Chapter 32  Xia Fenghua the Tigress, Time Inn

Xia Fenghua really had high hopes for Bai Zimo.

Over the years, Bai Zimo had already proven the value of his ideas. And seven years could change a lot. Back then, he was a poor boy without parents, living with his grandma. Now, he had completely turned things around.

In a way, he was the richest person in the Flower Street neighborhood—and a self-made one at that!

“Spit it out.”

“Three months. Does that include washing socks?”

“Nope!”

“Hey, I have a washing machine at home!”

“Fine, socks included. I’ll wash them, happy?”

“I think your dad could keep running boats!”

“Zimo, are you trying to mess with me?”

“Three months. Does that include underwear?”

“You trying to die or what… Ow! You little brat, let go! Fenghua, are you a tigress or something?!”

Xia Fenghua suddenly lunged forward, pounced on Bai Zimo, and bit down on his shoulder.

“Well, you provoked me first.”

“Alright, alright, let me get serious. I’m planning to find a partner and launch a river cruise B&B business.”

“Tourism?”

“Exactly. The canal used to be valuable for shipping, but that’s not the case anymore. However, with the economic boom in East China, its cultural and tourism value is on the rise.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Not you—your dad. The tide of the times crashes against everyone on the shore.”

“What about Uncle Xie?”

“Your dad just tags along and has no ideas of his own. Uncle Xie is different—he has his own thoughts and convictions.”

“Hey, don’t talk about my dad like that.”

“Well, he’s not my dad. And I’m not wrong.”

Xia Fenghua giggled. “That might not be true.”

“What do you mean not true? Your dad’s a pushover.”

“That’s not what I meant… bleh! When Dad gets back, I’ll talk to him.”

_____

Bai Zimo’s Time Inn—It had been seven years of continuous expansion!

Thanks to the fishing system. There was always a chance of reeling in something good. So in these seven years—He had managed to acquire twelve riverside courtyard houses.

Bai Zimo simply followed the same model—Renovating each into a Time Inn. He even registered a chain hospitality company under the name Time Inn.

And trademarks like “Time Travel Hostel,” “Canal Tales,” “Canal B&B,” and more!

All twelve inns were located along the Grand Canal’s banks. Heading south, they stretched as far as Yuhang; going north, they reached Jining.

Any farther north, though… canal navigation wasn’t very feasible. Bai Zimo’s grandma had her doubts in the early years. After all, it didn’t make sense that all these nice riverside properties were cheaply acquired.

Especially since they were spread across different regions—Different provinces, even different cities. Her grandson kept producing courtyard houses out of nowhere!

Even as his grandma, she found it hard not to be suspicious. Later, Bai Zimo explained he had found antiques and sold them to wealthy collectors—that was how he bought the properties. And since he was always fishing or diving in the canal…

Finding treasures underwater didn’t seem impossible.

Still, you never knew who something fished up from the river originally belonged to.

So Granny Lin stopped asking. She devoted herself to helping run his business. Even though the company hired staff, the Flower Street inn was still under her care.

The Bai family was now financially free. Granny Lin also brought in Granny Ma as a business partner. In addition to providing breakfast for the B&B—The two elderly women opened a snack shop together and even hired two young workers. But they still worried about idling away their days, always keeping busy.

______

Flower Street Courtyard!

The first house on the left—Bai family home!

“Zimo, Zimo!”

“Hey, Grandma, Granny Ma!”

The two families still shared meals, just like in the old days. And their bond made life all the more enjoyable.

“Where’s Siyi?”

“She should be changing clothes in her room. We just went swimming in the river.”

“It was noisy by the shore earlier—what happened?”

“The fifth boatman jumped into the river out of guilt. His fate is still unknown.”

“Oh…”

The two grandmas looked at each other in horror. The fifth boatman was one of the canal kids they’d watched grow up. In that moment, they thought of their own sons—the pain never truly faded.

Bai Zimo noticed Granny Ma’s pale face and trembling lips and knew something was wrong. He quickly pulled over a chair for her.

“Granny Ma, sit down! Don’t dwell on it too much—what’s past is past!”

“Yes, yes, take care of your health. Even if not for yourself, do it for Siyi.”

Of all of them, Granny Ma had suffered the most. It was hard enough for an elderly woman to earn money. And the death of her son… the grief never left her.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just getting old and useless. Zimo, go get Siyi for dinner.”

______

Meanwhile!

Xia Fenghua had relayed Bai Zimo’s idea to her mom.

“You’re saying Zimo found a way for your dad to retire, while still doing what he loves—running boats?”

“Exactly!”

“But why?”

“What do you mean why? I negotiated with three loads of laundry!”

“No big deal! Didn’t you always say you’d marry Bai Zimo when you grew up?”

“Mom… why’d you bring that up now?” Xia Fenghua blushed furiously.

“Now you’re shy? You weren’t shy back then—everyone in the courtyard knew. No, everyone along the Grand Canal’s Flower Street section knew!”

Xia Fenghua covered her face.

How many embarrassing things did I do when I was younger…