Chapter 143 -

Chapter 143: Chapter

An Yulan felt like she was going to run mad. That silver-trimmed jade hairpin was the absolute last thing of real value she had left! Her face drained of all color, and without saying a single word to anyone, she whirled around and sprinted out of the hall to go search for Wenliang.

"Yulan! Wait!" Madame Chen yelled, her eyes wide with shock. Exchanging a panicked look with Wenxui and Shishi, the three of them quickly rushed out after her, their hurried footsteps echoing into the dark courtyard.

Yimei let out a long, quiet sigh. She walked back to her table, pulled out her stool, and calmly sat down to continue eating her food as if nothing had happened.

An awkward silence hung heavy over the entire hall. The remaining relatives exchanged nervous glances, but the rich, lingering scent of pork belly quickly won over their anxiety. One by one, everyone picked their chopsticks back up and resumed eating in hushed quiet.

When dinner was finally over, Bai Shu, Meiling, and Qinqin quickly stood up and began clearing the empty bowls and plates from the tables.

Madame Bai looked over at yimei, her expression unreadable for a moment before she spoke softly. "Thank you for the food tonight, Yimei."

Yimei nodded, her face completely straight and serious. "You don’t need to thank me. I may not be able to promise you the most luxurious life here in the village, but I will make sure this family does not starve. That is the least I owe you for handing over the shop deed."

Madame Bai gave a slight, solemn nod.

Beside them, Zhengyu sat in his wheelchair, listening to the two of them exchange formalities. He almost rolled his eyes at their serious tone. Tapping the armrest lightly, he signaled to Liu Feng. "Take me back to the room."

"Yes, Young Master," Liu Feng said, stepping behind the chair and wheeling Zhengyu out of the main hall.

Madame Bai and Yimei both watched silently as Zhengyu was pushed down the long corridor. Madame Bai let out a heavy, tired sigh.

Yimei turned her dark eyes back toward her mother-in-law. Looking straight at her with her usual bluntness, Yimei asked, "Why is your relationship with Zhengyu so terrible? Surely he doesn’t blame you for him being crippled."

Madame Bai froze, taken aback by how directly Yimei had asked the question. She stared at Yimei for a quiet second before shaking her head slightly.

"I myself don’t know the answer to that question... it has always been his way for years. His hatred just became way more visible after the incident. But it’s fine, I’m used to it." She stood up from the chair, and Rulan immediately stood up as well.

"It’s already late... we will get going now. Good night, Yimei," Madame Bai said before turning around to leave. Soon, Meiling came running out of the kitchen after her mother and sister. "Really, guys... wait up!"

Yimei turned her head and caught Madame Zhao staring at her.

"Yimei... can I make a proposal to you?" Madame Zhao asked, her eyes dead serious.

Hearing that, Yimei’s expression changed slightly. She wasn’t going to lie—out of everyone in the entire Bai family, the person she was least fond of was definitely Madame Zhao.

It wasn’t because Madame Zhao had done anything bad to her, but that was precisely the problem.

Yimei liked two kinds of people in this world: people who were simple enough to be used, and people who were straightforward enough to trust.

Madame Zhao was neither. She was the quiet type who kept her head down, never made a scene, and watched everything with sharp, calculating eyes. In a household full of loud fools like An Yulan and dramatic schemers like Madame Chen, a silent observer was far more dangerous.

"A proposal?" Yimei raised an eyebrow. "What are you proposing?"

Madame Zhao smiled slightly. "I don’t mean to pry, but I know about the shop deed Madame Bai gave you. If you are planning to reopen a shop here in the south, it really is a very good idea."

Yimei frowned as she poured herself a cup of water. "You are beating around the bush. Please get straight to the point."

"No matter how smart you are, brains won’t do the heavy physical work for you," Madame Zhao said, stepping closer. "Hire me and my children. We are capable, and we will be useful to you."

She paused, making sure Yimei was listening before continuing. "Bai Kang is sharp and good with numbers, as you’ve seen. He can handle your accounting. Bai Shu is exceptionally creative and can help you in so many ways. As for me, I may not be young or physically strong, but I play the guqin well. A good shop needs atmosphere to draw in wealthy customers."

Yimei took a slow sip of her water, letting the cool liquid settle before setting the cup back down on the table with a light clack. Her dark eyes fixed on Madame Zhao, her expression unreadable.

"You certainly have big plans for a village shop," Yimei said, her voice calm and direct. "An accountant, a creative hand, and a guqin musician?"

Madame Zhao didn’t flinch. "A business in a small village only stays small if the owner thinks small. Madame Bai gave you that deed because she trusts you to make something of it, and I know you aren’t the type to waste an opportunity."

Yimei looked at her for a moment, her mind quickly calculating the offer. Madame Zhao wasn’t wrong about one thing, she couldn’t handle everything alone.

"You’re right that I need hands," Yimei said, leaning back against the edge of the table. "Since we are all part of the first branch, it makes sense to keep the work close. But business is business."

She pointed a finger directly at Madame Zhao, her tone turning firm and serious.

"Bai Kang can handle the ledger, but I will check every single copper myself. If the numbers don’t add up, he loses the job. Bai Shu can show me her work tomorrow, and if it’s useful, she stays. As for your guqin playing... save it for when we actually have customers. For now, I need help setting the place up and keeping things organized."

Madame Zhao nodded, a faint look of approval in her eyes. "That is fair. We will do our part properly."

"Be at the shop first thing in the morning," Yimei added, turning to head back to her room.