---
Three Months Later
Panel: A ledger book slowly closing.
Clack.
The numbers were final.
Salt.
Sugar.
Chili.
Prepared dishes.
Wholesale + Retail.
Hotels + Open market.
Total Net Profit: 3,800 Silver Coins.
For the Tian family, this number felt unreal—
like something that only existed in dreams.
Li Hua stared at the ledger for a long time, then spoke quietly:
> "We're back."
No cheers.
No laughter.
Li Tian simply nodded, his fingers resting on the closed book.
> "This is only the first line,"
he said calmly.
"Not the ending."
Panel: Li Tian's eyes—sharp, focused, already looking beyond today.
---
Manhua Turn — An Unexpected Visitor
Panel: Evening market. A luxurious palanquin stops in front of Tian Flavor Pavilion.
The crowd instinctively parted.
Silk curtains lifted.
A woman stepped down.
Silk dress.
Jade hairpin.
Every movement filled with grace.
Su Yan.
Li Tian's former fiancée.
The woman who had broken the engagement the moment the Tian family fell.
Her eyes scanned the shop.
The crowd.
The signboard.
Finally… she looked at him.
> "This shop…"
"…is it yours?"
Li Tian glanced at her—just once.
> "Are you here as a customer,"
he asked,
"or as a guest?"
Panel: Silence.
Su Yan's lips parted—
then closed again.
---
Silent Clash
She sat down.
A plate of chili dish was placed before her.
She hesitated… then took one bite.
Panel: Steam. Red oil. Her pupils shrinking.
Shock.
Heat.
Then—regret.
Her hand trembled slightly.
> "You've changed,"
she said softly.
Li Tian didn't look at her.
His voice was flat. Cold.
> "I haven't changed."
A pause.
> "The world changed its price."
Panel: Su Yan biting her lip, eyes lowering.
---
Unspoken Truth
> "Back then…"
Su Yan started.
Li Tian raised his hand.
> "There's no 'back then' in business,"
he said.
"And no refunds in life."
Her chest tightened.
She stood up.
> "I didn't know you'd reach this height,"
she whispered.
Li Tian finally met her eyes.
> "You didn't believe I could,"
he corrected.
Panel: Eye contact breaks.
---
End Panels
Panel 1: Ledger closing again.
Silver coins glisten under lamplight.
Panel 2: Su Yan returning to the palanquin.
The curtain falls.
Her heart feels heavier than the silk she wears.
Panel 3: Li Tian standing by the window, overlooking the market.
Lights.
Noise.
Life moving forward.
> "The past has already knocked,"
Li Tian thought.
"But the future…"
"…is already breaking the door."
---
To Be Continued…
---