Chapter 74: When the Second-Generation Nouveau Riche Meets the First-Generation Nouveau Riche

Having had enough to eat but not enough to drink, even Yan Wuxu, who disliked the "chimney taste," consumed nearly half a bottle. Su Ziceng also had some alcohol, and after being blown by the sea breeze, her face flushed with warmth, and her thoughts became increasingly active. "I need to stay tonight and talk with my mom," Yan Wuxu, standing next to Su Ziceng, said with a heavy voice, knowing that sooner or later she would have to discuss the breakup with Fei Qing. "Okay," Su Ziceng also had her own plans. Bringing Yan Wuxu along might be a bit awkward because the person she was going to meet was Sister Mu. After Yan Wuxu escorted her out of the Sixth District, she quickly disappeared under the night sky crisscrossed with countless wires. The lights in "Admiration" were not all out; above the shop, there was a small loft where Sister Mu usually lived. Upon seeing Su Ziceng, Sister Mu maintained her usual composure, but when she caught the scent of alcohol on Su Ziceng, her eyes gleamed with the thrill of finding prey. "What’s that smell on you?" Su Ziceng couldn’t help but smile wryly. Her favorite scent to wear in autumn was a certain orange blossom perfume from Jo Malone, and Sister Mu was definitely not asking about the fragrance of that perfume. The old tippler said, "I just had dinner by the sea and drank a bit." "It's not Mo City's liquor, nor is it ordinary medium-proof liquor." Sister Mu, sniffing like a cat that detected a mouse, circled around her. "The scent of whiskey." Sister Mu didn’t drink low-proof liquor and also disliked high-proof drinks like vodka and gin, which could get her drunk too easily. What she loved most was the feeling of being slightly tipsy and content after drinking. "Thought so," Su Ziceng chuckled, "This kind of liquor is the best to drink routinely. You can drink it all day without getting drunk, and it keeps you articulate enough to fool the customers." "Back in the day when I was on stage, I also liked to take a few sips. People even asked me which brand of blush I used because my skin looked so rosy," Sister Mu reminisced about the past, her tone becoming a bit lax. "What?" Su Ziceng seemed to hear a new term. Sister Mu, who had surrendered her daytime camouflage, was wearing a gemstone blue robe, loose-fitting as if draped over a model, exuding an indescribable charm. This was the first time Su Ziceng discovered another side of Sister Mu’s appeal. "It’s all in the past; why bring it up? I really am getting old, babbling nonsense." Sister Mu’s voice carried a tinge of melancholy. Su Ziceng was indeed here for the liquor tonight, and seeing that Sister Mu didn’t want to continue, she changed the subject. "Sister Mu, you must have spent a lot of money on these liquors, right?" Ever since the event of "Angel’s Broken Wings," in Su Ziceng’s eyes, Sister Mu’s stature went beyond that of just being a past employer. Designers are always temperamental, especially ones like Zimu who are talented yet reclusive. Her designs could rival those of top master designers. "Money can solve many things, and it’s not a problem. Liquor regulation is strict domestically, and I’ve cobbled mine together bit by bit," Sister Mu confessed, her heart aching slightly. The thought of her painstakingly collected fine liquors being gradually consumed over the years was something she found hard to let go of. "If I started a wine shop, would you come and support the business?" Su Ziceng segued into her main topic. Hearing about the wine shop, Sister Mu gave Su Ziceng a suspicious look. "You’re not thinking about taking over that failed tobacco and wine shop, are you? Its reputation is ruined; once people know it’s selling again, no one will dare to buy their booze." In Mo City, tobacco and wine shops were a dime a dozen, selling all kinds of liquor of varying quality. Without expertise, it would be hard to discern the intricacies. Su Ziceng, half a novice and still a student, would be taking too great a risk taking over such a shop. Sister Mu’s advice was in line with most people’s thoughts. Thus, Mo City’s largest tobacco and wine shop, facing closure, received no bidders even when it was liquidating at low prices. If that crooked owner were to declare bankruptcy and go to auction, it would likely be worthless. "I can ensure that I’ll profit and not lose." Su Ziceng finally gained the awareness of a person reborn. This was all thanks to Ms. Qian’s lesson early on, which truly woke her up. A woman must be independent, a woman should cultivate wealth, and a woman must learn the art of making money. The last part was Su Ziceng’s own addition. She recalled the life before her rebirth; it took her years to understand that Chang Chi not only monopolized her family’s business but also long coveted Hang Yishao. If things continued, she would end up being kicked out of the Su family home by Su Qingzhang.