Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 104 -

The carriage slowed down as it moved through the busy road, and the noise of the market gradually grew louder around them.

People walked past in different directions, vendors called out to customers, and the sound of wood being hammered and tools striking against surfaces echoed in the air.

Fu Teng sat inside quietly, his posture straight, his expression calm, but his eyes moved slightly as he took in the surroundings.

"This is not the usual market area," he said.

An Yu did not look at him immediately.

"It is not," he replied. "This side is still being developed."

The carriage came to a stop shortly after.

Outside, a small pavilion stood ahead, and several workers were moving around it, fixing parts of the structure. Some carried wood, while others adjusted the roof, and a few stood aside discussing what needed to be done next.

The place was not fully complete, but it was already busy.

The moment the carriage stopped, one of the workers noticed it and quickly ran over.

"Young Master," the man greeted as he bowed slightly.

An Yu stepped down from the carriage calmly.

"How is the progress?" he asked.

"We are almost done with the outer frame," the worker replied. "The inside still needs some work, but it will be ready soon."

An Yu nodded slightly.

"Good," he said.

Then he turned back toward the carriage.

Fu Teng was still seated inside.

An Yu lifted his hand slightly and extended it toward him.

"Come down," he said.

Fu Teng looked at his hand.

Then he frowned slightly.

"I can come down by myself," he said.

Without waiting, he stepped down on his own.

He did not touch An Yu’s hand.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

Then, An Yu’s lips curved slightly.

A small smirk appeared on his face.

"...As expected," he said quietly.

Fu Teng glanced at him.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

An Yu lowered his hand and replied, "Nothing."

But the amusement in his eyes did not disappear.

Fu Teng looked at him for a moment longer before turning his gaze away.

"What is this place?" he asked.

An Yu turned slightly and gestured toward the pavilion.

"This will be an inn," he said.

Fu Teng’s eyes paused on the structure.

"An inn?" he repeated.

"Yes," An Yu replied. "It is still under construction, but it will be finished soon."

Fu Teng looked around again.

The location was not random.

It was close enough to the road where people passed, but not crowded like the main market.

It was a good spot.

"You brought me here for this?" he asked.

An Yu looked at him directly.

"I told you there is work," he said.

Fu Teng’s brows drew together slightly.

"What kind of work?" he asked.

An Yu stepped closer to the pavilion and said, "Managing this place once it opens."

Fu Teng did not move.

"Managing?" he repeated.

"Yes," An Yu replied. "I need someone who can keep things in order, handle people, and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Fu Teng looked at him.

"And you think I can do that?" he asked.

An Yu did not hesitate.

"Yes," he said.

The answer came too quickly.

Too certain.

Fu Teng stayed quiet for a moment.

Then he said, "You barely know me."

An Yu’s expression did not change.

"I know enough," he replied.

Fu Teng frowned slightly.

"That is not a reason," he said.

An Yu looked at him steadily.

"You are calm, you observe more than you speak, and you do not act without thinking," he said.

He paused briefly.

"That is enough for me."

Fu Teng did not respond immediately.

His gaze shifted slightly toward the workers, then back to the pavilion.

"You make decisions too easily," he said.

An Yu let out a quiet breath.

"And you think too much," he replied.

Fu Teng almost scoffed.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then An Yu said,

"If you do not want it, you can leave."

"I will not stop you."

Fu Teng looked at him again.

Then at the pavilion.

Then back at him.

"...And if I stay?" he asked.

An Yu’s expression softened slightly.

"Then you work," he said.

Fu Teng was quiet again.

The noise of the workers continued around them.

After a moment, he spoke.

"I will try," he said.

An Yu did not smile.

But there was a clear change in his expression.

"That is enough," he replied.

Fu Teng nodded slightly.

An Yu did not say anything more after Fu Teng agreed. He simply turned and walked toward the pavilion, expecting him to follow.

Fu Teng followed behind him without speaking.

As they stepped closer, the noise of work became clearer. Workers moved in and out, carrying wood, adjusting beams, and checking the structure carefully.

An Yu gestured lightly as they walked inside.

"The outer structure is almost done," he said. "The roof has been reinforced, and the main hall will be ready in a few days."

Fu Teng looked around.

The space inside was wider than it looked from outside. The main hall had enough room for several tables, and there were stair steps leading upward.

"The second floor?" Fu Teng asked.

"For rooms," An Yu replied. "Guests will stay upstairs, and the main hall will be for food and business."

Fu Teng nodded slightly.

The layout was simple, but effective.

They continued walking.

"There will be a kitchen at the back," An Yu added. "And storage beside it."

Fu Teng glanced toward the direction he pointed.

"It is well planned," he said.

An Yu did not respond to the praise.

Instead, he pushed open a door at the side.

"This way."

Fu Teng followed him inside.

The noise from outside became softer the moment the door closed.

They entered a smaller space.

An Yu’s office.

The room was clean and neatly arranged. A wooden table stood at the center, with scrolls placed in order on one side. A shelf rested against the wall, holding a few books and documents. Nothing was excessive, but everything was in place.

Fu Teng’s eyes moved across the room.

"You prepared this already," he said.

"Yes," An Yu replied simply.

He walked to the table and picked up a teapot.

The tea inside was still warm.

He poured a cup slowly and placed it in front of Fu Teng.

"Sit," he said.

Fu Teng did not refuse.

He sat down and took the cup.

The tea was clear, with a faint scent rising from it.

"You replaced it recently," Fu Teng said.

An Yu sat across from him.

"I did," he replied.

Fu Teng took a small sip before setting the cup down.

Then he looked at An Yu.

"When are you planning to open this place?" he asked.

An Yu answered without hesitation.

"In about ten days."

Fu Teng’s brows moved slightly.

"That soon?" he asked.

"Yes," An Yu said. "The structure will be finished in a few days, and the rest can be prepared quickly."

Fu Teng nodded slowly.

Then he asked,

"And how do you plan to run it?"

An Yu leaned back slightly in his seat.

"There will be food and lodging," he said. "Simple, but steady."

Fu Teng listened.

"I am not aiming for luxury," An Yu continued. "People here cannot afford it, and travelers passing through only need a place to rest."

He paused briefly.

"So the focus will be on consistency."

Fu Teng nodded.

"That makes sense," he said.

An Yu continued,

"The prices will be fair, not too high, not too low. Enough to bring people in, but still make profit."

Fu Teng tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"And the workers?" he asked.

"I will hire a few from nearby," An Yu replied. "People who need work and can be trained."

Fu Teng glanced at him.

"You trust easily," he said.

An Yu shook his head slightly.

"I do not trust," he said. "I manage."

Fu Teng did not respond immediately.

Then he asked,

"And me?"

An Yu looked at him directly.

"You will oversee everything," he said.

Fu Teng’s gaze paused.

"Everything?" he asked.

"Yes," An Yu replied. "The accounts, the workers, the daily operations."

Fu Teng frowned slightly.

"You are giving me too much responsibility," he said.

An Yu’s expression remained calm.

"I am giving you what you can handle," he replied.

Fu Teng held his gaze for a moment.

Then he said,

"And if I fail?"

An Yu did not hesitate.

"Then you fix it," he said.

Fu Teng blinked once.

"...That is your answer?"

"Yes."

There was no doubt in his voice.

No hesitation.

Fu Teng leaned back slightly.

"You really do not worry," he said.

An Yu looked at him calmly.

"I do," he replied. "But I choose the right person first."

Fu Teng was quiet.

The room felt still.

After a moment, he picked up the tea again and took another sip.

"...We will see," he said.

An Yu nodded once.

"We will."