As the afternoon waned, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun set off to return to the estate. Any later, and they risked missing the closing hour of the city gates.
Mianzhou City had four gates, usually bustling with traffic from all directions.
However, whether it was the guards or the citizens, everyone was accustomed to the routine. Thus, despite the busyness, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
When everyone adhered to the rules, passage was swift.
But today, things were not going smoothly.
The mule cart carrying Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi was stopped two miles from the city gate.
A long queue had formed ahead of them.
The pair didn't think much of it. After all, with the New Year approaching, stricter gate security was understandable.
They patiently joined the queue, moving slowly with the crowd.
This delay, however, allowed people from the He family to catch up.
A hurried sound of hooves echoed, followed by an anxious voice:
"Hey, hey, are those Shen Jieyuan and Su Dongjia ahead? I'm He Qiulei."
Su Xiaoqi's heart stirred. Just as she was about to lift the cart curtain, Shen Yun had already reached out and pulled it aside, revealing a fair and slightly plump face.
He had run quite a bit, and in the biting cold, a few beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead.
His voice, strained from exertion, was a little breathless.
"Young Master He, what a coincidence," Shen Yun greeted him casually.
Su Xiaoqi's eye twitched. This Master Shen was truly adept at telling white lies.
He Qiulei had clearly called out their names the moment he arrived, obviously looking for them.
He was indeed good at playing the big shot.
However, Su Xiaoqi wasn't foolish enough to expose him. She simply played along, as if He Qiulei were coincidentally heading out of the city and happened to run into them.
He Qiulei, alone with his horse standing before the mule cart, had intended to say many things. But blocked by Shen Yun's nonchalant demeanor, he suddenly forgot what he wanted to say.
He merely tightened his grip on the reins, nudged his horse's head, and looked at Shen Yun with a hint of grievance in his eyes.
After a long moment, he seemed to remember, and quietly asked, "My father has agreed to cooperate with you. I wonder what the profit split you envision is?"
Shen Yun unhesitatingly held up five fingers.
"Fifty-fifty?" He Qiulei thought he was mistaken. After blinking, he looked again. Shen Yun, considerate of him, had even deliberately extended all five fingers.
So he could see more clearly.
He Qiulei's heart began to pound.
What? Fifty-fifty?
He and his father had discussed it for a long time before settling on a twenty-eight split.
After all, Su Dongjia had only provided a recipe for tea processing.
Their family was responsible for collecting, processing, and selling the tea.
"Shall we find a tea house to discuss this in more detail?" He Qiulei didn't want to give up on the business opportunity, but he also wouldn't agree to the other party's exorbitant demands.
"There's no need. The He family's tea business is indeed prominent in the Bashu region.
However, the prominent tea merchant in Daliang is the Xu family," Shen Yun stated lightly, preparing to lower the curtain.
"Ah, wait! Three-seven, how about three-seven?" He Qiulei quickly revealed his bottom line.
Their family's intention was to offer a two-eight split, but at most three-seven.
They had planned to reveal this as a last resort, but the other party was giving them no room to maneuver.
If he wanted to continue the negotiation, he had to show his hand.
Otherwise, he was sure that with the decisive nature of this couple, they would simply leave him behind.
He Qiulei felt a little weary.
He had already shown his hand; shouldn't they at least try to haggle?
However, there was no response.
Fortunately, this time they didn't immediately refuse and leave.
Instead, Su Xiaoqi poked her head out and said, "I am not lacking in sales channels. You are responsible for collecting and processing the tea, and I have my own ways of handling sales.
Of course, if you have channels, feel free to tell me, and I will avoid them."
Su Xiaoqi had no worries about bitter buckwheat tea not selling.
Hearing this, He Qiulei suddenly understood.
They had misunderstood.
He no longer dwelled on it and directly stated, "Originally, my father's highest offer was three-seven.
However, since Su Dongjia says so, I'll take the liberty of deciding on a four-six split. How about it?"
On the surface, He Qiulei's smile was honest and his demeanor calm.
But in reality, his heart was pounding wildly.
He was nervous, worried they wouldn't agree.
Su Xiaoqi said, "Alright. It's getting late today. Please come to the estate tomorrow to sign the documents.
At the same time, I'd like to ask Young Master He one question: who told you about collecting bitter buckwheat tea in Zhaojia Village?"
He Qiulei thought for a moment and replied, "Liu Yishou. Rest assured, I will handle this matter."
"Then I shall wait and see."
With that, Su Xiaoqi spoke her last words. It was just about time for them to exit the city.
She exchanged a look with Shen Yun, and they both smiled.
Their smiles were as brilliant as spring sunshine.
He Qiulei, an observer, was stunned by the sight.
Only after Shen Yun lowered the curtain, blocking that dazzling light, did he snap back to reality, realizing he had lost his composure.
He cupped his hands in a salute. Realizing that the curtain blocked their view, he thought they wouldn't see his gesture, so he withdrew his hands. Then, he called out loudly, "He bids farewell, please take care, both of you."
A reply came from inside: "Young Master He, take care as well!"
The mule cart soon reached the city gate. After routine checks, they drove south.
But they hadn't gone far before another person stopped the cart.
"Is that brother Shen ahead?" a clear, deep voice rang out.
Shen Yun's heart skipped a beat. He lifted the curtain again and saw a familiar face he hadn't seen in a long time – Qi Yunwei.
He wore a brocade robe with auspicious cloud patterns, a jade belt, and a gold hairpin, marking him as someone of noble standing at first glance.
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Qi. It is indeed Shen."
"Brother Shen has always had an excellent memory. How is it that in just over half a year, you've forgotten your elder brother?" Qi Yunwei's handsome face showed a hint of sadness.
Shen Yun remained unfazed. "Young Master Qi jest. You possess outstanding talent and a distinguished background. Shen would naturally never forget meeting you.
However, our families' circumstances differ greatly, and I dare not presume to associate with you. I hope you will forgive me."
"Originally, heroes are not judged by their origins, and friendships are not based on status.
Very well, very well. Since Brother Shen puts it this way, this elder brother would not dare to make things too difficult for you. I shall visit you another day to explain the reason."
With that, he bowed and turned his horse away.
A young man in a green robe, following behind him, cast a thoughtful glance at Shen Yun. Then, he flashed a friendly smile and rode after him.
Su Xiaoqi looked at his facial features and found them familiar, but she was certain she had never met him before. Not daring to act rashly, she treated herself as a mere tool and quietly watched Shen Yun interact with others.
Thinking back to their recent exchange, Su Xiaoqi understood the words but felt somewhat confused about their underlying meaning.
"Is this Qi Yunwei very free? Isn't he from the capital? Why does he come to Mianzhou City every day?" Su Xiaoqi murmured quietly.
Seeing her furrowed brow and troubled expression, Shen Yun reached out and gently smoothed her brow, as if sighing, yet not:
"All the world bustles for profit. All the world is animated by profit."
This time, Su Xiaoqi understood the meaning but became even more confused.
She was the one who had transmigrated into the novel, and she was also the one who knew the subsequent plot.
Why did it feel as though Shen Yun lived his life with more clarity than she did?