Starting a business wasn't easy, even with both of them willing. Nevertheless, since Cheng Yinxiang decided to start a business, she planned to resign from her job. Cheng Yinxiang was worried about failing, so she decided to take on some freelance work every day. This way, she could earn two to three thousand yuan monthly, enough for living expenses.

Cheng Yinxiang went to write her resignation letter. Gu Qin sat on the sofa and read the information on Cui Hui. Cui Hui was the head of the Administration for Industry and Commerce's inspection group, not a high position but with some real power. Many people would be willing to befriend her. Cui Hui's husband was named Yu Feng, and their son was named Yu Jie. Yu Jie was the student who accused her of cheating during the final exams.

Gu Qin never imagined that the issue was related to the exam incident. She found it amusing that Yu Jie, at such a young age, could falsely accuse someone. Clearly, he had poor character, and his parents didn't educate him properly. Instead, they sought trouble with the person he accused, revealing that they weren't good parents.

Gu Qin felt that this was a minor issue. If Yu Jie apologized, the matter should be resolved. But now, because of this incident, Cui Hui was retaliating against Cheng Yinxiang, which was despicable. If their family had power and influence, the Yu family wouldn't dare treat them like this. It was simply because they were poor and vulnerable.

After sitting on the sofa for a while, Cheng Yinxiang finished writing her resignation letter and saw her daughter still sitting there. She smiled and asked, "Qin Qin, is something bothering you?"

"No, Mom," Gu Qin replied with a smile. "What would you like for dinner tonight? Mom, I want to eat the salted shrimp you make. Let's go to the market and buy some ingredients together. You can teach me how to cook. Mom, your cooking is delicious, but mine is terrible."

Gu Qin's cooking was not terrible, just average. Cheng Yinxiang's cooking was truly excellent, with color, aroma, and taste. Some talents were innate, and no matter how much one learned, it wouldn't change. Gu Qin was not particularly skilled at cooking. She followed Cheng Yinxiang's instructions each time, but the results were never quite right.

Cheng Yinxiang laughed, "Alright, Qin Qin, let's go to the market together and cook together."

For her daughter's cooking skills, Cheng Yinxiang didn't demand much. As long as she could cook, that was good enough. If her daughter could find a man who loved and cherished her, not making her cook, Cheng Yinxiang would be even more relieved. However, she still believed that women should learn some things.

They went to the market together, and Cheng Yinxiang bought a lot of ingredients. After returning home, Gu Qin helped and prepared a full table of dishes.

When Gu Jia came back home around dinnertime, seeing so many dishes, he couldn't help but smile and ask, "Mom, is it a special occasion? Why are there so many dishes?"

"Go wash your hands first," Cheng Yinxiang smiled. "I have something to tell you at dinner."

Gu Jia washed his hands and sat down at the table. Cheng Yinxiang said with a smile, "Today, Qin Qin and I made a decision. I plan to quit my job and start a business."

Gu Jia laughed, "That's great. Mom, whatever you decide, I support you. But why do you suddenly want to start a business? Did you have any specific ideas?"

"Not yet. I just wanted to tell you two first. I need to do some market research before deciding." Cheng Yinxiang was also worried since she had never run a business before. Even if she wanted to do well, she needed to investigate first.

Gu Qin didn't plan to reveal their plans of starting a business immediately. They would start with small businesses, and it would be inconvenient to bother others.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

After dinner, the Gu family went to review their lessons. Gu Qin knocked on Gu Jia's door, and Gu Jia said, "Qin Qin? Come in."

Gu Qin entered, and Gu Jia was busy flipping through materials and solving problems. Without looking up, he asked, "Qin Qin, what's up?"

Gu Qin said, "Brother, have you thought about using the winter break to improve your physical fitness?"

Gu Jia finally looked up, "Why are you asking me this, Qin Qin?"

Gu Qin rubbed her nose, "Master taught me a method, but it's very hard. It can improve a person's constitution. You're eighteen or nineteen now, although it's late, but if you stick to it, the results will be noticeable."

Actually, if possible, Gu Qin would also like to improve Cheng Yinxiang's constitution, but she was too old for this method. Only dietary therapy would work, such as eating foods rich in primordial energy, like honey. Speaking of honey, almost all of it was consumed. Gu Qin planned to get a beehive when the weather warmed up.

"Qin Qin, is this true?" Gu Jia pushed aside his book and decided to hear her out.

Gu Qin said, "I'm just asking for your opinion first. If you're willing, we can try. But I'm telling you upfront, you must stick to it. One hour of jogging in the morning won't work. You need at least four hours of exercise daily, including weight training. It will be exhausting, Brother. Can you handle it? Forget it, think it over. If you think you can, come find me. Besides this summer, if you're busy during the semester, you must do at least three hours of exercise daily. And once you start, you must continue for two years. It will be long, but improving your constitution will bring many benefits."

Improving the constitution indeed brought many benefits. Not only in terms of martial arts, but lifespan would increase by decades. However, the younger, the better the effect.

Gu Jia thought for a moment, "Alright, give me a day to consider it."

He was afraid he wouldn't be able to stick with it. Even one hour of jogging in the morning left him exhausted. But since starting to jog, he felt much better and more relaxed.

Gu Qin nodded. If her brother didn't want to, she wouldn't force him. Returning to her room, Gu Qin thought about Cui Hui. Knowing she was Yu Jie's mother, Gu Qin certainly wouldn't let her off easily. Because of her son's mistake, she used her power to retaliate against Cheng Yinxiang.

She believed that Cui Hui's plot to frame Cheng Yinxiang had further implications. It wasn't just about the current situation. If the scheme succeeded and no evidence was found, Cheng Yinxiang would become a public figure smeared for misappropriation of public funds and false accusations. Rumors would spread, and her reputation would be ruined. So, Cui Hui's retaliation was ultimately aimed at her.

Since Cui Hui enjoyed abusing her power, Gu Qin intended to stop her from doing so. For now, she didn't plan to use feng shui to deal with Cui Hui. She would start with legal means. People with power and a tendency to abuse it usually had some skeletons in their closet. With evidence, she could report them directly.

So, she still needed to approach Manager Liu. Cui Hui's instructions to Manager Liu were a major taboo for a public servant. If she could get Cui Hui to admit it, she wouldn't need to find other evidence to make her suffer.

With modern technology, she didn't need to intervene. If she could convince Manager Liu to call Cui Hui and record the conversation, implicating her in the scheme, it would be easier to handle.

So, she still needed to visit Manager Liu. If possible, she really didn't want to.

After finishing her homework, Gu Qin watched TV and planned to sleep at nine. Just as she entered her room, her phone rang. She knew it was Qin Xiansheng. These days, he always messaged her before bedtime. Recently, she had been in a bad mood, so she didn't chat much, just saying goodnight and going to bed. He never insisted on chatting.

Qin Xiansheng: "Are you feeling better?"

Gu Qin: "Much better. Mr. Qin, are you busy during the day? It seems you always message me right before I go to bed."

Qin Xiansheng: "I came back for some matters, which are now resolved. I have nothing to do during the day. I was worried about you, so I messaged you right before you went to sleep. You seemed down the last couple of days. Did something happen at home?"

Gu Qin: "Yes, but it's resolved. I just feel that people with power and influence can bully ordinary people. So, I want to become powerful or at least wealthy."

Qin Xiansheng couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "A renowned geomancer like yourself, bullied? That doesn't seem right."

Gu Qin: "Of course, I have no reputation now. Being bullied is normal. But I believe in following laws and regulations. If something can't be resolved legally, I'll handle it myself."

Qin Xiansheng: "That's understandable. It's a legal world, but don't worry too much. There are many cases of bullying and lawlessness. So, even if you use geomancy against them, you shouldn't feel guilty because you're right. I believe Ah Qin wouldn't misuse geomancy and that you have your own sense of justice. So, Ah Qin, don't worry. Whatever you do, I'll support you."

Gu Qin felt a bit comforted, "Thank you, Mr. Qin, for your encouragement. I feel much better now. By the way, how's your injury?"

Qin Xiansheng: "It's already healed. Don't worry about it. Go to sleep early. You're still young. Don't tire yourself out during the winter break. Relax a bit. Good night."

Gu Qin: "Good night."

Qin Xiansheng: "Good night."

Gu Qin turned off her phone and went to sleep. She fell asleep quickly, usually within a few minutes. But if there was noise, she would wake up instantly.

The next morning, she went to Daitian Mountain. She hardly rode her bicycle anymore and instead ran to Daitian Mountain with a ten-kilogram sandbag. Her martial arts skills weren't yet top-notch, mainly due to lack of training. She started with a five-kilogram sandbag and now carried ten kilograms, planning to gradually increase the load. Running to Daitian Mountain allowed her to train and cultivate simultaneously.

She returned at nine o'clock precisely. Cheng Yinxiang had submitted her resignation letter to the company. Gu Jia had officially finished his tutoring classes today. In half a month, the New Year would arrive. This was Gu Qin's first New Year here.

When she returned, Gu Jia had already finished his morning run. He had been running for some time and wasn't too tired, though he still sweated. He was wiping his hair with a towel when he heard Gu Qin return and said, "Qin Qin, I've thought about it. I want to try the method you mentioned. Four hours sounds tough, but I'll push through."