With Wen Zhi Mo’s financial resources, it was impossible for him to be so extravagant, nor did he have such extensive sources of goods, unless he had unexpectedly come into money.
The letter from his elder brother in Tashajun County urged him to play it safe, to secure the shop in the capital at all costs, and to remain low-key for the time being, avoiding any trouble.
However, the second owner of Ming Bao Zhai still intended to have someone keep an eye on Yuan Bao. He wanted to see if Wen Zhi Mo was involved in the Wen family's theft case.
He was very displeased with the way this brat was currently acting so smug.
Security for the jewelry store was crucial, and as newcomers, they were bound to encounter local bullies. Bai Sheng suggested that Wen Zhi Mo hire a few skilled martial artists to guard the shop.
Wen Zhi Mo recalled his temporary martial arts instructor – the bodyguard from Yesheng Men. With him around, he could fight ten men. Although the commission was steep, it was well worth it. However, he didn't know how to contact Yesheng Men.
This matter was temporarily shelved.
With the shop ready, the next step was to prepare the goods. Wen Zhi Mo had brought a batch of finished products and a piece of jade rough weighing fifty to sixty catties when he came to the capital.
Although he was cooperating with Prince Yu, these were his own original goods, and he could not share profits with Prince Yu. He also didn't know when Prince Yu would deliver the first batch of ore rough.
The two young servants brought to the capital were Wen Zhi Mo’s household retainers and also hereditary jewelry artisans. They were mainly responsible for crafting jewelry. He also needed to hire a shopkeeper and two shop assistants.
No, it was better to buy them. People who were bought were more trustworthy.
Alas, the money was flowing out like water. Wen Zhi Mo looked at the ledger, his heart aching so much it felt like it was twitching.
One day, Bai Sheng and Lu Ye called Wen Zhi Mo into a storeroom, then securely shut all doors and windows. With a mysterious smile, they announced they had a great gift for him.
Seeing their demeanor, Wen Zhi Mo felt as though they were about to silence him. However, he believed his little sister wouldn't kill him and asked with eager eyes what gift they had for him.
Bai Sheng crossed her arms and said proudly, "Second Brother, open the chests and see."
Several large wooden chests were placed on the ground, along with a large piece of something unknown, covered with a cloth.
This gift was rather substantial! Wen Zhi Mo rubbed his hands together and excitedly opened a chest. The next moment, he jumped up in shock.
"Ah! This… this… this…" Wen Zhi Mo was speechless. He couldn't find any fitting words to describe the generosity of his little sister and brother-in-law. They had actually sent him several boxes of jewelry!
Was this something a human could do?
It had to be immortal beings!
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged a smile. Bai Sheng then said, "Second Brother, lift that cloth and take another look."
Wen Zhi Mo’s limbs felt stiff. Walking with his legs stiff and uncoordinated, he approached the large object. He bent down, his fingers fumbling several times before finally lifting the cloth.
What met his eyes was a large piece of jade rough, already cut to reveal a cross-section. The color of the exposed ore, its clarity, and translucence all looked very good. It appeared to be an old pit piece.
"Little Sister, this… this…" Wen Zhi Mo didn't know where his little sister had gotten such a large piece.
Seeing his excessively shocked expression, Bai Sheng couldn't help but laugh, "Second Brother, on our way to the capital, didn't Prince Yu send a message via carrier pigeon saying the Wen family had been robbed? Do you remember?"
That was a wild pigeon Lu Ye had caught. To inform everyone about the Wen family's theft, Bai Sheng and Lu Ye had staged a play. After all, the news of the Wen family's theft had not yet broken out when they left.
"Of course, I remember! It was like heaven itself had opened its eyes! At the time, I was so happy I wanted to slap myself a few times." Wen Zhi Mo was extremely excited when he brought this up.
However, in the next instant, he was struck by a sudden realization and looked at Bai Sheng and Lu Ye with wide eyes, "Little Sister, Brother-in-law, this… this isn't from the Wen family's… 'that' thing, is it?"
Bai Sheng smiled and nodded, about to admit it was indeed from the Wen family's 'that' thing, when Lu Ye interjected, "It was indeed I who went to the Wen family and 'that' thing. The Wen family openly bullied Brother Wen. As Magistrate Guo's money bag, and having supported Magistrate Guo in sending people to assassinate us, I… I was too angry. So, I hired some master thieves skilled in Qimen Dunjia from the Jianghu, and they 'that'ed away everything from the Wen family without anyone noticing. They probably have trouble eating by now."
Bai Sheng watched Lu Ye's fabricated story with a beaming smile, feeling sweeter than if she had eaten honey. After Lu Ye finished speaking, he winked at her and squeezed her fingers.
Tears of excitement welled up in Wen Zhi Mo's eyes. He lunged forward and hugged Lu Ye tightly, laughing wildly, "Ahahaha, Brother Lu, you are truly magnificent! You've avenged my years of pent-up hatred! These things never belonged to them in the first place; they were forcefully snatched from my parents! Ahaha, I am so happy!"
"Brother Wen, don't… don't… don't be like this. Let's talk properly," Lu Ye suddenly found himself tightly hugged by the muscular man and felt disgusted in every pore, his toes practically trying to bore through the soles of his shoes.
Bai Sheng watched the two of them struggle and burst into laughter.
After expressing his immense gratitude, Wen Zhi Mo finally released Lu Ye, sniffing, "I don't know how to thank Little Sister and Brother-in-law enough. You two are truly my benefactors. From now on, my life, Wen Zhi Mo's life, will be dedicated to Little Sister and Brother-in-law, through mountains of blades and seas of fire!"
Bai Sheng stopped laughing, stood on tiptoe, and patted Wen Zhi Mo's shoulder, saying, "Second Brother, we're family, no need for formalities. We've always been supporting each other!"
"Supp—ort—ing—each—oth—er, that's a truly fitting phrase!" Wen Zhi Mo said with a thick nasal tone.
Lu Ye sniffed his sleeves and front with a look of disgust, fearing they had been stained by Wen Zhi Mo's tears and sweat.
Fortunately, fortunately, the clothes were still relatively clean.
Alas, as a man, being embraced by another man was truly terrifying. He never wanted to experience it again.
Lu Ye regained his composure and looked at the boxes of jewelry on the ground that had been 'that'ed over. He said to Wen Zhi Mo, "Brother Wen, you cannot sell these directly in the shop. Every finished piece of jewelry needs to be altered. Is that alright?"
Wen Zhi Mo had already wiped his tears and said confidently, "Brother-in-law, rest assured. I will personally draw the design modifications, guaranteeing that when they are sold, there will be absolutely no trace that they originated from the Wen family."
"This is excellent," Lu Ye nodded. "Only the three of us know about this matter, Brother Wen. You must remember this."
Wen Zhi Mo patted his firm pectoral muscles, making a thudding sound, and chuckled, "Don't worry, we know nothing about the Wen family's theft."
With this matter resolved, Bai Sheng felt a sense of relief. Her sworn second brother was now complete.
From now on… she would focus on earning money.
Wen Zhi Mo had also originally intended to buy a house in the capital, but his current finances were a bit tight, so he could only wait. After he modified and sold these "that"ed jewels, he would buy a house near his little sister and brother-in-law's place.
During this period, he had rented several rooms in Bai Sheng's house. Every day, he and his two young servants buried themselves in modifying the goods, practically forgetting to eat and sleep.
In about ten more days, the jewelry store would be open for business.