter how good Zhou Yushu is, she'll have to keep her distance.

Zhou Yushu left happily, and soon after, he brought the person back.

Behind him followed a servant carrying a pile of gifts.

"Yun Ning, I've brought my son." Zhou Yushu entered with a smile: "My son, Zheng Qi."

Zheng Qi?

Jiang Yunning was somewhat stunned.

Is it Zheng Qi that Xie Shengan mentioned?

"Miss Jiang, may we discuss the soap?" Zheng Qi looked at her earnestly, his hands clasped in a respectful gesture, showing no arrogance whatsoever.

Dongmei served the tea and then returned to the kitchen.

Jiang Yun Ning suppressed her surprise.

She had imagined countless scenarios of encountering the Zheng family, but she never expected it to start so peacefully.

"Boss Zheng, I've already spoken to Aunt Zhou. The soap has been exclusively supplied to the Xie family."

Zhou Yushu nodded repeatedly from the side.

She had already relayed it, but this silly son wouldn't give up and insisted on asking again himself.

Zheng Qi lowered his brows and smiled lightly: "Miss Jiang, I won't force you. If any other business comes along, could you give me priority? I'm sure I can offer you a price that satisfies you."

As he spoke, he carefully observed the changes in Jiang Yun Ning's expression.

He tried to see excitement or greed on her face.

However, Jiang Yun Ning merely frowned slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Boss Zheng, my cooperation with the Xie family has always been very stable."

Her business with Xie Shengan is going very well, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will most likely continue to cooperate.

She was asked to give up Xie Shengan and prioritize Zheng Qi, whom she had never even met? How could that be possible?

Moreover, Zheng Qi was a complete stranger to her.

Too many changes have occurred.

But if she directly refused, she worried that Zheng Qi would resort to desperate measures and cause trouble. Right now, she just wanted to have a peaceful New Year.

Zheng Qi looked at her without saying a word.

He came today not only to get to know Jiang Yun Ning, but also to test her.

Master Qian said the deal was almost finalized, but Zhou Yushu said, "They've already signed a contract with the Xie family and won't cooperate with anyone else."

He had initially thought Jiang Yun Ning was being presumptuous and trying to get more money, but now he was certain that he had likely been tricked by Master Qian.

Zheng Qi frowned.

He had no intention of being hostile to Jiang Yun Ning: "Miss Jiang, I apologize for bothering you today. We will meet again in the future. I believe we will have the opportunity to cooperate."

No matter how large the Xie family is, it's impossible for them to be involved in every aspect.

After all, southern silk is the Zheng family's strength. What if one day Jiang Yun Ning suddenly starts getting involved in textiles?

Zheng Qi got up to leave. He needed to go back and have someone inquire about the relationship between Master Qian and Jiang Yun Ning.

Jiang Yunning stood up as well: "Boss Zheng, we shouldn't accept undeserved rewards. Please take these things back."

Zheng Qi waved his hand: "Miss Jiang. Putting business aside, I personally admire your skills very much. Whether it's soap or hot and sour noodles. Moreover, my mother likes you very much and has been saying she wants to send you something. These are all things I brought from the south, they're not worth much money."

Zhou Yushu finally managed to chime in: "Right, right. Yun Ning, didn't you promise to teach me how to swear? Consider this my tuition."

Jiang Yun Ning's face darkened, and the corners of her lips twitched unnaturally.

I never imagined that one day I could charge tuition for teaching people how to swear.

As night fell, Jiang Yuning stretched and entered the house.

Jiang Che was still busy copying books.

"Jiang Che, the New Year is coming soon, and I plan to give Dongmei and the others one tael of silver each."

Even though it's a contract of life, it's still inconvenient if you don't have any money.

Moreover, Dongmei and the others have been diligent and conscientious since they entered the family, and they haven't treated the Jiang family differently just because they are kind. They seem to be honest and upright people.

She was unwilling to haggle over money when dealing with people who were to her liking.

Jiang Che hummed in agreement: "I'll do whatever you say."

In the middle of the night, outside the Jiang family's courtyard wall, a furtive figure carrying a bucket of oil quietly approached.