Hearing Lu Yuan’s words, Zhao Qiao’Er gave him a displeased look from her beautiful eyes and said:

"Taking the money and running, are we?!

Absolutely not. You’re staying for lunch with your auntie before you go~"

As she spoke, Aunt Zhao pulled Lu Yuan into another tight hug, as if afraid he’d run off.

Lu Yuan thought about it for a moment. ’That works,’ he figured.

’It’s about time for lunch anyway. Eating before I leave will save me the trouble of finding food later.’

So, Lu Yuan started to pull away from Aunt Zhao’s embrace to sit down properly.

However, Zhao Qiao’Er kept her arms around him.

When Lu Yuan looked up, he saw Zhao Qiao’Er’s flushed face. She gave him a seductive look and cooed,

"Just hold me a little longer~"

Heh~

’Well now, I see exactly what’s going on here!’

’She’s the one who started it!’

Instantly, Lu Yuan pulled her close again.

This earned a soft moan from Aunt Zhao. Looking absolutely succulent, she watched Lu Yuan nuzzle into her bosom, her eyes silky with seduction as she said:

"You little devil, be gentle~"

...

During the meal, Lu Yuan and Aunt Zhao sat pressed close together. The table was laden with food delivered from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

"Are five thousand taels enough?

The shipment isn’t until the second of the second lunar month. That’s still another seven or eight days away, isn’t it?"

Zhao Qiao’Er asked curiously, placing more food into the bowl of Lu Yuan, who was busy shoveling rice into his mouth beside her.

"Even after the goods are sold, it’s a huge operation. It’s not like you sell them in the morning and count the cash by evening."

"Collecting the revenue from shops in all the different counties once a month would be considered fast."

"And that’s only because the factory is new."

"Later on, when cash flow isn’t an issue, these kinds of large-scale businesses usually settle their accounts quarterly."

"For some of the more remote locations, they might even settle up only once a year."

Lu Yuan shoveled in another two mouthfuls of rice before speaking, his words muffled by the food:

"It’s not for the factory."

"The factory has more than enough money. It doesn’t need any more investment."

"I’m using this for something else."

’Most of the materials have been purchased already, and the warehouses are full to the brim.’

’Even if I need money for something else down the line, I can just get it directly in Taiping City.’

’All the businesses in Taiping City, big and small, belong to the Zhao Family. There’s not much need to spend actual silver coins.’

’If I need anything else, I can just get it on credit.’

’All the Shopkeepers in Taiping City are eager to do business with the Zhao Family.’

Hearing Lu Yuan’s words, Zhao Qiao’Er looked at him curiously.

"So what are you cooking up this time?"

Lu Yuan thought for a moment, then grinned.

"Farming!"

Farming?

Hearing this, Zhao Qiao’Er was stunned for a moment before she broke into a laugh.

"What’s so good about farming?

Never mind droughts and floods, even in a good harvest year, you can’t make much money from it.

And with the Court’s taxes so high these days, farming is a losing game.

It might work in a few years. Once the war in the Northern territories is over, the Court will surely focus on recuperation for a while."

Lu Yuan didn’t bother explaining further to Aunt Zhao. It wasn’t something he could clarify in just a few words.

’Besides, I have to leave as soon as I finish eating.’

’Once the greenhouses are built, it’ll be easier to show her.’

Lu Yuan just kept his head down, shoveling in more rice and mumbling,

"The way I’m farming is different. You’ll see."

Aunt Zhao wanted to press him for more details, but seeing him devour his food like that, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Can’t you eat a little slower? Your auntie’s not going to steal it from you~"

Lu Yuan just hummed noncommittally and continued to take huge bites.

This earned him a look of feigned reproach from Zhao Qiao’Er, but she didn’t say anything more.

Lu Yuan was full in no time, while Aunt Zhao was still eating at a leisurely pace.

After he finished eating, Lu Yuan leaned right back against Aunt Zhao’s soft, warm body, rubbing his round belly with a sigh of contentment.

"Now that was a satisfying meal.

The food smelled great, and so do you~"

At his words, Zhao Qiao’Er blushed and cooed,

"What do you mean, ’so do you’~"

Lu Yuan got up, grinning mischievously at Aunt Zhao.

"You smell wonderful, Auntie. And you know that old saying, ’a beauty is a feast for the eyes’? They must have been talking about you~"

Blushing, Aunt Zhao gave Lu Yuan a coquettish glare and reproached him.

"You smooth-talker~"

Seeing her like that, especially with that flirtatious little glare, nearly sent Lu Yuan over the edge.

Unable to resist the sudden surge of passion, Lu Yuan pulled Aunt Zhao into his arms again, earning a soft cry from her.

"Oh my~

I’m still eating~~"

’Eating?’

’Who cares about food right now?!’

’Time for a taste of something else first!’

Lu Yuan tilted up her delicate chin, much to her stunned surprise.

And he pressed his lips against her full, sensual red ones.

Aunt Zhao resisted for only a moment before her arms flew around him, her response turning almost frantic.

At first, Lu Yuan had been the one kissing her, but soon it was Aunt Zhao who was devouring his lips.

When a woman who’s been in a drought for over thirty years is suddenly aroused, her passion is not something an ordinary man can withstand.

Aunt Zhao’s full lips rained frantic kisses all over Lu Yuan’s face.

"You villain~ MWAH MWAH~ Villain~~ MWAH... My... my little wild wolf~~ MWAH MWAH MWAH~ Auntie’s very own man~~"

Aunt Zhao panted, her response just as fierce as his.

Her hands, their nails painted a brilliant red, roamed frantically over his body.

But just then, a knock came at the door, followed by a voice from outside:

"Madam, here’s the fish soup."

The voice snapped them both back to their senses, and they hastily sat up straight.

Zhao Qiao’Er quickly looked down, straightening her clothes and composing herself, her voice trembling slightly as she called out:

"Just leave it at the door."

The person outside acknowledged, set the item down, and hurried away.

At that, Lu Yuan turned to Aunt Zhao with a wicked grin.

Aunt Zhao, now recovered from her frenzied passion, blushed furiously and slapped him lightly on the arm.

"They were just outside~"

Looking at the elegant, noble beauty before him, Lu Yuan was completely smitten.