Su Chengyu’s heart was slightly surprised, but he showed no sign of it on his face. He also clasped his hands in greeting and smiled courteously to Wang Youbao, "Young Master Wang."
Li Wuyu: "..." To have the Crown Prince clasp his hands in return, Youbao, you’re really capable...
Just not sure what your expression would be if you knew the person in front of you is the Crown Prince...
Shi Xiaolan, who was born in a farmer’s family, had not seen much of the world. Seeing that Su Chengyu was evidently a gentleman from a noble family, she felt somewhat intimidated and dared not even look at Su Chengyu.
Upon hearing An Jing say that this person was Xiao Changyi’s sworn brother, Shi Xiaolan was still timid, but she quietly asked An Jing, "Why haven’t you mentioned Master Yu before?"
An Jing immediately made up a lie and smiled, "It’s an insignificant matter, so I forgot to mention it."
Su Chengyu: "..." Feeling stumped...
Li Wuyu: "..." Master, you’re definitely so lawless because you have a master father backing you up!
Wang Youbao felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he smiled and changed the topic, asking, "Master Yu, Miss Li is also from the Imperial Capital and a disciple of An Jing. I wonder if you know each other?"
Su Chengyu glanced at Li Wuyu, sending a shiver down her spine. Then, he turned to Wang Youbao with a gentle smile, "I have not met her."
After a moment, Su Chengyu, obviously interested, added, "I heard from my sister-in-law that you and my Brother Yi have started a restaurant together, and it’s doing extremely well."
Wang Youbao immediately responded with modesty, "Not at all, just earning a hard-earned penny."
Su Chengyu said with a smile, "Young Master Wang is too modest." He paused and continued, "I’ve met many merchants, and I’ve never seen one like Young Master Wang who doesn’t look like a merchant at all."
Wang Youbao was stunned, "I don’t look like a merchant?"
"Mhm, not at all," Su Chengyu said softly with a warm smile, his expression deepening as he spoke.
Potential material indeed.
His Brother Yi was really too inconsiderate, not having recommended such a talented person to him. Once back in the Capital, he would definitely write a couple more pages in a letter to talk to his Brother Yi about this matter in detail.
Wang Youbao was puzzled and took the opportunity to ask, "If I don’t look like a merchant, what do I look like?"
Su Chengyu replied, "Like those officials who manage merchants."
Upon hearing this, Wang Youbao thought Su Chengyu was making a joke, "Master Yu should not jest. I, a mere merchant, surely cannot compare to officials."
An Jing, however, heard Su Chengyu’s true intention of targeting Wang Youbao, and after exchanging a glance with her husband Xiao Changyi, she smiled and said, "Youbao, my husband’s sworn brother, his family business is quite large, and his father plans to hand it all to him to manage, but he has little experience. You have been managing your family business for many years now, why not teach him?"
Wang Youbao was also generous and clasped his hands towards Su Chengyu, saying, "If Master Yu doesn’t despise my superficial knowledge, I could have a chat with Master Yu."
"I would be delighted to hear more," Su Chengyu replied politely with a clasped hands gesture. He knew An Jing was helping him to sound out Wang Youbao, and he, too, was so inclined.
It was true that Wang Youbao was potential material, but that alone was not enough for him to use Wang Youbao. He needed to know more.
Each time Wang Youbao spoke to Su Chengyu, Li Wuyu’s heart was in her throat. Now that Wang Youbao was about to talk a great deal more to Su Chengyu, Li Wuyu’s heart had risen to her mouth.
She was afraid that Wang Youbao would say something wrong and offend Su Chengyu, the Crown Prince, resulting in a loss of life.