Chapter 14: Testing Si Yao's eyes to see what's hidden...
In the private room on the second floor, Si Yao heard Boss Hu's voice coming in before he saw anyone.
"Master, how come you have time to come here? What masterpiece have you come up with?"
She spoke with a smile, squinted her eyes and pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing Si Yao is like seeing a living God of Wealth.
To be honest, Si Yao is indeed her living god of wealth.
If it weren't for her, her Hu Ji calligraphy and painting shop would never have been revived and has now become the signature shop of their Qinghe County.
——Because their shop has the paintings and calligraphy of Moshang Jushi. They are the only one of their kind.
Boss Hu's smile grew ever wider, practically bursting out. "Boss, have you created a new landscape painting this time? Your previous painting, 'Fishing Alone on a River Boat,' has already been collected by the county magistrate. What new paintings have you created this time?"
She was rubbing her hands in anticipation and couldn't help but admire it.
Si Yao put down the tea in his hand and said in a flat voice: "I came here for other things. The Autumn Examination is coming soon, so I won't be producing any more paintings for the time being."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Boss Hu's face froze.
He quickly regained his composure, "Of course I should. The Autumn Examination is naturally more important. But even though I can't publish my paintings, why don't you publish some calligraphy first? The last edition of 'Yunzhou Chronicles' was very popular with the students. It sold out long ago."
"Can."
Si Yaosong nodded.
When he caught sight of the bundle in her hand, his gaze paused: "What are you holding in your hand?"
"Ah, this—"
Boss Hu finally remembered, put the bundle on the table and became happy again.
"This is a young man's thing. This little gadget is very exquisite and novel. Perhaps it can become a new business opportunity. The boss, please take a look at it."
As she spoke, she immediately opened the bag and took out the things inside.
"Master, look, this is a peach kernel carving. Isn't it new and exquisite? Although it is made from peach kernels, this technique is rare."
Boss Hu started talking non-stop, "If we could take this little thing to Yunzhou or the capital to sell, it would definitely please the nobles. What do you think, Big Boss? Do you think this thing could make money?"
Si Yao's expression changed slightly when she took it out.
After she finished speaking, she calmly asked, "What does the man who came to sell this item look like? How old is he?"
No wonder she felt familiar.
She had seen it in Fang Zhiyue's room.
"What's wrong? Big boss."
Boss Hu asked, confused, "Do you know this gentleman?"
Although she was puzzled, she still answered honestly, "That young man looked to be about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, dressed in a cloth shirt, with thin hands and feet, and timid eyes and eyebrows. He looked like he was easy to bully."
If not for this, the waiter at Qianji's shop would not dare to bully him.
After hearing what she said, Si Yao's eyes seemed to be filled with ink.
After a long pause, he finally said, "I'll take this. Tell him that Hu Ji is willing to sign a contract with him, but from now on, the walnut carvings he carves can only be sold at Hu Ji. Remember, give him a bigger profit."
Hearing this, Boss Hu was a little surprised.
Although she felt that this little gadget had business potential, it was ultimately just a businessman's intuition.
But from what the boss said, he wants to buy out the walnut carving completely.
In other words, no matter whether this product sells well or not, they will close Hu Ji’s shop.
Although Boss Hu can't say that he knows Si Yao very well.
But I also know that she is a cold person at heart, and sometimes even a little unkind.
Judging from her actions, it seems that the man below is someone she knows.
She thought about it in her heart and decided not to fall out with Si Yao over this matter.
Boss Hu agreed without hesitation, "I'll go down and discuss the contract with this gentleman in a moment. What do you think is a suitable discount? Ninety-one, eighty-two?"
"You can decide on this matter."
Si Yao let her decide and only reminded her: "Don't show any clues. Although I let you treat him well, you can't let the shop lose money."
"Okay."
Boss Hu understood instantly.
This means that while preferential treatment is necessary, it should not be excessive. The right balance must be struck.
*
Fang Zhiyue sat on the first floor for half an incense stick of time.
Finally, I saw Boss Hu coming down from the second floor.
He immediately stood up and looked at her nervously: "Boss, can you accept this walnut carving?"
"Collect, must collect."
Boss Hu looked at him enthusiastically and asked him to sit down on the chair. "Our boss and I have both seen it and think your walnut carving is very novel. Our Hu's shop is willing to sign a contract with you. In the future, you can bring all your walnut carvings here."
"real?"
Fang Zhiyue couldn't believe it.
I didn't expect it to go so smoothly.
Not only did he accept it this time, he was even willing to sign a contract with him.
"The shopkeeper is not lying to me, right?"
"I, Old Hu, am a businessman, and I believe in honesty and integrity above all else. If you agree, we can sign the contract immediately."
Boss Hu immediately called the waiter and asked her to prepare pen and ink.
Soon two new deeds came out.
"If this contract is signed, the walnut carvings you've carved can no longer be sold to anyone else. They'll only be sold by us, Hu Ji. Of course, I, Old Hu, won't let you suffer any loss. If this walnut carving is sold, you'll take 70% and I'll take 30%. I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation."
"Seventy percent is too much. I am very grateful to the shopkeeper for accepting my walnut carving."
Fang Zhiyue felt a little frightened.
“No, no, no—”
Boss Hu shook his head. "Seventy percent is yours. Not everyone can carve this kind of walnut. No one can match your skill. If you can make a name for yourself in the future, we will earn even more. Thirty percent is enough for me."
"Can……"
Fang Zhiyue was still a little hesitant.
"Don't refuse, my dear."
Boss Hu made a prompt decision and put his fingerprint on the deed.
He smiled at Fang Zhiyue and said, "If you really feel bad about it, then please carve the words 'Hu Ji' on this walnut carving so that people can know where it came from."
"Of course."
Fang Zhiyue immediately nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Boss Hu was so straightforward, he didn't refuse anymore and took the deed and pressed his fingerprint on it.
Each of them kept a copy.
Boss Hu took out three more walnut carvings from his bag and said, "This one looks incomplete. Could there be more than three?"
"This is a set of ten. I haven't carved the rest yet."
Fang Zhiyue felt a little embarrassed.
"I see."
Boss Hu nodded. "Could it be that you prepared this for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
Fang Zhiyue pursed his lips and smiled, "I do have this plan. If Boss Hu doesn't need it urgently, I will continue to carve it."
"Okay, then let's do as you wish."
Boss Hu readily agreed, "Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I hope you can produce a few more sets. I'll be waiting for your good news."
"good."
After the two of them agreed, Fang Zhiyue quickly said goodbye and left.
After he left, Si Yao came down from the second floor.
"Master, the contract is done."
Boss Hu asked her to look at the deed in his hand.
Si Yao took a quick glance and quickly looked away.
"Just keep the deed."
After throwing down a sentence, he also walked out.
*
Fang Zhiyue didn't expect to meet Si Yao on the street.
I was really surprised when I saw her.
"Sister Yao, why are you here? Is the academy closed today?"
He stood there in a daze.
"Today, there's a banquet at the government office. The county magistrate is inviting students taking the Autumn Examination. Why are you here? What's going on?"
Si Yao's dark eyes fell on him.
Fang Zhiyue always felt that there was something hidden inside.
It's like testing something.
Without giving it much thought, he told her about the deed.
“…I didn’t expect that the walnut carvings I carved could be sold. I thought that only Brother Liu would be willing to buy them, and no one else would be interested in them.”
I saw him mention the Chen family husband again.
Si Yao felt a little unhappy.
But seeing that he was so well-behaved and willing to tell her about the deed, Si Yao's mood was not too bad.
"My father's craftsmanship is excellent, and others will naturally appreciate it. It seems that our family will still rely on him for support in the future."
She called him suddenly.
Fang Zhiyue was caught off guard and was startled.
After all, usually, she would call him like this when she was unhappy.
Fang Zhiyue carefully observed her expression and saw that she didn't seem angry.
Only then did I feel relieved.
Then she felt happy again and couldn't help smiling, revealing dimples on both sides of her face.
"Sister Yao, just focus on your studies. I'll take care of all the household matters."
I saw him puff out his chest slightly, looking a little proud.
Si Yao smiled, though not too noticeably: "I should be back home for a few days, and then I'll leave for Yunzhou."
"good…"
Fang Zhiyue nodded, "Then I'll wait for you at home."
The two talked for a while and then quickly separated.
Si Yao sent him to Aunt Zhang and then rushed to the government office.
Mu Tong waved to her immediately when he saw her, "Why are you so late? The banquet is about to start."
"Hurry, hurry, let's go in quickly——"
She pulled Si Yao and walked quickly inside.
In the backyard of the government office, many students were already sitting inside.
Mu Tong took a quick look and soon found the people from their Yunlu Academy. He pulled Si Yao and walked over.
The two of them just sat down.
The county magistrate walked in with a group of officials.
She was accompanied by a handsome young man, which attracted the attention of the students present.
Mu Tong leaned close to Si Yao's ear and whispered, "I didn't expect our county magistrate would actually bring his precious son here. Could this banquet have another purpose? Ostensibly it's for the students' practice, but is it actually to arrange a marriage for this young master?"
"Hey, Junior Sister, who do you think the County Magistrate will take a fancy to?"
Si Yao ignored her and didn't care about what she said.
Seeing that Mu Tong was about to continue speaking.
She reminded him, "Pay attention to your image, Senior Sister. Don't embarrass the teacher."
Mu Tong: “…”
He sat up straight.
In front, the county magistrate and a group of officials quickly took their seats.
The little boy also sat down next to the county magistrate.
The waiters came in one after another and served the wine and food.
The county magistrate picked up his wine glass, slowly stood up, faced the students and said, "Let's begin the banquet!"
The sound of stringed instruments and wind instruments rang out slowly.
The county magistrate's face was filled with smiles. "The Autumn Examination is approaching. I wish all the students success in the exams and bring honor to our Qinghe County. Today, there's no limit on the drinks, so everyone should enjoy themselves."
She finished her words.
The students sitting around echoed this.
It was a scene where both the host and the guests were happy.
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