Cheng Tingrui said with great certainty, "It's either Liaodong or Jinhai. These are the two places closest to Jizhou where that thing comes from. Moreover, there aren't many checkpoints along the official roads from these two places, so it's not easy to reveal our whereabouts."
He Youyou nodded with a look of appreciation: "That's right, it is Liaodong."
"He transported goods from Liaodong to Jizhou alone, showing courage. He also came up with a clever plan."
“There’s one more thing,” He Youyou added, “He was willing to risk his life like that because he has a seriously ill elderly mother at home who urgently needs medical treatment and medicine.”
"His filial piety is commendable, which shows that he is a person of upright character."
He Youyou smiled and said, "Then, Young Master Cheng, as the saying goes, 'He who gains the support of the people prospers.' Are you interested in such a talent?"
Cheng Tingrui cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Madam Han, for your discerning eye and for sharing this information with me. I would also appreciate it if you could tell me where this person is staying, as I will go and search for him myself."
"So how are you going to thank me?"
This question was both unexpected and anticipated by Cheng Tingrui.
This Mrs. Han seems incredibly cunning; her eagerness to help me must have ulterior motives.
"I, Cheng, can offer a generous reward."
"A lot of money?" He Youyou laughed again. "Do you have the money? Have you raised enough to build the caravan?"
Cheng Tingrui remained silent.
That day, He Youyou learned from Zhao Changqing what kind of vampires the Cheng family were.
Even if Cheng Tingrui earns hundreds of millions, he probably won't actually pocket much of it.
Moreover, he dared not touch the money in the Cheng family's accounts.
With over a thousand members of the Cheng family watching him and the family rules preventing it, if he were to withdraw even a single extra penny from the account, someone would immediately report it to the clan leader, and he would ultimately face the censure of the entire clan.
There might also be rumors and insults.
Cheng Tingrui had to admit that he was indeed short of money.
"So, how would Madam Han wish to express her gratitude?"
"I want to invest."
Cheng Tingrui's eyes flickered slightly: "How many shares does Madam Han want to invest?"
He Youyou took a sip of tea: "Invest 10,000 taels first as your start-up capital."
This is what angel investment for startups looks like.
“Alright.” Cheng Tingrui didn’t hesitate. “Then when does Madam intend to finalize the contract?”
He Youyou put down her teacup: "Let's talk about a few important issues first, such as the proportion of investment, profit distribution, debt assumption, and exit conditions. After we've settled these, we can then draw up a contract."
“That’s excellent, very safe,” Cheng Tingrui agreed.
"However, I need to spend time with my family watching the lanterns tonight, so we don't have time for a deep conversation. I'll give you Xiao Qianshan's address; you can contact him first. Tomorrow, wait for me at Qingxian Tea House, and I'll come to discuss this with you in detail."
"Very well, I, Cheng, await your arrival, Madam."
The bustling streets were teeming with people, men and women, young and old, all joyfully strolling and playing.
The pavilions on both sides are covered with all kinds of colorful lanterns.
More than a dozen lamp stands were erected on the street, displaying various huge lanterns.
Under the lamplight, two handsome men lingered by the roadside.
One was in his early twenties, and the other was in his teens.
It was Zhao Changqing and Han Wenzheng.
Han Wenzheng stopped in front of a stall, gazing intently at the various pieces of jewelry on display.
These pieces of jewelry are exquisitely crafted, each one inlaid with pearls and kingfisher feathers.
He looked at them one by one and took a liking to a set of silver jewelry inlaid with white jade.
Exquisite design and elegant colors.
I asked the price, but then put it down.
This set of jewelry is priced at twenty taels.
He doesn't have this much stuff on him today, not even all the clothes he has.
"Do you like this?" Zhao Changqing asked.
Han Wenzheng nodded.
"My mother wasn't wearing any jewelry, only a wooden hairpin. Although it's the mourning period and we shouldn't dress up, simple jewelry is still acceptable. I think this set of white jade and silver jewelry is very nice and suits her well, but unfortunately, I'm short of money today and can't buy it for her."
Zhao Changqing reached into his money bag, took out a twenty-tael silver ingot, and stuffed it into his hand: "Your filial piety is commendable. I'll pay for it."
"This..." Han Wenzheng held the silver ingot and waved his hands repeatedly, "Uncle, you mustn't."
Zhao Changqing knew he had concerns: "Then consider it a loan, and pay me back when you have the money."
Cheng Tingrui paid for the tea, and the two went downstairs together.
Upon exiting the inn, He Youyou froze in shock.
Zhao Changqing and Han Wenzheng were waiting for her at the door.
At this moment, Zhao Changqing saw He Youyou and Cheng Tingrui walking out hand in hand.
Both of them wore fox fur coats; the man was handsome and the woman was beautiful, making them a perfect match.
"Why are you still here?" He Youyou asked in surprise. "Didn't you say you were going shopping and admiring the lanterns?"
Han Zheng smiled and said, "Mother, we walked for a while, and we were afraid that we would go too far and you would not be able to find us, so we turned back to wait for you."
Cheng Tingrui, who was standing to the side, did not linger any longer and bid farewell to He Youyou: "Mrs. Han, see you tomorrow."
After saying this, he bowed to Zhao Changqing and left.
The white-clad figure gradually disappeared into the lamplight, vanishing without a trace.
Han Wenzheng took out a brocade box from his pocket: "Mother, I bought you a gift today. Please keep it and look at it when you get back to your room."
He Youyou smiled and patted his head: "Thank you, Ali."
Then he put the brocade box into his spatial storage.
The three of them walked down the street, enjoying the scenery along the way.
When she came across various snacks, He Youyou tried them one by one.
As Han Wenzheng had said before, he paid for the meal, using his own money to treat everyone, acting like a generous spender.
One minute I'll buy He Youyou a candied hawthorn, the next I'll buy her fried tofu.
He Youyou welcomes all who come.
The three of them ate as they walked, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
I came across a fortune teller's stall on the road.
A half-curtain was laid out on the stall, and a signboard was erected behind it.
Han Wenzheng was young and very curious. When he saw the words on the curtain, he read them aloud: "The Divine Physiognomist in Hemp Robes, sincerity brings results."
The slender-faced fortune teller called out to them, "Sir, lady and young master, why don't you all have your fortunes told?"
He Youyou looked at the sign on his stall—"Iron-Mouthed Predictions by Li Banxian"—and smiled maliciously.
“Hey Li Bansian, look what you’ve done to yourself, you’ve ruined your own reputation!” He Youyou pointed at Zhao Changqing. “We’re not related, and I don’t know this guy.”
After saying that, he walked forward while laughing and said, "Haha, these fortune tellers are all big swindlers, they can't even tell that the three of us are not family, so they are obviously not fortune tellers."
Zhao Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, remaining silent.
When there were large crowds, Zhao Changqing would grab one of their sleeves with each hand to prevent them from getting separated.
Following the surging crowd, we arrived at a bridge somewhere in the city.
There is an arched bridge opening under the bridge, and tall willow trees stand beside the bridge.
In the depths of winter, before any buds have sprouted, only branches as thin as copper wires remain, creating an extremely desolate scene.
"The moon on the fifteenth of the first lunar month is so round," He Youyou sighed.
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