Regarding the matter of opening a shop for the family, Wang Qingchen could not be directly involved as he had to focus on his studies, but although he couldn't be on-site, he could still offer suggestions from behind the scenes.

Opening a mill required preparing many things. Firstly, the purchased storefront needed a complete internal refurbishment, and operating a mill demanded grinding stones and livestock. Furthermore, since their family mill was intended to grind finished products for sale on a regular basis, they also needed to procure grain. These were the foundational necessities for launching the mill, yet they were enough to keep his inexperienced family members scrambling in a flurry of activity.

However, establishing a business didn't stop at just preparing these items; a shop couldn't run without people—surely Wang Qinghua couldn't manage everything by himself? Thus, Wang Youfu’s family began searching for shop assistants and, critically, an accountant. While finding assistants proved relatively easy, the accountant was a far tougher prospect. A competent accountant commanded a salary too high for the family to afford; they couldn't hire an accountant only to find the business yielded no profit! Conversely, hiring a subpar one meant constant worry about poor bookkeeping or, worse, fraudulent entries. Consequently, the entire family spent a considerable period agonizing over finding a suitable bookkeeper. Eventually, Zhang Shi’s brother from her natal family managed to find someone from his own shop who knew accounting to assist them temporarily, and only then did the shop smoothly commence operations.

Once everything was arranged, the two large warehouses in the mill were stocked with grain, though not in excessive quantities. The room adjacent to the warehouses housed three sets of millstones, and the mill had also acquired three donkeys. These preparatory measures alone cost the family seventy or eighty taels of silver. The shop hired two assistants: one older, responsible for feeding the donkeys, tending the millstones, and securing the premises overnight; this elder assistant and his family resided in the rear courtyard, occupying two side rooms, not the main dwelling. The other, younger and quite sharp-witted, was tasked with attending to the customers. Wang Qinghua himself took responsibility for recording precisely what each person needed milled and the quantity required, to prevent chaos.

On opening day, Wang Youfu came to lend a hand. Despite all the prior preparations, the shop was chaotic on the first day. Fortunately, the person recommended by Zhang Shi’s brother provided crucial support, preventing any serious mistakes, allowing Wang Youfu and Wang Qinghua to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Because the opening of the shop generated considerable buzz, even if business wasn't booming on the first day, many people learned that a new mill had opened in town, and they also discovered that the establishment not only ground grain but sold the finished product. Consequently, customer traffic increased starting from the second day.

Once the shop settled into a regular rhythm, Wang Qinghua found himself less overwhelmed. Wang Youfu, feeling assured, finally returned home. Knowing the accountant came from Zhang Shi’s brother’s established business, Wang Qinghua understood that this helper would eventually return to their primary duties. To avoid a crisis should the accountant depart before they secured a replacement, Wang Qinghua resolved to actively learn the accounting methods from this temporary aid, ensuring he could cover the duties in a pinch.

Thus, Wang Qinghua was now simultaneously managing the rush and diligently studying bookkeeping, making every day feel thoroughly productive.

The sudden opening of the mill by Wang Youfu’s household surprised not only the villagers but also the Wang family elders themselves, with the exception of Zhang Shi, who knew the plan in advance.

Recently, this matter dominated most conversations in the village.

“Did you hear? That Wang Second’s family quietly opened a mill in town.”

“Of course I heard. But you wouldn’t think it; their land holdings are so rich. I recall they just bought one shop not long ago! Who would have thought they’d acquire another so quickly.”

“Wang Second’s wife has finally seen an end to her hardship. After suffering alongside Wang Second for so many years, their lives are finally looking up.”

“Who isn’t saying that? I remember when Wang Second even considered selling off his daughter! That Wang Second’s wife is truly blessed.”

“Whether Wang Second’s wife is blessed, I don’t know, considering the bitterness she endured, but the future wife of their Qinghua is certainly blessed. I heard Wang Second’s family handed the management of this entire shop directly to the eldest son. Doesn't that mean Qinghua’s future wife walks into a home where her husband already manages a thriving business? That’s real fortune, isn’t it?”

“Ah, thinking about it that way, it’s absolutely true! Isn’t Qinghua betrothed to the daughter of that Old Second Luo from Matian Village?”

“That girl is certainly lucky.”

“……”

Speaking of the Luo Second family, Chen Shi had been waking up with a smile recently. She hadn't expected Wang Second’s family to acquire another establishment, and what’s more, this one was given directly to their eldest son to manage. Thinking ahead to the eventual family division, this shop would belong to the First Branch. Musing over this, Chen Shi cupped her daughter’s face, examining it closely. “Daughter, let Mother read your features. Oh my, all these years the villagers praised your cousin Luo Yin from your Uncle’s family, saying what good fortune she possessed, but look now—you are the truly blessed one.”

Luo Qing felt a slight discomfort and pulled her hand away from Chen Shi’s grasp. “Mother, what are you saying? How can such things be certain? Life stretches out before us still!”

“Hahahaha… I am your own mother; you’re getting shy with me now.” Chen Shi laughed, but shortly after, she cautioned, “Listen, daughter, raising you to this age was not easy for your mother. Think about how good a family we’ve found for you. When you are established later, you must certainly remember your mother!”

“Mother, where are you going with this? Even if I marry into their household, I’m still your daughter!” Luo Qing replied.

“Heh heh… I knew my daughter was dutiful. Mother didn’t spoil you in vain.” Chen Shi was quite pleased with Luo Qing’s demeanor.

“Then go ahead and embroider your wedding silks now. Mother won’t bother you any longer; I’ll step out to chat with the neighbors.” With that, Chen Shi left.

Luo Qing sighed helplessly after hearing this. Her mother leaving wasn’t to chat with neighbors; it was to boast, most likely. But she couldn't stop these habits; she let it be. After embroidering for a while, Luo Qing recalled what her mother had said about Wang Qinghua managing this shop. Thinking that Wang Qinghua was only about her age and already managing a whole establishment brought her genuine happiness. Moreover, since Wang Qinghua could earn his own money, once she married into the Wang family, she could ask her husband directly for funds, which was far preferable to relying on her in-laws. Thinking this brought a fresh wave of delight to Luo Qing’s heart.

Meanwhile, in the old Wang family residence, Wang Youliang had completely forgotten his own recent foolish actions and was angrily confronting the elderly couple. “Father, Mother, look at what Second Brother is doing! He doesn’t tell us about something as significant as opening a shop! And it was agreed beforehand that Second Brother’s family was going to lend us that shop.”

Wang Youliang had initially assumed the Second Branch was planning to use the previous shop for some venture, but instead, they had quietly bought a new one. Recalling how the Second Branch had amassed such wealth relying on those flowers, Wang Youliang felt a sharp mix of envy and jealousy, secretly resolving to forge a good relationship with Boss Xue at any cost. However, for the moment, he needed to extract some benefit from Second Brother first; he wouldn't allow them to open a shop so quietly without his consent.

“Exactly, Father, Mother. Didn’t Second Uncle agree to lend us the shop before? Now he’s opened one for himself. If they hadn't promised us anything previously, fine, but to agree to something and then go back on their word without a word—are they just playing with us?” Tian Shi chimed in, clearly displeased that the Second Branch had acquired another shop. They were all Wang family members; surely the First Branch deserved a cut, too.

The Old Master remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. The Old Mistress glanced at her husband, choosing not to speak either.

Seeing the elderly couple’s lack of reaction, Wang Youliang decided to press harder. “Father, think about it: Second Brother’s family acquiring assets on such a large scale, and they managed to hide every detail. He is clearly guarding against us. Does he still hold Father, Mother, or even me, his elder brother, in any regard? And I heard those flowers they have are worth a fortune. Second Brother’s family has probably amassed countless riches we don't even know about.”

The Old Master looked up at Wang Youliang, unmoved. “That’s Second Brother’s affair. How he manages his wealth is his business.”

“Father, how can you speak like that? Why would Second Brother hide things from us? It must be because I, his older brother, am poor, and he doesn't want to support me. Of course, who wants to bother with poor relatives like us!” Wang Youliang lamented, sounding defeated.

Unfortunately, the Old Master was not swayed today. He snapped, “You still have the nerve to criticize Second Brother? Look at what you have done! I am ashamed for you!” The Old Master paused, then continued, “Besides, how has Second Brother not supported you? Weren’t the family flowers provided by Second Brother’s family? Since you claim those flowers are so valuable, you must have sold quite a bit of money from them yourself!”

Wang Youliang, utterly shocked that his own father would speak to him this way, stammered, “Father… this…”

The Old Master continued with a snort, “Don't always think Second Brother should prop you up. I won’t even mention the help he has given you before. Can he really support you his entire life? You need to find some proper work yourself and stop scheming through dishonest means…”

“Old Man, Eldest Son probably realizes his mistake now; stop lecturing him,” the Old Mistress interceded.

The Old Master turned on his wife in anger. “You’re actually trying to stop me from disciplining him? Have you forgotten what he did? If he sees us constantly blaming Second Brother’s family, won't their hearts turn cold? The relationship between Second Brother’s family and us has become so strained precisely because of that. How could he possibly come and inform us about something as important as opening a shop?”

The Old Mistress was silenced by the Old Master’s words, as she had, after all, been the most vehement in cursing the Second Branch during the previous incident. Although the Second Branch had said nothing at the time, she could sense that their affection toward them was no longer the same as before.