Chapter 718  : A Visit from an Old Friend

Li Zhangjie, still young and disheartened by repeated rejections, slumped his shoulders, “Brother Xuhua, why do they refuse our wine without even giving it a chance?”

Chu Xuhua was puzzled as well. It seemed as if everyone had conspired against them. “Let’s take a break at a tea stall and try again later.”

Li Zhangjie nodded in agreement.

After resting for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they set out once more. This time, their luck turned slightly, and they managed to close a deal, though they still faced rejection elsewhere.

As they were being ushered out of yet another place, “Out, out, we don’t need any wine…”

Standing under the eaves outside the shop, Chu Xuhua and Li Zhangjie watched the bustling street life, wondering if Fengxin County was particularly unwelcoming to outsiders.

Li Zhangjie looked at Chu Xuhua, his cheeks puffed slightly in frustration, “Brother Xuhua, should we keep trying?”

Chu Xuhua glanced at the sky, noting the time, “It’s still early. Let’s try three more places. If we still face rejection, we’ll head back.”

Li Zhangjie agreed, “Okay.

As they walked back onto the street, a servant boy approached them, “Manager Chu, my master invites you.”

Chu Xuhua, not recognizing the servant, became wary, “Who is your master?”

The servant pointed to the second floor of a tea house, “There, that’s our master.”

Looking up, Chu Xuhua recognized Li Tingzhao, a noble figure known as the “Prince from the Market.” Since it was someone he knew, Chu Xuhua didn’t decline, “Thankyou.”

The servant led them politely upstairs.

Once there, Chu Xuhua greeted with a fist and palm salute, “May I know why your lordship has summoned us?”

Li Tingzhao, holding a fan, had a gentle and handsome face with an elegant demeanor, exuding nobility.

He got straight to the point, “I have two things to discuss. First, your difficulties are due to the Lin family’s butler meddling. Second, I wish to collaborate with you to challenge the Lin family and bring them down.”

His tone, though gentle, carried an undercurrent of decisive ruthlessness, fitting for his princely status.

Chu Xuhua did not know about the grudge between Li Tingzhao and the Lin family. When he heard this, he was shocked and thought that the Lin family was finished. After all, how could a merchant family compare to the royal family? “Young Master, how do you want to cooperate?”

“You don’t have to do much. Just sell a portion of your things to me.” Li Tingzhao thought to himself. He could finally be closer to her.

Considering there was nothing improper with the request, Chu Xuhua pondered briefly before agreeing, “We’ll proceed as per the terms outlined in the contract.”

Li Tingzhao nodded, “Good.”

In the Chu Village.

A carriage stopped at the entrance of the village.

The servant lifted the curtain and informed the person inside, “Young Master, Miss Wanwan is currently in this village.

Zhuang Ziqian, upon hearing this, immediately exited the carriage, looking around excitedly, “Let’s go into the village.”

At that moment, Yu Wanwan was inside a house, skipping rope. She and her maid felt they might have slimmed down a bit, which only encouraged Yu Wanwan to double down on her efforts.

“Four hundred ninety-eight…”

“Four hundred ninety-nine…”

“Five hundred…”

Yu Wanwan, gasping for breath, stopped her rope skipping, her clothes soaked through with sweat.

The maid quickly brought over some cool water and a towel, “Miss, have some water and wipe your sweat.”

Dropping the rope, Yu Wanwan collapsed into a chair, feeling utterly exhausted, “Xiao Si, I’m so tired, I feel like I’m about to die.”

The maid encouraged her, “Though it’s tiring, miss, you’ve indeed slimmed down. Let’s keep going.”

Yu Wanwan nodded, “You’re right.”

Just then, He Cuiyun’s voice came from outside, “Wanwan, a young master surnamed Zhuang is looking for you.”

Yu Wanwan had become acquainted with He Cuiyun through helping her pick vegetables.

The maid reacted quicker than Yu Wanwan, “Miss, it’s Young Master Zhuang Ziqian. Quickly go inside and change your clothes; I’ll go out to greet him.”

Not daring to meet a guest in her sweaty condition, Yu Wanwan hurried to her room.

After seeing Yu Wanwan enter her room, the maid went outside, “Young Master Zhuang, the miss is changing her clothes, please wait a moment.”

Zhuang Ziqian, relieved to see the maid, said, “Please go back in and take care of your miss; I’ll wait here.”

The maid bowed and turned to enter the house.

He Cuiyun, intrigued by Zhuang Ziqian’s evident concern for Yu Wanwan, couldn’t help but gossip, “Young Master Zhuang, are you Wanwan’s cousin?”

Zhuang Ziqian replied politely, “No, Wanwan’s home is just opposite mine. Hearing that she had gone out to seek medical treatment, I was worried and came to find her.”

The phrase “childhood sweethearts” popped into He Cuiyun’s mind. The villagers, being simple folk, immediately conjured up a tale of childhood sweethearts… Yu Wanwan, having become overweight due to illness, and Zhuang Ziqian, who didn’t care about such things, specially came to find her.

This beautiful love story gave He Cuiyun a good impression of Zhuang Ziqian. “Young Master Zhuang will surely have your wish fulfilled.”

Zhuang Ziqian, not quite catching her drift, simply smiled, “Thank you for your kind words.”

Yu Wanwan didn’t like anyone in a romantic way, so she naturally didn’t have any feelings for Zhuang Ziqian. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come out alone.

However, she considered Zhuang Ziqian a good friend and took his visit as a gesture of concern.

Emerging from the room, she was a bit shy, “Ziqian.”

Zhuang Ziqian took three steps forward and stared straight at Yu Wanwan.

” Why did you run out alone? Your parents and I were so worried that we almost turned Wan City upside down.”

Yu Wanwan lowered her head and said apologetically, “I’m sorry to my parents. I won’t be so willful again.”

Zhuang Ziqian softened his tone, understanding that berating her would only add to her distress, “Write a letter back home to put them at ease.”

Yu Wanwan nodded, “I will.”

The maid, observing Zhuang Ziqian’s concern, felt happy for her miss.

If the young ladies of Wan City, who looked down on her miss, knew that Zhuang Ziqian had come specially for her, they would surely be green with envy.

Zhuang Ziqian glanced past Yu Wanwan, scrutinizing the modest dwelling, “Are you staying here? This place isn’t suitable; let’s find somewhere better.”

Yu Wanwan hastily objected, “No need, it’s fine here.”

Zhuang Ziqian, concerned, insisted, “You’re a lady of standing. How can you stay in such a simple place?”

Yu Wanwan still refused, “Xiao Si has made it comfortable, and the doctor treating me lives in this village. If we stay too far away, it wouldn’t be convenient. Look, do I look thinner?”

Zhuang Ziqian stepped back to take a good look, “It seems you have slimmed down.”

“Right?” Yu Wanwan beamed, “The doctor said my weight gain was due to illness. As long as the illness is treated and I keep exercising, I’ll return to normal.”