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Lin Yuan shook her head, pointing at the dried goods store that had just been acquired across the street, her eyes filled with joy and pride: "Sister, look, that store will be mine from now on. Although we’re not directly across from each other, we are still so close; isn’t that like ’out of sight, out of mind’? "

Mo Sanniang was somewhat surprised. Even though she could see a handsome man looking eagerly over at them from a distance, she hadn’t spotted any adults. Could it be that Lin Yuan, like herself, had ventured out alone to acquire a shopfront to start a business?

With this thought, Mo Sanniang regarded Lin Yuan with even greater respect.

"Indeed, it is closer," Mo Sanniang said with a beaming smile, turning back to Lin Yuan, "You do have good taste. That store’s location is much better than my shop. It’s just a pity, having such a boss; I didn’t expect it to go under."

"Do you know Mr. Meng very well, Sister Mo?"

Mo Sanniang chuckled, shaking her head: "Him? He’s quite a celebrity on West Street, who doesn’t know him?"

Seeing Lin Yuan’s puzzled expression, Mo Sanniang explained: "He is very learned, but he simply can’t do business.

He’d be so engrossed in reading a book in his store that he wouldn’t notice the customers coming in.

One time, a young man, seeing him like this, decided to play a prank and moved all the goods from his shelves right outside the shop.

Even when nearly everything inside the store was moved out, Mr. Meng didn’t lift his head or make a sound, just continued reading his book.

Bored and amused, the young man patted him, and only then did he realize what had happened. "

Mo Sanniang laughed heartily, but Lin Yuan could only smile wryly, supporting her forehead. She had already realized that Meng Liangdong was not cut out for business, but she hadn’t expected it to be this severe. No wonder his business had plummeted.

After bidding farewell to Mo Sanniang, Lin Yuan returned to the opposite side with a smile on her face. Yet, before she even reached the door, she was met with an intense air of grievance emanating from Xia Zheng.

Lin Yuan cleared her throat, apologetically: "Ahem, sorry, I lost track of time talking."

Indeed, time had been forgotten—it was already past noon.

Xia Zheng clutched his stomach, pouting: "This gentleman is hungry, this gentleman wants to eat steamed spareribs with rice flour."

A twitch appeared at the corner of Lin Yuan’s mouth as she glanced sideways into the store. On the counter lay seven or eight various-sized plates, each laden with Fuman Building’s signature dishes.

Liuzi hung his head to the side, one hand rubbing his belly, drooling.

Meng Liangdong, however, was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Mr. Meng?" Lin Yuan asked instinctively, not realizing this question would touch a raw nerve.

Xia Zheng lifted his chin and snorted, sitting silently in front of the counter.

Lin Yuan scratched her head, turning to Liuzi.

Liuzi stole a glance at the Young Master, chuckled awkwardly, and said, "The shop’s affairs have been wrapped up, Mr. Meng has received the silver and couldn’t wait to get to the school."

After finishing, he winked at Lin Yuan: "Miss, the Young Master has been waiting for you for so long, and he hasn’t touched the food at all. You must be hungry, sit down and eat."

Saying so, he started setting up cutlery and bowls for them.

Looking at the un-touched dishes on the table, Lin Yuan knew she had been at fault for making Xia Zheng wait so long.

Seating herself at the table with a smile, Lin Yuan picked up a piece of stir-fried meat with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, exclaiming with delight: "Mmm, delicious, this meat is so tender. Come on, eat up!"

Xia Zheng haughtily tilted his chin up, not reaching for his chopsticks.

Without words, Lin Yuan picked up some stir-fried meat with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl, saying cheerfully, "Your stomach is protesting, aren’t you going to eat? Try this, it’s really tasty."