CH 20

Chapter 20: Where had all the money they had made from corruption gone?

Since it was clothes given to him by the young mistress, Dali happily accepted them. He expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, young mistress! You’re so kind! If you need anything, just tell me. I may not be well-educated, but I have strength and can do hard work!”

Li Shi Shi smiled and was fond of this simple-minded and a little slow Dali.

At this moment, Li Shi Shi looked around curiously and was surprised, “Is it just the two of you here? No one else?”

Dali shook his head, “No, just me and the young master!”

Li Shi Shi was even more surprised, “Just the two of you in such a big courtyard? Why not hire someone to take care of it?”

Of course, it was for convenience to run away, not wanting to waste money!

Lin Bei Fan was about to find an excuse to fool her, but Dali replied, “As for the young mistress’s question, the young master said that we are both grown men and can take care of ourselves, so we don’t need to hire anyone!”

Li Shi Shi was even more astonished, “Not hiring anyone?”

How could they not hire anyone? Even officials have busy public duties. If they don’t hire anyone, how can they manage it all? Moreover, some people of status and position pay attention to their image, especially officials.

Even if it’s just a small sesame official, whether they have money or not, they will still hire a few people to show off, take care of their daily life, meals, and receive guests, otherwise, others will look down on them.

Moreover, if you have embezzled so much money, what’s the problem with spending a little money to hire people?

But she thought about it and ultimately didn’t ask. Because their relationship was not yet familiar enough, breaking the ice might make people resentful.

At this point, Lin Bei Fan took out some silver and said, “Dali, since we have a rare visitor, go buy some good wine and food!”

“Yes, young master! I’ll put down the clothes and go buy them!” Dali took the money and ran out.

Only Lin Bei Fan, Li Shi Shi, and Xiao Cui were left.

Li Shi Shi thought for a moment and smiled, “Sir, can you take me around?”

“Of course!” Lin Bei Fan nodded.

Then, Lin Bei Fan took Li Shi Shi on a tour.

Along the way, Li Shi Shi found that there really was no one else here, and there didn’t seem to be anything valuable.

The only thing worthy of praise was that the courtyard was well-maintained and tidy.

Due to the large courtyard and few people, the environment was very quiet and peaceful.

This not only aroused her curiosity about Lin Bei Fan but also made her realize that he didn’t seem like a corrupt official at all.

If there were corrupt officials, after embezzling the money, they wouldn’t neglect to enjoy themselves.

Even the servants wouldn’t be left out!

There doesn’t seem to be any official demeanor at all!

Compared to other officials, it can be said that he is very poor!

At this time, Lin Beifan had already led them to the front of an elegant room and said, “Miss Shi Shi, this is your room! It used to be the residence of the wife of Zuo Xiangquan, the minister of the household. I have had it cleaned up and prepared for you to move in!”

“Thank you, sir!” Li Shi Shi bowed slightly.

“And Xiao Cui, your room is next door!” Lin Beifan added.

“Thank you, sir!” Xiao Cui smiled happily.

“You can take your time to settle in. If you have any problems, come find me!” Lin Beifan said before leaving.

Li Shi Shi watched his departing figure, her eyes showing a hint of complexity.

Dinner time quickly arrived. There were two tables, Lin Beifan and Li Shi Shi at one table, and Dali and Xiao Cui at the other.

The table was filled with good food and wine, such as chicken, duck, fish, and seasonal vegetables. The wine was a fine rice wine.

However, Li Shi Shi was stunned when she saw the food on the table. Because it was very different from what she usually ate.

She also ate meat such as chicken, duck, and fish, but only the most essential parts, which were presented on a delicately arranged plate with plenty of dipping sauce that was sure to make one’s mouth water.

In contrast, what was served now was simply put in a pot without much dipping sauce, and some of the meat had not been cleaned properly.

The wine she usually drank was also a high-quality beverage, clear and sweet, leaving a memorable aftertaste. Unlike this rice wine, which was somewhat cloudy and had a bitter taste.

Li Shi Shi put down her chopsticks and asked, “Sir, do you usually eat like this?”

Lin Beifan shook his head, “No, I don’t eat like this normally.”

“I knew it!” Li Shi Shi breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

“I can’t even afford to eat meat normally, let alone drink good wine! It’s only because I am an official now and have a salary that I can eat a little better! And since you all are here, we are able to have a more extravagant meal tonight!” Lin Beifan laughed.

As Li Shi Shi looked at his innocent and pure smile, her expression became dreamy.

At this moment, Dali, who was busy eating meat, nodded vaguely and said, “Yeah, in the past, I depended on the young master for everything and was used to living a hard life. It was good enough to have meat once a month! It’s not like now, where there’s meat to eat every meal! Today’s feast is the most luxurious I’ve ever seen! That’s why I say studying has a future! Hehehe!” Li Shi Shi’s mind became even more muddled.

If Lin Beifan could still lie, then Dali was less likely to do so.

Because he looked simple and foolish, unable to hide anything or act so realistically. Li Shi Shi was lost in thought. It was understandable that they had lived poorly in the past and ate poorly. But now that they had made so much money, why were they still living in hardship?

Where had all the money they had made from corruption gone?