A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

As dusk settled, the Lin family's carriage finally entered the familiar alleyway. When Lin Wei jumped out of the carriage, the lanterns in front of the mansion gate were already lit, casting a warm yellow glow.

The old gatekeeper saw her and quickly bowed to greet her: "Miss, you're back. Master is in the main hall, saying he's waiting for you to come back so we can have dinner together."

Lin Wei paused slightly, somewhat surprised.

Her father, Lin Zhenye, was usually busy with business and social engagements, and rarely waited for his children to dine together unless it was a holiday or he specifically instructed so. She felt a little puzzled, but her steps didn't falter; she walked briskly through the screen wall and into the brightly lit main hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and Lin's father was already sitting in the main seat, holding an opened letter in his hand. His expression was less sharp than usual, and more relaxed and casual.

Lin's mother sat on an embroidery stool to the side, holding needle and thread in her hands, but her eyes kept drifting towards the door. When she saw her daughter come in, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face, and she beckoned her to sit down next to her.

"Father, Mother, I'm back." Lin Wei stepped forward and bowed.

Mr. Lin put down the letter, looked at his daughter, his face expressionless, and simply said:

"You're back? Your brother sent a message from the prefectural city saying everything is settled. Your mother was worried about you, so I came over for a meal and let you hear what's going on."

It turned out it was because of her brother's letter. Lin Wei suddenly realized, but she also felt that it was more than that.

Although her father valued her elder brother, in the past, her mother would usually read these family letters to her, and her father would at most ask a couple of questions, but he would never wait for her to eat specifically for this.

She obediently replied "yes" and sat down next to Lin's mother.

Lin's mother had already taken the letter and softly read a few words about arriving safely and having a quiet place to stay. Lin Wei listened, but her mind was somewhat wandering.

After his wife finished reading, Lin Zhenye picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then turned his gaze back to his youngest daughter. Noticing that her hair was slightly loose and there was still a bit of dust on the hem of her skirt, he casually asked:

"Your mother said you went out again today? You were running around all day, and you're only coming back so late? Where did you go causing trouble again?"

His tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, but his shrewd eyes took in his daughter's slightly tired yet energetic appearance.

"I wasn't being naughty." Lin Wei wrinkled her nose and sat down next to her mother. "I went to Xiahe Village outside the city to discuss the shop with Sister Wanxing."

"Oh?" Lin Zhenye raised an eyebrow. What kind of business could his pampered daughter possibly run?

In his view, the most important thing for a daughter is to cultivate a good temperament and appearance so that she can find a good marriage in the future, help her family, or maintain a useful network of connections like that of Magistrate Zhou's family. That is the right thing to do.

That half-dead pastry shop was something he casually gave to his daughter to learn how to run, so he never expected her to make a name for herself.

Giving her a poorly managed shop serves two purposes: firstly, it prevents her from messing with the family's important businesses; secondly, it's a test. If she has the ability to revitalize the shop, then she'll naturally be worthy of higher regard.

If it doesn't work out, losing a little money is a good lesson, letting her know that business isn't child's play.

Hearing her speak so earnestly about discussing it, he showed no outward expression, but inwardly he felt a surge of interest, while also harboring a degree of skepticism.

What brilliant plan could two young women come up with to turn the tide?

"What did you come up with?" He put down his teacup and coughed lightly. "Did you come up with any good ideas to help that half-dead shop improve?"

Lin Wei sensed a hint of doubt in her father's words, and her competitive spirit resurfaced.

She pursed her lips, raised her chin slightly, with a hint of defiance, but also with unprecedented seriousness: "Of course there are ways, and more than one."

My sister Wanxing and I have come up with a lot of novel ideas that we've never heard of before. But we haven't put them into practice yet, and we're afraid that if we tell them, they won't work, and we're also afraid that if we don't do them well, our father will laugh at us.

Just you wait and see, you'll be very surprised.

Her eyes shone, and her tone was filled with a rare confidence and certainty, as if the thriving business of the shop was already before her eyes.

Lin Zhenye was slightly surprised to see her like this.

He knew his daughter's personality best; she was smart, but spoiled and had little patience.

In the past, if I gave her something or asked her to do something, she would drop it once the novelty wore off, or she would come back to complain when she encountered some difficulties. When have you ever acted like this, waiting to see the outcome?

It's rare to see him so radiant and confident today.

He paused for a moment, his interest growing stronger, and then nodded, "Now that you have a plan, put it into practice. In business, ideas alone are not enough; you also need to be able to put them into action. If you have any financial difficulties, talk to your mother."

His words granted her permission to use the shop's existing capital, and even a little extra support.

"Thank you, Father." Lin Wei's eyes lit up, knowing that this meant her father had tacitly approved, and even slightly encouraged her.

Lin Zhenye didn't ask any more questions, but instead brought up another matter, his tone casual but carrying an undeniable meaning: "Lord Zhou values ​​Wenbo's outcome this time quite a bit."

Since you know him well, you should show him some concern and encouragement. It's only natural for young people to encourage each other.

The implication in those words was clear to all three people present.

Lin Wei lowered her eyes and mumbled an "I know," but her heart was not greatly stirred. She vaguely knew what her father was thinking, but she did not want to think about it too deeply.

Seeing that his daughter had agreed, Lin Zhenye said no more. He picked up the letter from the prefectural city again, but his eyes did not fall on the letter. Clearly, his mind had turned to something else.

He always focused on the results in business, paying little attention to the process. Since his daughter was so enthusiastic, he let her give it a try; after all, with the old manager of the family overseeing things, nothing too serious would go wrong.

As for that woman surnamed Chen, his gaze darkened slightly. She could convince Wei'er so much, so perhaps she really had something special about her.

Lin's mother, Li, listened to the conversation between the father and daughter with a smile. Then she spoke softly, took her daughter's hand, and said, "Look at you, you've been running around all day. You must be tired. Your face is covered in dust."

He gently wiped her forehead with a handkerchief, saying, "Miss Chen, did you enjoy your chat today?"

Mentioning Chen Wanxing, Lin Wei's smile became even more genuine and vivid: "Sister Wanxing is such a kind person."

She's smart, knowledgeable, and has no airs at all. Mother, you don't know, the ideas she shared with me today about the shop were unheard of, but upon reflection, they all made perfect sense.

When I discuss things with her, I don't feel bored at all; on the contrary, I become more and more energetic as we talk.

She took her mother's arm, her tone full of undisguised admiration and affection, "I think it's really lucky for me to have met Sister Wanxing."

Looking into her daughter's bright eyes, Mrs. Li felt quite gratified.

She had met Chen Wanxing once, though they had only chatted briefly when she saw Lang'er and the others off to the prefectural city. However, judging from his demeanor, he was indeed extraordinary.

Now that she sees her daughter getting along well with her and seemingly receiving help from her, she is even happier.

"Since you get along well, then get along well with her. Miss Chen is a good person; you should learn from her composure and strengths," Madam Li gently advised. "But don't bother her too much, after all, she has many things to do at home."

"I know, Mother." Lin Wei nodded obediently, but in her heart she was planning that she would have to ask Chen Wanxing for more specific drawings or prototypes.

Dinner was served, and the family of three ate quietly.

Lin Zhenye occasionally asked about trivial matters such as clearing up old accounts and arranging manpower in the shop, and Lin Wei was able to answer them fluently, showing that she had really taken it to heart these past few days.

He listened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of barely perceptible approval.