The road hadn't been built yet, but Cheng You had already agreed to Ying Tianyun's terms, eager to get the business license.
What started as three hundred cans had escalated to a thousand, doubling the price.
If it weren't for the spiritual spring's actual expansion, Cheng You would have found it impossible to agree.
"You only need the pregnancy-preserving pills?"
Ying Tianyun nodded. "For now, only the pregnancy-preserving pills."
"Alright, I'll have someone rush them for you."
Cheng You was agreeable, and Ying Tianyun was equally efficient, arranging the business license for Zhou Zhou Barbecue all at once.
With the license secured, the remaining tasks were finding a shop and opening. Cheng You left these matters to Zhao Jianguo.
Many people were saying that Zhao Jianguo had latched onto a golden opportunity by following Cheng You.
Two days later, Qin Jianzhong came to see Cheng You.
"If the road construction is to be fast, we need to hire people. See if anyone in your village is willing to work. We'll provide two meals and wages."
Cheng You replied, "Go find the captain."
Qi Chengyan came out of the kitchen with a dish. "Youyou, time to eat."
Qin Jianzhong was about to leave when he heard Cheng You say, "Wait, Chengyan, pack some steamed buns. Let Captain Qin take them."
Qin Jianzhong froze, his gaze snapping towards Qi Chengyan.
"Is he your husband?"
"Yes."
Qin Jianzhong was silent for a moment, then asked, "What's his name?"
Cheng You gave him a strange look. "Qi Chengyan. Do you know him?"
Qin Jianzhong smiled and shook his head. "No, I must have misheard."
He took the steamed buns from Qi Chengyan and turned to leave, his steps hurried.
However, he stopped outside and turned back, hesitating. "Cheng You, I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes, go ahead."
Qin Jianzhong said, "I have a friend. She had a miscarriage, and then she got pregnant twice but couldn't keep them. The hospital said it was habitual miscarriage. I gave her your pregnancy-preserving pills, and they helped, but her condition is still unstable. What can be done?"
The hospital had already said that Cheng You's pregnancy-preserving pills were remarkably effective.
They were the only reason her child had survived this long.
But there was no guarantee the child could be born safely.
He was at his wit's end, which was why he came to ask Cheng You.
Cheng You shook her head. "I'm not a doctor. I only make medicine. I'm sorry."
Qin Jianzhong visibly deflated, but he didn't press the issue.
"Thank you. I'll go back to work now."
After he left, Cheng You looked at Qi Chengyan. "Did you know him before?"
Qi Chengyan shook his head. "No."
He had a good memory; he wouldn't forget someone he had met.
Cheng You’s suspicion eased.
...
Qin Jianzhong began road construction in the village, bringing about a tremendous change in Wujing Village.
Seeing the construction team recruiting, Jiang Wanrou nudged Yuan He beside her. "Why don't you go help? They provide two meals and wages."
Yuan He was unwilling. He was from the city.
It was one thing to help plant medicinal herbs these past few days, but now to help build roads? What was the difference between him and a farmer?
"I'm not going. It's too embarrassing."
Jiang Wanrou pinched him. "What's embarrassing about earning money?"
"If you don't think it's embarrassing, then you go yourself!"
Jiang Wanrou sneered. "What do you mean by that? You want your wife to be seen in public, working to support you?"
Yuan He ignored her, his face sullen.
If she weren't so useless, their family wouldn't be in such a dire situation.
"Yuan He!" Jiang Wanrou shouted, furious.
Yuan He covered his ears, pretending not to hear, making Jiang Wanrou's face turn ashen with anger.
With a man she couldn't rely on, Jiang Wanrou felt she had to depend on her maternal family to have a good life.
Her first thought, naturally, was Cheng You.
Among the entire old Jiang family, Cheng You was the most successful.
Although their relationship had soured before, Jiang Wanrou believed that if she was willing to humble herself, Cheng You would surely mend ties with her.
Thus, after a quarrel with Yuan He, she went to find Cheng You with red eyes.
But Cheng You wasn't home; only Qi Chengyan was there.
The door was unlocked, and Jiang Wanrou, without hesitation, walked in.
"Brother-in-law, where is Cheng You?"
Qi Chengyan frowned. "You should leave."
Jiang Wanrou stiffened. Did this man have any manners?
"I came to see Cheng You."
Qi Chengyan repeated, "You should leave."
Jiang Wanrou had no choice but to turn and walk out, stopping at the doorway.
"Can you tell me now? Where is Cheng You?"
Qi Chengyan said, "Not here."
Then, with a snap, he closed the door.
Jiang Wanrou's face turned iron-blue with anger. "Do you know who I am? I'm Cheng You's cousin. Why won't you let me in?"
"A man and a woman alone, it's inconvenient," Qi Chengyan said through the door, appearing to be a paragon of virtue.
Jiang Wanrou grew even more incensed. She, a woman, hadn't said anything, so why was he acting this way?
Fortunately, after she stood at the door for a while, Cheng You returned.
She immediately forgot her original purpose and began complaining to Cheng You about Qi Chengyan.
Cheng You said impatiently, "I don't think there's anything wrong with him. You should tell me why you came."
Jiang Wanrou then remembered her reason and said pitifully, "Cheng You, I can't go on living. Please help me."
"What? Didn't you say marrying Yuan He would make you a city dweller? How long has it been, and you already can't go on living?"
Cheng You had no desire to help her cousin. She had brought it all upon herself.
However, there was still some residual goodwill from her aunt.
Otherwise, Cheng You wouldn't have bothered listening to her.
Jiang Wanrou clenched her fists, her heart aching as if pricked by needles.
"Their family hasn't established connections yet, but they will eventually. We're just going through a temporary difficulty. Lend me some money to help us get through this, and I'll definitely repay you later."
After all this, she had come to borrow money.
"I don't have any money to lend you."
Jiang Wanrou quickly grabbed her hand, as if afraid she would just leave.
"How could you not have money? Building a road in the village costs at least a few thousand. If there's money for the road, how could you not have money to lend me?"
Cheng You pushed her away impatiently. "Do you really not know why I wouldn't lend you money? Jiang Wanrou, are our relations that good? Are we that close? Stop trying to get close to me."
"Cheng You, I only insulted your man a couple of times. Are you holding that much of a grudge? I'm your cousin!"
Cheng You rolled her eyes, her patience worn thin.
"If you truly considered me your cousin, you wouldn't have said those things before! Never mind a couple of times, if you insult him, not even a single word is acceptable!"
"I apologize! I'll apologize, is that acceptable?"
Everyone had said before that she was infatuated with Qian Dazhi.
Jiang Wanrou now felt that Cheng You was similarly infatuated with Qi Chengyan.
He was just a man, was she really that protective of him?
"Apologizing now is too late. I don't accept it!"
Cheng You pushed the door open and went inside, closing it behind her with a snap and locking it.
She blinked. "Why didn't you let her in?"
Qi Chengyan held his head high, as if seeking praise.
"A man and a woman alone, it's not suitable."
Cheng You stood on tiptoe and gently patted his head.
"So well-behaved."
Despite his unchanging expression, Qi Chengyan looked like a loyal dog, his tail almost wagging.