211 Are we a Better Match?
Zhao Lingfeng noticed how Lu Jiao was focused on the business names and explained, “I originally wanted to incorporate your name in the pharmacy business name as well. But I couldn’t figure out one that works well. I ended up making the decision to call it Mingren Pharmacy. Do you mind? Of course, if you don’t like it, we can change it. When the time comes, the three of us can go to the government office again.”
Lu Jiao smiled and shook her head, “It’s great. I’m just surprised that you managed to add my name to the oil mill and cosmeceutical store.”
Zhao Lingfeng sighed in relief. It appeared that he did the right thing.
“All three businesses rely on your secret formulas. Using your name is the right thing to do. If I had a way to add your name to the pharmacy, I would’ve.”
Zhao Lingfeng talked about all this nonchalantly. Lu Jiao’s mood, however, grew brighter and brighter as she beamed from ear to ear.
Qi Lei glanced at Lu Jiao, then at Zhao Lingfeng. He silently exclaimed over Zhao Lingfeng’s slickness. Who knew Zhao Lingfeng was so good at making Lu Jiao happy?
Was he interested in her? Qi Lei narrowed his eyes.
Lu Jiao got out of her seat. Behind her, Zhao Lingfeng suggested, “Let’s get some good food for lunch to celebrate our first pot of gold.”
Thanks to that woman, he was able to save so much start-up capital. With the money already earned, he’ll be able to open three separate businesses. He’ll even have some money left over.
The more Zhao Lingfeng thought about it, the happier he felt. His gaze softened and also turned hot. If people didn’t know he was viewing her as the God of Wealth, they would think he was in love with her.
Everyone around him thought he had some poor intentions.
Lu Jiao thought of the four little ones and waved her hand, “That’s okay. I have children to take care of.”
She then left and Zhao Lingfeng watched her go. Quickly, Qi Lei pulled Zhao Lingfeng aside.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
Zhao Lingfeng stopped smiling and snapped his head at Qi Lei, “What’s the matter?”
Qi Lei lowered his voice, “Are you trying to steal Scholar Xie’s girl?”
Zhao Lingfeng’s tone was unfriendly as he stared at Qi Lei strangely, “What’s going on inside your head every day? She’s going to be our money tree. Of course, we have to be nice to her.”
He then suddenly came up with a question. How come everyone thought that he was trying to steal Scholar Xie’s wife? Could it be that he and Lady Lu were a better match?
That thought refused to leave his mind.
Zhao Linfeng stared Qi Lei deep in the eyes, “Are you saying I am a better match for Lady Lu?
Zhao Lingfeng thought about it and decided that marrying Lady Lu wouldn’t be half bad. Not only was she pretty, but she was also very capable. More importantly, she was very good at raising children. All her kids were so well-behaved.
Zhao Lingfeng remembered his five-year-old daughter, Zhao Yuluo, and his head hurt.
Zhao Lingfeng was the third young master from the official residence of the marquees of Yongning and his life was hard. Five years ago, his concubine mother schemed to get him together with the daughter of the second steward. He had no choice but to appoint her as his first wife. Sadly, she died while giving birth to a daughter.
Being a man, Zhao Lingfeng had no idea how to raise a daughter which resulted in his daughter growing up with very poor manners.
The thought of his daughter gave him a headache.
Now that Qi Lei brought up Lu Jiao, he thought of the four little ones that Lu Jiao brought over last time. They sure were obedient.
Inside the great hall, Qi Lei’s face darkened and he warned, “Zhao Lingfeng, my Master has a husband and children. Don’t do anything rash. If I find out you tried anything, I will warn young master Bingming and ask him to send you back to the city.”
This was an effective statement that reminded Zhao Lingfeng that he was here for business, not leisure.
Zhao Lingfeng raised an eyebrow, “You’re thinking too much.”
After Lu Jiao left, she asked Manager Li to give her a ride back home.
Manager Li organized that quickly. Lu Jiao bought a lot of food while in town and comfortably got home in the horse carriage.
At home, the four little ones squatted near the trellis and pitifully stared at the road.
When they saw the horse carriage, they cheered and rushed to greet their mom.
They scared the wheeler and he had to stop the horse right away.
Lu Jiao got out with all the stuff she bought and was immediately circled by the four little ones.
“Mommy, you’re back! We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Are you tired? Come and sit and rest.”
The Third Born ran to the kitchen to get Lu Jiao some sugar water.
The Fourth Born waited for Lu Jiao to sit down. Then, he grabbed a stool for himself to sit down on and rubbed Lu Jiao’s shoulders.
Lu Jiao laughed. She felt like the emperor.
“It’s okay. I’m not tired. You must be hungry. Did you eat anything?”
Lu Jiao took out four pork buns and gave them to the children to munch on.
The little ones were in no rush. They shoved the buns back into their mom’s hands, “Mommy, you must be hungry. Eat up.”
Just then, the Third Born came back with sugar water, “Mommy, sugar water is here.”
Lu Jiao took it and gulped it down. The four little ones giggled.
Lu Jiao sensed that the children were more attentive than usual. It appeared that her separation from Xie Yunjin had traumatized the four little ones. They seemed to worry she would abandon them and were constantly nervous.
Lu Jiao decided to not plan too many things over the next two days. She wanted to spend a lot of time with the children so they could build more confidence and stop worrying about her leaving.
“Okay, eat the meat buns. Give one to your dad. I’m sure he’s hungry too.”
Only then did the four little ones think of their father. The First Born took a big pork bun and went inside.
Inside the east bedroom, Xie Yunjin sat at his desk. Though his books were open, he hasn’t flipped through a single page. The four little ones stayed outside to wait for Lu Jiao all morning. Worried that they would run off, Xie Yunjin kept an eye on them cautiously. Now that Lu Jiao came back, he felt more relaxed.
However, when the First Born came in with the pork bun, Xie Yunjin’s eyes lowered again and he read.
“Daddy, mommy bought you a pork bun.”
The First Born continued to wink at Xie Yunjin. Hurry up and compliment his mom! Hurry up and exclaim how cool his mom is!
Sadly, Xie Yunjin emotionlessly took the meat bun and didn’t say a word.
The First Born was depressed. Silently, he mumbled, “My dad may be book-smart but he is not smart with everything else. He’s rather stupid.”
Afterward, he ran back outside. Once he was in the living room, Lu Jiao waved at him to hurry and eat some buns.
“For lunch, how about I make you some fresh noodles in hot and sour soup?”
The noodles yesterday ended up in the trash given what happened last night. She would have to make fresh food again today.
The four little ones grinned and agreed, “okay mommy.”
After a moment, however, the First Born spoke up again, “If you’re too tired, then don’t cook. We can eat something easy.”
The other three also nodded in agreement, “Yeah, if you’re tired, you don’t have to cook.”
211 Are we a Better Match?
Zhao Lingfeng noticed how Lu Jiao was focused on the business names and explained, “I originally wanted to incorporate your name in the pharmacy business name as well. But I couldn’t figure out one that works well. I ended up making the decision to call it Mingren Pharmacy. Do you mind? Of course, if you don’t like it, we can change it. When the time comes, the three of us can go to the government office again.”
Lu Jiao smiled and shook her head, “It’s great. I’m just surprised that you managed to add my name to the oil mill and cosmeceutical store.”
Zhao Lingfeng sighed in relief. It appeared that he did the right thing.
“All three businesses rely on your secret formulas. Using your name is the right thing to do. If I had a way to add your name to the pharmacy, I would’ve.”
Zhao Lingfeng talked about all this nonchalantly. Lu Jiao’s mood, however, grew brighter and brighter as she beamed from ear to ear.
Qi Lei glanced at Lu Jiao, then at Zhao Lingfeng. He silently exclaimed over Zhao Lingfeng’s slickness. Who knew Zhao Lingfeng was so good at making Lu Jiao happy?
Was he interested in her? Qi Lei narrowed his eyes.
Lu Jiao got out of her seat. Behind her, Zhao Lingfeng suggested, “Let’s get some good food for lunch to celebrate our first pot of gold.”
Thanks to that woman, he was able to save so much start-up capital. With the money already earned, he’ll be able to open three separate businesses. He’ll even have some money left over.
The more Zhao Lingfeng thought about it, the happier he felt. His gaze softened and also turned hot. If people didn’t know he was viewing her as the God of Wealth, they would think he was in love with her.
Everyone around him thought he had some poor intentions.
Lu Jiao thought of the four little ones and waved her hand, “That’s okay. I have children to take care of.”
She then left and Zhao Lingfeng watched her go. Quickly, Qi Lei pulled Zhao Lingfeng aside.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
Zhao Lingfeng stopped smiling and snapped his head at Qi Lei, “What’s the matter?”
Qi Lei lowered his voice, “Are you trying to steal Scholar Xie’s girl?”
Zhao Lingfeng’s tone was unfriendly as he stared at Qi Lei strangely, “What’s going on inside your head every day? She’s going to be our money tree. Of course, we have to be nice to her.”
He then suddenly came up with a question. How come everyone thought that he was trying to steal Scholar Xie’s wife? Could it be that he and Lady Lu were a better match?
That thought refused to leave his mind.
Zhao Linfeng stared Qi Lei deep in the eyes, “Are you saying I am a better match for Lady Lu?
Zhao Lingfeng thought about it and decided that marrying Lady Lu wouldn’t be half bad. Not only was she pretty, but she was also very capable. More importantly, she was very good at raising children. All her kids were so well-behaved.
Zhao Lingfeng remembered his five-year-old daughter, Zhao Yuluo, and his head hurt.
Zhao Lingfeng was the third young master from the official residence of the marquees of Yongning and his life was hard. Five years ago, his concubine mother schemed to get him together with the daughter of the second steward. He had no choice but to appoint her as his first wife. Sadly, she died while giving birth to a daughter.
Being a man, Zhao Lingfeng had no idea how to raise a daughter which resulted in his daughter growing up with very poor manners.
The thought of his daughter gave him a headache.
Now that Qi Lei brought up Lu Jiao, he thought of the four little ones that Lu Jiao brought over last time. They sure were obedient.
Inside the great hall, Qi Lei’s face darkened and he warned, “Zhao Lingfeng, my Master has a husband and children. Don’t do anything rash. If I find out you tried anything, I will warn young master Bingming and ask him to send you back to the city.”
This was an effective statement that reminded Zhao Lingfeng that he was here for business, not leisure.
Zhao Lingfeng raised an eyebrow, “You’re thinking too much.”
After Lu Jiao left, she asked Manager Li to give her a ride back home.
Manager Li organized that quickly. Lu Jiao bought a lot of food while in town and comfortably got home in the horse carriage.
At home, the four little ones squatted near the trellis and pitifully stared at the road.
When they saw the horse carriage, they cheered and rushed to greet their mom.
They scared the wheeler and he had to stop the horse right away.
Lu Jiao got out with all the stuff she bought and was immediately circled by the four little ones.
“Mommy, you’re back! We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Are you tired? Come and sit and rest.”
The Third Born ran to the kitchen to get Lu Jiao some sugar water.
The Fourth Born waited for Lu Jiao to sit down. Then, he grabbed a stool for himself to sit down on and rubbed Lu Jiao’s shoulders.
Lu Jiao laughed. She felt like the emperor.
“It’s okay. I’m not tired. You must be hungry. Did you eat anything?”
Lu Jiao took out four pork buns and gave them to the children to munch on.
The little ones were in no rush. They shoved the buns back into their mom’s hands, “Mommy, you must be hungry. Eat up.”
Just then, the Third Born came back with sugar water, “Mommy, sugar water is here.”
Lu Jiao took it and gulped it down. The four little ones giggled.
Lu Jiao sensed that the children were more attentive than usual. It appeared that her separation from Xie Yunjin had traumatized the four little ones. They seemed to worry she would abandon them and were constantly nervous.
Lu Jiao decided to not plan too many things over the next two days. She wanted to spend a lot of time with the children so they could build more confidence and stop worrying about her leaving.
“Okay, eat the meat buns. Give one to your dad. I’m sure he’s hungry too.”
Only then did the four little ones think of their father. The First Born took a big pork bun and went inside.
Inside the east bedroom, Xie Yunjin sat at his desk. Though his books were open, he hasn’t flipped through a single page. The four little ones stayed outside to wait for Lu Jiao all morning. Worried that they would run off, Xie Yunjin kept an eye on them cautiously. Now that Lu Jiao came back, he felt more relaxed.
However, when the First Born came in with the pork bun, Xie Yunjin’s eyes lowered again and he read.
“Daddy, mommy bought you a pork bun.”
The First Born continued to wink at Xie Yunjin. Hurry up and compliment his mom! Hurry up and exclaim how cool his mom is!
Sadly, Xie Yunjin emotionlessly took the meat bun and didn’t say a word.
The First Born was depressed. Silently, he mumbled, “My dad may be book-smart but he is not smart with everything else. He’s rather stupid.”
Afterward, he ran back outside. Once he was in the living room, Lu Jiao waved at him to hurry and eat some buns.
“For lunch, how about I make you some fresh noodles in hot and sour soup?”
The noodles yesterday ended up in the trash given what happened last night. She would have to make fresh food again today.
The four little ones grinned and agreed, “okay mommy.”
After a moment, however, the First Born spoke up again, “If you’re too tired, then don’t cook. We can eat something easy.”
The other three also nodded in agreement, “Yeah, if you’re tired, you don’t have to cook.”
