Chapter 68
Ye Jia always felt like she was being tricked, but it wasn't a bad feeling. She hadn't met anyone who moved her in her previous life, so now that she met one, she decided to give it a try. Despite Zhou Jingchen's somewhat troublesome background, he actually had a very nice personality. Even in the future, he'd be considered easy to get along with. Most importantly, Yu Shi's personality was truly pleasant, and living with her was very comfortable.
While they were talking, Ajiu had already changed her clothes and rushed over. Ye Jia heard the noise outside, glanced at Zhou Jingchen, and got up to go out.
Ye Jia had already agreed to the marriage, so everything that happened afterwards would take its course.
Ye Jia asked Ajiu to sit down in the main hall and discuss the details of the trip to the Western Regions. For example, Ajiu would be away for at least three months, and a round trip would take at least half a year. How would the expenses for food, clothing, housing, and transportation be calculated? How would wages be calculated? Ajiu was going alone, so how would his wife and children be arranged?
"Sister, to be honest, if I were to go, Yuanniang and Xiaoqi and Xiaoba might need your care."
Ah Jiu knew better than anyone that he could travel freely now because Ye Jia looked after his family. To put it bluntly, his family of four ate and lived at Ye Jia's expense, and he was too embarrassed to ask for payment for this trip. "Sister, you've covered my food and lodging for this trip, which is more than enough. After all, a trip to the Western Regions is a rare opportunity for training, and it's a great way to broaden my horizons."
"That's not the case. This trip is going on in an unfamiliar place, so it's definitely not that simple."
Regardless of whether Ajiu was sincere or just trying to fool people, Ye Jia was happy to hear it. Although Ye Jia had never thought of asking them to repay her kindness, it did not mean that Ajiu could not appreciate it.
"Food and lodging should be provided, and wages should also be given. However, at the beginning of the business, there is definitely not that much money, so it can only be said that it is hard-earned money."
Ye Jia was also good at saying nice things, "After all, you have a family, so you must save some money for your family. I dare not ask for more, so I will just give you the salary of a Cheng family escort. You are not going alone this time, Lin Zeyu will also go with you. This kid is too weak, so you should teach him a lesson during the three months he follows you to the Western Regions."
Ajiu had no intention of asking for any reward for this trip, and he was overjoyed when Ye Jia offered to pay him.
In the final analysis, he was lucky. He married a gentle and considerate wife, had twins, and his wife's sisters were all kind people. Ajiu was somewhat touched, and without saying anything else, she only said one sentence to Ye Jia: "Don't worry, sister, I will be vigilant this time and will never let you down again."
The matter was settled, and Ajiu also had to prepare his luggage for the trip to the Western Regions in advance.
Ajiu was always on the move, so packing was as easy as eating and drinking. But since this was his first time in the Western Regions, he needed to consult experienced people about how to prepare and arrange the journey.
Ye Jia remembered that the son of Old Lady Wang, who lived next door in Wangjia Village, was a bodyguard, operating along the same trade route to the Western Regions. If all else failed, he could ask the Cheng family. Meanwhile, Fourth Sister Ye, worried about the Ye family's situation, had asked Ajiu to go to Libei Town to check on them. Seeing the weather was good, and not having yet agreed on a price for the soap with the Cheng family, Ye Jia decided to tag along.
"I'll go with you." Zhou Jingchen had been idle at home these days, and when he saw Ye Jia was about to go out, he followed her.
Ye Jia stood beside the mule cart, turning to look at him. He was dressed in a turquoise robe, deerskin boots, and a wolfskin cloak. His black hair was meticulously combed, half-tied with a mahogany hairpin... He looked quite elegant, and for a moment, he was speechless.
After a pause, she asked him in confusion, "...Why did you take out your new clothes for the New Year when you were just going out?"
Zhou Jingchen: “…”
Ajiu silently turned his head to the side and pretended not to hear.
Zhou Jingchen, with a stone-faced expression, suddenly reached out and pinched Ye Jia's cheek hard, causing her face to twitch and her eyes to widen. His expression, however, was gentle and mellow: "Since we're going out to discuss business, we naturally have to dress decently."
As he spoke, his eyes slanted towards Ye Jia: "Clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse. Businessmen always respect the clothes first and then the people."
Ye Jia thought about it and felt that it was true.
Nodding, she tried to climb up, holding onto the rafters with one hand. She found herself being held by the waist and gently lifted onto the train. Ye Jia looked back at him as her feet touched the floor. Zhou Jingchen, holding onto the carriage, lightly stepped up. Without further delay, she immediately bent over and sat down inside. Zhou Jingchen then sat down next to her.
Ajiu didn't come in. With Ajiu around, there was no need for Old Man Sun to drive the car.
He cracked his whip, and the mule cart began to move. Dongxiang Town was very close to Libei Town, and because the snow made travel difficult, it took them half the morning. They arrived in town at about 3:45 PM. Ah Jiu went to the Cheng family's door and knocked, and soon the gatekeeper came trotting over to lead the mule.
New Year's Eve was just a few days away, and the Cheng family's atmosphere was bustling. Many people, stranded by the snow and unable to travel, had settled down in the Cheng family compound. When they arrived, guests were still chatting in the front courtyard. Manager Zhang had been waiting for Ye Jia to arrive. The matter of Ah Jiu delivering the goods without discussing the price had been hanging in the air, and Manager Zhang felt like something was unresolved, weighing heavily on his mind.
As soon as he heard that Ye Jia and the others were coming, he hurriedly sent people to greet them.
It was a coincidence that Cheng Feng had been idle at home for almost half a month with nothing to do. Just as he was returning from hunting, he heard Manager Zhang say that Boss Ye was coming. Suddenly, an idea struck him: "Don't bother looking for him. I'll go and meet him."
After saying this, without waiting for Manager Zhang's reaction, he threw the bow in his hand to the ground and ran out.
Cheng Feng's pace was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, he was in the front yard. From a distance, he saw a slender woman in a red jacket and skirt dismounting from a mule cart. Just as he was about to call out "Jia'er," he saw the woman on the cart dive down. Like a butterfly fluttering its wings in the wind, she flew into someone's arms. Cheng Feng stopped three steps away, his heart suddenly sank into the ice and snow.
After the man helped Ye Jia stand steadily, he carefully brushed the hair stuck to her cheek behind her ear. The two of them turned around hand in hand, and Cheng Feng finally saw the man's face clearly. That glance was like a steel needle piercing Cheng Feng's heart.
In fact, he had met Zhou Jingchen once before in Wa City. Back then, Zhou Jingchen was dressed in rags and had a disability. Back then, Cheng Feng had never taken a poor exile like Zhou Jingchen seriously. But now it was different.
The man's face was as white as jade, his figure as graceful as a pine tree. His clothes weren't particularly expensive, but his every move was poetic and picturesque. Unfortunately, the Cheng family wasn't one to be out of touch with the world. Because of his thoughts, someone in the Cheng family had been keeping tabs on the Zhou family. Naturally, they were aware that Zhou Jingchen had transformed himself into the resident Sima, and was on the verge of rising higher.
Cheng Feng couldn't help but compare himself at this moment, and he looked Zhou Jingchen up and down.
In terms of looks, he certainly wasn't up to par. But since ancient times, men haven't needed to be overly handsome; overly handsome men are often fickle and unfaithful. A strong, capable man, one who can protect his wife and children, is paramount. With his mind made up, Cheng Feng walked over with his arms folded.
The two sides met face to face, and Cheng Feng smiled at Ye Jia: "Jiaer, long time no see."
Ye Jia: “…” I always feel that Cheng Feng’s way of calling people by nicknames is always awkward.
Ye Jia didn't know what to make of it. Zhou Jingchen, who was smiling beside her, slowly let go of his smile. His eyelids fluttered, and his dark jade-like pupils turned, slowly meeting Cheng Feng's provocative gaze. With that glance, his expression took on a cold, icy tone. "Second Master Cheng, please be careful with your words. Please don't offend my wife's name."
Cheng Feng sneered and immediately retorted, "Jia'er and I have known each other since childhood. We have an extraordinary bond. Sima Zhou, please don't be mean."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Ah Jiu had been standing in the back, silent, but now, hearing Cheng Feng's inappropriate words, his brows knitted together. He had dealt with Cheng Feng before. Back then, he had thought him to be generous, but now, he felt that it was out of place.
Zhou Jingchen's expression gradually turned unhappy, and his eyes gradually became sharp. A person hurried out from the Cheng family's gate. The people around Zhang Guanshi grabbed Cheng Feng, who was causing trouble, and dragged him aside. Zhang Guanshi immediately came up and bowed to Zhou Jingchen, saying politely: "I'm sorry, I didn't know Sima Zhou was coming. I've kept Madam Sima waiting for a long time. Please come in quickly. Please come in."
"Let's go." Ye Jia reached out and held Zhou Jingchen's wrist, interjecting, "Business is more important."
Zhou Jingchen, who rarely got angry, felt an indescribable rage swirling within him. He was so irritated by such a trivial provocation that he was actually angered. But he didn't argue. He glanced at Cheng Feng and followed Ye Jia into the Cheng residence.
The price of the scented soap was easy to negotiate. For the past two weeks, Manager Zhang's wife had taken a few samples sent by Ye Jia home to use. Manager Zhang's daughter praised them repeatedly, saying they made her look much fairer. Manager Zhang naturally took this to heart and now values Ye Jia's shipment even more. Because they were taking a commission, price negotiation was easy.
Manager Zhang did not hide anything and explained the situation of the fragrant soap trade in the Western Regions to Ye Jia.
After all, it was a collaboration; the higher the price, the higher their commission would naturally be. Manager Zhang also hoped that this batch of goods would sell well and achieve long-term development, so he specifically offered some advice.
"Based on the prices the Cheng family has paid for goods in the past, this piece of fragrant soap would be best priced at three taels and five qian of silver." Manager Zhang had been mulling over this matter for several days, rehearsing it several times in his mind. As he spoke, his eyes would occasionally glance at Zhou Jingchen. "Of course, this is just the beginning. If sales improve, the price can actually be adjusted upwards."
Ye Jia thought about it for a moment and decided it was feasible. But before speaking, he glanced at Zhou Jingchen.
Zhou Jingchen didn't know much about the prices of these items, but considering the cooperative relationship between the two parties, there was really no need for Manager Zhang to deliberately set up a trap to hinder them. Besides, Ajiu was going with them, so he couldn't hide anything. "Let's set this price."
It was easy to finalize the matter, and both parties cooperated in good faith.
When Manager Zhang saw the price was set, he was immediately delighted. It was a rare opportunity for Zhou Jingchen to come over, so as the host, he naturally had to entertain him. Just as Manager Zhang was about to invite them in, someone arrived from the main hall. The old man of the Cheng family came personally to entertain Zhou Jingchen and his wife. Ah Jiu had something else to do at Yejiazhuang, so he left first.
Zhou Jingchen and Ye Jia could not delay, so they naturally followed the old man of the Cheng family to the main hall.
They had just sat down when a man suddenly rushed in from outside. He was muscular and built like a mountain. Before Ye Jia could react, Zhou Jingchen, who was standing next to him, saw him and his smile faded.
Ye Jia noticed the change in his expression out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but look over curiously.
He saw a fierce-looking young man standing next to Old Master Cheng. Old Master Cheng pulled him over and introduced him to Zhou Jingchen, saying, "Sima Zhou, this is my useless eldest son, Cheng Yi."
Ye Jia blinked, a little confused: Cheng Yi, what's wrong?
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