A New Venture and Unexpected Encounters

The following morning, Luo Yao found himself seated in the car, observing the various shops that lined the streets.

Unusually, he had awoken naturally that morning, and Mu Yaochen had already departed hours ago.

Consequently, after a simple breakfast, Luo Yao had Frost drive him aimlessly through the bustling streets of Prosperous New City.

Yet, after circling the area several times, he had already identified a handful of storefronts that piqued his interest.

The previous night, before retiring, he had also browsed an e-commerce platform for necessary raw materials—items like black tea, milk tea powder, or tapioca flour.

While a range of equipment still remained, Luo Yao was pleasantly surprised to discover that items such as ice machines were not as costly as he had initially anticipated.

At present, Luo Yao’s sole wish was for his circumstances to steadily improve; as for Mu Yaochen, he simply desired her non-interference.

Though perhaps a touch idealistic, these were the very aspirations Luo Yao held dear.

He harbored a reluctance to seek assistance from Su Mengqi, for he knew such a move would be tantamount to falling under Mu Yaochen’s sway once more.

If Luo Yao’s instincts proved correct, Su Mengqi, too, possessed a controlling nature.

While Luo Yao meticulously laid out his plans, he had already added the contacts for those prospective rental properties.

He was currently engaged in negotiations over the rental fees, which aligned closely with his projections, typically falling between twenty and thirty thousand per month.

A long-term lease, he surmised, would likely come with a favorable discount.

Thus, the rental costs alone had already consumed a third of Luo Yao’s initial capital.

He still needed to account for raw materials, diverse equipment, renovation expenses, promotional fees, and the myriad business licenses that awaited processing.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Luo Yao couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer difficulty involved in establishing a business.

Nevertheless, he was already in the process of contacting renovation companies, knowing that the shop’s interior would demand a modest investment.

‘Where to next?’ Frost inquired, having already driven Luo Yao through nearly four circuits of the area.

At this juncture, her demeanor suggested less impatience and more a profound bewilderment at Luo Yao’s intentions.

‘Right, let’s head to Fanhai New City,’ Luo Yao responded, his gaze fixed on his phone as he exchanged messages with a prospective landlord from Prosperous New City.

They had arranged to meet in Fanhai New City to review the storefront’s exact conditions.

‘Understood,’ Frost affirmed with a nod, then deftly altered their course.

Compared to her previous duties, Frost’s current assignment seemed remarkably straightforward.

A sudden, unsettling sensation akin to being cast aside by Mu Yaochen washed over her.

Before long, Luo Yao found himself in the vicinity of Fanhai New City.

After a brief exchange with the landlord, he instructed Frost to pull over.

‘What do you intend to do?’ Frost inquired, a hint of confusion in her voice as she watched Luo Yao prepare to exit the vehicle.

Deciding to assist, she stepped out herself to open his door.

‘I’ve found a storefront and intend to lease it,’ Luo Yao explained candidly, seeing no reason to mislead Frost.

‘I’m merely going to inspect its current condition.’

‘Are you truly planning to open a business?’ Though Frost’s tone conveyed curiosity, she carefully concealed her true sentiments upon hearing Luo Yao’s declaration.

She understood Mu Yaochen’s nature all too well; should Mu Yaochen discover Luo Yao’s entrepreneurial venture, she would undoubtedly scheme in secret to ensure its failure.

Such underhanded tactics were a hallmark of Mu Yaochen, whose ruthlessness was legendary.

‘Indeed, I must repay my debt,’ Luo Yao replied.

Reflecting on Mu Yaochen’s promise, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was deliberately presenting him with this very opportunity.

Moreover, Luo Yao required no reminder from Frost; he was acutely aware that Mu Yaochen would inevitably attempt to sabotage him covertly in the future.

Therefore, he needed to make thorough preparations right now.

‘As you wish,’ Frost responded coolly, her tone detached.

Ultimately, Luo Yao’s endeavors held little personal consequence for her.

Yet, she found herself somewhat intrigued by the fate that awaited Luo Yao.

Furthermore, Frost sensed that the Luo Yao before her seemed inclined to pin his hopes on yesterday’s girl, Su Mengqi.

Despite her loyalty as Mu Yaochen’s subordinate, she harbored a distinct desire to witness the sparks that might fly between Mu Yaochen and Su Mengqi.

Indeed, Su Mengqi and Mu Yaochen were akin to two sharp points clashing, diametrically opposed.

Should the two genuinely come to a confrontation over Luo Yao, she anticipated a rather hectic time for herself.

Frost couldn’t help but feel that Luo Yao possessed the latent cunning of a fox.

Luo Yao, accompanied by Frost, arrived at the designated meeting point with the prospective landlord.

From a considerable distance, he spotted a woman, appearing to be in her middle years, standing precisely where they were meant to converge.

‘Are you Luo Yao?’ the middle-aged woman inquired.

As Luo Yao drew nearer, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Though the individual who had added her on WeChat had identified himself as a man, she had scarcely imagined his appearance would be so strikingly captivating.

Upon seeing Luo Yao, her thoughts inexplicably drifted to her own daughter, who was still attending university.

As the gap between them diminished, Luo Yao’s refined features gradually sharpened into the woman’s clear view.

‘Stand behind me,’ Frost commanded.

Upon discerning that their counterpart was a woman, a subtle shift occurred within her.

While not precisely vigilance, she instinctively positioned herself in front of Luo Yao.

Mu Yaochen had, after all, explicitly forbidden any other woman from approaching Luo Yao that very morning.

Luo Yao, ever compliant, meekly moved to stand behind her.

In Frost’s estimation, Mu Yaochen’s commands were sacrosanct, which explained the slight furrow in her brow upon noticing the woman.

‘You’re the one who’s renting out the…,’ Luo Yao began, a touch of bewilderment in his voice, surprised by the woman’s unexpected warmth.

‘Yes, yes, that’s me! You must be Luo Yao, I presume? You can simply call me Aunt Zhang.

And may I ask who this is?’ Aunt Zhang inquired, her gaze lingering curiously on Frost, who stood protectively before Luo Yao.

‘She’s my sister.

If there’s nothing further, Aunt Zhang, perhaps you could lead us to the shop?’ Before Frost could utter a word, Luo Yao swiftly fabricated her identity.

‘Sister?’

As Luo Yao declared Frost to be his sister, a subtle tremor, an unexpected warmth, stirred within her—like a fleeting ray of sunlight piercing through a desolate, snow-covered landscape.

‘Why am I feeling this way?’

Frost shook her head, attempting to banish the sensation from her mind.

Yet, the more she struggled to forget, the more vividly it persisted.

‘You’re Luo Yao’s sister? A pleasure to meet you!’ Aunt Zhang exclaimed, her gaze moving from Frost, who stood half a head taller than herself, to Luo Yao beside her.

Perhaps it was the power of suggestion, but she genuinely perceived a familial resemblance between the two.

Frost offered no verbal response to Aunt Zhang’s warm greeting, merely inclining her head in a subtle nod.

This gesture implicitly acknowledged the fabricated familial bond while simultaneously conveying a scrutinizing glance at the woman before her.

‘Alright, then, I’ll take you to see the shop now,’ the woman declared, wasting no time.

She promptly turned and led the pair toward a storefront situated near the entrance of the residential complex.

****