During famine years, I had a divination slip in hand, and my whole family ate chicken, duck, fish, a

"Big brother and sister-in-law, how's today?"

The carriage stopped at the door, and Ye Qingqing felt particularly happy looking at the flow of customers in the shop.

"Second daughter's here?"

"Great, great! Look at this guy... Yesterday, your older brother and I brought five or six baskets of wild vegetables, and half of them were sold before lunchtime!"

Ye Qingqing came in and glanced around. The shop was spotless, and the shelves were neatly arranged, with everything organized and comfortable.

The eldest brother was busy moving goods without saying a word, while Zhao Lao Er was busy taking care of customers. Behind the counter stood an accountant wearing a worn-out long robe, skillfully collecting money and keeping accounts.

Upon seeing her, they all looked up at the same time.

"Second Girl! Come in and warm up!"

Ye Dali grinned sheepishly and couldn't help but ask, "Is everything alright at home? How's Dad? Didn't Huanhuan come with us?"

"I'm fine!"

Ye Qingqing patted her older brother and said with a smile, "I originally wanted to bring Huanhuan, but the little one fell asleep. I was afraid she would catch a cold on the way, so I didn't bring her... You two can bring her next time you go home."

Zhao Laosan quickly stepped forward and greeted them warmly, "The host has arrived! Come in and have a cup of warm tea."

"Greetings, Master..."

When the accountant first met Ye Qingqing, he straightened up and greeted her warmly, "I am Zhang Quanyin, introduced by Miss Zhen. I have long admired your esteemed name."

"Hello, Mr. Zhang."

Ye Qingqing smiled and nodded, "Please continue with your work."

Indeed, the first shop was managed exceptionally well by her elder brother and sister-in-law, and she was extremely satisfied.

"Excuse me, who owns this place?"

As they were talking, they heard someone ask a question.

Ye Qingqing turned around and saw that it was the maid who had been looking for the jade pendant on the street earlier. She quickly went to greet her.

"Auntie, it's you... What can I buy?"

Before the words were finished, an old woman dressed in a brocade jacket and skirt, wrapped in a black fox fur cloak, slowly strolled in.

Ye Qingqing couldn't help but take a closer look. The old woman had a kind face, her white hair was neatly combed, and although she only wore a gold hairpin in her hair bun, she exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

Two maids followed beside her, one holding a hand warmer and the other supporting her.

Ye Qingqing immediately realized that this must be the "benefactor" who lost the jade pendant!

We must treat the distinguished guest who brings us unexpected wealth well!

She smiled faintly, "The guests have arrived, please come in."

The old woman's gaze swept around the shop, finally landing on Ye Qingqing, and she looked her up and down a few times.

"Young lady, I am the owner of that jade pendant. I heard from Granny Zhang that you found it, so I came to express my gratitude... How much are your vegetables?"

The old woman asked gently with a smile on her face.

"Madam, you're too kind. It was just a small matter."

Ye Qingqing exchanged a few polite words, then casually handed her a few, saying, "One tael of silver per pound, Madam. These vegetables are the only ones our family can get; they're so fresh and delicious. Would you like some?"

The old lady nodded, gently raised her hand, and said to the maid beside her,

"Granny Zhang, tell them to wrap them all up. I'll take all the vegetables from this shop today."

Granny Zhang was taken aback for a moment.

"Madam, this... our family can't eat that much."

The old lady waved her hand, her smiling gaze falling on Ye Qingqing's face.

"This young lady waited on the street for almost half an hour in the cold weather for someone to come looking for something. This kind of patience is truly rare."

The jade pendant she picked up was the token of my love with my husband. After he passed away, it's the only thing left with me. This young lady helped me find it, so what's a little something like me buying her some vegetables?

Ye Qingqing understood that the old lady was using the excuse of buying groceries to thank her, but without making her feel like she was receiving a thank-you gift for nothing.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but it's just a small favor, no need for that."

She said it very frankly.

The old lady smiled and said, "I have many people in my household, and they are exactly what I need."

Li Chunyan nervously kept giving Ye Qingqing meaningful glances, thinking, "We've finally got a big customer, why are you refusing?"

Second daughter, are you stupid?!

Ye Qingqing understood, but remained outwardly calm and smiled as she spoke.

"Thank you very much for your patronage, Madam. Brother and Sister-in-law, please check the items and deliver them to Madam's residence later."

"Hey, here it comes!"

Li Chunyan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly checked the goods, feeling extremely pleased with herself!

Unexpectedly, the old lady didn't leave immediately. She slowly strolled around the shop, casually picked up a handful of wild vegetables, looked at them, and suddenly asked her...

"You must be Miss Ye? You look about fifteen or sixteen. Where do you live? How many people are in your family?"

Ye Qingqing paused slightly.

Thank you if you want, but why are you asking about my background?

What, are you trying to set me up with someone?

She smiled calmly, "I'm fifteen. My family is from Kaoshantun... It's just my dad raising my siblings and me."

These two are my elder brother and sister-in-law; they manage the shop now.

"Just your dad leading you all?"

The old lady's eyes flickered slightly. "Where's your mother?"

"He's gone. He passed away a few years ago."

The old lady sighed.

"Poor thing... my husband also passed away early, leaving me a lonely soul."

You're fifteen now, are you engaged yet?

"Uh... not yet."

This time, Ye Qingqing really felt that something was wrong.

Asking where she lived, what people were around, and her age—it was as if they were really going to introduce her to a man!

A slight smile curved her lips as she calmly said...

"I'm still young, I don't want to think about this right now... Why is the old lady asking this?"

The old lady looked her over with a smile.

"Nothing, nothing, I just thought you were a nice girl, so I was just asking."

You'd be asking that casually!

Ye Qingqing inwardly grimaced, but smiled outwardly, successfully diverting the conversation.

The old lady circled around again, seemingly still not intending to leave, and then suddenly said...

"It's good to change things up after eating all that greasy food every day. Here's what we'll do, young lady: from now on, your shop will send twenty catties to my residence every day, and the price will be calculated at the market price."

"Twenty jin..."

Li Chunyan, who was packing the baskets, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

My goodness, every single day!

This is definitely a big customer!

Ye Qingqing nodded. "Alright, thank you for your care, Madam. May I ask where your residence is? I'll have someone deliver it on time."

Granny Zhang quickly gave the address, and Ye Qingqing told Zhao Lao Er to write it down and give it to Li Chunyan to deliver.

Only then did the old lady say she had to leave, turning back to look at her with a smile before she went.

"Miss Qingqing, please come to my residence sometime and keep this old woman company."

"I will definitely visit you when I have time. Please take care."

Ye Qingqing smiled and saw her off, only turning around after watching the carriage drive away.

Li Chunyan dropped what she was holding and rushed over, her eyes shining like light bulbs.

"Second daughter, do you know whose family that is? Granny Zhang told me that it's the old matriarch of the Zhao family in town!"

The Zhao family! The same Zhao family that used to fight us over shops! They're one of the wealthiest families in the world!