"Hey, what year is this? How come people still use such outdated ways to flirt? The person who said it doesn't think it's tacky, but I'm getting impatient listening to it."
The young man realized he had been misunderstood, scratched the back of his head, and explained:
"You've misunderstood. I wasn't trying to flirt with you. I genuinely felt that you looked familiar, like I'd seen you somewhere before, so I asked you. If this has caused any misunderstanding, I apologize."
Yunling also took a serious look at the young man, but no matter how she looked at him, she couldn't recall ever seeing him before; she shouldn't know him.
“I once transported goods from Qingcheng to Yuecheng Wharf by water, and since you are from the Meng family business, we might have met once at the wharf.”
The young man was quite pleased that Yunling hadn't blamed him, but instead had helped him save face, so he answered Yunling's questions quite sincerely.
"The current situation is turbulent. The fall of three cities has put our Yuecheng in grave danger. The people in the city are thinking that they can make a quick buck in this business to save up some travel expenses for their escape."
"So that's how it is. So many people have fled to Yuecheng?"
"This is neither a lot nor a little, but the climate in Yuecheng is really not suitable for outsiders to settle down. Therefore, many people are just transiting through, which indirectly helps those people to make a profit by overcharging tourists."
The young man had noticed that Wen Siqing had written in his letter that he was temporarily residing in Yuecheng, and since Yunling was with Wen Siqing, it seemed she was also planning to settle in Yuecheng. He continued, "..."
"If you want to buy some cheap and affordable things, you have to go to some towns and villages. For example, since winter is coming soon, these thick quilts and mattresses can be bought from the Zhao family in Xiaguan Town. The Zhao family's quilts and mattresses are all handmade, thick and durable."
"If you want to buy some warm clothes, go to Chengxin Clothing Shop in Xiaguan Town. However, in Yuecheng, you don't need too many warm clothes. One or two pieces are enough. You won't be able to wear more than that."
"As for those who want to buy meat, vegetables, seasonings, cooking utensils, or furniture, they can try their luck in the north of the county town. People go to the market on the first and fifteenth of each month and can find many good things there."
Yunling was very grateful for the young man's honest advice. Now that things were out in the open, she might as well ask him whatever she wanted to know.
"Thank you very much for your help, sir. But is there a carriage like this in the city? Or is there a crafts district in the city?"
"Do you have any requirements for the carriages? Our trading company does have about ten carriage planks, which were brought over from Qingcheng. In the end, the ship couldn't fit them, so they were left at our trading company. If you are interested, you are welcome to take a look."
"What a coincidence! We'll have to ask you to show us around, young master."
The young man smiled and was about to welcome Yunling and the others inside. Yun Erzhuang and the others thought that since Yunling wanted to buy a carriage, they could take their carriage back later, thus saving fifteen coins for the fare.
But their little scheme was destined to fail. After Yun Ling and her group of four passed through, the young man stopped the people who came later and said without any politeness:
"Outsiders are not welcome inside. Please leave."
“What outsiders? We’re with them. Why can they come in but we can’t? Ling’er, tell him quickly.”
Yunling and Yun Erzhuang had little time to begin with, so there was no real affection between them. Now that she heard his shouts, she pretended not to hear them and continued walking forward on her own.
The final result was that Yun Erzhuang and his group were once again kicked out of the Meng family business.
"Pah, that snobbish bastard, what a piece of trash. Once Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu reply, we'll definitely give him a good slap."
"That Ling-jie is really something. How can she be so biased towards outsiders? She doesn't even help her own family. It's outrageous. Looking at her attitude, you'd really think she's become the big boss."
"Since she's actually done business, I don't think we should offend her right now. When Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu send us their letters, we'll have to beg her for travel expenses when we go to Jiangnan. Even if we have to offend her, we should ask for the money first."
"Yes, yes, that makes sense. Getting the money is the most important thing."
Yunling was unaware that someone had tricked her out of her money. Her mind was completely focused on the wooden board in front of her. Although the board was covered in dust, it looked extremely elegant thanks to the exquisite carvings.
Without thinking twice, Yunling took down the boards from both carriages.
Because the young man had a good impression of Yunling and also considered the relationship between Wen Siqing and Boss Meng, he casually accepted fifty coins and let it go.
The four thanked him again and left the shop. They worked together to put the planks on. While they were doing so, they caught a faint smell of meat buns. Following the smell, they found a woman selling buns in front of her house in a small alley.
When they asked the price, it was two coins each, so they immediately bought twelve. After eating their fill, they went to the Zhao family in Xiaguan Town to buy sixteen thick quilts.
Thanks to the villagers' concerted efforts, the outer outline of the Yun and Fan families' houses, as well as the layout of the rooms inside, have been completed. Only some soft furnishings, beds, and furniture remain. Old Man Yun and Old Man Fan are currently leading people to weave bamboo strips so that the bedding can be laid out on the beds and everyone can have a good night's sleep.
After leaving the Zhao family's house, there were food stalls along the roadside. The four of them were finally able to eat fresh meat wontons, which they hadn't had in a long time. They were extremely satisfied. After eating and drinking their fill, they bought all the steamed buns and sesame cakes from the surrounding stalls so they could save on a meal if they took them home.
**
The four acres of land that Wen Siqing had signed for were immediately given to Yun Ruoxia, and then Yun Ruoxia gave them to Yun Ling while she was sleeping that night.
"Ling-jie, this is probably a hot potato."
"Just throw it away, then it won't be so hot to handle, right?"
Yun Ruoxia jumped up, puzzled.
"This isn't what you wanted. Now that you've finally gotten it, you want to throw it away again?"
Yun Ling pulled Yun Ruoxia down, inviting her to lie down with her, and said:
“We are still entangled with the eldest son’s family, and since we live on the mountain, it’s inevitable that those bad guys will take advantage of us. I’m thinking that these four acres of land are adjacent to Uncle Ma’s land. I think we should offer some more money to exchange them with him.”
"He's willing to trade? This villager values his land more than his own life."
"Aunt, 99% of the problems in this world can be solved with money, but the remaining 1% require even more money."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
