Chapter 238: Chapter 238 Indulge a Craving Chapter 238: Chapter 238 Indulge a Craving “Right, Shopkeeper Fan, what did you need Xuexue for?” Remembering the main issue at hand, Auntie Zhang hurriedly asked.
“I would like to buy some mudfish. Could the little girl sell them to me?”
“Of course!” She had come to town specifically to sell mudfish. Overjoyed at the prospect of a buyer, how could she possibly refuse?
As Xuexue spoke, she picked up the scale, ready to weigh some for him, and looking up, she asked Shopkeeper Fan, “Shopkeeper Fan, how much mudfish would you like?”
“No, no, no,” Shopkeeper Fan quickly waved his hands.
“What’s the matter?” Straightening up, Xuexue looked at him with a puzzled face, “Didn’t you just say you wanted mudfish?”
Shopkeeper Fan stroked his snowy white beard, grinning like an old fox, and said, “Perhaps I did not make myself clear just now. I am looking to form a long-term partnership with you. What do you think, little girl?”
At this, Xuexue finally understood–it seemed a business opportunity had come knocking at her door.
Before she could say anything, Auntie Zhang, elated upon hearing this, quickly chimed in on Xuexue’s behalf, “Yes, yes.”
“Auntie, can you make this decision?” Shopkeeper Fan was unsure of their relationship.
“Hehe, I was answering on behalf of Xuexue.” Auntie Zhang was sincerely happy for Xuexue.
“That’s fine! But Old Shopkeeper, do you know how much mudfish cost?”
“Hehe…! I do, but since we are partnering long-term, could we perhaps make it a bit cheaper?”
“Sure, how about 900 Copper Coin per catty?”
Upon reflection, Shopkeeper Fan realized that the price was a full one hundred Copper Coin less per catty, so he agreed.
“Words are no proof; we should sign a contract to be secure. What do you think, Old Shopkeeper?”
Xuexue, thinking about not having to be out on the streets exposed to the sun and wind every day, and considering her future business prospects that were not limited to street vending, agreed.
Shopkeeper Fan was delighted and invited Xuexue and Big Bull to his restaurant to sign a contract. Two copies were made, with each party keeping one.
The Xiaohe Restaurant Shopkeeper Fan owned appeared very large, almost on par with the Great Harmony Restaurant, and even the name differed from the Great Harmony Restaurant by a single character. Xuexue found it odd–had the world run out of restaurant names, for him to choose one so similar? After some inquiries, she learned the truth.
It turned out that Shopkeeper Fan and the Shopkeeper of the Great Harmony Restaurant were uncle and nephew, and their relationship had always been strained. They had been at odds for many years, and now the competition had become so fierce that Shopkeeper Fan’s restaurant was almost at the brink of closure.
After leaving two baskets of mudfish for Shopkeeper Fan and collecting forty taels of silver along with the contract, Xuexue and Big Bull departed. No sooner had they reached the street than they came across Master Zhang, accompanied by a few servants, strolling about…
“Oh my, isn’t this the same little girl from the other day?” Master Zhang grated through clenched teeth. That day, his hand had been nearly crippled by the squeeze of the man beside her, causing him excruciating pain for days.
Unable to avoid the inevitable confrontation, Xuexue walked up to them and said with a click of her tongue, “Tsk, tsk, tsk… Big Bull, isn’t this the same old dog that was groveling at your feet the other day, begging for mercy?”
Regardless of how nicely she spoke, he wouldn’t let her off the hook anyway, so Xuexue simply went ahead and spoke as unpleasantly as she fancied, taking some verbal pleasure out of the situation.
Master Zhang’s face contorted into a ferocious sneer. He had been looking for an opportunity to seek revenge these past few days. The few servants behind him were also carefully selected for some grounding in martial arts.
“You wretched girl, having a sharp tongue won’t help you. Today, I’ll make you lay in bed and serve me obediently,” Master Zhang said viciously, waving his hand backward, prompting his servants to pounce toward Big Bull like a pack of wolves.