In fact, Lin Yuan’s help for Mrs. Liu was simply out of sympathy and pity for her, and Shen Dajun, that man, was indeed reliable. Even though Mrs. Liu had been sold into a brothel and had even borne a child for Li Chang, he had never given up. Such a man was too rare. A couple of such ill-fated lovers, if one could help, then why not lend a hand?
After hearing the news from Lady Jin, Lin Yuan immediately told Liu Limin upon returning to the Lin family hollow. Century-old Cake Shop had been in Zhuma Town for many years, and even Liu Limin, living in the countryside, was aware of it. When she heard Lin Yuan wanted to take over this shop for her to run a distillery, she was so shocked she couldn’t even close her mouth.
"Yuanyuan, you, are you serious? Century-old Cake Shop? That shop, it’s very big!" Liu Limin had originally only wanted a small shop, but to her surprise, Lin Yuan went big and found her the largest one, and it was two-storied!
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Auntie, if you’re going to open a shop, you need boldness, you already have the courage to run a distillery, so why worry about the shop being too big?"
Liu Limin swallowed and regained her calm, "I—I’m not complaining that it’s too big, I’m just, worried that my silver might not be enough."
Lin Yuan had anticipated she would say this and immediately patted her arm, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, since I found such a large shop for you, I must have thought it through. Consider this shop Fuman Building’s token of sincerity for our partnership. As long as Mrs. Liu guarantees that the specialty liquor produced will only be supplied to us at Fuman Building, I will give you this shop for free!"
"Really, really?" This time, Liu Limin was even more surprised. Now, not only was the shop issue settled, but she didn’t have to worry about future sales either. Fuman Building, she listened to Xiao Linshuang talk about it every day. Yecheng, Tea Tree Town, and several nearby towns all had its branches. If her liquor could be sold through Fuman Building, would she fear that her distillery wouldn’t make it?
Lin Yuan smiled and nodded. But before she could speak, a low voice had already bellowed at the doorway, "Liu Limin! What do you think you’re doing? Open a distillery? I think you’re looking to dive into a dye vat!"
At these words, Lin Yuan instinctively shrank back and turned her head to look at the huffing Lady Fan at the doorway, offering a timid smile, "Grandma!"
Lady Fan glared at her, "You stinky girl! Still helping her, I’ll deal with you later!"
With that, she strode in three steps to Liu Limin, grabbed her by the ear, and dragged the screaming Liu Limin into the inner room.
Lin Yuan shrank her neck and, rather shamelessly, leaned at the doorway to eavesdrop around the corner. Ow, Lady Fan’s notorious temper wasn’t for nothing; auntie’s explosive disposition really did come from grandma.
Listening to the scolding inside, Lin Yuan covered her mouth and started to laugh. Lady Fan lectured her daughter with a traditionalist’s admonitions, insisting that running a distillery wasn’t a woman’s affair and if she really wanted to, she could open an embroidery or textile shop instead. In short, in Lady Fan’s eyes, a distillery was strictly men’s business!
Now Lin Yuan finally understood why Liu Limin was reluctant to tell her about her plans before; she must have also feared that Lin Yuan would not support her, just like Lady Fan.
But who was Liu Limin? Once she set her mind on something, not even ten bulls could drag her back. Otherwise, she would have heeded her mother’s advice and married any man long before.
As Lin Yuan listened, the voices inside gradually quieted down. After a while, Liu Limin came out with her head drooping.
"Auntie? How did it go?" Lin Yuan pinched her own arm hard to keep herself from revealing even a hint of amusement.
Liu Limin glared at her, "You dead girl, you were eavesdropping just now, weren’t you! And still, you ask me!"