Chapter 523: Win-Win Cooperation
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yu Niaoniao had already personally experienced the gossip ability of the onlookers in the Imperial Capital. She did not want to become the center of gossip again, so she suggested finding another place to talk.
But the fat bookseller was unwilling.
He wanted to use the power of the crowd to pressure the Princess Consort to submit the manuscript quickly.
“Wuwuwu, if you don’t give me a definite answer today, I’ll die in front of you!”
Yu Niaoniao’s scalp went numb from his crying. She said angrily, “Alright, alright, stop howling. Isn’t it just handing in the manuscript? Don’t make it sound like I did something to you.”
The fat bookseller said, “Then submit the manuscript now!” Yu Niaoniao said, “I don’t have a script now.” The fat bookseller wailed at the top of his lungs. “Wu, ow, ow!”
An auntie beside him could not help but ask.
“Young lady, did you cheat him of his money? Or did you cheat him of his feelings?
The auntie did not believe him. “If you didn’t, how could a young man like him cry so badly?”
The other onlookers nodded in agreement.
Yu Niaoniao could not explain.
She said helplessly, “I really don’t have a script now. It’s useless even if you cry to death here.”
The fat bookseller lowered his crying slightly. “Then how soon can you submit the manuscript?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “The Lantern Festival…
As soon as these three words left her mouth, she heard the fat bookseller’s cries suddenly rise. She hurriedly covered her ears and corrected herself. “The New Year! I’ll submit the manuscript before the New Year, okay?”
The fat bookseller silently calculated the time in his heart. There were only ten days left until the new year. He would get the printing shop to work overtime during the new year and could still publish books before the Lantern Festival.
So he said, “You have to keep your word.” Yu Niaoniao promised solemnly.
“Definitely!”
The fat bookseller threatened, “If you don’t listen to me this time, I’ll strangle myself in front of your house!”
With that, he raised his hands and made a strangling gesture.
At this moment, a team of soldiers walked over and scolded loudly.
“What are you guys doing blocking the middle of the road? Can’t you see that the carriages coming and going can’t pass? Spread out!” Everyone hurriedly retreated to the sides.
Yu Niaoniao took the opportunity to slip away with Ling Hai.
After completely shaking off the troublesome fat bookseller, Yu Niaoniao slowed down.
Ling Hai asked carefully.
“Princess Consort, who was that person just now?”
Yu Niaoniao replied casually, “A bookseller.”
Ling Hai asked again, “Then do you write books?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “To be precise, I draw books.”
Ling Hai’s eyes revealed admiration. “Those who can publish books must be very knowledgeable. What book are you drawing? Can I take a look?” Yu Niaoniao smiled awkwardly and politely.
“Hehe, about that. You’re still young and not mature enough to read such books.”
Ling Hai was very disappointed, but he did not say anything else.
Yu Niaoniao said, “If you want to read, I’ll find some books for you to read later. By the way, you should still be studying at your age, right? I’ll find you a school later.”
Ling Hai immediately shook his head. “I’m not going to school. I have to work for you.”
Yu Niaoniao was caught between laughter and tears.
“You’re only so young. What can you do? You should go to school obediently. When you grow up in the future, you might even be able to become a top scholar or something. In the future, you’ll return to your hometown in glory.
How glorious will that be!”
Ling Hai still shook his head and insisted on not going to school.
Yu Niaoniao thought that he did not like to study, so she did not force him. Ling Hai asked, “Are we going home now?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Yes, let’s go home and change first. Then we’ll go somewhere.” “Where?”
Sky Oriole Garden.”
After not seeing each other for half a year, the Sky Oriole Garden was still filled with guests.
Yu Niaoniao was wearing men’s clothes and a mask. Ling Hai followed behind her.
This was his first time in a place like this. He was nervous and curious. His black and white eyes could not help but look around.
Zheng Changle, the little fatty, ran downstairs and craned his neck to look around, but he did not see the person he wanted to see. He was not only a little anxious.
He asked the clerk beside him.
“Didn’t you say that Brother Yu was here? Where is he?”
The clerk pointed at the handsome young man in the mask. “That’s him.”
Coincidentally, Yu Niaoniao turned around and saw Zheng Changle. Hence, she took the initiative to walk toward Zheng Changle.
“Brother Zheng, long time no see.”
Hearing her voice, Zheng Changle immediately confirmed her identity.
He stared at the mask on her face and asked, “Why are you still wearing a mask when you come to me?
Yu Niaoniao raised her hand and took off her mask, revealing the scar on her face.
“I was injured a while ago and can’t see anyone for the time being.”
With that, she put the mask back on.
Zheng Changle was first shocked, then he asked, “How did this happen? Is it serious? Have you seen a doctor?”
Yu Niaoniao sighed. “My injuries have actually healed, but the scar can’t be removed. In the future, I might have to wear a mask to see people.” Seeing his good friend become like this, Zheng Changle felt extremely sorry.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “I did come to you today because I need your help with something.”
Zheng Changle immediately said, “Just tell me. I’ll definitely help!”
Yu Niaoniao took out a piece of paper from her sleeve. “My request is very simple. I want to paste this at the entrance of your theater. It only needs to be pasted for three days.”
Zheng Changle reached out and took the paper. “It’s just a small matter. There’s no problem…”
When he saw what was written on the paper, he stopped.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
‘What is this?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “It’s like this. Qirui Garden is about to open for business, but we’re a new theater. No one knows about it. I was afraid that no one would come to support us on the opening day, so I personally drew this poster and wanted to paste it at the entrance of your theater. There are many people here and they’re all old fans. I believe it can bring a little popularity to Qirui Garden.” The clerk with Zheng Changle was very angry.
The clerk scolded indignantly, “Don’t you know about the competition among peers? You’re blatantly coming to our theater to snatch guests. Our young master will never agree!”
He thought that his young master would stand on the same side as him, but he heard Zheng Changle ask, “Master Wang drew this poster, right? I recognized it at a glance. Can you sell it to me?”
The clerk immediately turned to look at the young master, only to see him hugging the poster lovingly. He looked as if he wished he could kiss it.
“Young Master, what are you doing? Didn’t you hear that he was coming to our house to snatch guests?!
Yu Niaoniao said with a smile.
“I’m not snatching guests. This is a win-win cooperation.
‘You guys helped me attract popularity today. If anything good happens in the future, we won’t forget you. Mutual benefits are benign. Only then can we go far..”