After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Su Tai led her upstairs, "There are twelve private rooms arranged here, specially for entertaining distinguished guests. I originally thought the shop would be for women, but then I thought that men would also like our toiletries, so setting up private rooms would be good for entertaining them separately."

Shen Yuezhang felt that he had learned something new.

"Mom, you're so thoughtful. Now all we have to do is put the goods up and we can open for business."

Su Tai nodded and walked towards the quiet and obedient Alan. "I didn't originally intend to buy so many people, but Village Chief Yu spoke up, and I also wanted to give you a chance to live a good life, so I brought you all back."

Honestly, the village doesn't need so many cooks. I've observed you for a few days and see that you're meticulous and capable. If I asked you to work at Qingfengzhai, would you be willing?"

Alan suddenly looked up, her face still showing surprise, and knelt down in fear, saying, "This servant will follow Madam's arrangements."

Su Tai smiled and said, "Get up! I'll give you a chance. After we go back today, you and Chunxing and Chuncao will study, learn to read and write, and do accounting together. I want you to master a thousand characters and learn accounting within three months, okay?"

Three months? Alan had no concept of that timeframe, nor was she sure if she could do it, but she understood that the opportunity was once in a lifetime, and if she missed it, she would never have another chance like it.

After a fierce internal struggle, Alan gritted her teeth and nodded, "Madam, this servant is willing to give it a try."

“Very good!” Su Tai was very satisfied with Alan’s decision. She looked at Shen Yuezhang again and said, “You will stay in the shop and teach them during this time. There is a small room behind the counter, which is specially set up to store account books and do accounting.”

People outside can't get in, but you're not afraid of being seen if you go inside, is that alright?

Shen Yuezhang obediently agreed.

The next day, Su Yu was taken to the shop by Su Tai.

She looked around at the shop's decor and couldn't help but nod. "As expected, you're really capable. Putting everything else aside, these floor tiles alone are something other shops can't compare to."

Su Tai clung to Su Yu's arm and said coquettishly, "My dear cousin, since I've been so dedicated, how about you help me out for three months? You can manage the shop for those three months, and I'll give you half of the profits, how about that?"

Su Yu gave her a reproachful look, "It's not like I'm helping you for money! But you're rolling in money now, so I have no qualms about getting paid to do things for you!"

"Yes, yes, yes! This little bit of money can't compare to what my brother-in-law earns from his business, but we can prove ourselves!"

"You've got a whole repertoire of nice words, I can't argue with you! Fine! Leave this to me, you go do your thing!" Su Yu readily took over the task and let Alan and the others move all the goods out.

When Su Yu was about to discuss it with Su Tai, she discovered that Su Tai had run away.

"Your mother?" Su Yu stared wide-eyed at Shen Yuezhang.

Shen Yuezhang calmly placed various toiletries on the table. "Aunt, please don't look for my mother anymore. She said that I should handle the shop's affairs myself."

Su Yu laughed angrily, "Fine! This brat is plotting against me! I actually believed there was such a good thing as making money for free!"

She muttered to herself and shook her head, then glanced at Shen Yuezhang, her heart pounding, "Can you do it?"

Shen Yuezhang nodded seriously, "Aunt, my mother said that no matter what you do, you can't say no! Look at these goods, this white porcelain red plum is for women to wash their face, this red porcelain is for shampoo, the blue ones are all for men, and the yellow ones are for children, the formula is gentler and they are for different purposes, and there is also bath soap."

Goat milk soap softens and whitens the skin, peppermint soap clears heat and relieves prickly heat, floral soap deodorizes and leaves a pleasant fragrance, and fruit soap nourishes and moisturizes the skin—each has a different function.

Su Yu stared in disbelief. “When I worked at the Bai residence before, I never saw the master use so many bath products. The best one is the scented soap. Your mother deserves to be rich with her skills!”

Before coming, she had no idea what business Su Tai was in. She only agreed because Su Tai asked. She never expected that it would be selling these things. She knew without a doubt how popular the shop would be! Because she was confident in the products, Su Yu couldn't wait to start business.

That day, she and Shen Yuezhang put the goods on the shelves together, set the prices, and did the basic accounting.

Alan, Chunxing, and Chuncao diligently studied to recognize characters, starting by memorizing the first ten characters in the account book.

Su Yu finished her work when it was already dark. Just as she was about to go back to her room to rest, she saw that there was still candlelight in Alan's, Chunxing's, and Chuncao's room. So she went over and quietly watched the three of them working hard around the candlelight through the window.

"Sister Alan, did I write this character correctly?" Chunxing scratched her head and cheeks, accidentally smearing a line of ink on her face.

Su Yu couldn't help but chuckle, but she didn't care at all when she saw Chunxing and Alan in the room. She just stared at Chunxing's handwriting and carefully compared it with the model that Su Yu had written for them. After a moment, she nodded and said, "By the way, I didn't find anything wrong."

"Great! I've learned another word!" Chunxing exclaimed happily.

Chuncao worked even harder, and Alan also buried himself in practice.

Seeing this, Chunxing also started to work hard.

Looking at them, Su Yu thought of her time in the Bai family. Back then, the Bai family had more servants than the Su family now, with more than a dozen servants of the same age.

Madam Bai was not a kind or benevolent person. These young maids had to work hard and compete with each other to get ahead and guard against being harmed by others.

Her shrewdness and resourcefulness stemmed from the countless lessons she learned from her mistakes.

Alan and her two companions are much luckier than she was before. At least they can get noticed as long as they work hard, without having to get involved in those backstabbing and infighting.

Su Yu silently retreated back into the house.

The next morning, Qingfengzhai, which had been closed for more than a month, finally reopened.

Shen Yuezhang personally unveiled the red cloth and set off a long string of firecrackers, thus marking the start of the business.

The shopkeepers of several nearby shops all came over out of curiosity to see what was going on.

As soon as they reached the entrance, they were stunned by the exquisite floor tiles and became timid. They looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one dared to be the first to step in.

Su Yu confidently led Alan and the others out, "Sir, are you looking to buy something?"

Shopkeeper Xue, peeking in, was suddenly nudged and stumbled into the shop, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Um... may I ask your name, shopkeeper?"

"Just call me Manager Su." Su Yu smiled generously and politely.

The person who followed in immediately asked, "What do you sell in your shop?"

Su Yu had Alan and the other two bring over the tray from the counter, saying, "Please look, everyone. These are our shop's products: bath soap, shampoo, and facial cleanser, for men, women, and children. They have a pleasant fragrance and are very effective. This one is..."

She briefly introduced the products and looked at Manager Xue, "This gentleman seems to be someone who frequently entertains clients. If he uses our toiletries, countless people will envy him!" (End of Chapter)