Amidst the gusting sandstorm, the horse carriage labored forward for thirty miles.
Inside, Qin Huai and Gou Jie struck up a conversation with a kind-hearted, wealthy woman. She introduced herself as Zhou Yunli, a native of Zhoushan county in Dongqing.
The county was renowned for its affluent mines, and her family, the Zhou family, owned the second-largest mine there. The Zhou family held significant influence in Zhoushan, with ancestral connections to the famous Zhou Layi of Zhou Mountain.
Gou Jie, clearly impressed, remarked, "Miss Zhou, your reputation precedes you. From a young age, you've been a force to be reckoned with in business. And now, you surprise us with your beauty."
Zhou Yunli responded with a modest smile, "Sir, you flatter me. My accomplishments are largely due to my father's support."
