Huaye Building's Back Courtyard Attic.
"What, Shi Yin is alright now?" Mrs. Qin Yanran reclined lazily on the soft couch. Upon hearing the report from her subordinates, she was greatly surprised.
This Liu Li had taken people to several renowned medical clinics, all of which turned them away, saying Shi Yin had limited time left.
This was indeed the truth.
Now only a day has passed, and this individual who was supposed to die has actually recovered and is doing quite well, even living next door.
It was said long ago that the infamous house next door was listed by the brokerage for half a year without being rented out, and now suddenly a family has moved in.
A brother and sister with a young maid.
This family has surprisingly opened a tofu shop and started a tofu business. It's said they're doing quite well and have gained some fame in the Western Market area.
The Huaye Building's kitchen had also purchased some, and indeed the quality was much better than what they previously bought.
But this "infamous house" isn't that easy to live in. It may seem fine now, but over time, who knows?
She once considered acquiring this infamous house at a low price, opening it up on both sides, and expanding Huaye Tower at least twice its size.
But after reconsidering, she gave up.
If the guests knew that Huaye Tower was associated with an infamous house, they wouldn't dare to visit for leisure anymore, making it not worth the cost.
The plan was to wait until the memory of the 'infamous house' faded away.
But who would have thought that someone destined to die moved into the 'infamous house' and came back to life?
This was indeed a curious case worth checking out.
"Chun'Er, prepare some gifts and supplements; I want to visit our interesting neighbor!" Qin Yanran gestured, summoning her maid and instructed her.
"Yes, Madam."
...
After the development of the "Neighbor" shop entered the right track, Lin Miao no longer involved himself much. Under his brainstorming, Yun's business talent was vigorously unleashed.
Step by step, steady and sure.
Using a direct sales plus franchise model, the "Neighbor" shop began a path of steady expansion.
Lin Miao invested all his available funds, leaving only what was necessary for living expenses, rented a large yard near the Western Market, and planned to convert it into a tofu processing workshop.
Recruiting personnel, purchasing raw materials.
This work started half a month ago.
In the future, all production activities would be moved there because producing "stinky tofu" tends to produce odors, which would affect the surrounding neighbors' lives.
Before anyone comes to complain, it's best to move it, avoiding any disharmony with the neighbors.
But now, the reconstruction work over there isn't finished yet, although the fermentation of the stinky tofu has already been moved there, so there isn't much impact on the neighbors.
However, they couldn't produce enough tofu, as the home space was too small and the production efficiency couldn't keep up...
This will be resolved as the tofu workshop gets completed.
The "Neighbor" shop's tofu and other soy products are becoming increasingly popular, and it can be foreseen that this business indeed has potential.
Yun is now filled with energy every day, and she can hardly be seen at home during the day, wholly devoting herself to the construction of the tofu workshop.
"Senior Sister, why don't we have the broker find you a maid?" Lin Miao suggested while eating tofu pudding.
Although he enjoys cooking for Sun Youwei, he needs time to practice martial arts and study for exams, and these trivial chores indeed took a significant amount of his time.
Finding someone to take care of Sun Youwei while handling some of the household chores.
"Junior Brother, I'll follow your advice." Sun Youwei knew well of Lin Miao's hardships and couldn't let his studies for the 'Physician' exam suffer. That was a priority.
She knew which was more important and also, now the family can afford to hire someone.
"It's best to buy one; that way, you won't have to switch out later, don't you think?"
"Hmm, indeed."
"Then I'll go visit the brokerage and check; if there's a suitable one, I'll bring one back?" Lin Miao nodded.
...
"Is anyone home, anyone home..."
In the study, Lin Miao was reviewing materials for the 'Physician' exam when he suddenly heard someone knocking on the door, surprised, he looked up.
"Young Master, there is someone outside claiming to be the neighbor visiting you!" moments later, a voice came from outside the study door.
The neighbor from Huaye Building?
Finally came.
"Lead the guest to the main hall; I'll change clothes and be right there." Lin Miao put down the scroll in his hand and instructed. What was meant to come will eventually come, and since they are neighbors, he couldn't avoid them forever.
Lin Miao changed into a blue robe, tied his long hair up with a hairpin, and walked out from the study.
He had wanted to keep his hair short, but that would be too unconventional, so he followed local customs. However, according to this world's customs, he was not yet of age and had not participated in the coming of age ceremony, so he couldn't wear a hair crown.
Since they are neighbors, Qin Yanran had visited before, although it had been a long time, with half a year with no residents.
This place was rumored to be an "infamous house," so she naturally hadn't come.
However, in my impression, the furnishings and style of the main hall of this mansion haven't changed much. It seems the new owner hasn't made much of a difference.
Is it because they don't want to, or are unwilling, or is there another reason?
Footsteps came from outside, and Qin Yanran turned her head to see a young man stepping over the threshold from outside.
This young man had handsome features, with a hint of innocence between his brows. However, his steps were calm and steady, his gaze serene and composed, exuding a sense of maturity and stability different from others.
Walking with the stride of a dragon and tiger, full of youthful vigor.
For a moment, Qin Yanran actually felt as though the person approaching her was of the same age.
Such a handsome young man!
Lin Miao was also observing this middle-aged woman dressed in purple with her hair pinned up. She had broad shoulders and a strong build, her looks were only average, but her eyes were charming, flirtatious. Clearly different from ordinary women, with a distinct aura.
However, her cheekbones were a bit flushed, and there were dark circles under her eyes, which she tried hard to conceal, yet it was difficult to hide the traces of time.
Yin deficiency with excessive internal heat, endocrine disorder...
"Qin Yanran, the mistress of Huaye Tower, I've met Mr. Lin!" Qin Yanran slightly smiled, nodding in the customary form of greeting as a visitor.
"Lin Sanshui, I've met Mrs. Qin." Lin Miao had naturally heard of Qin Yanran's name, how could he not know the mistress of Huaye Tower?
"Mr. Lin moved into the courtyard next door, becoming neighbors with my Huaye Tower, it's a bit discourteous of me to visit just today," Qin Yanran said with a smiling expression.
When Lin Miao and Sun Youwei moved in, they had notified the surrounding neighbors and offered homemade pastries as a gesture of goodwill, but Huaye Tower accepted the pastries without a response.
In this respect, Huaye Tower was a bit discourteous, but with their substantial influence, they didn't care about such things at all.
"Please don't mind, Mrs. Qin. I have few family members at home, I shall prepare tea for you," Lin Miao chuckled and said.
Few people?
Weren't those who opened the door and were busy in the house people?
This little fellow even picked on me, but since the host offers tea, it isn't considered disrespectful. Forget it, I am not going to bother with you, my purpose today is for that person who was supposed to die.
She had to figure out how this person managed to survive.
"I won't have the tea, Mr. Lin, a girl named Shi Yin from our Huaye Tower fell sick recently, seeking medical treatment outside. Is she here with you?" Qin Yanran shifted the topic directly to the point, questioning promptly.
"Kid is not a physician, this is a home, not a medical clinic. However, regarding Miss Shi Yin whom Mrs. Qin mentioned, she is indeed here with me," Lin Miao chuckled, handling the situation calmly.
"A girl from my Huaye Tower is with you, isn't that inappropriate?"
"If not for Mrs. Qin's orders preventing Miss Shi Yin from entering, she wouldn't have sought refuge with me," Lin Miao said. "I don't know Miss Shi Yin, but out of compassion, and considering we're neighbors, I temporarily let her stay to recuperate."
"Mr. Lin's meaning seems to imply that I, as the mistress, am heartless and unkind?" Qin Yanran immediately sensed the hidden sharpness in his words. How can a person so young be so articulate?
Who taught him this?
You said that yourself, not me.
"Perhaps Mrs. Qin was unaware, and it's the deception by the people below."
Such a sharp tongue, speaking on behalf of oneself, while cursing me and finding an excuse for me, leaving no room for retaliation.
"I've raised Shi Yin since she was little, how could I be capable of such an act?" Qin Yanran said, "Today, I instructed to prepare some supplements specially to visit her. May I please ask Mr. Lin for permission?"
"Permission? Of course, but my backyard is known to be a 'haunted house', don't you mind?" Lin Miao had no intention to obstruct and consented immediately.
"If Mr. Lin isn't afraid, why should I be?"
In the side room of the backyard.
Sun Youwei was accompanying Shi Yin, who had escaped life-threatening danger but was still weak. The two girls were unaware of Qin Yanran's arrival.
Seeing Qin Yanran following closely behind Lin Miao, Shi Yin, lying on the bed, immediately felt flustered and didn't know how to respond.
This was evidently a reaction developed under prolonged pressure.
Qin Yanran was visibly a rather domineering woman, managing Huaye Tower with cold ruthlessness, not likely to be easily served.
This was something Lin Miao had sensed during the earlier contact.
Shi Yin was just a sixteen-year-old girl, under such accumulated authority, this was merely an instinctive response.
"Mistress, Shi Yin is ill and bedridden; she cannot rise to greet you."
"No need, health is most important. I merely came to see you, and seeing you all right puts my mind at ease," Qin Yanran said indifferently.
"Thank you, mistress, for your concern."
"Shi Yin, rest here and recover, only return once you are well. Your room at Huaye Tower will always be available for you."
Lin Miao, upon hearing this, couldn't help but frown slightly. The way Qin Yanran spoke and acted was incredibly domineering. Shi Yin's indenture was already returned to her, she was now free, yet Qin Yanran still carried the tone of issuing orders, still considering her as belonging to her.
Although he also thought it'd be best for Shi Yin to return once recovered, Shi Yin should truly have the freedom to come and go by now.
She was no longer that little girl who was sold to Huaye Tower.
But this was a personal matter for them, and as an outsider, Lin Miao really shouldn't interfere.
"Mistress, Shi Yin can return to Huaye Tower, but you've already given me my indenture back, so I wish to return as a free person," Shi Yin lifted her head and said as she looked at Qin Yanran.
"Shi Yin, what are you saying?" Qin Yanran's expression changed instantly, her eyes glared, exerting an oppressive presence.
Not only was Shi Yin overtaken by this aura, but even Sun Youwei beside her turned pale and found it difficult to breathe.