The Villainess's Maternal Uncle 08

Fang Zhiyi, having lived through two lifetimes, immediately guessed Zhou Huaqiang’s suspicions.

"Heh, I only went there that one time."

Zhou Huaqiang was taken aback—this man was surprisingly candid. Did he already know what would happen?

Fang Zhiyi lowered his voice as well. "My niece ran away from home before and ended up in that kind of place. If I’d arrived any later, she would’ve… That day, while wandering the streets, I saw your sister wearing clothes that didn’t suit her at all. It reminded me of my niece, so I went in to take a look. Then I saw someone dragging her upstairs, and I couldn’t just stand by…" Fang Zhiyi scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Hearing this, Zhou Huaqiang glanced at his own sister and Fang Xiaoxiao, who were whispering together. They were around the same age, and his doubts were finally put to rest.

"I never thought something like that happened in your family too… This world… sigh."

But Fang Zhiyi abruptly changed the subject. "Why did your sister run away from home?"

"She made a pen pal," Zhou Huaqiang replied awkwardly.

"Kids are always so naive," Fang Zhiyi chuckled.

With Zhou Huaqiang’s help, all obstacles were cleared, though the representatives and compradors would take a cut of the profits. Fang Zhiyi didn’t mind, but afterward, he solemnly pulled Zhou Huaqiang aside and insisted on giving him an additional thirty percent share.

Zhou Huaqiang repeatedly refused, but under Fang Zhiyi’s firm insistence, he eventually signed the agreement.

"Old brother, you—ugh, what kind of arrangement is this?" Zhou Huaqiang grumbled.

Fang Zhiyi paid no heed. He knew all too well that business built solely on favors wouldn’t last. Only by binding interests together would they truly be on the same boat.

With everything settled, Fang Xiaoxiao spent a few days touring with Zhou Ling before they finally headed back. Zhou Huaqiang even arranged a car to take them to Jiang City.

When the three of them returned by automobile, word spread quickly through the streets—Fang Zhiyi had made it big!

Later, after obtaining Fang Xiaoxiao’s consent, Fang Zhiyi sold two shops under his name and liquidated many household items to raise funds, which he then invested in the south.

Truthfully, Fang Xiaoxiao hadn’t even thought about the shop, but Fang Zhiyi was adamant—it belonged to her, and no one, not even himself, could take it away.

Soon, Jiang City’s first Western pharmacy opened, and advertisements appeared in the newspapers.

"Cures all ailments!"

"Effective in one dose!"

Such claims instantly drew attention, and business at the pharmacy flourished.

At this time, three industries were the most profitable: textiles (which the Fu Family specialized in, requiring both skill and market access), opium (which Fang Zhiyi would never touch), and the newly popular Western medicine.

After a few shipments, Fang Zhiyi’s once-empty pockets quickly swelled.

The Fang household became one of Jiang City’s wealthiest families—specifically, Fang Zhiyi and Fang Xiaoxiao’s branch. When Fang Wenrui and Fang Baoguo heard the news, they were filled with regret. If only they hadn’t split the family, they’d have a share in this business too!

The most resentful was Gong Hui, the eldest sister-in-law. Already unhappy about the family division, she now completely lost her composure. Once able to maintain a facade of false kindness, she now spent her days yelling in the courtyard—scolding maids for carelessness, berating servants for laziness, even venting her anger at Fang Wenrui, who usually hid in his study. The only one spared her wrath was her precious son.

Fang Zhiyi had no time for them. Instead, he watched the sky.

Dark clouds loomed overhead. Given the absurd trajectory of events, rain would inevitably trigger some drama between the male and female leads.

Though he kept Fang Xiaoxiao busy managing accounts, ensuring she barely had time to breathe, fate had its own plans.

One day, a disheveled, arrogant man arrived at the Fang residence—now a much larger estate—demanding to see Fang Xiaoxiao. If anyone touched him, he’d collapse on the ground and refuse to move.

Unsure how to handle him, the servants sent for Fang Xiaoxiao.

"Xiaoxiao, I’ve been searching everywhere for you! I didn’t know you’d changed your surname. Weren’t you He Xiaoxiao? Now you’re Fang Xiaoxiao?" He Wenpei reached out to touch her face.

Fang Xiaoxiao dodged, recognizing the man as her biological father.

Seeing his daughter dressed in expensive clothing, He Wenpei grinned from ear to ear. "Quick, arrange a room for your father. From now on, I’ll live with you and help out."

Fang Xiaoxiao replied coldly, "I work for my uncle. I don’t need your help."

He Wenpei kept smiling. "Oh, I’ve heard all about it. Everyone knows—that hottest shop is yours, left to you by your grandmother. What’s yours is mine, isn’t it?"

Disgust flashed in Fang Xiaoxiao’s eyes. She had grown so much in this time, and she felt nothing but contempt for the man who had abandoned her mother and indirectly caused her death.

"My father died long ago!"

He Wenpei’s expression twisted. "Fine! You’re close with your uncle, huh? Well, just you wait! I know you’ve been in a brothel."

Fang Xiaoxiao’s heart turned to ice. What kind of father would say such a thing to his daughter?

She immediately had him thrown out.

Fang Zhiyi, who had been busy expanding his business by currying favor with military officers, returned home to hear the news from the gatekeeper. His eyes darkened.

"I always wondered—how did He Wenpei, who lived so far from Jiang City, find Xiaoxiao in the original plot?"

The system remained silent.

"I’m just asking a question. If you don’t answer, don’t expect any more points."

After a long pause, the system replied, "The female lead told him."

"Hah. Of course."

"Qin Lan saw He Wenpei while donating money. He mentioned his daughter had run away and his wife was dead. Feeling sorry for him, she offered to help find his daughter—only to discover it was Fang Xiaoxiao. By then, Qin Lan already resented her, so she revealed Fang Xiaoxiao’s whereabouts. That’s how He Wenpei showed up, leading to the incident where Fang Xiaoxiao killed her father and Gu Yongchen used it against her."

"So Qin Lan chose the same method this time." Fang Zhiyi’s gaze turned icy.

He wasn’t wrong. Fu Tingxiu, too, was a fool. After being rejected by Fang Xiaoxiao repeatedly, he became lovesick, which only deepened Qin Lan’s hatred. Seeing the girl who had once been beneath her now living like a phoenix, jealousy consumed Qin Lan. She even spread rumors about Fang Xiaoxiao’s past in the brothel.

The next day, heavy rain poured as Fang Xiaoxiao finished inventory and rode home in a car. Spotting a roast duck vendor along the way, she decided to buy one for Fang Zhiyi. But the moment she stepped out, she saw Fu Tingxiu and Qin Lan arguing in the rain.

The moment Fu Tingxiu spotted Fang Xiaoxiao, he rushed toward her without hesitation.