The next day.
As dawn broke, Chen Xian's door was gently pushed open.
"Mr. Chen, it's almost done."
Chen Xian looked at the old man in tattered clothes and chuckled softly, "Alright, uncle, go to the back and change into some clean clothes. Let's invite the people of the city to enjoy a great show."
Chen Xian is waiting for an opportunity.
After breakfast.
Uncle Fu laughed and said, "Brother, it's not good for you to keep living in the cloth shop. It's not a proper house. I have a vacant house nearby. It's not big, but it has two courtyards and five rooms. What do you think?"
Chen Xian: "How much is it?"
"Why would I need money? I'm just idling around anyway."
"Not suitable."
In the end, Uncle Fu charged Chen Xian one hundred taels. Chen Xian knew the market price; near the bustling city center, on South Street, many cloth shops that sold two-tiered cloth sets cost at least two hundred taels.
Uncle Fu is a kind and honest man.
The price was: "Brother Chen, hurry up and write your new book. The forum over there has been a huge uproar for a while now. They're saying they're going to find out your address and send you some knives, machetes, and stuff like that..."
"It'll be here soon! It'll be here soon!"
Actually, not a single word has been written yet.
Will the new book also include a story from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio?
Before long, a familiar voice came over.
"Father! Father! Father!"
Then, Chen Dazhu and Chen Erzhu came over.
Chen Xian was taken aback: "Why are you here?"
Dazhu chuckled: "Isn't this Saturday? Mr. Zhou said we should rest. Did Dad forget?"
Chen Xian suddenly remembered something and whispered, "Perfect timing, you're here. Dazhu and Erzhu, I have a task for you. You go to the cloth shop on West Street and keep a close watch on the third young master of the Gu family; you go to the Gu residence and keep a close watch on the second young master of the Gu family."
He took out loose silver coins.
Each person got a handful.
Erzhu didn't expect that he would be given a mission as soon as he arrived; it sounded quite exciting.
Erzhu said earnestly, "Dad, you've been busy with business lately and haven't had time to come home. Is it all because you care about the family?"
"Yes. Mostly."
"Dazhu, your task might be a bit complicated. Gu San might have to go out from time to time..."
"Erzhu, your task might be a bit simpler. Gu Er is under house arrest by his father, and I don't know if he dares to run away now. He's easy to recognize; there aren't many young people in the Gu family, and he's dressed in fine clothes."
"I understand, Father. Consider this a test for us."
Chen Xian: "Counting the days, another month has passed. Gu Er has been confined to his home, it's time for him to come out and get some fresh air."
Of course, this was just a casual move by Chen Xian; he wasn't sure if Gu Er would actually come out of the courtyard.
The day passed quickly.
In the evening, Chen Xian took the two of them to the nearby night market for a stroll, and then they went to Baiweilou Restaurant for dinner.
Manager Jiang couldn't help but complain as soon as he saw him.
"Boss Chen, I was almost scared to death by you and Boss Fu."
Those followers were really weird; they insisted on eating the most strongly flavored roast chicken.
It was sprinkled with chili powder.
Afterwards, I even tried to get information out of them. Those men who didn't manage to get any meat or vegetables were alright; they just ate steamed buns and didn't suffer in their stomachs. But the rest of them were in a terrible state.
I heard that he didn't use it for an hour that night; his anus almost ruptured, it hurt, it stung... He went to the toilet more than ten times, but he just couldn't poop.
From what Chen Xian heard, those people had eaten all the meat and vegetables that were almost entirely covered in chili peppers!
After a long pause, he uttered two words: "Awesome!"
Anyone who frequently eats chili peppers knows that they shouldn't be eaten in large quantities at once, especially for people with hemorrhoids who sit for long periods.
That taste was very sour and refreshing.
Manager Jiang said with a strange look, "Damn it, that's the problem. They seem to like this flavor; they keep ordering it lately..."
Chen Xian was speechless: "Warrior!"
Finally, a friendly suggestion was made: "Why not just soak the meat in chili oil? It'll be more flavorful. Choose the spiciest setting; these people like that flavor, don't they..."
Ideally, when they're tasting it, I'd suggest pairing it with a very spicy drink; the flavor will be even sweeter...
Tell them that this combination will taste better.
Manager Jiang listened to Chen Xian's words and fell into deep thought. He had tasted that kind of chili before, and one bite felt like seeing his elderly parents waving to him...
Damn it, what grudges or resentments? I've seen plenty of people with saintly hearts and compassionate hearts, but a living devil is truly a rare find.
Erzhu asked doubtfully, "Father, from what you're saying, these noble family followers aren't good people."
Dazhu chuckled and said, "Dad, we stayed here all day. Gu San doesn't go out often; he just stayed at the cloth shop watching over the store."
Chen Xian ordered a table full of food. "Looks like you two will be wasting your time these next two days. Let's eat first."
The two boys' eyes lit up when they saw the table full of food.
...
Near the small square in the city, a literary seminar was organized at some point.
They made it a great success.
The topics ranged from serious Confucian classics on the imperial examination system to popular folk tales.
The content is very rich.
The conversation gradually drifted to the ghost stories that had recently become very popular in the city, including the tales of a beautiful woman and Lu Pan.
There was a hint of accusation in it.
The scholars who came to offer their comments were all highly respected.
[Xu Jiaoyu: "This author is just an old scoundrel who's used to writing about romance and love affairs. First of all, 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is filled with lust and has absolutely no substance!"]
Professor Yang of the Prefectural School: "This writer's work is full of lewdness and flaunts erotic language. If an adult man reads it, it's fine, but if a young person reads it, it will simply poison their mind and body."
I really can't understand how such a chaotic storybook could circulate in the city for months..."
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