Chapter 132: Zheng Ruqian’s Peach Blossom

Chapter 132

On the way to You Ran House, Zheng Ruqian had already thought about what to say to Shopkeeper Hao.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he snuck into the private room as usual and sat down across from Shopkeeper Hao with a frown on his face. "Thank goodness, thank goodness."

Shopkeeper Hao glanced up from his abacus ledger and said, "What is it, did some young lady force you to come knocking on her door?"

Only Big Brother Xu Mo gets treated like this. How could someone as plain as him, with no literary talent or romantic flair, get that kind of attention from young ladies?

Zheng Ruqian spat on the ground twice. "Shopkeeper Hao jokes again. What young lady would look twice at me?"

"It's not impossible," said Shopkeeper Hao solemnly as he slid the abacus beads back and forth. "You've got thick brows and big eyes, a tall nose and wide mouth - upright and imposing. Just the type mothers-in-law like."

"What's the use if mothers-in-law like me, if no young ladies do?" Zheng Ruqian was unconvinced.

Compared to spending time with Xu Mo at banquets, or being with Fang Hengwen, Zhi Yun and the rest, everyone knew he was the least impressive of the bunch.

But Shopkeeper Hao narrowed his eyes meaningfully and said, "Who said there aren't any? My daughter is rather fond of you."

"Cough cough cough!" Zheng Ruqian nearly choked on a mouthful of tea.

He suddenly remembered that when he delivered goods to You Ran House last time, he met Shopkeeper Hao's wife and daughter. Her round face was as full as the moon - he couldn't tell her age, only that she was Shopkeeper Hao's only daughter.

At the time, Zheng Ruqian had snarked, "How did Shopkeeper Hao and his wife have such a round dumpling of a daughter when they're not fat themselves?"

Now karma had come for him.

Zheng Ruqian shivered all over and politely declined, "The shopkeeper jests. I am orphaned and penniless, with no prospects of starting a family. I only hope that someday I may return home in glory, and only then consider marriage."

In other words, "Make money first, get a wife later."

Shopkeeper Hao laughed, his eyes narrowing, but said no more. Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Zheng Ruqian heaved a sigh of relief. He quickly moved on to the main topic, "The sausages I let you sample last time, Shopkeeper Hao - have you used them all up? I've brought another 10 catties. I hope you like them."

With that, he had Wang Xiaosong put the sausages on the table.

Shopkeeper Hao looked startled. His brow furrowed. "Only 10 catties?"

Ten catties could make 20 dishes at most, but You Ran House served at least 100 customers a day.

"That's right," Zheng Ruqian played dumb. "10 catties should be enough for Shopkeeper Hao for a while, right?"

Shopkeeper Hao glanced at him, then suddenly smirked. "I'll take them as a gift for Xiangxiang. She loves eating sausages."

Zheng Ruqian's hackles rose.

Curious, Zheng Ruqian asked, "How much does a serving of sausage rice go for?"

Shopkeeper Hao didn't answer, but Xiao Erge the waiter couldn't resist piping up, "Two taels of silver a serving!"

Zheng Ruqian's eyes widened in shock. His heart pounded wildly.

One serving used at most half a catty of sausage, yet could sell for two taels of silver!

And he had been debating whether 200 or 300 coins per catty was reasonable for his sausages.

Compared to You Ran House, he was a right saint.

Seeing Shopkeeper Hao grow increasingly agitated, Zheng Ruqian coughed twice and said, "If it comes down to it, I can squeeze out a bit for you."

Shopkeeper Hao whipped his head around to glare, while Xiao Erge the waiter couldn't help but grumble, "Still raising the price while sitting on the ground."

But Zheng Ruqian didn't feel guilty at all. The rarer the commodity, the higher the price.

You Ran House could choose not to buy.

After staring at Zheng Ruqian for a long while, staring until the young man was squirming uncomfortably - only then did Shopkeeper Hao's lips quirk into a smile. "What's your price?"

Zheng Ruqian held up one hand.

"50 coins?" Xiao Erge looked flabbergasted.

Zheng Ruqian shook his head. "500. And only 50 catties. I'll deliver it over."

What a scoundrel. A true villain.

Shopkeeper Hao should have been angry, and he was rather displeased, but thinking of how Zheng Ruqian had changed over the past two years, he couldn't help laughing.

After laughing, he slammed the table decisively. "Deal!"

500 coins per catty, 50 catties - 25 taels of silver.

Payment on delivery, cash on barrelhead.

After Zheng Ruqian left jingling with silver, Xiao Erge asked puzzledly, "Boss, you know he's price gouging, why agree to work with him?"

Shopkeeper Hao stroked his goatee and chuckled. "Firstly, You Ran House really needs the sausages. Secondly, I'm growing rather fond of him as a match for Xiangxiang."

At that moment, as Zheng Ruqian walked out of You Ran House, he suddenly heard a lilting voice call out, "Brother Zheng..."

He looked up to see a wall.