However, all investments and speculations carry risks.
She had to make things clear to Ma Xiuyuan: "Mr. Ma, although we all believe that grain prices will definitely rise, even a god can't be 100% certain about things that haven't happened yet. In case... in case something goes wrong, we have to be prepared to lose money. You should think it over in your mind these next few days, and only proceed if you really feel you can bear the risk of losing money. If you're hesitant and can't make up your mind, I advise you not to get involved in this mess."
Upon hearing her words, Matthew sat there motionless, frowning, pondering for a long time.
Finally, he slammed his hand on the table.
"Fine! If Han Niangzi, a woman, can have such courage, what else can't I risk? I'll follow you this time. If there are any risks, I'll take them myself and I'll never blame Han Niangzi."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, He Youyou didn't say anything more.
The two discussed the amount of investment, as well as details such as when to go to Jiangnan to finalize the contract.
After everything was discussed and agreed upon, Matthew smiled with a carefree air, as if he had accomplished something significant.
"Mrs. Han, I'm treating you to lunch today. Let's go to the biggest restaurant in town."
He Youyou readily agreed.
The two of them went out through the back door and got into Matthew's carriage.
There were hardly any people in the quiet alley behind the back gate, except for a woman in her forties or fifties sitting at the alley entrance, with a winnowing basket on her lap, basking in the sun and doing needlework.
The restaurant that Matthew brought her to was the most popular one in the city, Zuixianlou.
Upon entering the private room of Zuixianlou, He Youyou was shocked to find that the room's luxury exceeded her expectations.
The room was large, with a tea table and a wine table separated by a screen.
All the furniture in the room was inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Mother-of-pearl inlaid armchairs, mother-of-pearl inlaid flower and bird screens, and even the tables are covered with mother-of-pearl inlaid tea trays and mother-of-pearl inlaid food boxes.
Even in modern mass production, such craftsmanship would cost at least five figures for a single piece of furniture. Let alone the purely handcrafted, inefficient methods of ancient times.
Matthew ordered a table of food.
He Youyou hurriedly stopped him, saying, "I know you have money. We only need enough to eat. Ordering too much is a waste."
Matthew Yuan smiled approvingly and said, "Hey, Han Niangzi is really down-to-earth and doesn't care about these superficial things."
Finally, we ordered several of the restaurant's most famous signature dishes, a soup, and a pot of aged Qionghua Dew.
While eating, He Youyou chatted with him about her experiences at the border.
Ma Xiuyuan couldn't help but sigh, "Han Niangzi's trip to the border has broadened her horizons more than I, a man, have. I am truly ashamed."
Just as they were having a great time chatting, the waiter from the restaurant suddenly knocked on the door and came in, walking up to Ma Xiuyuan.
"Master Ma, someone is looking for you outside."
Matthew Yuan said impatiently, "Who's looking for me? Nobody else knows I'm here..."
Unexpectedly, the waiter looked furtive and kept glancing at He Youyou's face out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing his displeasure, Matthew's expression grew even more displeased.
"I'm asking you, who's looking for me? Tell me now!"
Seeing his impatience, the waiter stammered, "Master Ma, how about... we go outside to talk?"
He Youyou: Oh ho, something's up here.
She put down her chopsticks: "It seems like this is something I can't hear? Why don't you two talk here, and I'll leave?"
How could Matthew Yuan possibly stand this?
His face immediately darkened: "I have nothing to hide from Madam Han, so just say it here! If you keep nagging, I'll tell the manager that you didn't serve me well and he'll punish you severely."
Seeing his reaction, the waiter gritted his teeth and, no longer holding back, whispered, "That person has arrived."
Now that the alcohol was taking effect, Ma Xiuyuan's mind was not very clear, and he was unwilling to think. He pressed on, asking, "Which one?"
"The one you've been longing for."
He Youyou: It's gossip.
Upon hearing this, Matthew Yuan suddenly sobered up.
He paused for a moment, then turned to look at He Youyou, a bitter smile on his face.
Then he looked up and said to the waiter, "Bring her here."
The waiter was quick-witted; he gave him a wink and then looked at He Youyou: "Are you sure?"
Matthew stretched out his leg and lightly kicked him: "Hurry up and go, what are you babbling about!"
The waiter then left in a flash.
He Youyou rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head and looked at him: "Master Ma, is there a story?"
Ma Xiuyuan's face stiffened, and he gave a helpless bitter smile: "Sigh, everyone in the city already knows about this. I'm not afraid of being laughed at by Madam Han, so there's no need to hide it."
So he told He Youyou.
The girl who came was from a dyeing workshop.
The two have known each other since they were children.
Matthew was deeply in love with her. From the age of seven or eight, he began counting down the days, hoping to grow up and propose to her.
Unexpectedly, the girl didn't love the merchant's son, but instead fell for a poor scholar who studied hard.
He would often bring her food or make her clothes. Over time, their relationship blossomed naturally, and they developed feelings for each other.
Although the scholar was poor, he was quite talented and had a high chance of rising to prominence in the future, so his family did not object to the marriage.
When Matthew found out about this, he waited outside the girl's house for more than ten days and refused to leave.
His servants brought him tea and meals, and he even slept in the street at night, insisting that girls agree to marry him.
The whole city came to watch, crowding the entire street.
How could the Ma family afford to lose face like this?
In a fit of anger, the old man found several strong men to tie him up, carried him home, and locked him up for several months.
By the time he was released, the girl had already finished her wedding.
After listening, He Youyou looked him over and said, "So, you always dress up as a scholar and hang out with intellectuals because you want to become the kind of person she likes?"
Matthew Yuan was stunned.
He didn't actually...
I haven't thought deeply about why he turned out this way.
Looking back now, it seems... it really was from that time that I started to like the way scholars dressed, liked to mingle with scholars, and liked to ask about scholars.
He thought... it was because of Cheng Tingrui.
So... that's not it after all?
He just wanted to become the kind of person she liked?
However, he clearly felt that he had let go, and hadn't thought about her for a long time, nor had he made any special effort to inquire about her.
Footsteps sounded outside the room, and the waiter announced from outside the door, "Master Ma, the person has been brought to you."
The door creaked open, and a woman walked in.
She's a beauty.
He Youyou silently observed her.
Even with minimal makeup, a good natural appearance can make someone look beautiful.
His attire was very simple, with no valuable jewelry, and his clothes were clean old clothes.
The woman entered the room and timidly called out, "Master Ma."
Matthew looked somewhat flustered, as if he felt it was inappropriate to remain seated. He slowly stood up from his seat and stared blankly at her across the table.
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