The four new additions to Jiang Wanru's courtyard have added a lot of color to the previously biased yard. Fang Zheng and Mu Gen resigned from their outside jobs half a month later and returned to listen to Jiang Wanru's orders, making the courtyard lively again. Jixiang has been happily jumping in and out these days, after being seen by her mother twice, she was pulled aside to whisper for a while before resuming her usual demeanor.

  On the second day after Fang Zheng and Mu Gen returned, they brought their parents to see Jiang Wanru. Fang Zheng directly said to Jiang Wanru: "Miss, we will only be staying at the Lian Wang Fu for a few days. Myself and Mu Gen think that it's also time to talk to our elders about some things. We just want to ask you, Miss, if it's okay to tell them more?" Mu Gen nodded on the side, speaking in a soft voice: "If our parents find out later that we hid such things from them, they will be very unhappy."

  Jiang Wanru listened to their words, shook her head slightly and said: "You can reveal some things to them, but don't tell them too much. I've already made you worry about what will happen in three years, which is unavoidable, so there's no need for them to worry along with you for three years. Tell them that in order for me to stand firm in that family, I have some private money that can be used, and it can't be too obvious, only after you all regain your freedom will it be convenient for you to help me take care of some private business outside."

  "Of course, those business matters, apart from you two families, cannot be known to anyone related to me." Fang Zheng and Mu Gen nodded repeatedly, if Jiang Wanru hadn't come up with this excuse, the two of them wouldn't have known how to tell their parents about it. This was only half a year after they went out, but it had already brought freedom to both families. To their parents, this was equivalent to an open rebellion, a heinous crime that would not be tolerated by heaven and earth.

  Jiang Wanru mentioned to them a few months ago that she wanted to start her own business. They thought it was impossible for her, a young woman with no family to rely on, despite being capable. To do business, one needs their own storefront or at least a long-term rental. As a lone woman with no background, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge. The two of them didn't hold out much hope for that idea and could only focus on doing their jobs well, hoping to impress their boss and extend their stay, allowing them to save more money.

  Fang Zheng and Mu Gen both looked at Jiang Wanru with eager eyes as soon as they heard her words, feeling that the matter was absolutely hopeful. Mu Gen, who had always been casual in front of Jiang Wanru, stared at her thoughtful expression. He reached out to pull her sleeve and said: "Hey, don't stop there, you can speak directly to us. Fang Zheng and I are not outsiders. If you have something on your mind, just tell us. If there's anything that needs to be done, just order us to do it."

  Jiang Wanmu gazed at them deeply, saying in a low voice: "Fang Zheng, Mu Gen, I'm going to hand over all the external matters to you two. You must work together, help each other, and discuss things thoroughly before doing them. Three years from now, whether we can live in peace and safety depends on you two. I want you to promise me that you will never betray me and trust each other. Starting tomorrow, you can officially take over."

  They looked at each other, raised their hands to the sky and said: "Head against the blue sky, feet on the ground. I, Fang Zheng (Mugun), make a vow that in this life, I will never betray Miss Jiang. I will always believe in Brother Mugun (Brother Fang Zheng). If I go back on my word, there will be no place for me between heaven and earth." After they put down their hands, they looked at Jiang Wanru and saw the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.

  Two of them were somewhat anxious and didn't understand. Fang Zheng hinted at Mu Gen to speak up front. Mu Gen rubbed his hands, looking at Jiang Wanru and said: "Sister, is it that I and Brother Fang Zheng have some imperfections in the vow? You tell us directly, this vow can't be added or subtracted randomly. However, we can think of another way, add some words in front of everyone. In fact, whether I make this vow or not, in this lifetime, except for my parents, you are the only relative I have. Don't be like this, it's hard to bear looking at you."

  Jiang Wanru lightly shook her head, forcing the tears in her eyes to disappear. In this life, she had nothing but these two families in front of her. She knew that people in this era valued vows, treating them as if they were promises to the gods. Listening to the two of them making such heavy vows, her heart suddenly felt a pang of sadness, and she couldn't help but feel that she didn't dare trust others so much. In her previous life, she had possessed many things and would never have been so cautious, calculating every step. She said in a low voice: "Actually, you don't need to make vows, I only have you two to believe in and rely on."

  Miss, we know you trust us two families. But this vow must be made. People's hearts are changeable, I believe that at present, Mu Gen and I treat you well, both families treat you well. However, as time goes on, more people will join our sides, and it's not necessarily the case that everyone will have a united heart. Once we make this vow, we can prevent future troubles from arising. This is good, for the sake of our two families' lives and safety, when trouble arises, no one will dare to speak out, and we can all continue to live in harmony as we do now, with mutual help and support.

  Mu Gen looked at Fang Zheng with admiration after hearing his words, and sighed: "Brother Fang Zheng, no wonder Mo Ge said you have great talent, but unfortunately, there's no opportunity for you to be reused. I, Mu Gen, now realize my own inadequacies after listening to your words. In the future, please guide me more when we encounter things."

  Fang Zheng patted him on the shoulder and said, "We're all brothers, no need to be polite. You have a steady temperament, next time I get impulsive, I'll trouble you to pull me back, so as not to ruin Miss's big affair." Mu Gen blushed and looked at him, saying: "I'm not brave enough, next time there's a good opportunity, Brother Fang Zheng will help speak up for me."

  Jiang Wanmu glanced at the two of them getting along and said, "A few days ago, I asked someone to help me rent two shops on South Street. The two shopfronts are not big, and the location is not exactly in the middle of the street. However, the person who helped me rent the shops said 'If you work hard, there's still business to be done with these two shops.' I plan to use one of them to partner up with someone to do book business, and the other one I want to use as a fabric store." Fang Zheng and Mu Gen raised their eyebrows slightly when they heard about partnering up to do business.

  Jiang Wanmu spoke while glancing at their expressions, and stopped to explain: "The two shops are both owned by the boss of the bookstore, who helped me calculate a good location. Even if business is booming in these two shops, it's impossible to become extremely wealthy. Of course, we can't become extremely wealthy either, as we have no background or connections. Being too rich would be like handing someone a knife to use against us. But Xia An will definitely be able to do it."

  Fang Zheng and Mu Gen listened to Jiang Wan's words, and they could tell that she had a close relationship with the owner of Youjian Bookstore. They were surprised and delighted by this revelation. Mu Gen excitedly asked: "Sister, so it was the owner who made the introduction! Are you partnering with them to run the bookstore? Was it the owner of Youjian Bookstore who introduced you?"

  Jiang Wanmu nodded to Mugen and said: "On the surface, we are doing business exclusively, but in reality, we have a partnership with the owner of the bookstore. We each contribute half, and do business together. Since we're new to this line of work and don't understand the market, the bookstore has sent over a capable person to manage the store, while our side sends someone to oversee things. The employees below will discuss and decide on matters." Fang Zheng looked at Mugen, immediately understanding in his heart that this overseer was none other than Mugen himself.

  Jiang Wanmu looked at Mugen and said, "Brother, from now on you'll be in charge of the bookstore's business. You should learn from the boss and follow him closely. Starting tomorrow, you'll go with him to prepare for the inventory. Remember to respect the boss in everything, but also have your own opinions when dealing with things." Mugen listened carefully and nodded seriously, "I understand." Jiang Wanmu looked at his tense expression and added, "The silver will be provided by the bookstore first, and they'll settle accounts with me later. When purchasing goods, just learn as you go, don't be too nervous, after all, we're new to this business."

  Fang Zheng smiled and said to Mu Gen: "Congratulations, Mu Gen is in charge." Mu Gen's face turned red as he replied: "Your matters will certainly be much more important than mine." Jiang Wanru nodded upon hearing this and said to Fang Zheng: "Fang Zheng, since the two shops are not far apart, it will be convenient for you both to take care of each other in the future. The fabric store is our family's exclusive business. For now, it's not convenient for you to show up in person, and you're also new to this. I've already arranged for someone to invite an experienced old shopkeeper to help with the management for a few years. In the future, when it comes to the fabric store's affairs, you'll make decisions on my behalf."

  Fang Zheng looked at Jiang Wanru in surprise and shook his head, saying: "Miss, I'm worried that I won't be able to do it. This responsibility is too great, please instruct me more often in the future." Jiang Wanru listened and shook her head, speaking seriously: "Fang Zheng, whether or not I can go out freely in the future is still uncertain. When things happen, decisions must be made immediately, this matter can only rely on you. I believe you can do it." Fang Zheng listened to Jiang Wanru's words and nodded solemnly, saying: "Alright, I will study hard and be careful in my actions."

  "Listen, you're going to be in charge of the shop from now on. When something comes up, still listen to the boss's opinion first. Tomorrow, we'll go take a look at those two shops. The fabric store is currently being cleared out by the previous owner, and it will be handed over to me in ten days. Fang Zheng, you come with me tomorrow to meet the boss. Listen to his opinions. This boss, you must get along well with him. If he's willing to share stories about the past, you'll learn a lot from him. When you have time, go visit other fabric stores too."

  Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, then looked at Jiang Wanru in surprise and said: "Miss, you know a lot." Jiang Wanru smiled lightly. In her previous life, she had not directly handled business matters, but she had the opportunity to witness how her father did business with others, and how her mother personally took charge of everything. Two lifetimes as a person, exchanging for these thin roots of survival.

  Sorry, updated late outside. Thanks to book friend 090829202940117 for voting with a pink ticket, thanks for your support! (If you like this work, welcome to start () vote for recommendation votes, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)

  Hard study