The lychee canned food, beloved by the masses even in later generations, easily conquered these people. Xu Jie held the chilled bowl, his heart burning with excitement. "This is only a small portion. There are three more shipments on the way. I was initially worried it might be too much, but now I have no concerns at all."
"I plan to expand this business. Three shipments aren’t enough—continue purchasing. The same goes for citrus and fleshy peaches."
After brief consideration, Hua Zhi gave a specific number: "Purchase three times last year’s quantity, plus three additional shipments of lychees."
Xu Jie responded with a resounding affirmation.
"Liu Qi, the workshop needs to recruit more hands. For the inner courtyard, I’ll request people from the collateral branches. For the outer courtyard, you and Liu Jiang should discuss and handle it. Don’t just take anyone—prioritize tenant farmers from the estate. If that’s insufficient, look elsewhere. Ensure their backgrounds are clean, preferably from families without troublesome members. It’s best if we don’t have to recruit externally."
"Yes, I understand."
With the increased volume, the existing ice cellars were no longer sufficient. Burdened with too many thoughts, Hua Zhi worried she might forget and instructed Ying Chun, "Later, send Wu Da and the others here. We need to dig a few more underground cellars. Let them work freely beneath the estate, as long as they don’t cause any collapses."
Ying Chun acknowledged crisply. Having matured through past experiences, she carried herself with even greater steadiness.
Rarely visiting, Hua Zhi took the opportunity to refine the workshop as much as possible. She thought ahead—the grandmother who had tied their bonds was gone, and in the past six months, the Empress Dowager had shown no care for the Hua family. Her protection was likely nearing its end.
Although the canned food business didn’t move large quantities, the prices were set high, and anyone with insight could see the substantial profits. She needed to take precautions and decided to send a few more guards.
Hua Bolin and the other two had returned early. Watching the bustling activity of the managerial brothers, they grew more determined in their plans to travel and gain experience.
Little Six felt it even more deeply. Sister Hua had been jostled on horseback for six days, and upon returning, she had been busy without a moment’s rest. She seemed tireless, with no time for herself—but was she truly never weary?
Seeing her rub her temples again, Little Six said softly, "Berlin, if the Hua family ever wrongs Sister Hua, I won’t let any of you off!"
"No need for you to intervene—I’ll be the first to not let it slide," Hua Bolin replied, his eyes fierce. Without Elder Sister, the Hua family would be scattered and unable to protect itself. Yet, if freed from this burden, Elder Sister could live with far greater ease.
Yang Suian remained silent, but his hands clenched into fists behind his back.
Finally, with all matters arranged, Hua Zhi looked up and saw the three standing outside the door. Checking the time, she realized it was time to return. She stood and walked out, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the blazing sun. "Who won?"
Little Six raised his hand, grinning as he reported, "I won! Brother Suian was half a horse’s length behind."
Yang Suian subtly moved to block the sun for his elder sister. "If Berlin hadn’t caused trouble, I might not have lost."
"A loss is a loss—no excuses can change that," Berlin said, slinging an arm around Little Six’s shoulder in camaraderie. Though they often competed, they stood united when facing outsiders.
Shaoyao came running over cheerfully, carrying a basket of lychees, her voice arriving before she did. "Hua Hua, are we leaving now?""They're leaving." Hua Zhi looked at Shaoyao's basket, nearly overflowing with lychees, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Haven't you had enough after eating all afternoon? Aren't you afraid of getting a nosebleed?"
"They're delicious. Even tribute offerings aren't this good."
At the mention of "tribute offerings," Yang Suian couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. He had never known Shaoyao's identity but vaguely sensed it couldn't be low—ordinary families didn't raise someone so unrestrained in their actions. And a family that could enjoy tribute offerings...
On the return journey, Yang Suian rode alongside the carriage, opening and closing his mouth countless times without managing to bring up his travel plans. With Elder Sister about to head north, would proposing his journey now make her even more worried?
They arrived home early. Hua Zhi called out Yang Suian's name, "Come to the study."
Yang Suian inwardly chided himself for his impatience—Elder Sister must have noticed.
Hua Zhi didn't ask anything. Upon reaching the study, she continued working as if she'd forgotten she was the one who summoned him.
The silence didn't last long before Yang Suian couldn't hold back. "Elder Sister, I've requested a long leave from the academy. I want to travel."
"Is this what you couldn't bring yourself to say?"
"...Yes. I was wondering if I should wait until you return from the north to mention it, so you wouldn't worry about me while away."
"I'll worry about family members traveling far regardless of when they go." Hua Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief—she had been worried it was something too embarrassing to speak of. "Where do you plan to go?"
"I thought of heading to Yangzhou."
"That's not entirely unreasonable. Alone?"
"Me too." Hua Bolin, who had been eavesdropping outside, hurriedly jumped in. "Elder Sister, I want to go with Cousin Suian."
Hua Zhi instinctively wanted to refuse, but she bit her tongue just in time to stop the words. Berlin was her biological younger brother, raised by her own hands—their bond was different from others. But that difference shouldn't manifest in this way.
In this world, boys could marry at thirteen. At eleven, he was already considered half an adult. She couldn't both want Berlin to grow and keep him confined in a greenhouse—that would limit his development.
Seeing he wasn't immediately refused, Hua Bolin knew there was hope. Like when he was little, he sidled up to his elder sister, tugging her sleeve and shaking it pitifully.
Hua Zhi looked up. "Suian, I grant your request. First, go have a proper talk with your mother."
"Yes."
Yang Suian gave his cousin a helpless look. Exiting, he saw Little Six behind the door and paused. Just as he was about to speak, Little Six shook his head. Understanding, Yang Suian hesitated, then went to stand beside Little Six, openly eavesdropping together.
Hua Zhi looked at her younger brother. She knew she would ultimately agree, but she still needed clarity. "Why do you want to go? You should know that neither your age nor your learning is at the stage for traveling yet."
"With Cousin along, you can rest assured—he'll definitely keep me safe."
"Of course I know Suian will protect you. What I want to know is the reason behind your decision."
Hua Bolin hung his head. After a moment, a soft voice emerged. "After Little Six went out and came back, it was like he became a different person. These past couple days, sometimes when I'm with him, I feel like I'm facing an adult. I thought if I traveled too, maybe I could suddenly grow up like him."It turned out Little Six had provoked him. Seeing the changes in Little Six after this trip out, Hua Zhi fully understood what Berlin meant. However, Little Six had been under her watchful eye all along, whereas now Berlin was about to follow fifteen-year-old Sui'an out...
Yet she couldn't stop him. She couldn't stand in the way of a child's desire to grow up and become stronger. So be it—she would just send more people to accompany them.
PS: Chapter 3 isn't finished yet. Updates will likely be at a pace of five chapters every two days for this period. Three chapters now are to make up for previous delays—no rushing, alright?
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