Chapter 80 - 080 What a Coincidence
Chapter 80: Chapter 080: What a Coincidence
Chapter 80 -080: What a Coincidence
The result was beyond Bai Ruozhu’s expectation.
Not only did Fang Guizhi complete the task, but she also exceeded it.
When she’d proposed selling four pieces per tael of silver, she was somewhat worried that Fang Guizhi might have trouble making the sale.
But to undersell them didn’t seem worthwhile either.
It would be better to keep them for personal consumption or as gifts.
Unexpectedly, Fang Guizhi returned gleefully with ten taels of silver, saying, as if a child seeking praise for finished homework: “Ruozhu, Ruozhu, I sold two pieces for one tael of silver.
Am I amazing or what?”
Catching the slight lift of her chin, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t resist giving her a playful tweak on the nose, saying: “Very well done.
I didn’t realize our Guizhi has such a knack for doing business.”
This compliment seemed to fluster Fang Guizhi a bit.
With blushing cheeks, she admitted, “Well, I didn’t really do anything special.
The boss just noticed that the fish was of excellent quality, particularly clean, flavorful but not too salty.
He recognized it as a rare top-grade product.”
“That’s one discerning shopkeeper!
Who was he?” Bai Ruozhu curiously inquired.
Fang Guizhi shook her head: “I don’t know.
I initially intended to sell it to the restaurant owner, but the shopkeeper wouldn’t even give me the time of day.
Then a gentleman sitting at one of the tables called me over and offered me this price.”
Speaking of it made her eyes sparkle brightly.
“That gentleman was a really nice man.
He didn’t take advantage of my age or try to haggle the price down.
He didn’t seem like one of the locals though, looked to be in his thirties.”
Upon saying this, she suddenly recalled, “Oh, a man at his table was wearing a carved wooden mask, which seemed quite odd.
But he also tasted the dried fish and commented on its excellent flavor.”
A wooden mask?
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but twitch at her lips.
Was it the “Painted Immortal” again?
Fine, he did save her once, and now he got to taste her dried fish.
Fate seemed to have a sense of humor.
Just the thought of that cold, yet sarcastically witty man made her teeth itch.
If he hadn’t embarrassed her publicly after saving her by saying that she should only undertake what was within her capability, nearly making her cough up blood from indignation, and then faced naggings from her parents for days afterwards, particularly her mother who kept using his words as a cautionary tale…
Noticing Bai Ruozhu’s expression, Fang Guizhi curiously asked, “What is it?
Do you know that gentleman, Ruozhu?”
Bai Ruozhu shook her head, “I don’t know him.
It’s just a reminder of a man who once saved me…
who was wearing a carved wooden mask.”
“Oh?” Fang Guizhi was intrigued, “What’s the story there?
You never mentioned it to me.”
“The villagers only know that I risked my life to save the Zhang Family’s daughter, but not that I was the one in danger.
A man wearing a mask saved me.” Bai Ruozhu recounted the events of that day, not mentioning that she had previously encountered the “Painted Immortal”.
She remembered his warning well.
But she couldn’t quite understand why he would choose to hide his identity only after revealing himself to her.
If he never cared about keeping a low profile, why bother with the wooden mask later?
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Who cares if he wears a mask or even underwear on his face?
Why was she stressing over his perceptions?
Yet, Fang Guizhi, her eyes shining brightly, laughingly interjected: “So, it’s a hero saves beauty story, huh?
What was the maiden’s response?”
Bai Ruozhu gave her an exasperated look, tapped her head lightly and said: “It’s more of a hero saves pregnant woman story, isn’t it?
What is a pregnant woman supposed to do?
Force him to be the godfather of the baby in her belly?”
“Well, that’s an interesting idea.” Fang Guizhi covered her head with her hands, but her face didn’t show any sign of pain.
Instead, she laughed mischievously.
Seriously, she’s too imaginative.
Bai Ruozhu decided to ignore this whimsical girl’s thoughts.
In the end, she handed two taels of silver to Fang Guizhi, saying, “This silver is yours.”
Fang Guizhi’s eyes widened.
“Why so much?
Ruozhu, I value our relationship, but I can’t always be one taking advantage of you.”
“I had originally planned to sell the fish for five taels.
You sold it for ten.
I’m sharing just two with you, I thought you’d find it too little.” Bai Ruozhu chuckled as she stuffed the silver into Fang Guizhi’s hand.
Fang Guizhi quickly waved her off.
“No way would I think that.
I’m not that greedy.
It’s just, receiving so much makes me feel uncomfortable.”
“Take it.
You’ve earned it.
Think of this as your own spending money for the future,” Bai Ruozhu said.
In the end, after much thought, Fang Guizhi handed the silver back to Bai Ruozhu.
“Ruozhu, I’m not trying to be formal with you, but I can’t keep the silver.
If I do, my mother will end up taking it in just a few days.”
Bai Ruozhu pondered for a moment and agreed to hold onto the silver for Fang Guizhi.
Having made a tidy profit, the two friends were in high spirits and decided to take a stroll in the village.
Lin Ping felt reassured that Bai Ruozhu would be accompanied by Fang Guizhi, so she didn’t object.
“Speaking of which, how come your mother doesn’t press you to work these days and lets you go out for such long periods?” Bai Ruozhu asked curiously.
“I’m not sure.
I think she’s busy arranging a marriage for my brother.
She hasn’t had the time to scold me as usual.” Fang Guizhi was delighted at the prospect of a hassle-free life.
Bai Ruozhu lowered her head, lost in thought for a moment, but continued to engage Fang Guizhi in other topics.
She must be overthinking things again.
They walked around the village for a while, not straying too far from the Bai Family’s home.
Before long, they saw a young girl in mismatched flower-print clothing waving at them.
Bai Ruozhu recognized her as Zhou Dehai’s daughter, Zhou Taohua.
Did the news come from Zhou Dehai’s end?
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow.
She had explicitly asked Zhou Dehai to keep it confidential.
He wouldn’t have revealed it to his daughter, surely?
It wasn’t that Bai Ruozhu distrusted Zhou Taohua; the fewer people that knew about it, the better.
“Sister Ruozhu, you look so energetic!
It must be a boy in your belly!” Zhou Taohua shouted from afar and then scampered toward them.
Zhou Dehai was trusted and well-respected in the surrounding villages for his eloquence and interpersonal skills.
Being frequently invited for meals and receiving generous commissions ensured that his family led a comfortable life.
They pampered their daughter, Zhou Taohua, who was well-nourished.
Her skin was smooth, and her hair, black and glossy.
Not like those underfed village girls with dull, brittle hair, who were often mockingly referred to as “yellow-hair maids”.
In addition, Zhou Taohua was tall for her age.
At 15, she was already displaying a charming maturity.
Her dress was lovely.
At first, Bai Ruozhu thought the small floral print would look rather rustic, but Zhou Taohua proved that it all depended on who was wearing it.
Bai Ruozhu smiled at Zhou Taohua and said, “An experienced midwife did predict there is a high chance that it’s a boy.”
Zhou Taohua was delighted by this news.
She enthusiastically linked arms with Bai Ruozhu and said, “I knew it!
Your son will surely grow up to be as upright and scholarly as his uncle, earning himself a spot on the honor roll.”
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow.
Oh, it seemed she was after her second brother.