That same afternoon, accompanied by Guo Hongping and Ma Miao, Lin Fang viewed over a dozen houses and storefronts based on the information provided by the boss and his wife. She settled on two properties—one large and one small. The larger one, spanning 120 square meters and located in the city center, was the one Lin Fang decided to purchase. The smaller one, only 80 square meters, was slightly more remote than Lin Fang’s but closer to the provincial hospital, which Guo Hongping opted for.
Ma Miao, meanwhile, took a liking to a storefront flanked by slopes on either side.
From the front, the store was divided into an above-ground section serving as the shop and a below-ground section functioning as storage and living quarters. From the back, the storage and living area appeared to be on the ground floor, while the shop was on the second floor. The building was old and nearly in the suburbs, but the interior space was spacious, the structure solid, and the ground floor significantly larger than the upper level.
Ma Miao’s interest in this store stemmed from Lin Fang’s earlier suggestion that she open her own shop. She envisioned using the ground floor for crafting instruments and the second floor to display finished samples—a practical arrangement.
“Lin Fang, you said you’d help me. I really like this store, but I can’t afford to buy it—I can’t even rent it. What should I do?” Ma Miao’s parents worked as veterinarians in their village, earning little year-round. The family’s main income came from farming, and sending her to art school had already been a financial strain.
“Ma Miao, do your parents only treat livestock, or do they also handle pets like cats, dogs, birds, and other animals city folks keep?” Lin Fang had an idea.
“Of course they do. My parents were originally from the city, but due to the turmoil of those years, they could never return.” Ma Miao’s tone carried a hint of regret—had her parents remained urbanites, her circumstances might have been different.
“More and more city dwellers are keeping pets, treating them like family and spending generously on them. Your parents could open a pet clinic in the city—it’d be very profitable.” Though Lin Fang phrased it as speculation, she was certain this was an inevitable trend. Moreover, as the city expanded, what now seemed like the suburbs would eventually flourish.
Ma Miao shook her head. “That makes sense, but where would my family get the money?”
Lin Fang proposed a solution: “I could buy this property and lease it to your family. Your parents could run the pet clinic upstairs, and you could craft instruments downstairs. Since your instruments are custom-made, they don’t need to be displayed prominently. Once your family earns enough, you can buy or rent another storefront to expand. What do you think?”
“Deal. What do you want in return?” Ma Miao didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll open a pet food store, and your family will advertise it for free and sell my products. I’ll also start a music shop, and you’ll be my in-house artisan—handling everything from crafting to repairs. Deal?” Lin Fang had already eyed two other storefronts, unsure of their use until this moment.
“Ha! You’re roping me into your scheme? I’m in. Why wouldn’t I be? You’re spending, I’m earning—it’s a no-brainer!” Ma Miao agreed without hesitation.
Over time, after countless shared experiences, Ma Miao had developed an unwavering trust in Lin Fang’s ideas, rarely questioning them. Lin Fang sometimes joked that she could sell Ma Miao, and the latter would still count the money for her. Ma Miao didn’t mind—her admiration for Lin Fang was instinctive and absolute.
“Hongping, what’s wrong?”
Lately, Guo Hongping had been acting strangely—withdrawn and distracted, especially today. Normally, during property discussions, she’d voice her opinions, but now she only responded when directly asked, otherwise lost in thought. Lin Fang waved her hand in front of Guo Hongping’s face several times, but the latter remained unresponsive.
“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking… my sister married far away, and I’m rarely home. My parents must be lonely. I’ll renovate that house we just saw and move them here.” Snapped out of her daze, Guo Hongping offered an explanation.
Ma Miao scoffed. “Yeah, right. That’s such a lame excuse. Everyone can see you’ve got a crush on Dr. Xiao. You’re lovesick!”
“Shut up! Dr. Xiao would never look at someone like me—plain and only a middle school grad. He likes Lin Fang. Don’t stir trouble!” Guo Hongping retorted, glancing at Lin Fang.
“Oho, ‘stir trouble’? Defensive much? Dr. Xiao might not like you, but that doesn’t stop you from pining for him. Unrequited love, huh? And why are you looking at Lin Fang while talking to me?” Ma Miao pressed.
“I’m looking at her so she won’t get mad. What’s wrong with that?” Guo Hongping raised her voice.
Lin Fang intervened. “Enough. You two are arguing about something involving me, yet I’m sidelined here.”
The bickering stopped. Guo Hongping turned away, while Ma Miao acted as if nothing happened, busily inspecting the store’s layout.
Lin Fang hugged Guo Hongping warmly. “Hongping, I’ve told you before—any guy who likes me will only ever be a friend. I’ve got too much on my plate for romance.”
“You’re really not mad?” Guo Hongping asked nervously.
Lin Fang teased, “I’m more worried you’re mad at me. Yesterday, I took your watch without asking to give to that kid Tongtong. Luckily, he’s a little gentleman and didn’t want a ‘girly’ watch.”
“Heh, that watch is sold everywhere. If you’d given it away, I’d just buy another.” Guo Hongping relaxed.
Seizing the moment, Lin Fang shifted topics. “This weekend, there’s a dance at the provincial hospital. You, Rouqiu, and Ma Miao should go. Dr. Xiao is their star host—you’ll get to see him in action. But fair warning: Cinderella stories are touching, but they’re just fairy tales. Got it?”
“I know. Dr. Xiao’s handsome, talented, and from a prominent city family. The gap between us is huge. Even if he wanted me, my parents wouldn’t agree. I just want to see him a few more times.”
At twenty, Guo Hongping was older than Lin Fang by a few months. In rural areas, girls her age were often considered “old” for marriage, but influenced by Lin Fang, she remained unhurried and level-headed.
Relieved Guo Hongping wasn’t obsessing, Lin Fang reassured her, “Everyone likes looking at handsome guys—it’s natural. Let things unfold. Maybe you’ll hit it off.”
“Ha! I’m not holding my breath,” Guo Hongping said wryly. “But could you take us to the dance? Dr. Xiao invited you. Going alone would feel awkward.”
“Fine. I’ll drop you off and stay briefly before leaving.” Lin Fang believed in guiding, not forcing.
With Guo Hongping’s heart temporarily soothed, Lin Fang instructed her to handle the property purchase and find a decorator. Meanwhile, Lin Fang and Ma Miao returned to school. As usual, Lin Fang would design the renovation plans herself before handing them to Guo Hongping for execution.
The hospital dance was scheduled for Sunday afternoon—a singles’ mixer between medical staff and local law enforcement. When Rouqiu heard Lin Fang was attending, he ecstatically called her “big sis” multiple times.
Excited about her future shop, Ma Miao spent days planning her layout, even forgetting about teasing Rouqiu at the dance. When Lin Fang came to fetch her on Sunday, she simply said, “Too busy,” without looking up. Lin Fang let her be.
Like Lin Fang, Ma Miao immersed herself fully in tasks, undisturbed—a trait Lin Fang admired.
After getting off the taxi opposite the hospital, the trio walked along the sidewalk before crossing the street.
Their formation turned heads—300% attention guaranteed.
With Lin Fang on the left, they resembled “100”; on the right, “001”; in the middle, it looked like she was being escorted by two bickering meatballs, their verbal sparring never ceasing.
Since starting their bookstore venture, the trio had grown their business and wealth, evolving in many ways—except for Rouqiu and Guo Hongping’s constant squabbles.
The dance was on the eighth floor of the hospital’s teaching building—no elevator in sight. Seeing the towering structure, Lin Fang hesitated. A recent cold snap had left many students, including her, mildly ill, and her legs felt weak.
Rouqiu, sensing her reluctance, groveled dramatically. “Oh, dear sister! You can’t back out now—my happiness depends on you! If it’s too much, I’ll carry you. With my build, eight floors are nothing!”
He crouched, mimicking a palanquin bearer. “Milady, your carriage awaits.”
For once, Guo Hongping didn’t oppose him. “Come on, sis! We’re at the finish line—just one last push!”
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