May Parker Seeks Out Benjamin Zhang
Mr. Baker spoke as he drank several mouthfuls of wine, regretting that he hadn’t invested with Lily Evans back then. If he’d put all his savings into buying property at Tenmile Hill, he wouldn’t need to work as a shopkeeper now—he could just go home and collect rent, living worry-free for generations.
But Mr. Baker also admitted to himself that he didn’t have Lily Evans’s boldness. He wouldn’t have dared to gamble his entire fortune on property in a place with such an uncertain future.
Looking at Lily Evans’s gentle yet shrewd eyes, Mr. Baker sighed. Some people are just destined to get rich—they’re simply different from ordinary folk.
Lily Evans smiled as she listened to Mr. Baker. She’d known all this for a long time, because every time she went to Tenmile Hill, people looking to rent homes and shops from her would act like lunatics—begging her desperately to lease them a place.
Back then, Lily Evans bought only the best-located shops and the nicest houses, so now she’s quite famous at Tenmile Hill. Everyone knows she owns all the prime properties there.
After several rounds of drinks, Mr. Baker, his face flushed, said, “Madam Lily, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Oh? Mr. Baker, don’t be so formal. You’ve helped me so much—I’ve been worrying I’d never get the chance to repay you,” Lily Evans replied.
Mr. Baker said, “Here’s the thing: I have a nephew who deals in books and paper. He wants to set up shop at Tenmile Hill, but he acted too late and all the good shops are gone. Madam Lily, do you have any shops left? Could you rent one to my nephew? To be honest, I plan to partner with him so we can earn a little nest egg together.”
“Sure, I still have two or three shops that aren’t rented out yet. Take your pick, Mr. Baker—they’re yours.” It was no trouble at all, so Lily Evans agreed on the spot.
Mr. Baker thanked her profusely. Being able to rent a shop from Lily Evans at Tenmile Hill, where shops were in such high demand, meant he’d never have to worry about his business again!
And because Lily Evans appreciated Mr. Baker’s constant support, she offered a very fair price—no price gouging—which made Mr. Baker even more grateful and eager to help her promote her specialty dishes.
Lily Evans and her husband enjoyed a lavish meal at Savory House, feeling extremely happy with their two thousand taels of silver. Meanwhile, May Parker was anxiously waiting for Benjamin Zhang at Greenfield Academy.
“Benjamin Evans, someone’s looking for you!” A young noble in the academy winked mischievously at Benjamin Evans. “It’s a young lady—oh, could it be your fiancée from the county magistrate’s family? But wait, I heard she’s a proper young lady. Why would she come alone to a place full of men?”
The young nobles burst into laughter.
Benjamin Evans’s face turned ashen, and he left the academy with his head down. When he saw May Parker, dressed flamboyantly, he immediately felt a headache coming on and turned to head back inside.
May Parker hurried after him and called out, “Benjamin Evans, stop right there! I have something to say to you!”
Benjamin Evans pretended not to hear her and quickened his pace, but May Parker was determined to catch up.
May Parker’s older brother, who was nearby, scolded her: “Why are you chasing after a man in broad daylight? Have you no shame?” The other young men jeered as well, but May Parker ignored them and continued her pursuit.