She had never known how to dress herself. At the restaurant, she had Fuman to help her, but doing it herself, she truly couldn’t tie a single fastening properly, even after a long time.

Shen Qiyuan couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He slapped away her hands and took over the ties. His brow was furrowed, yet his eyes showed patience and focus. His slender fingers wound and knotted, one by one, helping her don the complex garments properly.

His long lashes drooped, light and shadow falling gently on the bridge of his nose. Watching this, Ruyi felt as if a small piece of her heart had caved in.

However, as soon as the clothes were on, Shen Qiyuan’s expression returned to seriousness: “You have a favor to ask of me?”

With her temperament, she would never specially bring things to apologize for her earlier offense.

Ruyi cupped her fists: “My lord is truly divinely perceptive.”

With a light snort, he didn’t even listen to what the matter was: “I won’t help.”

“Isn’t that the same meaning as your ‘no’ from just now?” She raised an eyebrow.

“?”

Shen Qiyuan gritted his teeth: “What did you promise earlier? Have you forgotten?”

“We’re not in front of others yet.” She turned to blame him instead, then took out the indenture contract hidden in her sleeve: “Please look at this—how can we get her freed?”

Seeing He Tinglan’s name, Shen Qiyuan said irritably: “I went to Prince Yong’s manor that night precisely to tell you not to meddle in others’ affairs.”

Having changed too many people’s fates, the backlash would eventually all fall on her.

The person before him didn’t care in the slightest, only smiling: “Debts of gratitude must always be repaid.”

What about what she owed him—would that be repaid too?

Shen Qiyuan lowered his eyes, his expression displeased, yet still reached out to take the contract.

Ruyi smiled and stood up, kissing the side of his face: “Thank you for your trouble, my lord.”

“You cannot behave this way in the future.” He raised his sleeve to wipe his face with displeasure. “Though we are not ordinary people, since we live in this mortal world, we must follow mortal rules.”

Her face fell: “What rules? Must I ask permission before kissing you?”

He nodded seriously: “Yes.”

Then what would be the point?

She pouted, but remembering she still needed his help, didn’t argue further about this issue.

When leaving the Shen residence, she didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Ruyi felt that those trembling stewards and servants from earlier were looking at her with eyes full of reverence and disbelief.

“Miss, next time you come, no need for a calling card,” the steward said at the gate, courteously telling her. “Just let us know, and I’ll come out to receive you.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Ruyi nodded, then got into the carriage.

Probably tired, she slept the entire way back. When she woke, Fuman was supporting her as they walked into the restaurant, and He Tinglan stood at the door, looking at her with concern.

“What’s wrong?” She opened her eyes lazily.

Her gaze fell on the red marks that even Ruyi’s collar couldn’t hide. He Tinglan’s throat choked, and tears immediately threatened to fall: “I won’t be your manager anymore. I’m returning to Yong Province tomorrow.”

Ruyi walked inside irritably and pinched her face: “Little girl, you don’t think I sacrificed myself for you, do you?”

Wasn’t that exactly what happened? He Tinglan stared at her intently.

“The affairs between men and women are perfectly ordinary. I should thank you for allowing me to taste something good.” She sat down with a relaxed expression, even smacking her lips: “Better than any I’ve encountered before.”

Be… before?

He Tinglan stared at her dumbfounded, instinctively reaching to feel her forehead.

Ruyi blocked her hand, snorting: “I don’t have a fever.”

He Tinglan stamped her foot in anger: “You… behaving like this, how can you ever marry into a good family in the future?”

“Who told you I wanted to marry into a good family?” She propped up her chin in puzzlement. “Am I not a good family myself?”

With money and capability, how was that not living well? Must she marry someone and then support her husband and educate her children to be considered fulfilled?

That might be others’ fulfillment, but it certainly wasn’t hers.

Fuman had also been somewhat worried, but hearing her say this, she felt relieved. Instead, she turned to gesture to He Tinglan: Miss is the freest person. Great Qian’s moral teachings can’t constrain her. Don’t worry.

How could she not worry?

He Tinglan still couldn’t help asking: “Who was it?”

“Can’t say.” Ruyi smiled and shook her head.

With a vague guess in her heart, He Tinglan pressed her lips together.

“You two just work honestly and wait to earn enough silver to travel and see the mountains and waters. Why worry about me?” She waved her hand, then remembered to glance around the restaurant’s main hall and made a strange sound of surprise.

“Why are there no customers?”

Bringing this up, Fuman sighed: “Master, you just noticed? We, we, we haven’t had many customers for half a month now.”

Ruyi slapped her forehead: “It’s because of the previous murder case, right? I said it would have a huge impact. Why hasn’t Shen Qiyuan written that plaque for me yet?”

“The murder case, though it’s related, but…” Fuman glanced at the person at the counter.

Zhao Yanning sat calmly reading the account books. Noticing her gaze, he said irritably: “Why are you looking at me? I’m just a bookkeeper.”

“But, but he, he always argues with customers,” Fuman complained to Ruyi.

“Who told them to keep staring at you?” Zhao Yanning grew impatient, frowning as he said to Ruyi: “Master, hire some waiters quickly. The cook is busy enough in the kitchen without having to serve dishes too.”

Ruyi pouted toward the door: “I’ve always posted hiring notices, but no one comes to apply. What can I do?”

Speaking of this, she had to thank the petty-minded Miss Wen. She missed Ruyi’s shops even more than He Zeyou did, so she had spread no fewer rumors and gossip on Worship God Street, saying Huixian Restaurant had one murder case after another, and that many workers had been killed by the manager and buried in the ice cellar.

Hence, even with monthly wages raised to one tael, no one was willing to come work as a waiter.

Glancing at the account book Yanning had brought up, Ruyi began to worry.

Revenge must be taken, but business must also be done. She couldn’t let Huixian Restaurant collapse before the Grand Preceptor’s manor and Ningyuan Marquis’ Manor fell.

Steeling herself with determination, Ruyi had people buy a large pile of ingredients, then sent invitation cards to both Shen Qiyuan and He Zeyou.

Shen Qiyuan wasn’t surprised to receive the invitation. She had mentioned wanting him to try new dishes earlier, but various matters had delayed it. Going tomorrow would be just right.

But He Zeyou was somewhat moved to receive the invitation.

He hadn’t been able to help retrieve his late mother’s belongings, yet she was still willing to give him a chance to connect with Shen Qiyuan without holding grudges?

He knew it—Ruyi wasn’t as heartless as she appeared. She still had feelings for him in her heart!

He Zeyou spent the night grooming and dressing, putting on the moon-white bamboo shadow robe that Liu Ruyi had once loved most, and gritting his teeth to prepare a reasonably decent gift.

As he placed the gift in a box embroidered with mandarin duck patterns, He Zeyou suddenly felt somewhat dazed.

Before, when Liu Ruyi came to see him, had she felt this same way?

Anxious, flustered, yet joyful.