I'm having some difficulties and need the help of my brothers and sisters.

Wangchun Pavilion!

It was the grandest restaurant in Huai'an City. Usually, it was bustling with carriages and horses, with an endless stream of guests, most of whom were the city's high officials and noble lords.

But right now, due to the impact of the war in Huai'an City, the owner, terrified of being implicated, had shut the doors of Wangchun Pavilion early.

At dusk on this particular day, a crowd suddenly surged to the entrance. They were all young men and women. Some were dressed in extraordinary luxury, while others were clearly putting on a brave front with their attire.

Yet, not a single one of them dressed plainly or elegantly.

They were all exceptionally flashy.

Upon arriving at the entrance, they completely ignored the fact that Wangchun Pavilion was closed. They began to knock on the doors, and some even tried to ram them open.

"Open the door! Can't you see customers are here?"

"We are all members of the Concentric Alliance. What are you waiting for? Open up!"

"Where is the boss? Get out here and open the door! This is a gathering of our Love Mutual Aid Alliance. If you delay us, the Concentric Alliance and Yunjing will not let you off the hook!"

"Hurry up, hurry up! What's taking so long?"

...

The waiter didn't dare to make a decision on his own and hurriedly relayed the message to the owner, causing the owner to instantly break out in a heavy sweat.

"Oh dear, how did we attract this bunch of ancestors?"

Arriving at the door, he opened it and patiently explained, "Dear customers, I am truly sorry. Our humble shop has been closed recently, so we haven't stocked up on ingredients. I didn't know you young masters and misses were coming. We really have no way to host you..."

Before the restaurant owner could even finish his sentence, the members of the Love Mutual Aid Alliance simply shoved past him. They swarmed into Wangchun Pavilion, sought out the largest private room, and immediately made themselves at home.

The owner pleaded bitterly, but these people paid him no mind. Once they were seated, the leader, Xu Qin, said coldly, "You need to take responsibility for your words."

"We are the Love Mutual Aid Alliance of Huai'an City. We are protected by the laws of Yunjing and are the core strength of the Concentric Alliance."

"We came here to dine, and you actually dare to try every possible means to stop us?"

"Let me ask you, how many heads do you have to lose?"

Her words were sharp and ruthless, terrifying the restaurant owner so much that he didn't dare say another word. He could only nod meekly and, with a bitter face, go find whatever ingredients he could to prepare a meal for this group of demanding ancestors.

After all...

He truly could not afford to offend the men and women pursuing love in the Concentric Alliance!

Especially... such a large group of them. A mob mentality made them even more untouchable.

Only then did Xu Qin's expression turn from anger to joy. She stood up and proclaimed loudly, "Brothers and sisters, thank you for accepting my invitation and arriving at Wangchun Pavilion so quickly."

"When I, Xu Qin, strike it rich in the future, I will absolutely not forget you."

Xu Qin clearly wanted to hide her plans, so she didn't mention them explicitly. However, her words were full of loopholes. Who among those present hadn't read extensively from the books of love and didn't treat the Concentric Alliance as their guiding light?

The clever ones had already quickly caught the underlying meaning.

Instantly, they began to speak up.

"Sister Xu Qin, it's so rare for you to treat us to a meal. Could it be that you have some good news to announce?"

"Wow, Xu Qin, choosing Wangchun Pavilion directly like this, I'm afraid the person you are going to marry must be quite extraordinary! Congratulations, Sister Xu Qin. You have finally found your own love. All the brothers and sisters in our alliance are happy for you."

"Sister Xu Qin, hurry, hurry! Tell us, what kind of heroic figure is your husband-to-be? Could he be a young master from some prestigious family?"

"Sister Xu Qin, I was almost in despair, but today, you have given me hope again!"

...

Sitting in the center as the host, Xu Qin's face glowed red as she was flattered by the members of Huai'an City's Love Mutual Aid Alliance.

Although she knew she couldn't speak of the matter just yet, she still couldn't hold back the wild joy in her heart.

A young master from which family?

Hah, they were underestimating her, Xu Qin, far too much!

When her beloved appeared, he would surely be riding on multicolored auspicious clouds, shocking the world.

She smiled and said, "Stop guessing blindly. In a few days, you will naturally know what is going on. But right now, I am facing some difficulties and need the help of my brothers and sisters."

"Brothers and sisters, you certainly won't refuse, right?"

The crowd immediately shouted in unison.

"We help each other. Naturally, we will give our full support."

"Sister Xu Qin, rest assured, we will definitely help."

"Xu Qin, just say the word."

...

Xu Qin said, "Right now, I need some money. I need all of you brothers and sisters to lend a helping hand."

"Not too much!"

"There are over a dozen of us here this time. Let's pool together a thousand taels first."

"Then we can have the brothers and sisters who didn't come pool together another few thousand taels for me. That should be about enough."

As her words fell, the previously noisy and boiling scene instantly became dead silent.

The brothers and sisters who had just been shouting about helping each other collectively lowered their heads.

For a moment, the silence in the private room was deafening.

Xu Qin was stunned.

Just as she was about to speak, a man around thirty years old suddenly stood up. "Brothers and sisters, Xu Qin is in trouble. How can we just stand by and watch?"

Xu Qin's eyes lit up.

She recognized this person as Young Master Qi. His family was the largest bookseller in Huai'an City. The books purchased by the men and women in their Love Mutual Aid Alliance basically all came from him.

With Young Master Qi taking the lead now, he could definitely get the other brothers and sisters to lend money together.

She heard Young Master Qi say, "I, surnamed Qi, am willing to lend to Miss Xu Qin first..."

Saying that, Young Master Qi held up one finger.

The men and women were instantly shocked.

"Young Master Qi is so generous! Is he going to give one hundred taels?"

"Impossible, Young Master Qi would give at least a thousand taels."

"Wow, no wonder Young Master Qi doesn't even spare a glance for the daughters of Huai'an City's high officials and nobles. He is so generous! I wonder what kind of outstanding woman could be worthy of Young Master Qi?"

...

Amidst the clamor, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Young Master Qi's face as he said, "Um, don't misunderstand, everyone. I'll pitch in one tael of silver!"

Xu Qin: "???"

She looked at Young Master Qi in disbelief.

Young Master Qi smiled awkwardly and said, "Xu Qin, you know how it is. My father keeps a tight leash on me. This is all I can take out."

Saying that, he avoided making eye contact with Xu Qin and instead encouraged the others, saying, "It's everyone else's turn. We share our blessings and our hardships. Everyone, pitch in what you can!"

Only then did the crowd reluctantly open their purses.

And when Xu Qin finally tallied up all the borrowed money, she found that it didn't even amount to five taels of silver. To put it more bluntly...

It wasn't even enough to cover the damn cost of this meal!

So, she had racked her brains to host a dinner and borrow money, but in the end, she had to pay out of her own pocket?

Anger immediately boiled and churned in her heart.

Looking at these people from the Love Mutual Aid Alliance, her displeasure reached its peak.

"Hmph, none of you helped me. After I marry Master Ma in the future, I will definitely show off in front of you and make you regret this!"

Just as she was fantasizing like this, the terrified yet fawning voice of the restaurant owner rang out at the entrance of Wangchun Pavilion.

"Oh my, military lords, please come inside, please come inside..."

Immediately after, a gruff and authoritative shout rang out.

"There's a woman named Xu Qin. Is she here?"

...