But when Gu Youyou saw Jin Zijin’s smile-filled eyes, she couldn’t help but feel there was something mischievous about them.
After all, they were pillow companions; Gu Youyou also trusted him not to let her suffer too much of a loss.
Wearing a hat too high isn’t necessarily a good thing; it could just end up breaking your neck.
With a laugh, she sat upright and hummed, "Hmm, there’s some sense in that, keep going."
"So..." Jin Zijin glanced once more at Yue Rujing, who looked trustingly pleased, and feeling increasingly uneasy, hurriedly said, "So Youyou definitely can’t shortchange Ajing; we must at least arrange a Store Manager position for him."
Yue Rujing was stunned, already sensing something fishy.
Jin Zijin continued, "Ajing’s wages cannot be low; they must be at least three times that of a normal worker, and he needs to be given a share of the dividends at the end of the year."
Yue Rujing was dumbfounded, and Gu Youyou, momentarily startled, then burst into laughter, eagerly agreeing, "Right, right, Zijin is correct. It’s only fitting for someone of Ajing’s talents to be a Store Manager. The wage issue is easy to settle; three times that of a normal worker is just the base salary. If you do well, I’ll give you a bonus, and during festivals, I’ll prepare a generous gift for you, ensuring your satisfaction..."
"You... you two..." Yue Rujing was so exasperated he was lost for words, exclaiming, "Big Brother, you’ve changed..."
Jin Zijin didn’t care about his lamenting, pushing him out and saying, "Find a suitable reason to step out for a while."
After sending him out, they closed the door again.
Gu Youyou’s face was full of smiles, not because she had thwarted Yue Rujing, that walking bandit, from reaping any benefits and even putting him in an awkward spot, but because Jin Zijin’s way of teasing was something she had to admire.
Yue Rujing had two identities: as a disciple of Tianzong, given that he was Jin Zijin’s junior brother, his status was evidently not low. Secondly, he was the Princely Heir of the Marquis Residence from Lingnan, the future master of Lingnan. It made sense for him to come to Beijing and become a shareholder in Jisheng Hall.
First, because Jisheng Hall was a medical clinic with a renowned name, extending to Lingnan, and occasionally undertaking some free medicine distribution activities, which were all good deeds.
Second, it was commonplace for high officials and nobles to own their commercial properties; nobody could support a large family on their official salary alone.
However, if Yue Rujing was not to become a shareholder in Jisheng Hall, but to be a mere foreman earning wages, it would be a disgrace, especially knowing that even the Store Manager was an employee.
Seeing she had enjoyed herself enough, Jin Zijin also said with a light smile, "Money-grubber!"
"I’m a merchant!" Gu Youyou seriously said to Jin Zijin, "Do you think I’m too mercantile?"
They rarely had the opportunity to be alone during the day, and Jin Zijin pulled her onto his lap, saying with a light laugh, "As long as you’re happy. If you love money, in the future..."
At that point, Jin Zijin suddenly stopped.
In fact, he wanted to say that if she loved money, in the future he would shower her with the finest things in Jinxiu City, making her one of the wealthiest in the land.
But that would have to wait until he succeeded; it was his property, and he would reclaim it one piece at a time.
"In the future what?"
Hearing only half, Gu Youyou looked at him, refusing to let the matter go.
Jin Zijin slightly narrowed his eyes as if reminiscing about the past, his thoughts drifting far, making his pupils dilate, and he merely sighed softly, "Two hundred li east of Beijing, lies a city called Jinxiu, the wealthiest city in Zhuzhao Country. There reside the finest embroiderers of Zhuzhao, and all the high-end brocades and silk products from various countries originate from Jinxiu City."
Gu Youyou gazed at him, momentarily perplexed, and unintentionally her right hand slipped into her sleeve, where a pocket was sewn, hiding something.