Willows Cast Shade

By dusk, Wang Chen and Su Ziling had seen off their last customer.

After closing the door, the two exchanged knowing smiles.

By the customs of Thousand Stars Immortal City, a new shop only conducted business during the day on its opening day, with the evening reserved for tallying the accounts.

Su Ziling eagerly pulled out the ledger, which listed every transaction from the day.

The final total made the young girl beam. "My lord, we made five hundred and seventy-four thousand Spirit Stones today!"

Wang Chen could neither laugh nor cry. "How can that count as profit?"

Five hundred and seventy thousand Spirit Stones was merely turnover. Once costs, including rent, were factored in, they were still very far from breaking even—indeed, even selling every item in stock would not truly recoup their investment.

Still, recovering so much blood was a good thing. He rubbed the girl's head. "Not bad at all. I'll treat you to a feast tonight. What do you want to eat?"

Su Ziling pursed her lips in a smile. "I still want ice cream."

She had watched Wang Chen build the icebox used to make ice, witnessed the entire process of mixing and making ice cream, and had even been the first to taste it.

From that very first bite, Su Ziling had fallen in love with this sweet and delicious food!

Wang Chen laughed at her request and was just about to reply when the shop door was lightly knocked upon.

"Who is it?"

Su Ziling hurried over and opened the door.

An elderly man with a head full of white hair stood outside, leaning on a dragon-headed cane.

Su Ziling cried out, "Old District Chief, why have you come? Please, come in!"

This old man was the former district chief of this street.