Cheng You admired Qi Ning even more; she was so formidable, she even dared to make Qi Chengyan cook!
Truly a master of managing her husband.
"Then when can I come to your place for dinner?" Qi Ning was practically impatient.
Cheng You replied, "Probably not anytime soon. I'm starting school."
After the military training, she still had to prepare seeds for the agricultural research institute.
Then there was the matter of Zhen Shan Tang's opening.
She was simply too busy.
Qi Ning was a little disappointed, but at the same time, she felt Cheng You was amazing.
She had been urged by Zheng Xiuyu to study, but after several months, her grades hadn't improved.
After dinner, the group went downstairs.
Song Qinglan took out her wallet to pay the bill and thanked the owner for the complimentary dishes, promising to patronize the restaurant again.
The owner's gaze, however, turned to Cheng You, and he specifically asked, "How did you find the food?"
Cheng You smiled and nodded, "Your food is always excellent, I like it very much. Thank you."
This exchange left Song Qinglan utterly bewildered.
"Do you know each other?"
Cheng You had intended to brush it off, but the owner spoke up directly, "This young lady helped me immensely yesterday. Knowing you were coming today, I specially sent a few dishes for her to try. I originally wanted to treat her to a meal, but unfortunately, she was busy."
Cheng You smiled slightly, her tone polite, "There will be plenty of time in the future."
"Yes, if you come again, you must let me treat you to a meal."
Qi Ning, with her innocent nature, didn't notice Song Qinglan's expression. She grabbed Cheng You's hand and exclaimed, "So it's sister-in-law's influence that's so great."
Zheng Xiuyu shot her a glare, not seeing Song Qinglan's darkened face.
Her face, she thought, was probably going numb.
This was the first time she had seen someone make the haughty Song Qinglan suffer so much, and it was truly satisfying.
However, she didn't show it, only smiling and praising Cheng You, "Don't let Cheng You's young age fool you, she's quite capable. Sister-in-law, you are truly blessed. Qi Ning, you need to learn more from your sister-in-law in the future, understand?"
Song Qinglan gave her a fierce glare and turned to walk out quickly, heading for the car.
Before she had taken a few steps, she heard someone call Cheng You's name.
She turned back and saw it was Zhao Jisheng.
Of course, she recognized him, as Zhou Qi had been his student.
Later, when he kicked Zhou Qi out of the research group, she had even gone to find him, only to be refused.
Seeing his demeanor, it seemed he was quite familiar with Cheng You.
"Sister-in-law, who is this?" Zheng Xiuyu asked.
Song Qinglan pursed her lips and remained silent.
It was Song Qinghe who spoke up, "This is Professor Zhao from the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbs at the Agricultural Research Institute. The person next to him is Cao Jingui, the director of the institute."
Zheng Xiuyu was surprised; this was quite an impressive background.
Cheng You seemed to know them well.
She had initially thought Cheng You was just a young wife from the countryside, but how could she have so many hidden trump cards?
She suddenly grabbed Qi Ning and whispered, "Invite your sister-in-law over for dinner tomorrow, did you hear me?"
Qi Ning replied unhappily, "Why me? Mom, you can invite her yourself."
"Are you foolish? You are similar in age, you'll have things to talk about. What would Mom do there?"
Song Qinghe snorted, "Save your breath. I already told Cheng You that even if you invite her, she'll come to my place first."
Zheng Xiuyu quickly said, "That doesn't conflict. Whenever you invite her, Qi Ning and I will tag along for a meal."
Song Qinghe rolled her eyes. "It's not decided yet. Cheng You is starting school soon."
A moment later, Cheng You finished her conversation and walked over.
"Cheng You, what did Professor Zhao say to you?" Zheng Xiuyu asked eagerly.
Cheng You replied, "I have some cooperation with the Agricultural Research Institute. He wants to help me talk to the school to waive the military training so I can have more time for other things."
She had naturally agreed, as she hadn't been very keen on participating in the military training anyway.
Zheng Xiuyu, determined to get all the details, asked, "What kind of cooperation is it?"
Cheng You smiled, "Third Aunt, that's a secret."
Revealing it would cause trouble.
Zheng Xiuyu didn't mind and continued to ask, "Do you need any help? If so, let Qi Ning help you."
Cheng You looked at her. She did need some help at the moment.
"Third Aunt, I need to study first. You'll get paid once I get the hang of it, are you okay with that?"
Before Zheng Xiuyu could reply, Qi Ning eagerly chimed in, "Not at all! As long as I can learn something, I'm happy to work for my cousin-in-law."
Cheng You seemed very capable.
"Alright then. I have to report to school the day after tomorrow. Come over tomorrow afternoon, and we can go buy some supplies."
She intended to clean out a room in the house for now and set up a simple pharmacy.
Later, she would find a suitable location to establish a front-store, back-factory operation.
Song Qinglan, unable to stand Cheng You helping Qi Ning but not Zhou Qi, couldn't help but say, "Cheng You, since you're familiar with Professor Zhao, can you help Zhou Qi get back into his research group?"
Cheng You looked confused, her words surprising, "Why, didn't he tell you? It was me who kicked him out."
Her dislike for Zhou Qi was so obvious, how could she possibly help him?
Song Qinglan and Zhou Qi's faces both darkened.
Earlier during dinner, they had used others to strike back. Now, Cheng You was doing it herself.
She gave Song Qinglan no face at all.
Even Zheng Xiuyu couldn't help but give Cheng You a thumbs-up in her mind.
"Zhou Qi is your brother-in-law's brother, after all. What good will it do you to do this? Cheng You, don't think you're so great just because you got into university!" Song Qinglan scolded angrily.
Cheng You laughed, "Is getting into university not great? Then why didn't your precious son get in? Kicking him out benefits me, of course. I'm happy!"
Zheng Xiuyu simply couldn't hold back and covered her mouth as she laughed.
It was, after all, a scene rarely seen in a decade.
Cheng You was practically Song Qinglan's retribution.
"Alright, sister-in-law, let's all go back. Standing at someone else's shop entrance isn't proper."
As Song Qinglan was about to get into the car, she saw the owner of Dong Shun Lou run out.
"Young lady, I almost forgot to ask, where did you buy the hemostatic medicine you left here yesterday?"
He held up a bottle; it was the one Cheng You had left there yesterday.
Cheng You replied, "Zhen Shan Tang is the pharmacy I opened, but we haven't opened a branch in Yancheng yet. Please help me promote it more in the future, owner."
The words "Zhen Shan Tang" drifted into Song Qinghe's ears.
"Cheng You, you opened a pharmacy too?"
She was mainly reminded of the Qizi Gao she used.
"Yes, it's this brand. Auntie, please remember it in the future. My medicines are very effective."
The owner of Dong Shun Lou chimed in, "They are indeed very good. I'd like to order a batch of hemostatic medicine from you."
"Sure, how much do you need?"
"Thirty cans."
Cheng You agreed, "But you'll have to wait a few more days. I'll have someone deliver it to you."