“Zhi Zhi, it’s all thanks to you, otherwise we wouldn’t have won.” Bai Shanshan said gratefully. “Thank you so much.”
Feng Chun was also staring at Xue Zhi excitedly, though a trace of worry lingered in her eyes.
“Zhi Zhi, although things worked out this time, after this batch of goods is finished, will they fire us?”
Xue Zhi shook her head.
“I’m not sure. If they are willing to pay your wages on time without threats, then naturally they won’t dismiss you.
But they’ve taken advantage for so many years—would they really be willing to give that up?
Embroidery workers can be trained; it’s just a matter of time. But…”
She changed tone.
“Even if you are dismissed, it’s fine. I already spoke with the owner of Jinxiu Tower. If you are let go, they are willing to take you in.”
“Really?”
“Really?”
Bai Shanshan and Feng Chun stared at Xue Zhi with wide, disbelieving eyes, exclaiming in unison.
Feng Chun anxiously asked, “Jinxiu Tower really agrees to take us? Aren’t they afraid Huayi Pavilion will cause trouble?”
This had happened before.
Once someone left Huayi Pavilion, no other clothing shop would dare hire them.
Xue Zhi said calmly, “Don’t worry about that.”
Hearing her firm tone, both of them gradually believed her.
With Xue Zhi’s assurance, they now had a way out and no longer needed to live in constant fear.
After chatting for a long while, Xue Zhi finally left Bai Shanshan’s home.
Her trip to Sifang Town was not only for Bai Shanshan’s matter; she was also looking for business opportunities.
Eggs should not be placed in one basket. Her cooperation with Jinxiu Tower only required a few design drafts each month, which was easy work. But it took too long to turn into money—she still had to wait for the items to be sold.
She had recently bought many things, and her money was nearly gone.
While she was thinking helplessly, she overheard a group of young scholars talking at a roadside stall.
“The food at the academy is terrible. I’ve been eating there every day and I’ve lost weight.”
“Exactly. That food is really awful.”
“Sigh, we can only occasionally go out for a proper meal.”
Hearing this, Xue Zhi frowned.
Is the food at the academy really that bad?
Later, she carefully inquired further.
It turned out that the academy’s lunch break was very short, and there were no restaurants nearby. Although students were allowed to bring meals, the weather was getting colder—food brought in the morning would be cold by noon.
If they wanted the canteen to reheat it, they had to pay. So aside from wealthy students, most either ate cold food or the poor-quality canteen meals.
This gave Xue Zhi a new idea for making money—boxed meals.
She could prepare meals and deliver them to the academy on time so students could eat hot food.
However, the distance from Fu Village to the academy was long. By the time she arrived, the food might already be cold.
Unless she rented a place near the academy—but rents there were expensive, and she likely could not afford it.
Otherwise, she would have to hire a carriage daily to deliver food.
She did not give up easily and decided to visit the academy first to see how many potential customers there were.
Conveniently, she could use the excuse of “returning money” to meet Fu Shiyue and test the situation.
South Creek Academy.
Class A.
“Fu Shiyue!”
“Fu Shiyue! Someone is looking for you. They’re at the academy gate waiting.”
Hearing this, Fu Shiyue suddenly looked up, confused.
“Who is it?”
“A young lady,” the student replied.
A young lady?!
At that moment, Xue Zhi’s face flashed in Fu Shiyue’s mind. He immediately stood up and ran outside.
He thought: he didn’t know many women, and no one would come looking for him. The only possibility was the one he had recently met…
Xue Zhi?
Was it really her?
What did she want from him?
As he approached the academy gate, he slowed his steps, pretending to walk casually, though his breathing was already unsteady and sweat formed on his forehead.
From afar, he saw Xue Zhi.
His lips curved slightly, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
It really was her.
Xue Zhi quickly walked toward him.
“Scholar Fu.”
“Madam Xue, what brings you here?” Fu Shiyue asked, not realizing the concern in his tone.
Xue Zhi nodded.
“I do have something I want to ask Scholar Fu for advice on.”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard the academy’s food… isn’t very good.
I… I want to ask if the academy is still hiring cooks. My cooking isn’t bad. Or… could I prepare meals and sell them at the academy gate?”
She wasn’t sure if selling was allowed there.
Fu Shiyue’s eyes flickered slightly.
“Didn’t you already have work before?”
He remembered seeing her last time with a cart full of goods—things that couldn’t have been bought with the money he lent her.
He had assumed she had found work. But now she was asking again—what happened?
Xue Zhi paused briefly, then quickly adjusted.
“That was temporary. It wasn’t long-term.”
“The academy’s cooks are appointed by the dean. There are no plans to hire anyone recently,” Fu Shiyue said tactfully.
“I see.”
Xue Zhi didn’t look disappointed.
“Then can I sell food at the academy gate?”
“That… should be fine.”
Fu Shiyue thought about it and realized there was no rule against it.
“That’s great. Scholar Fu… could you help me with something?”
“What is it?”
“Tomorrow I’ll bring some boxed meals. Could you help promote them inside the academy?”
Looking at her hopeful eyes, Fu Shiyue felt his heart pause for a moment.
“…Yes.”
“Thank you, Scholar Fu.”
Then she added, “I won’t disturb your studies anymore. You should go back.”
For some reason, Fu Shiyue’s expression stiffened.
She came to find him… only for this?
Seeing that he wasn’t leaving, Xue Zhi became puzzled, then suddenly realized something.
“Oh right, Scholar Fu… I’m sorry. I can’t return your money yet. But don’t worry, once I earn it, I’ll return it immediately.”
In truth, she could already repay him—but she didn’t want to.
If she returned the money, what reason would she have to interact with him later?
She still wanted to cling to this future Chief Minister’s thigh.
Fu Shiyue replied, “It’s not urgent. Take your time.”
Just as Xue Zhi was about to respond, she suddenly noticed a hole in his clothes.
She pointed.
“Scholar Fu, your clothes are torn. Why don’t you take it off and give it to me? I’ll take it back and mend it, then return it tomorrow.”
Following her gesture, Fu Shiyue looked down and saw a clear tear.
Academy tuition was expensive, but Fu Shiyue consistently ranked first, so his tuition was waived. Only daily expenses remained.
He lived frugally, relying on copying books and writing letters.
He did not care much about food, clothing, or housing.
Clothes were just worn as long as they were cheap; food could be simple and cold; housing was shared dormitories at the academy.
His clothes had many patches already, usually repaired at a tailor shop.
Hearing Xue Zhi’s words, his ears instantly turned red. He looked flustered, like a startled puppy, unsure how to respond.
She… she had seen his embarrassment.
Seeing this, Xue Zhi quickly explained, “Scholar Fu, don’t misunderstand. I just want to repay your kindness. If you don’t want it, I won’t force you.”
Fu Shiyue coughed lightly.
“Wait a moment.”
He turned and went back to the academy.
After about fifteen minutes, he returned with a bundle in his arms, his face still slightly red.
Xue Zhi happily reached out.
“Give it to me.”
He awkwardly handed it over.
“Sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble at all. I’ll go now.”
She turned and left carrying the bundle.
Fu Shiyue watched her figure, his gaze soft.
Then suddenly, she turned back and waved.
“Scholar Fu, go back quickly! Don’t delay your studies!”
Her voice was bright and clear, like water softening everything around it.
Fu Shiyue stood in a daze until she disappeared from sight, then finally returned to the academy reluctantly.
That entire afternoon, Fu Shiyue—uncharacteristically—lost focus in class.
Fortunately, when questioned by the teacher, he still answered correctly.
After he sat down, his friend Zhen Zhao whispered, “Shiyue, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?”
Earlier, Zhen Zhao had been asking the teacher questions and did not notice Fu Shiyue’s distraction.
“I’m fine,” Fu Shiyue shook his head lightly.