Upon arriving in Qingshan Town, Boss Xue had originally planned to go straight to Wang Qingchen’s place; after all, he had been there once before and remembered the way. However, upon second thought, remembering how adamantly Wang Qingchen had tried to conceal the fact that he had revived the flowers last time, a sudden visit might only displease him.

So, upon reaching Qingshan Town, Boss Xue first stopped by the Huo Family Business to find Manager Hong. Learning that Wang Qingchen was currently studying at the town’s academy made things much simpler: he could just go to the school to find the boy.

This is how Wang Qingchen found himself seeing Boss Xue standing right outside the academy gates.

"Haha… So you’re attending the academy now, are you? Good thing I didn't go straight to your house, but instead asked Manager Hong for information. Otherwise, I might have missed you completely!" Boss Xue’s booming voice filled the air.

"That’s all thanks to you, Boss Xue. Without your support, our family wouldn't have had the means to establish a respectable livelihood, let alone afford my schooling," Wang Qingchen replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Boss Xue’s lingering worries instantly vanished. Initially, when Manager Hong mentioned Wang Qingchen was studying, he had worried the boy might turn down this new job. In this era, after all, the mantra was, "Of all pursuits, scholarship is supreme." Who knew if Wang Qingchen would still have time to help him grow flowers after taking up studies? But hearing Wang Qingchen’s words, he felt reassured. Wang Qingchen must have guessed why he was here, and by mentioning Boss Xue’s past "support" at this moment, the boy was signaling his intention to repay the favor. Thinking this, Boss Xue couldn't have been happier; this young man understood things!

"I really should have waited until school let out, but I was just too eager, so I came right away," Boss Xue admitted with a touch of sheepishness.

"It’s alright. We don’t have classes during noon, perhaps we could find a place to talk?" Wang Qingchen suggested.

"No, no, there’s no need for that. I’ve already reserved a private room at Fragrant Heaven Pavilion. Just head over after your lessons are done; it won't delay your studies. I’ll head back now," Boss Xue waved off the suggestion.

"Fragrant Heaven Pavilion? Maybe we don't need to go to Fragrant Heaven Pavilion. The courtyard you took me to last time would be fine," Wang Qingchen thought that going to Fragrant Heaven Pavilion might be too extravagant; he’d heard the expenses there were staggering.

"Ah, going to my courtyard won't do this time. Not only do I need your help, but I also want to thank you properly for what you did last time," Boss Xue insisted.

"I wouldn't dare accept such treatment. In my view, it was you helping me last time, not the other way around. I certainly can't let you incur such expense," Wang Qingchen countered.

"Haha… You young scamp, it’s just a meal! I can certainly afford it; you don't need to try and save money for me. It’s settled then, Fragrant Heaven Pavilion. Be there after school, and you hurry on inside now. I need to get back and tidy a few things up," Boss Xue laughed.

Wang Qingchen felt that refusing again would make him seem petty, so he stopped pushing back. He nodded, "Alright, I will head over right after class."

"Now that’s more like it!" With that, Boss Xue took his two servants and departed.

Since Boss Xue’s visit meant the prospect of earning money again, Wang Qingchen was quite distracted for the rest of the afternoon. His mind constantly circled around how much he could earn from Boss Xue this time, which would secure the future of their mill. Furthermore, if he earned substantially this time, he could afford to purchase other things—a shop? Farmland?

As Wang Qingchen happily drifted into daydreams, he received a sharp tap on the shoulder from Wang Qing Tong. Wang Qingchen turned with a look of confusion, only to see Wang Qing Tong pointing ahead. Following the direction of his finger, Wang Qingchen saw the stern gaze of the Master fixed upon him. Startled, Wang Qingchen immediately lowered his head, adopting the appearance of a diligent student.

Wang Qingchen mentally chastised himself. Had arriving in this ancient time truly made his sensibilities so shallow? He had seen unimaginable wealth in his previous life, yet now he was getting caught up over money not yet in hand, acting like someone who had never seen a coin. What a regression!

While Wang Qingchen was engaging in this internal critique, Wang Qing Tong beside him was utterly perplexed. Everyone knew how diligently Wang Qingchen studied now; how could he possibly be spacing out in class, causing the Master to look over here several times? Wang Qing Tong had initially thought the Master was staring at him, wondering what he had done this time to draw such attention, given his long history of classroom misbehavior. But soon, he realized the Master wasn't looking at him, but at the usually attentive Wang Qingchen. What could possibly make Wang Qingchen lose focus during a lesson, even startling him so? Wang Qing Tong resolved to question Wang Qingchen thoroughly after school.

However, when school was dismissed, before Wang Qing Tong could even ask, they were informed that Wang Qingchen needed to go into town to purchase supplies and told the three of them to head back first.

Wang Qing Tong and Wang Qing Yi originally thought that if Wang Qingchen needed to buy things, they could accompany him and then walk back together—and perhaps squeeze in a little browsing around town. But Li Yun Tai, perceptive enough to see that Wang Qingchen had pressing business, heroically dragged the other two away. Before leaving, Li Yun Tai assured Wang Qingchen he would go to his house to leave a message, so his family wouldn't worry. This deeply moved Wang Qingchen; what a truly good friend, anticipating others' needs and caring for their concerns.

After the three departed, Wang Qingchen made his way to Fragrant Heaven Pavilion. Upon arrival, the waiter, seeing a young boy in modest clothing, was ready to send him packing. Waiters at these establishments now possessed a discerning eye, capable of guessing with near certainty who could afford to dine there. However, once Wang Qingchen gave the name Boss Xue, the waiter’s initial suspicion gave way to immediate enthusiasm, and he warmly ushered Wang Qingchen upstairs to a private room.

Inside the room, Boss Xue was already seated and waiting.

"Boss Xue, is this young man the person you were expecting?" the waiter asked, ensuring he hadn't made a mistake, given Wang Qingchen’s tender age—what adult would invite a child to a formal meal?

"Indeed. You there, hurry up and take a seat," Boss Xue rose to greet Wang Qingchen. He then addressed the somewhat stunned waiter lingering at the doorway: "Waiter, you may start bringing out the dishes—the ones I ordered earlier."

"Oh... Yes, I'll bring them right up." The waiter hurried off to rush the kitchen, still wondering about the background of this child who commanded such attention from a major boss. Boss Xue had ordered the restaurant’s signature dishes today, and in such quantity—it was clearly going to be an expensive affair!

After ensuring the food orders were placed and returning to the entrance to greet patrons, the waiter was pulled aside by a young man. "Waiter brother, who is the child who just went in dining with?"

This young man was Zhang Wen Bing. He had been loitering around town when he happened to spot Wang Qingchen entering Fragrant Heaven Pavilion. Zhang Wen Bing was familiar with the town and certainly knew that Fragrant Heaven Pavilion was not a place for just anyone. Moreover, he was heading to a private room upstairs, meaning someone else must be inside, as one wouldn't need a private room just to eat alone.

The waiter, also a town regular, knew Zhang Wen Bing—just a lazy layabout, really. He paid him no mind. "Boy, we can’t just gossip about our customers’ affairs. If the patron found out, who would dare dine here again?"

Zhang Wen Bing nearly cursed him out of frustration, but realizing he had to get the information from this source, he swallowed his anger. He fished a handful of copper coins from his pouch and offered them to the waiter with a greasy smile. "Here, brother, for a bit of wine. A small token of respect."

The waiter accepted the copper coins, finally relenting. "Since you’re so earnest, I'll tell you. That inside is Boss Xue; his business is booming, you see."

Upon hearing this, and remembering the suspicions circulating in the village, Zhang Wen Bing became even more certain that the Wang Youfu family had secured a lucrative connection but were refusing to share it. Of course, he never considered that even if he possessed such a connection, he wouldn't be inclined to reveal it himself.

"Does brother know what kind of business Boss Xue is in?" Zhang Wen Bing pressed further.

"Seems like... horticulture or flower trading," the waiter replied uncertainly.

"Horticulture?" Zhang Wen Bing blinked. Could it be that the Wang Youfu family was truly earning money by growing flowers?

"Oh dear, I can’t chat any longer with you; I must attend to my guests," the waiter said quickly, retreating back into the establishment.

Zhang Wen Bing remained preoccupied with the information he had just gleaned, failing to notice the waiter had already gone inside.

Meanwhile, inside the private room, Boss Xue was cheerfully saying, "Come, come, quickly taste their tea. You won't find this anywhere else; many customers are repeat visitors just for this tea."

Wang Qingchen took a sip but detected nothing particularly special. Seeing Wang Qingchen’s slightly puzzled expression, Boss Xue instantly understood that the boy had no refined palate for tea. Naturally, he assumed this was because Wang Qingchen's family had been poor and simply couldn't afford quality tea, making the offer to sample it a tactless move that might sting the boy’s pride. Feeling he hadn't considered things thoroughly enough, Boss Xue quickly changed the subject. "Their squab pigeon is quite famous; you must try some later."

Wang Qingchen recognized Boss Xue was steering the conversation away, but he didn't mind at all. In his previous life, despite his immense wealth, he still couldn't appreciate fine tea. Furthermore, precisely because he wasn't a native of this ancient time, he certainly didn't feel inferior for lacking tea connoisseurship.

Fragrant Heaven Pavilion's service was quite prompt. Once all the dishes were served, the two began to talk while they ate.

As expected, Boss Xue had brought another pot of nearly dead flowers. He explained that business for florists like himself in the capital was currently very difficult, which was why he was so keen on cultivating new varieties. This particular pot was one of his new hybrids, which had begun to wither just as it was about to succeed.

Besides the ailing plant, Boss Xue had brought one other item: seeds. Those in the horticulture trade naturally possessed seeds, and Boss Xue had collected many rare seeds from overseas. However, perhaps due to the different climate and soil, those seeds had never sprouted for him. This time, he simply wanted Wang Qingchen to try his hand; if they grew, it would mean more new varieties. If they failed, he had lost nothing, as his own people couldn't manage them anyway.