That day, after Yan Wan and Jing Xi discussed some important matters about opening a hot pot restaurant, on their way back to the Prime Minister's residence, they passed by a brokerage firm. They noticed that the firm was noisy and looked up to see Li Guang being disciplined by the firm's owner with a whip.
Yan Wan was taken aback. Why was he here so early? Wasn't he a character who would only appear later in the story? It was truly surprising that a man from the Kingdom of One Month had appeared in the Kingdom of Yin.
Although Yan Wan had never met Li Guang, his heterochromatic eyes were so striking that she could tell his identity at a glance.
"Guyu, go and buy that man," Yan Wan gestured for Guyu to go and buy Li Guang.
"Yes, Miss." Gu Yu curtsied, went into the brokerage firm, negotiated with the owner, paid the money, and led Li Guang out.
“Miss, I have brought the man here, but I haven’t received his indenture yet. I’ll go get it from the broker now.”
"Okay, Guyu, go get it." Yan Wan nodded in agreement.
After Gu Yu left, Yan Wan and Li Guang sized each other up, neither speaking first. Yan Wan looked at Li Guang, who was dressed in rags and covered in wounds. It seemed that this business prodigy, who had grown rapidly during the war between Yin, Yue, and Meng, had single-handedly established Wuxin Pavilion and then started doing business in the three kingdoms. His business grew bigger and bigger, and the name of Wuxin Pavilion became more and more famous in the three kingdoms. Even the emperors of the three kingdoms had to give him some face. He had actually appeared in Yin so early.
“Even if you have my indenture, I will not be controlled by you.” Li Guang said in a hoarse voice, looking at the delicate woman in front of him.
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to control you. I'm just about to open a shop and want you to be the manager so you can run the business for me."
"Hmph, I won't do it. Give me the indenture, and I'll pay you back the money to redeem me when I make money in the future," Li Guang said fiercely, frowning, seemingly trying to scare the young girl in front of him away.
"How do I know if you're lying to me? What if I gave you the indenture and you run away without returning my money?" Yan Wan retorted without fear of his words.
"Hey, young lady, I'm not that kind of person," Li Guang said anxiously, trying to defend himself.
"50 taels."
"What?"
"The monthly salary of the shopkeeper."
"No, young lady, I still have brothers to support, I really can't be the shopkeeper." Seeing that Yan Wan was determined, Li Guang had no choice but to tell the truth.
"80 taels."
"I really can't, you see..."
100 taels
"Hello, boss."
Li Guang thought to himself, "Brothers, it's not that I don't want you, it's just that she has given me too much."
"You have brothers?" Yan Wan asked in surprise, as the book did not mention that Li Guang had brothers.
“They’re not blood brothers, they’re sworn brothers,” Li Guang said respectfully to his God of Wealth.
"Yes, once you find them, you can hire suitable people to work in the store," Yan Wan said reassuringly.
Once his brothers start working at the hot pot restaurant, Li Guang will likely be easier to manage.
"Thank you, Miss." Li Guang bowed and thanked her, his head lowered so his expression was unreadable, but he must have thought of this as well.
Yan Wan gave a soft "hmm" and stopped talking. In any case, she had given Li Guang the choice, and it was up to him to decide how to choose.
"Oh, by the way, once you become the manager, I need your help to train someone," Yan Wan said again.
"I will follow Miss's instructions."
——
Inside the private room.
"Guyu, go and ask Uncle Li to come up here," Yan Wan said to Guyu, who had composed herself.
"Yes, Miss." Gu Yu replied and walked out the door.
Knock knock knock
A knock on the door interrupted Yan Wan's thoughts.
"Come in."
"Greetings, Miss." Li Guang greeted Yan Wan as he entered the room.
"Uncle Li, please sit down."
“Yes, Miss,” Li Guang said, looking at the woman in front of him with a slight frown.
"I wonder what business you have with me, Miss?" Li Guang was puzzled. They had just spoken to each other, so why was she asking him to speak again?
"Uncle Li, after I bought you from the brokerage, I asked you to help train someone, do you remember?" Yan Wan asked bluntly.
"Remember."
"Yes, Guyu, come in." Guyu pushed open the door and entered.
"Uncle Li, the person I need your help to train is Gu Yu."
Li Guang looked up in surprise, his face full of doubt, seemingly not understanding why he would train a maid to do business. Was it to supervise him? Or was there some other purpose?
Yan Wan noticed Li Guang's confusion but did not explain. She continued, "Uncle Li, please take good care of this girl in the future."
"Yes, Miss, this old servant will do his utmost." Li Guang suppressed his doubts and replied. He had traveled all over the country for many years and had seen a lot. Any means or schemes would be exposed in front of him. This was the first time he felt that he could not see through the young girl in front of him.
"Guyu, why don't you pay your respects to your teacher?"
"Yes, this servant greets Manager Li. I will be grateful for your help in the days to come."
"Yes, Miss Guyu, you're welcome."
"Uncle Li, from today onwards, Gu Yu will stay at Yan Ji Hotpot to learn. Please make the arrangements for her," Yan Wan said politely.
"Yes, Miss, this old servant will make the arrangements immediately." Li Guang replied and turned to leave.
“Miss, should I keep an eye on Li for you…” Gu Yu asked tentatively.
"Guyu, remember, you're only here to learn business; don't think about anything else," Yan Wan said, pointing out.
"Yes, Miss, I understand."
"Guyu, study hard. If you do well, I'll reward you with a shop, a shop that belongs only to you," Yan Wan said encouragingly, looking at the worried little girl in front of her.
"Thank you, Miss. After I learn the skills, can I not keep the shop? I want to stay by your side," Gu Yu said softly.
"Alright, silly girl, but the shop is your reward, so you'll still get it," Yan Wan said with a smile.
"Thank you, Miss. You are the best lady in the world."
"Silly girl."
The two, mistress and servant, played and joked around like sisters.
Looking at Gu Yu, who couldn't contain her joy, Yan Wan finally felt relieved. She hoped that after the war started, Li Guang would take into account his relationship with Gu Yu as her master and disciple, and protect Gu Yu so that she would have someone to rely on.
He gave her the shop so that Gu Yu would have a house to shelter her from the wind and rain in the future. He sent her to learn business so that Gu Yu would have the ability to protect herself.
Even if I am no longer here, Gu Yu will be able to be independent and strong, live happily and freely for herself, no longer be restricted, and have a good ending.
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