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After Chen Mixin finished speaking, her group of friends erupted into a mix of laughter and chatter.

"Embarrass her?" Ye Chuxue chewed on her gum disdainfully. "What level is she at, and what level am I? Pretending to study just to get the teacher to call out our names for criticism every day? All for selling mineral water?"

"But then again, it's no wonder she's always looking for shortcuts," she continued. "She has an elder sister who does fortune-telling on the streets of Temple Street. No wonder..."

Fixing her gaze on Chu Yi, Ye Chuxue smirked wickedly. "No wonder she's not someone you'd want to show off."

As she concluded, Ye Chuxue pretended to sigh. "New immigrants from the mainland are all like that – no class or refinement."

Chu Yi placed the loose change back into her green school uniform pocket with a thud. "Talk about me if you must, but don't drag my elder sister into it!"

Insults directed at her, Chu Yi could endure.

But involving her sister was absolutely unacceptable.

Initially, she had planned to dismiss Ye Chuxue's remarks as mere nonsense, but now, Ye Chuxue seemed intent on causing trouble.

"Not accurate?" Ye Chuxue feigned surprise. "Oh, your sister isn't purely into fortune-telling; she sells sugared water too! That's right, both of you sell liquid. No wonder you're sisters."

"Indeed, my sister does read fortunes. She has many wealthy clients from Hong Kong. Your Ye family might not even be qualified to seek her out. I won't engage in meaningless arguments with you," Chu Yi retorted swiftly, firing back with each sentence.

"Jealous, huh? I can ace my exams while selling mineral water. You couldn't even pass math, and your English, despite growing up in Hong Kong, is just average. Jealousy won't help. If you have the ability, surpass me academically. Don't resort to such dirty, underhanded tricks."

Ye Chuxue was so enraged that she screamed.

Just then, their homeroom teacher entered the classroom with books in hand.

Chu Yi promptly raised her hand, ready to report without hesitation, "Teacher! Ye Chuxue isn't wearing her school uniform properly!"

"Ye Chuxue!" the homeroom teacher scolded. "Get in here now!"

Chu Yi wrinkled her nose playfully, made a face, and dragged Chen Mixin into the classroom without looking back.

If Ye Chuxue wanted a fight.

She wasn't someone to be trifled with in the mainland. She could climb trees to steal eggs and swim in rivers to catch fish. Growing up, she had endured countless insults from her fellow villagers.

Ye Chuxue's rank was too low.

When Chu Yuening returned to her apartment with groceries, the sky had already started to darken. At the end of the road, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Before she could process who it was, the person charged towards her like a freshly launched cannonball.

Then, a sudden brake.

"Sis!" Chu Yi eagerly took the groceries, slinging them over her shoulder, "I'll carry them up for you!"

She seemed to have boundless energy.

Chu Yuening was surprised, "Didn't you just finish selling mineral water? Take a break first."

"No need," Chu Yi pushed away the offered helping hand, adjusting the bags on her shoulder, "Sis doesn't know me well enough. This weight is nothing to me."

"Woah, I really wonder what you're made of to grow up like that."

The two sisters headed up to their apartment.

Inside the apartment, Chu Yuening started washing the vegetables and cooking. Chu Yi joined in, assisting her. As they worked, they chatted.

Chu Yi suddenly exclaimed, dropping her vegetable washing and turning her head. "Sis, didn't we say we were going on a picnic? I want to bring a talisman for safety."

As she spoke, Chu Yi nestled her head affectionately against Chu Yuening's shoulder.

"Could you draw one for me?"

"Certainly," Chu Yuening replied with a smile. "I'll do it right after dinner."

"Yay! Sis is so nice to me!" Chu Yi clapped her hands.

After dinner.

Chu Yi took charge of the dishes and cleaning up, while Chu Yuening returned to her room. Soon, she came back with the talisman, personally placing it around Chu Yi's neck and giving her instructions.

"Remember, don't let it get wet."

Seeing Chu Yi return to her room happily, Chu Yuening stretched and admired the clean kitchen. She then took out ingredients for a sweet soup and opened the pressure cooker.

Mmm!

Prepare the syrup!

The next day.

As the sky began to brighten, Chu Yuening set up her stall on the street. A new vendor at the neighboring tart stall greeted her with a smile.

She had just parked her cart and displayed the syrup when the vendor handed her two pomelos.

Blinking, she accepted them and glanced at the man's stall.

He sold small accessories.

"Thank you."

The new vendor was an elderly uncle, who touched his snowy white hair and asked with a grin, "Master Chu, right? I've heard so much about you."

"Uncle knows me?" Chu Yuening was surprised and tried hard to recall, but couldn't place him.

"I do," the uncle chuckled. "Do you remember Zhong Yichun? The one with the duck farm who sells roast goose. After you helped resolve the issue with his ancestral grave, your name has been well-known in our area."

"Oh." Chu Yuening recalled.

Zhong Yichun had also given her a large sack of sweet potatoes.

"How is he doing?"

"He's doing great! Absolutely fantastic," the uncle said. "It's all thanks to you. After the issue with the ancestral grave was resolved, not only did he restart his breeding farm, but his children are also in good health."

"I bet Zhong Yichun must be envious when I tell him that I'm working alongside you now after renting the stall."

The uncle chatted for a while longer. Noticing the sun high up in the sky, he said, "Alright, I'll head back to my stall first."

The number of customers gradually increased.

Deng Liqiao arrived with a group of friends, asking with a smile, "Boss, do you still have the refreshing syrup from last time?"

Chu Yuening remembered that she was the female driver from last time. Looking at her friends, she was surprised. "You all want some?"

"Yes, we do. Your syrup really does work wonders in keeping us alert," Deng Liqiao said, remembering how the syrup had helped her stay awake during the delivery. Grateful for its effects, she had recommended it to her friends since then.