Chapter 187: Chapter 188: First Come, First Served

Jin Qianqian gave in to Liu Xiaohua, letting her keep her surname but changing her name to Liu Qingmei. Liu Qingmei thanked her again and again.

"Mistress, Young Master Le and his group took some ingredients from the kitchen today." Mrs. Huang wrung her hands nervously. ’It’s only been a day, and I’ve already failed to watch the kitchen properly. I don’t know if the Mistress will blame me.’

Jin Qianqian sighed. "Just let them."

’We’re living under the same roof. If we’re too guarded, it will just lead to awkwardness and gossip.’

Qing Mei glanced cautiously at Jin Qianqian. "That Lady Song asked me to wash her clothes for her today. I refused, but... should I do it for her from now on?"

Jin Qianqian replied, "They have their own hands and feet. Besides, starting today, I have more important things for you to do. Don’t pay them any mind."

Qing Mei glanced at the twin sisters who were still practicing on their abacuses, a look of fear on her face. "Mistress, maybe I should just stick to washing clothes. I’ll never be able to learn this."

Jin Qianqian was so exasperated she almost laughed. "This is an opportunity others would beg for, yet you’re trying your best to push it away."

"Do you really want to be a maid doing rough labor your whole life? Haven’t you ever thought about learning to stand on your own two feet, to make your future a little easier?"

Qing Mei hesitated, her face still troubled. "I do want to, but I’m just too dense to learn. Looking at all those numbers just gives me a headache."

"But I’m strong and quick with my hands. I’d be perfectly happy to just be your maid for rough work."

Jin Qianqian tapped her on the forehead. "You have no ambition. Other people want to improve their lot in life, but you only want to stay where it’s comfortable."

"Fine, I won’t force you. But you still have to follow Qingzhu and Lan every day and learn a little bit. It certainly won’t hurt you."

Qing Mei’s face fell. "I still have to learn...?"

Jin Qianqian glared, and Qing Mei immediately swallowed her words.

Qingzhu glanced up at them with an envious look before lowering her head and returning to her abacus.

＆

Gu Wenheng was halfway up the mountain steps that day when someone behind him called out.

"Brother Wen Heng, wait up!" Lu Ping shouted, panting heavily. "I didn’t expect your stamina to be even better than a martial artist’s."

As he spoke, he shot a pointed look at Shan Ke’an. ’That guy is on all fours again. I can’t even bear to look.’

"Why are you so early today?" Gu Wenheng stopped and turned to look at them. "Don’t you two usually arrive right at the last minute?"

"It’s the last day of classes for the year. We couldn’t very well make Mr. Nan search all over for us again," Lu Ping said with a grin.

’Even though he and Shan Ke’an were just students who got in through connections, Mr. Nan was far too responsible. He clearly wasn’t fond of them, but he never failed to check in on them each day.’

"Where’s the Young Master?" Gu Wenheng asked. He recalled the three of them were always inseparable, especially with their leader in the mix.

Lu Ping replied, "The Young Master has a social engagement today, so he sent us to ask Mr. Nan for a leave of absence on his behalf."

"By the way, the New Year is almost here. What are your plans, Brother Wen Heng?"

"I’m just going to relax at home for a bit," Gu Wenheng said. "What about you? Aren’t you heading back?"

"We’re leaving tomorrow. We’re hoping we can make it home before the Little New Year," Shan Ke’an said, his face breaking into a wide grin. ’Even though he’d been dying to get away from home at the time, now that he was really out here, he truly appreciated how good he’d had it.’

"So soon?" Gu Wenheng cupped his hands. "In that case, allow me to wish you a safe journey in advance."

"Thank you for the well wishes. We’ll be passing through Fu County, so if you need us to take anything back for you, Brother Wen Heng, we’d be happy to help." Lu Ping’s only goal right now was to get on Gu Wenheng’s good side.

’Heaven knew, in his eyes, the man before him was a literal, shining Money-Bringing Boy.’

’Ever since he’d gotten that last batch of goods from him, even his old mother had sent a letter praising him—treatment he’d never received in his entire life.’

’Not to mention, his family had made a tidy profit from it. Tucked into the letter were some silver notes, with instructions to find a way to procure another shipment.’

Gu Wenheng shook his head. "I’ve already written home, so there’s no need to trouble you."

"It’s no trouble at all!" Lu Ping said. "By the way, I was wondering if you’ve managed to produce any more goods in the last couple of days?"

When dealing with Gu Wenheng, Lu Ping preferred to be straightforward. After so much time together, they understood each other well and disliked playing superficial games. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Gu Wenheng paused. "...Didn’t I just deliver a shipment to you?"

Lu Ping smiled placatingly and moved to put an arm around his shoulder, but Gu Wenheng sidestepped him smoothly.

Lu Ping wasn’t bothered. "I just got a letter from home. This stuff is just too hot to handle! The last batch hasn’t even been shipped out yet, and my parents have already pre-sold everything."

"And with the New Year right around the corner... help a brother out. Let me earn a little drinking money."

Shan Ke’an finally caught up, panting as he glared at Lu Ping. "Are you planning to soak yourself in a wine barrel? What kind of wine costs that much silver?"

Lu Ping shot him a look. "Just keep climbing. We’re not waiting for you in a bit."

"And you call yourself a brother? Stabbing me in the back so soon?" Shan Ke’an grumbled, sticking his rear out as he resumed his climb. "Brother Wen Heng, you can’t play favorites! If you’re getting a batch ready for this guy, I want in on it too!"

Lu Ping hadn’t even secured a deal for himself, and here was this guy muddying the waters. "There’s a pecking order here, you know! Brother Wen Heng, we’re practically from the same region. Just give me a number, and I’ll have my people pick it up today."

Gu Wenheng shook his head, amused. "It’s only been a day or two. I haven’t been able to make much. But when you head down the mountain later, have your men follow Tianbao. You can take whatever he has."

"That’s fine, we’ll take whatever you’ve got! We’ll settle the bill with you after we return." His wish granted, Lu Ping breathed a sigh of relief. Even if the quantity was small, at least he’d have some gifts to bring back to friends and relatives.

Seeing that their business was concluded, Gu Wenheng turned and continued on his way to the summit.

"So? How’d it go?" Shan Ke’an asked expectantly when Lu Ping caught up to him.

’He could have just asked his cousin, Bai Jinglie, for a cut, but it was much more satisfying to snatch it from Lu Ping.’

"With me handling it, was there ever any doubt?" Lu Ping said, looking smug. "But let’s get one thing straight: I’m taking the larger share."

"You cheapskate! What happened to all that talk of brotherhood?" Shan Ke’an didn’t yield an inch. "Fifty-fifty, or I’m going right back to Gu Wenheng to tell him how you’re bullying me."

Lu Ping was speechless. "..."

＆

After returning from Yingshan Academy that day, Gu Wenheng was finally free.

But Jin Qianqian barely saw him. He left early in the morning and came back late at night, and she had no idea what he was so busy doing.

The few times Jin Qianqian managed to corner him and ask, he would just put her off with some excuse.

"Don’t worry, I’m working on something important. You’ll find out in a few days."

Hearing the same line again only made Jin Qianqian more curious about what he was up to. "Can’t you just give me a tiny hint?"

Gu Wenheng gave her a mysterious smile. "All I can say is that it’s a surprise. Please, allow me to maintain the mystery."