"You guess what Xie Xiu fears most?" Xie Jingchu asked.
Ruan Jiu propped her chin on both hands and sank into deep thought.
Then she replied, "He fears that you'll become the head of the Xie family."
Xie Jingchu nodded.
Xie Jing, that fool, would surely squander the Xie family fortune sooner or later. So he was nothing to be afraid of.
But if Xie Jingchu were to take the position of the family head, things would be different.
With Xie Jingchu's capabilities and methods, once he took that position, it would be hard to make him give it up.
"All we need to do now is to bide our time. When the prey shows its sharp claws next time, we'll strike it down with one blow."
Xie Jingchu's voice was firm and resounding.
His enigmatic eyes stared into the distance.
A glint of excitement flashed across his eyes.
"But Fourth Master only has an abandoned tea mountain in his hands now," Ruan Jiu said with a hint of worry.
She wondered how he could seize the position of the Xie family head from Xie Jing.
Just the petty harassment would be enough to trouble Xie Jingchu.
"Could you stop calling me Fourth Master? Are we so estranged? Or do you think I'm too old?" Xie Jingchu complained non - stop.
Ruan Jiu was stunned.
They were discussing serious matters, but how could this man act so coquettishly?
She could only reply helplessly, "Okay, okay. I'll call you A Jing. Is that okay?"
"However, it can only be when we're alone," Ruan Jiu quickly added.
Even so, Xie Jingchu's mouth almost split from ear to ear.
Then, picking up the thread of the conversation, Xie Jingchu said seriously, "I originally counted on the tea mountain to support you for a lifetime."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu blushed.
How shameless!
She bit her lip and said, "Do you think it's so easy to support me?"
The money her silk shop earned in a year was enough for the tea mountain to earn in ten years.
It was more believable to say that she supported him.
Xie Jingchu smiled and said, "Then, Miss Ruan, I wonder if the future mistress of the Xie family would satisfy you?"
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu's expression turned solemn.
Did he decide to get involved in the family strife for her?
"You don't have to do this. Even if you have nothing, I'll stay with you!"
Xie Jingchu reached out his finger and pressed it against Ruan Jiu's lips.
"My A Jiu is so wonderful. If I don't work hard, how can I be worthy of you?"
Xie Jingchu's words instantly touched Ruan Jiu's heart.
Over the years, the most common words she heard were to know her place.
Even when she was betrothed to Xie Yanchuan, that playboy, everyone thought she was climbing up the social ladder.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free from the shackles of her birth and status.
But this man in front of her.
The once all - powerful Fourth Master Xie in Qinzhou City.
Told her that she was wonderful and it was he who wasn't worthy.
At this moment, their two burning hearts drew closer again.
-
True to his words, Xie Jing really did what he said.
After his fruitless conversation with Ruan Jiu that day, Xie Jing really made all the Xie family's cloth - making workshops cut off their business with the silk shop.
"Eldest Master is so despicable!" Chuntao said angrily with a look of disdain.
Ruan Jiu frowned tightly.
The inventory in the silk shop could only last for at most three months.
It might not even last until the New Year.
"Chuntao, what did the other cloth - making workshop owners say?" Ruan Jiu asked.
Chuntao pursed her lips and replied, "The two workshops in the east and west of the city sent people this morning to say that they were in short supply and politely declined our cooperation."
Ruan Jiu sneered.
In short supply. What a nice excuse.
They must have already received benefits from Xie Jing.
"What about the one in the western suburbs?" Ruan Jiu continued to ask.
"The one in the western suburbs... has sold the cloth - making workshop to Eldest Master."
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu's eyes narrowed.
Xie Jing!
To deal with her, he really resorted to any despicable means.
But unfortunately, the Xie family had a deep foundation. Even if the situation dragged on for a year or two, it wouldn't hurt them.
But the silk shop was different. So many employees relied on the silk shop to support their families.
"Miss, how about asking the cloth - making workshops in Huaizhou?" Chuntao suggested.
Although the cloth - making workshops in Huaizhou were also Xie family's properties, Ruan Jiu had helped the villagers in Xin'an Village solve a big problem before.
If Ruan Jiu asked in person, the villagers in Xin'an Village would surely help.
But after hearing this, Ruan Jiu shook her head and said, "No. The cost is too high."
Then, Ruan Jiu frowned deeply.
Her slender fingers tapped on the table non - stop.
Since that was the case.
Then...
"Go and call Manager Jiang here."
Jiang Jibai rushed over immediately.
Ruan Jiu asked directly, "How much silver is there in the silk shop's account now?"
Jiang Jibai replied, "About 300,000 taels."
Although Ruan Jiu was already the owner of the silk shop, out of gratitude to her grandfather, she still handed over most of the money earned by the silk shop to the Xie family.
If she had known that all that silver would end up in Xie Jing's pocket, she would never have handed over a single cent.
"Manager Jiang, how much silver would it take to build a new cloth - making workshop?"
"Miss, do you mean...?"
Ruan Jiu nodded.
Since Xie Jing wanted to block her way, she would pick up an axe and blaze a new trail.
After receiving the hint, Jiang Jibai immediately took out his abacus and calculated carefully.
After a while, Jiang Jibai's face looked a bit grim.
He replied, "Including the cost of buying land, it would take at least one million taels."
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu frowned tightly.
One million taels.
That was a huge gap.
Even if she added her own savings, it would still be far from enough.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became a bit solemn.
"Miss, how about asking Fourth Master for help?" Chuntao probed.
After all, the most capable person she could think of who could help Miss was Fourth Master.
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu pursed her lips, and her tightly - knitted eyebrows didn't relax at all.
Not to mention how much silver Xie Jingchu had now.
He was already extremely busy with restarting the tea mountain.
After the tea mountain reopened, he would also need a large amount of silver.
Although she knew that as long as she asked, he would surely agree.
But she must not become his burden.
Seeing Ruan Jiu's expression, Jiang Jibai immediately understood her dilemma. He pretended to be relaxed and said, "We don't necessarily have to build a cloth - making workshop. I don't believe that in this large Qinzhou City, there isn't a single cloth - making workshop willing to cooperate. I'll go out now and have a good talk with those owners!"
After hearing this, Chuntao immediately said, "I'll go too!"
After saying that, the two were about to walk out.
They looked determined and were bound to win over those cloth - making workshop owners.
"No need," Ruan Jiu stopped them.
Jiang Jibai stopped in his tracks and said anxiously, "Miss, as long as we offer a higher price, I don't believe they won't cooperate. No one would turn down silver!"
Ruan Jiu had thought of this idea before.
But...
"Can we compete with the Xie family in terms of financial strength?"
Since Xie Jing had resorted to such despicable means, how could he be afraid of being even more despicable?
His purpose was to drain the silk shop to death!
The only hope in Jiang Jibai and Chuntao's hearts was shattered.
Their faces were full of disappointment.
Was the silk shop really doomed?
Just then, a voice came from the door.
"Miss!"