Chapter 2, Part 3

(T/N: sorry… i made a mistake with the previous chapter..it is not Moxiang Academy but Moxiang bookstore.)

She sat in front of him, smiling faintly, and said, “Shall we call it even?  Shopkeeper Lin didn’t agree earlier, and now I don’t feel like agreeing either. Shopkeeper Lin was right, we’ve had a pleasant cooperation, so I won’t need to look elsewhere. Let’s continue our cooperation, splitting the profits fifty-fifty as before. Shopkeeper Lin, you pay on time, and I’ll deliver the manuscripts on time.”

Shopkeeper Lin clenched his fist beneath his sleeve and smiled, saying, “Miss Li, how about this? I have some matters to attend to shortly. Why don’t you wait in the county for a day, and I’ll give you a response tomorrow? Of course, I’ll give you the manuscript first.”

Li Hehua tapped the back of her chair, shaking her head, and said, “That won’t work. I must return home today. Rest assured, as long as we respect each other, I won’t do anything to Shopkeeper Lin. Oh, by the way, I heard a few things about shopkeeper Lin. Would you like to hear them?”

Before Shopkeeper Lin could answer, she continued, “Firstly, there’s a new Lin’s Bookstore that opened in the county last year. The shopkeeper’s surname is Zhao, and isn’t Lin’s wife’s surname also Zhao? Moreover, the books inside are exactly the same as the bestsellers at Moxiang Bookstore. Books like these are usually unique to each bookstore. Could it be that Lin’s Bookstore also belongs to Moxiang Bookstore?”

Books were more luxurious than oil in ancient times, and only those with wealth could afford to read. Although Lin’s Bookstore was located in a remote alley, it was quite affordable, so the business was exceptionally good. She could tell just by picking up a book that it was from the Moxiang Bookstore. Owners of bookstores usually wouldn’t bother with the business, so there were quite a few shopkeepers lining their pockets.

“Secondly, there’s a small courtyard on North Street, and there’s a very cute boy named Hu Zi inside. People around him say his surname is Lin. I wonder if Mrs. Lin would be interested?”

She hadn’t found out about the owner of Mo Xiang Bookstore, but she had discovered shopkeeper Lin, who was strictly managed by his wife.

Shopkeeper Lin, was shocked and pointed at her, stuttering, “You…you stop spreading rumors.”

Li Hehua squinted and said, “Am I spreading rumors? If this gets out, do you think people will voluntarily investigate?”

Naturally, people would investigate, and they would definitely find out before he could conceal the evidence. He wasn’t afraid of his mother-in-law finding out about his illegitimate child; a few beatings would solve that. But when he thought of his mysterious and formidable employer, the hair on his back stood up. Normally, the employer would only send a capable manager at the beginning or end of the year. For so many years, he had never seen the employer in person, but the employer still controlled such a large business like Moxiang Bookstore. If this news reached his ears, would he have a good end?

Shopkeeper Lin slumped in his chair and said after a while, “Fine, Miss Li, we’ll stick to the previous agreement, but you must keep these secrets. Otherwise,” he dropped the act, speaking fiercely, “if I’m in trouble, you won’t have it easy either.”

Li Hehua smiled and said, “Of course, look, you have my handle, and I have yours, so we can cooperate for a long time.”

Shopkeeper Lin took out the contract from his pocket, and the two began to make revisions. Before sunset, they finally reached an agreement. Li Hehua signed the name readily and took out the official version, saying, “Happy cooperation, shopkeeper Lin.”

Shopkeeper Lin, grumbled, “It’s true that talents emerge in every generation. I’ve been in the business for thirty years, and I didn’t expect to be defeated by a little girl like you. Anyway, happy cooperation.”

Li Hehua put away the contract and continued to smile, “I also wish Shopkeeper Lin, prosperity.”

Then she took the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone that Shopkeeper Lin had prepared in advance, opened the door, and said, “Shopkeeper Lin, I’ve kept you for so long.”

Shopkeeper Lin smiled, his face showing no sign of the earlier displeasure. “Miss Li, don’t say that. You’re an old customer of our bookstore, so I should treat you well. Look at all these things; why don’t I have someone escort you for a bit?”

He wanted to get rid of this jinx as soon as possible; seeing her made him feel uneasy.

Li Hehua slung the items onto her shoulder, saying, “No need, I’m strong.”

Shopkeeper Lin, noticed that the solid wood table had been split in half with a single blow.

At this moment, a hesitant voice came: “Li, Brother Li?”

Wasn’t that his fiancée?

She turned her head and saw a face as beautiful as jade. With the matter settled and seeing a beauty again, she greeted cheerfully, “Hello, Master Lu, are you here to buy books?”

The person who came was indeed Lu Junyu.

Lu Junyu nodded and said, “Yes, I heard that the bookstore has received a new batch of books, so I came to take a look. Are you shopping for Mr. Lin?” Then he reached out to help Li Hehua with her things.

Li Hehua waved her hand and said, “Yes, no need, I can manage. It’s getting late, and I have to hurry back. Mr. Lin is waiting to use them. Goodbye, Mr. Lu.”

With that, she was about to turn and leave.

Lu Junyu reached out and said, “Let me walk you part of the way.”

He then went to grab her package.

She looked at his frail figure with suspicion, feeling somewhat disdainful, but still handed him the package. They were officially engaged, so if he wanted to help, why not let him? Let him play the role of a doting lover for once.

Watching Lu Junyu effortlessly carry the package out of the bookstore, she followed him, giving him a thumbs-up and saying, “Mr. Lu, you’re really different from those feeble scholars.”

Lu Junyu, with an unwavering expression, replied, “Miss Li, you have a bias against scholars. Who says all scholars are weak? There are many who excel in both literary and martial arts. For example, General Sun from the court was once the top scholar. And there are others…”

Li Hehua, feeling a headache coming on, interrupted, “Mr. Lu, I may never come across such figures in my lifetime. Even if you tell me, I won’t understand.”

Lu Junyu looked at her meaningfully and said, “That’s not necessarily true. Do you have so little faith in me?”

Li Hehua slapped her forehead, showing no embarrassment, and said, “I was too busy to remember. You’ve already come to propose to me. So it’s all up to you, Mr. Lu, to make the arrangements in the future.”

Lu Junyu: …Suddenly feeling a lot of pressure. What should I do?

Meanwhile, they arrived at the carriage, heading to Liuhe Town.

Lu Junyu placed the package on the carriage and walked aside, whispering, “Miss Li, can we get married sooner?”