As Lin Qinghe was about to turn back, two or three guests entered. One of them, perhaps not paying attention, bumped into her.
Lin Qinghe stumbled, taking a few steps back before steadying herself, almost falling.
The person hurried to say, "My apologies, madam, I almost caused you to fall. Are you alright?"
Lin Qinghe looked up. The person had a clean-cut face and seemed somewhat familiar.
Lin Qinghe thought for a moment but couldn't recall, so she didn't dwell on it. After all, running a business meant seeing many people come and go, and she had seen all sorts of faces. Perhaps this person simply resembled a guest she had met before, which was why he seemed familiar.
Lin Qinghe smiled, "I'm fine. Are you here to dine? Please come in..."
Lin Qinghe moved aside. The person's companion pulled him inside. Lin Qinghe gestured for them to sit at an empty table and then returned to the kitchen to busy herself.
The person stared blankly at Lin Qinghe's retreating figure.
His companion placed a hand on his shoulder and chuckled, "What's wrong, Brother Jingren? It's rare for you to visit me. I must treat you well. Don't let this small inn's size fool you; its dishes are famous far and wide, especially the hot pot... I guarantee you've never tasted anything like it!"
Jiang Jingren's gaze slowly returned, and he subtly frowned. He asked, "Lin Chang, the lady I bumped into earlier... is she the proprietress of this small inn?"
"Indeed! That's her!" the person named Lin Chang exclaimed, clicking his tongue twice. "You wouldn't guess it, would you? Her figure, her looks... she actually comes from a poor village. If you didn't know, at first glance, she could be compared to any young lady from the capital."
Jiang Jingren didn't reply. He lowered his gaze, appearing lost in thought.
From the time Jiang Jingren arrived to when he left, his eyes seemed to linger on Lin Qinghe, and he noticed her expression change slightly when she spoke with You Rong.
***
Three more days passed.
Lin Qinghe sat in the room with an abacus and ledger, calculating accounts. You Rong returned after washing up, added some charcoal to the brazier in the room, and placed a hot water bottle in Lin Qinghe's lap. He sat beside her and asked, "Are you done with the accounts?"
Lin Qinghe's raven-black hair cascaded down her back, her small face exquisitely beautiful. She turned her head and smiled at him, "Yes, I've finished. In the past half-month... our income has nearly doubled. If things continue like this, we can afford to buy a house in town before the year ends, and we can all move to town."
You Rong gently stroked Lin Qinghe's soft hair and said in a low voice, "...No rush, we'll take our time. You've been too tired lately."
Despite the exhaustion, Lin Qinghe was very happy to be earning money. She smiled and said, "It's fine, I'm alright... In a few more days, we can hire a couple more people to help, and neither of us will have to work so hard."
You Rong nodded, "Mm, as you say."
Lin Qinghe bit her writing brush and gazed at You Rong, her eyes flickering.
According to the original setting, You Rong was destined to rise through the ranks in the capital and become a great general because of Xu Yiyi. Now, from any perspective, he seemed to be far from that path.
Perhaps because of this, the progress bar had been increasing rather slowly.
Seeing Lin Qinghe spacing out, lost in thought, You Rong rubbed her head and softly asked, "What are you thinking about again?"
Lin Qinghe snapped back to attention, smiled, and casually deflected, "Nothing much. I was just thinking that Mother mentioned again today that she wishes to hold her grandchild soon..."
Hearing this, You Rong's Adam's apple bobbed. His gaze fixed intently on Lin Qinghe.
Was she bringing this up to hint... that it was time for them to share a bed?
The thought sent an inexplicable heat rushing through You Rong. His earlobes flushed red as he said, "...Qinghe, shall we rest?"
Lin Qinghe blinked in confusion, wondering why You Rong was feeling sleepy so early today.
Lin Qinghe didn't think much of it and nodded, putting away the ledger, brush, ink, and paper before her. "Alright, let's rest."
After blowing out the oil lamp and getting into bed, You Rong listened to the rustling sound of Lin Qinghe taking off her outer clothes, his heart pounding like a drum. The next moment, when Lin Qinghe nestled into his arms as usual, You Rong's body involuntarily stiffened.
Then Lin Qinghe became still.
After a long while, You Rong swallowed and thought that as a man, he should be more proactive in matters of intimacy, especially since Lin Qinghe was a woman.
He took a silent deep breath and tentatively asked, "Qinghe, are you... okay with this?"
Lin Qinghe's breathing was shallow, and she didn't answer.
You Rong was puzzled.
Was she feeling shy?
When You Rong gently pushed away Lin Qinghe, who was nestled against him, he realized that Lin Qinghe had already fallen asleep.
You Rong: "..."
All his surging desire now felt like a cruel torment.
He sighed softly, lowered his head, kissed Lin Qinghe's forehead, and whispered, "Sleep well..."
***
Five days later.
Lin Qinghe had thought she wouldn't see Xu Yiyi again, but unexpectedly, she encountered her today, especially when You Rong had gone out to procure ingredients and was not at the small inn.
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed, and she felt annoyed. Not wanting to get entangled with Xu Yiyi, she said directly in an unfriendly tone, "Miss Xu, if you're here to see my proprietor, please leave. My proprietor is not here at the moment. However... I must tell you frankly once more, even if my proprietor were here, he wouldn't see you if I didn't want him to!"
Xu Yiyi's face turned ashen and then flushed. She felt humiliated but didn't leave. Instead, she said, "I know Young Master You isn't here, which is why I've come. I've come to see you today. Let's talk."
Talk?
What was there to talk about between her and Xu Yiyi?!
Lin Qinghe's face turned cold. "Miss Xu, I apologize, but as you can see, the small inn is open for business, and I need to attend to guests. I truly cannot spare the time! Please leave!"
As Lin Qinghe turned to leave, an old wet nurse beside Xu Yiyi spoke up, sneering, "Madam, I advise you to sit down and talk with our young lady. Otherwise, whether this small inn can remain open... is truly uncertain."
Lin Qinghe's gaze sharpened.
She intended to threaten her with the small inn!
Lin Qinghe turned around and smiled, though her eyes held no warmth. "Very well! I'd like to see what Miss Xu wishes to discuss with me!"
Lin Qinghe and Xu Yiyi sat down at a table by the window in the front hall. Lin Qinghe's expression was cold as she waited for Xu Yiyi to speak.
The old wet nurse beside Xu Yiyi took out a stack of silver notes from her embrace, placed them on the table, and pushed them towards Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe glanced down at them and sneered, "What is the meaning of this, Miss Xu?"