Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 618 How's business?

If Meng Changqing went out to do something, it certainly wasn't to bewitch his young subordinates.

Qi Renli had been waiting for her in the market for quite some time.

If it weren't for the fact that Shu Erhua also happened to be at the market and the two of them bumped into each other, Qi Renli would have gone to find Meng Changqing much earlier.

"How's business?" Qi Renli asked Shu Erhua.

"Yes, always." Shu Erhua said sincerely, "I have to thank Lord Qi for this. If you hadn't sent me out to learn pastry making, with my original skills, I probably wouldn't have been able to pay the final payment for the new house."

Qi Renli smiled and said, "It's all my duty. I'm just glad your business is doing well."

Shu Erhua smiled and said, "If you have time, sir, you must try my new pastries. I've changed the way I make chestnut cake, so it's not as sweet as before. Maybe it will suit your taste."

"Okay, I'll definitely go." Qi Renli was filled with a joy that only he knew. "Aren't you busy today? Why are you at the market?"

"The shop doesn't have enough steamers, so I'm going to take the old ones over to use for now."

"I see." Qi Renli said, "It must be hard for you to carry all this by yourself. Lord Meng hasn't arrived yet, so I'll help you carry it."

"I can't accept that, I can do it myself."

"No, no, no," Qi Renli insisted. "Since I've run into you, I'll definitely help you."

Shu Erhua couldn't very well refuse, since the other party was an official and she was a commoner.

Qi Renli then followed Shu Erhua to help.

There are only two layers of steamers. If he comes to help, then each person can only carry one layer, which is a bit of a waste of manpower.

Even if Qi Renli were to face others, he might not have been so enthusiastic; his true intention was not what he seemed.

On the way to Xinjie with Shu Erhua, Qi Renli wanted to speak several times, not to confess his feelings, but to mention his plans for the market. The shops in Shu Erhua's market might have to be moved. The reason he hesitated to bring it up was that he hadn't reported it to Meng Changqing yet and didn't know if Meng Changqing would agree to his changes.

When someone has feelings for another person, the other person can sense it regardless of whether those feelings are expressed directly or not, because that person will treat her differently from others.

Shu Erhua could naturally sense it as well, and had even noticed it a long time ago.

At first, she thought her own ideas were ridiculous and forced herself not to think in that direction. However, as they got to know each other better, Qi Renli's differential treatment became more and more obvious, and Shu Erhua had no choice but to try to avoid it. But there were times when she couldn't avoid it, like now.

Qi Renli is always enthusiastic, and Shu Erhua is always polite.

When Qi Renli returned to the market, he happened to run into Meng Changqing, who was coming this way, at the main gate.

"My lord," Qi Renli called out loudly.

Meng Changqing noticed that Qi Renli was in a very good mood and joked, "Brother Qi, where did you find this silver?"

Qi Renli smiled sheepishly, "No."

"You seem so happy, what good news do you want to tell me?"

Qi Renli composed himself. "It's not a happy occasion; it's about this market."

Seeing this, Meng Changqing also became serious and listened attentively to what he had to say.

“Since the new street was built, business in the market is not as good as before. Most merchants like Boss Shu have moved their businesses to the new street. There are too many vacant shops here,” Qi Renli said. “They were built with real money, and it would be a waste not to use them.”

Didn't the adults say that after the individual vendors leave, the market will focus on wholesale?

I'm just following the instructions of my superiors, but given the current market situation, it's a bit inconvenient for me to conduct this large-scale business.