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Chu Xujin mustered all his courage and swiftly asked, “If I asked you to stay, would you want to?”

Ge Lihua’s heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her gaze. In the tense moment before she responded, Chu Xujin was practically holding his breath. Then, Ge Lihua nodded, saying, “I would.”

The moment he received affirmation, it was as if fireworks were set off in Chu Xujin’s mind, his eyes shining brightly, “Really?”

“Yes,” Ge Lihua nodded again, then shyly moved forward.

Chu Xujin watched her back, entranced. From the first moment he saw her, he was deeply drawn to her. He always thought of her as out of reach, but now he finally had a chance to get closer.

He chuckled to himself and hurried after her, “Lihua, wait for me.”

Ge Lihua stopped and turned back, smiling softly, her face reminiscent of the ink orchids that bloom in early winter, just as Chu Xujin first saw her.

Chu Xujin quickly walked forward and asked expectantly, “Lihua, can I hold your hand?”

Ge Lihua reached out and took Chu Xujin’s hand, “Let’s go.”

Chu Xujin’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, his heart brimming with contentment. Silently, he vowed, “Lihua, I won’t let you down.”

At Chu Shi’an’s house.

Chu Lan’er, donning her new work clothes, twirled in front of her father, “Dad, do I look good?”

“You look beautiful in anything,” Chu Shi’an said, his eyeswelling up with tears, filled with self-reproach. It was the first time his Lan’er had ever worn new clothes. Previously, she had only worn discarded or altered clothes from her brothers.

Sniffing the fresh scent of her new clothes, Chu Lan’er beamed, “Dad, I’m heading out now.”

Chu Shi’an escorted her to the door, advising, “Work hard and don’t be lazy.”

Chu Lan’er, treasuring this opportunity, assured, “Dad, I won’t be lazy. Don’t worry. Once I earn some money, we won’t go hungry anymore.”

Chu Shi’an nodded approvingly, “Go on, don’t be late.”

“Yeah, I’m off.” Chu Lan’er waved goodbye and fluttered away like a joyful butterfly.

Chu Shi’an watched her leave, then readied himself to see Chu Rong.

Not long after Lan’er left, she saw many villagers wearing the same uniform as hers, heading towards the workshop area, their faces brimming with smiles and hope.

Among the crowd, she saw a beautiful white figure that she admired.

“Sister Ruyue,” she called out as she caught up.

By the time she reached her, several people had already gathered around Shen Ruyue. Chu Lan’er couldn’t get close until they reached the workshop area, “Sister Ruyue.”

Shen Ruyue turned around to see a thin, small girl. Chu Qingzhi had already informed her about Lan’er’s situation, and she sympathized with the young girl, willing to lend a hand.

“Lan’er, the workshop area needs someone for cleaning. Would you be interested?”

There were cleaners inside the workshops, but the communal areas outside were neglected. It wasn’t suitable to have the workers clean these areas as well.

“I’m willing. I’m willing to do any work,” Lan’er replied crisply.

Shen Ruyue nodded affirmatively, “You’re still young, and can’t do the work inside the workshop yet. Once you’re older, you can join us. But for cleaning, I’ll pay you seventy copper coins a day. How does that sound?”

Lan’er was thrilled. Seventy copper coins a day would amount to over two taels of silver a month, “Thankyou, Sister Ruyue. I’ll make sure the workshop area is spotless.”

“Good,” Shen Ruyue gestured for Lan’er to follow her to the office, where she explained the rules and other details about working in the workshop area.

Chu Qingzhi prepared to leave her room after tidying up.

By chance, Wu Yaqing was also heading out, “Qingzhi, let’s go together.”

Walking side by side, Chu Qingzhi inquired, “Why are you heading out so early?”

Wu Yaqing brandished the stack of papers in her hand before Chu Qingzhi, “I’m off to the bookshop to see if there’s anyone who knows a good story when they see one.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “There will be.”

The pair chatted and laughed as they left the village, parting ways at the crossroads—Chu Qingzhi towards the paper mill, and Wu Yaqing towards the county town.

At the paper mill.

It had been over half a month since Chu Qingzhi’s last visit. She had left the mill in the care of Chu Feng and wondered if he was managing well.

At the entrance, a seven or eight-year-old girl played with a bamboo dragonfly, occasionally glancing into the distance as if waiting for someone.

Li Changjiang came out of the mill, advising, “Yunqing, dad’s going to be busy in the mill. You play here and don’t wander off, okay?”

A gatekeeper was on duty, so there was no worry about the child playing there.

Yunqing obediently responded, “Dad, I know. You go ahead.”

Li Changjiang ruffled his daughter’s hair affectionately before heading back to work.

After a while, Yunqing looked up again and this time, she saw someone. Startled, she ran towards the figure, excitedly calling out, “Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi studied the small girl with fair and tender skin before her, “Are you… Yunqing?”

The girl looked completely different from when she was ill, having grown taller and fleshier, even her hair appeared more lustrous. Her skin was fair and tender, making her look adorable.

“Yes, it’s me, sister. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” Yunqing opened her backpack and handed Chu Qingzhi a delicately sewn purse, “Sister, this is for you. I made it myself.”

Chu Qingzhi’s gaze fell on the purse, light green with brightly embroidered begonia flowers. It was very well made.

Appreciating the girl’s thoughtfulness, she accepted the purse, “Your craftsmanship is excellent.”

Yunqing shook her head modestly, saying it was the best she had ever made, “This is the best one I’ve done.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Thankyou, I really like it.”

Li Yunqing was relieved. “Sister, go ahead. I won’t waste your time.”

Chu Qingzhi pulled out some candies from her bag and gave them to Yunqing, “Here, eat these. I’ve got to go now.”

Yunqing sweetly thanked her, “Thank you, sister.”

As Chu Qingzhi entered the mill, she scanned the entire facility with her divine sense, seeing everyone earnestly at work, which reassured her.

She then headed to the office.

Inside, Chu Feng was fretting.

In the workshop, Li Changjiang’s main focus was the printed hard paper, which required neither purchasing nor worrying about sales. However, he needed to sell the Xuan paper produced by others. Since nobody recognized him, they simply didn’t buy from him. Moreover, having offended Tao Zhenfeng, who had made sure to spread the word, Li Changjiang received even less respect and cooperation from others.