Naturally, this was just in case.
After bidding farewell here, Su Xiaoqi went to find Granny Wen again, thanked her sincerely, and asked her to continue looking after the group of younger siblings she was leaving behind.
Granny Wen readily agreed.
She said it wasn't just her looking after them.
In fact, most of the time, they were the ones looking after her.
The kindness between people was mutual.
Su Xiaoqi hugged her, then looked at Zhao Xiaozhu, telling her to learn more from Yun Shang in the future, to open a shop if she wanted to.
If not, she could continue as she was, saving up more money to become dowry later.
Zhao Xiaozhu blushed, her mind conjuring that dark, thin yet strong figure, and she nodded silently.
For some reason, perhaps out of sympathy for them, Su Xiaoqi cared deeply about them.
She always hoped they could live good lives.
She bid farewell to each of them one by one, patiently and carefully briefing them on matters, repeatedly urging them to study hard and work diligently.
To make a life for themselves through their own efforts.
As a result, everyone's eyes turned red.
Especially Xiao Xique.
Their bond was already extremely deep, and with Su Xiaoqi's subtle emotional appeal, she could no longer bear it and hugged Su Xiaoqi, about to burst into tears.
In the end, Su Xiaoqi had to stuff her mouth with tasks.
"For the next few days, you'll follow Xiao Yi and learn to keep accounts. If you don't understand anything, ask Xiao Yi and Sixth Uncle. If you still don't understand, you can come to the estate to ask. I won't leave until the eighth."
Su Xiaoqi hoped to cultivate Xiao Xique.
Xiao Xique had deep affection for Su Xiaoqi and believed in her implicitly.
Whatever she instructed, without needing further explanation, Xiao Xique would fully carry it out.
"Alright, you're a big girl now, you can't cry over every little thing, or they'll laugh at you." Su Xiaoqi pinched Xiao Xique's slightly chubby cheeks, which had gained a baby fat.
"I don't care, I, I just can't bear to part with Sister Xiaoqi." Xiao Xique mumbled, clinging to Su Xiaoqi's embrace.
However, Xiao Yi was more sensible. Knowing that crying in the first month of the year was a bad omen, he quickly persuaded her.
Furthermore, knowing that Su Xiaoqi's trip to the city must be very busy, he told Su Xiaoqi to go ahead and handle her affairs, assuring her that he would take on the responsibility of looking after the younger siblings, just like Xiao Ze did before.
Speaking of Xiao Ze, Su Xiaoqi felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.
For some reason, even though the boy named Xiao Ze was a childhood sweetheart of the original owner, she had no recollection of his appearance in her mind.
It was as if he was merely a name to her.
Every time she tried to recall him, her head would throb as if it would explode.
She didn't understand the reason, but she was remembering Xiao Ze less and less, deliberately forgetting him.
"You've always been steady, but from now on, you need to be more cautious.
When I'm not here, the previous incident cannot happen again.
You must remember, if you want to scheme against others, at the very least, you must cultivate yourself before acting. Don't act with so many flaws that others can find an opening."
No one would wait to be schemed against.
Xiao Yi had expected Su Xiaoqi to lecture him in some way and had even prepared polite refusals.
But he hadn't expected her to advise him on how to prepare thoroughly when scheming against someone, so that when he acted, his scheme would succeed.
"No business is without trickery, but I want to tell you, our 'trickery' must never be directed at honest people."
Su Xiaoqi left them with a few admonishments, telling them to keep them in their hearts, and then went to the supermarket in front.
Since the supermarket sold daily necessities for eating and drinking, it was currently a busy period.
As people visited their maternal homes or elders' homes for New Year greetings, they would stop by to buy a few things.
Therefore, Zhao Dayou volunteered to guard the shop.
Su Xiaoqi couldn't refuse him. In fact, given her nature, she had intended to give the shop staff a holiday until the sixth day of the new year.
Like in modern times, they would return to work on the seventh.
But Zhao Dayou said he would only take the third day off, as his daughter would be bringing her son-in-law home that day, and he needed to prepare a banquet.
At other times, he had nothing to do at home and felt restless, so he might as well work at the shop.
Su Xiaoqi did not treat him unfairly, directly paying him triple the wage for the seven days of holiday she had set.
Zhao Dayou was delighted but also tried to refuse.
He felt he had already received enough benefits from Su Xiaoqi, and his wages were more than enough, so there was no need to increase them further.
Besides, Shopkeeper Su had also given him a year-end bonus of a full twelve taels during the New Year.
Tomorrow his daughter would visit him, and he would be able to be more generous with his finances.
"This is a benefit. Anyone working during this time will receive it."
Su Xiaoqi appeased Zhao Dayou.
Then she informed him that she would be going to the capital for a while.
"Accompanying Mr. Xie Yuan to take the imperial examination for the top scholar?" Zhao Dayou grinned from ear to ear.
Su Xiaoqi chuckled, "How do you know he's going for the top scholar? What if he doesn't pass?"
Of course, she said this casually. After all, even if she thought so, as someone close to Shen Yun, she couldn't say it in front of others. It was about maintaining humility.
No, when did she unknowingly start considering herself as someone close to Shen Yun?
She clearly only intended to live with him temporarily.
If she were to stay by his side for a long time, and if Shen Yun remained the same in temperament and appearance, he would not be a bad partner.
But thinking about Shen Yun's portrayal in the book as a powerful minister who turned into a villain, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but shiver.
Forget it, forget it, just thinking about it is enough.
She didn't want to end up like the original owner, who met a tragic end because of Shen Yun.
"Don't worry, Shopkeeper. Old Zhao will definitely guard the shop well. Not even a strand of cotton will be allowed to fly away."
Su Xiaoqi let out a chuckle at this.
She believed Zhao Dayou's words.
His loyalty was even praised by Shen Yun.
Because he had no desires, his heart was strong; this is what is called being unyielding due to the absence of desire.
Additionally, Su Xiaoqi asked him to teach Xiao Sanzi, Xiao Si, and Xiao Wu more.
Ideally, she wanted him to quickly train someone like Xiao Yi who could take on the role of a shopkeeper.
Upon hearing this, the old wrinkles on Zhao Dayou's face crinkled into a smile. He knew that the Shopkeeper intended to open another branch.
He nodded repeatedly and said, "Certainly."
Not only would he train the three of them, but Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba could also be brought forward to learn.
It was effortless to talk to intelligent people, Su Xiaoqi nodded.
Just as she was about to go to the back to call Shen Yun to leave together,
She turned around and saw someone she didn't really want to see.