Chapter Nineteen: The Proprietor of Xike Tower

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Li Pinghua angrily tossed the bag onto the ground, but feeling the soreness all over her body, she gritted her teeth and finally agreed to rest for a day. There was still some flour and oil left at home. Liang Yunqing dragged her weary body to the kitchen, directing Li Pinghua to make some dough-drop soup. Some wild vegetables mixed with the dough drops created a thick soup that looked appetizing. The few of them sat in the courtyard eating, and as night deepened, they returned to their rooms to rest. Liang Yunqing savored this brief moment of leisure; even lying on the worn quilt was not as uncomfortable as before. She had a good night’s sleep and didn’t get up until almost noon the next day.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, Li Pinghua’s urgent voice reached her ears. “Hurry, hurry, we still need to buy some things and see if the manager from the Joyful Guesthouse has arrived.” She urged Liang Zhiyan, who was packing the bags. Seeing Liang Yunqing had gotten up, she quickly called out, “Come on, Yunqing, we have a lot to do today.” Liang Yunqing was curious about how her second aunt could have so much energy; wasn’t she tired? But indeed, there was business to attend to today. After tidying up, the group hurried to the village entrance and boarded a horse carriage, this time accompanied only by Liang Zhiyan and Li Pinghua.

As soon as they reached the town, they spotted a figure standing where the stalls were usually set up, looking around. “Second Aunt, you two go shopping,” Li Pinghua said awkwardly upon seeing the figure. “Yunqing, why don’t I come with you to negotiate? So you, a young girl, won’t be fooled.” “Second Aunt, stop overthinking,” Liang Yunqing shot her a cold glance. Was she really afraid of her being tricked? No, she just didn’t want her to hide the price set by the Joyful Guesthouse owner and come along. “Your second aunt means well,” Liang Zhiyan said soothingly from the side. Liang Yunqing glanced at them a few times, then turned away, leaving only this remark: “If only you could be less scheming, the family could still live like this.” Li Pinghua didn’t say anything more but gave Liang Zhiyan’s arm a sharp punch, scolding, “What are you looking at? Hurry up and buy the things.”

Liang Yunqing approached Manager Yang, and just by the smile plastered on his face, she knew the Joyful Guesthouse owner had agreed. The speed was surprising; it was less than a day to confirm. “Apologies for the informal welcome, Miss Liang.” “Long time no see, Manager Yang.” The two exchanged smiles as Yang lifted his hand, pointing to the carriage path behind him. “Would Miss Liang be convenient to come with me to the Joyful Guesthouse to discuss?” Liang Yunqing frowned. “Manager Yang, can’t we just talk here?”

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Knowing she was cautious, Manager Yang quickly explained, “Miss Liang, our owner wants to meet you personally. As for the supply and recipe matters, it still requires you to negotiate with the owner.” “Just today?” The pace seemed off. In the novels she had read before, the female lead usually established her business first, then gradually met people with backgrounds. How was it that after just two days of setting up a stall, she was meeting the owner? “Yes, Miss Liang. To be honest, our owner is very eager to know the secret ingredient in the steamed dumplings, so they want to meet you.” “Alright then,” Liang Yunqing agreed and followed Manager Yang into a sedan chair.

The sedan chair was small inside, furnished with cotton cushions and a small square table. Liang Yunqing was genuinely tempted; once she earned enough silver, she was determined to buy a sedan chair. She had taken enough rides in the horse carriage. “Here, Miss Liang, have some tea.” Manager Yang poured a cup of hot tea and handed it over. Liang Yunqing didn’t drink it; she just rotated the cup in her hand and then set it down. She had to stay vigilant. This novel world’s plot had already collapsed; even if an Ultraman appeared now, she wouldn’t be too surprised. The heroine had no luck at all; a little caution couldn’t hurt. Besides, that useless system only gave missions and was utterly unreliable.

[Host, why do you always scold me secretly?]

I’m happy to.

[...]

Manager Yang chatted with her pleasantly. The comfortable sedan chair soon arrived at the county town. As the coachman pulled back the curtain, Liang Yunqing looked up and saw an exquisitely crafted gate of a building. “Miss Liang, please follow me.” Manager Yang stepped down first. A girl resembling a maid respectfully extended her hand into the sedan chair, her voice crisp, “Miss, please.” Liang Yunqing glanced at her but didn’t take her hand. Instead, she lightly jumped down from the sedan chair. “The owner is inside.” Following Manager Yang, Liang Yunqing took in the whole appearance of the restaurant: red lacquered tiles, carved corridors, three floors in total, yet impressively spacious.

The first floor was filled with guests dressed finely, mostly in silk garments. Even the maids and servants standing nearby wore mostly cotton clothes. Several servers bustled between tables, the brown lacquered tables enhancing the restaurant’s elegance. Liang Yunqing couldn’t help but marvel at the vast difference between the county town and the small town; it was like two entirely different social classes. Manager Yang led her through a side door to the top floor. The height isolated them from the downstairs noise, making the entire third floor unusually quiet. Only a few maids stood in the corridor with heads bowed.

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“Manager Yang, your owner is quite mysterious.” Hearing this, Manager Yang smiled ambiguously. Soon, they arrived at a pair of pearwood double doors. Two maids stood at the entrance, holding trays with uniquely shaped incense burners. “Owner, the person you wanted to see has arrived,” Manager Yang bowed deeply at the door, his tone humble. After a moment of silence, a deep voice came from inside, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Liang Yunqing peered inside curiously. Manager Yang gently pushed her forward from behind. “Whoa!” Liang Yunqing stumbled two steps and stepped into the room, which was quickly shut behind her. The room was elegantly decorated. On the desk lay a long, pale reed-colored blanket, and a beautifully crafted huanghuali rosewood chair was occupied by a person dressed in black. Their long hair was tied high, secured by a dark gold hairpin. A prominent nose cast a large shadow, their head lowered, making Liang Yunqing somewhat puzzled.

“Are you the owner of the Joyful Guesthouse?” The person at the desk shifted slightly, and only then did Liang Yunqing notice an abacus resting on the blanket. Were they just doing accounts? But why no answer? How annoying when people act mysterious. Crossing her arms, Liang Yunqing bluntly asked, “Did you lose your vocal cords?”

The abacus stopped clicking. The figure slowly stood up, their tall frame nearly blocking Liang Yunqing completely. The deep voice sounded again. “Make your offer.” “Huh?” The question wasn’t about what was said but why the voice sounded strange. Though deep, it wasn’t a man’s voice. “I said, make your offer.” Once those words left her mouth, Liang Yunqing was certain—the tall figure was a woman. Driven by curiosity, she stepped closer.

The room wasn’t very bright; only up close could she see the woman’s face clearly: determined, slightly arched eyebrows, somewhat gaunt cheeks. Without careful listening, it would have been hard to tell she was female. Liang Yunqing gasped quietly at the striking androgynous beauty. “Miss Liang, are you unwilling to cooperate?”