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Chu Yi stood on the concrete pathway beside the sports field, bathed in the glow of the lights, with two large boxes of mineral water at her feet. Her ponytail swayed with her movements.

As Chu Yuening approached, she couldn't help but marvel at the sight.

She was quite a determined one, effortlessly carrying those two heavy boxes of water. The path from the hall to the inner field wasn't exactly short.

Spotting someone descending from the sports field, Chu Yi straightened her back and reached into the cardboard box for a bottle of Lao Shan mineral water. With three quick strides, she approached the man, flashing her brightest smile.

"Sir, would you like some mineral water?"

The man wore a sportswear vest, his hair drenched in sweat. He wiped his forehead with the towel draped around his neck, clearly parched from his intense physical activity. He glanced at the offered water.

"What brand is this?"

"Lao Shan pure water, sourced from China's Lao Shan mountain," Chu Yi enthusiastically promoted the product, reciting her well-rehearsed pitch. "Would you like to give it a try?"

The man pondered. "I don't think I've heard of this brand before."

"How could that be?" Chu Yi persisted in her sales pitch, quoting familiar information. "It was even featured in newspapers years ago. They called it the ancestral divine water, known as the sea's elixir of life, yet not surpassing Lao Shan's first spring. Many people are aware of this."

Lao Mountain mineral water enjoyed a period of great popularity in Hong Kong in the 1980s, even being hailed as China's premier water. As the competition in the mineral water market intensified over time, Lao Mountain was eventually supplanted by brands like Wahaha and Master Kong.

After comparing several leading mineral water brands, Chu Yi found that Laoshan Mineral Water had the most pleasant taste. Therefore, she decided to focus on promoting this particular brand.

Above all, it's crucial for Chinese people to love China!

The man was clearly swayed by the sales pitch. He took out his wallet and asked, "As a Chinese person, I should drink Chinese water. How much is it per bottle?"

"Ten yuan," Chu Yi beamed as she accepted the payment for the water. Waving at the departing man, she called out, "Come back for more if you enjoy it!"

Turning around, Chu Yi was startled by her elder sister and retreated in successive steps, money in hand.

Chu Yuening stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at Chu Yi, who had yet to experience her growth spurt and was a full head shorter.

"I almost had a heart attack," Chu Yi patted her chest, her small face still pale from the fright.

"But how could you be scared of me during the day?" Chu Yuening tiptoed, peering into the cardboard box filled with mineral water. Most of it had already been sold. "Impressive, we're about to make our first big profit."

"One whole box is empty already," Chu Yi boasted, rummaging through her backpack and pulling out a stack of ten-dollar Hong Kong bills. She brought them close to her nose and inhaled, a grin spreading across her cheeks at the scent of money.

"Sis, turns out selling water can earn so much."

"Not bad at all." Chu Yuening calculated the profit margin.

A bottle of mineral water cost one yuan, but it was sold for ten yuan, making a profit of nine yuan per bottle. A box contained 24 bottles, which would earn 216 yuan minus the 40 yuan rental fee, leaving a profit of 176 yuan per box.

She hadn't expected such a high profit margin.

"But is it really okay to sell at this price?"

"Of course not a problem."

Chu Yi passed the money over, but Chu Yuening waved her hand in refusal. "Let them keep their own earnings."

Unable to persuade her, Chu Yi put away the money. She then held up a bottle of water to her cheek and shook it playfully, her fair face adorned with a charming smile as the bottle touched her forehead.

"All those who come to exercise in the inner area are elites from Hong Kong. Their time is precious! I deliver the water right to them, saving them the trip to the hall. Naturally, they're willing to pay."

Chu Yuening's eyes revealed surprise.

It turned out that Chu Yi had such a talent for business.

Recalling the tragic end Chu Yi met in the original story, she grew worried.

No matter what, she had to help Chu Yi escape her predetermined fate.

The two decided to sell the remaining half box of mineral water and then pack up to return to their village house.

Chu Yuening crouched down to pass the water to Chu Yi, who was responsible for running back and forth to sell them on the sports field.

Suddenly,

"Master Chu?"

Chu Yuening turned around. Among the crowd, Li Huiwen, who used to have long hair, now sported a chic short haircut. She waved with her camera bag in hand.

"Here they are!"

Chu Yuening got up to hand Chu Yi a bottle of mineral water before heading to find Li Huiwen.

The two found a quiet spot.

Soft English tunes played in the small dining area of the hall. Li Huiwen took the menu from the server and passed it over.

After glancing through it, Chu Yuening said, "Could you bring us a strawberry Yogurt Drink, please?"

"Waiter, I'll have a Yuenang Latte," Li Huiwen placed her camera bag on the round chair, her face beaming with joy. "I really didn't expect to run into Master Chu here."

"Just call me Ning Ning," Chu Yuening replied, noticing a group of people huddled together outside the glass door, waving at them. She curiously asked, "What day is it today? It seems quite lively, doesn't it?"

Li Huiwen, usually outgoing, suddenly felt a bit bashful as she touched her short hair. "I got promoted, and my colleagues are celebrating with me."

Having landed her dream job, Li Huiwen felt like she was still in a dream, weightless even after her workout session.

The waiter placed the two beverages on the table.

Chu Yuening clinked her glass of beverage against Li Huiwen's, smiling as she offered her congratulations. "Wishes fulfilled – congratulations to you."

"Ultimately, I have to thank you," Li Huiwen replied with a grin. "If it weren't for the opportunity to work on Du Miao's case, the editor-in-chief would never have considered promoting me to associate editor."

"Speaking of which, there was something I wanted to discuss with you. It's quite serendipitous that we've run into each other, so why don't you just ask now?"

"Sure," Chu Yuening said, taking a sip of the renowned strawberry drink. It was slightly tart, so she set the glass down again. "Go ahead and ask."

"Well, here's the thing," Li Huiwen delved into business. "Fortune-telling cases have been incredibly popular, and many citizens are now regularly purchasing our newspaper. So, I was thinking of creating a column about your fortune-telling, to retain this readership. Would it be possible to feature some follow-up stories on your clients?"