Meanwhile, Yang Ruxin took her time on the return journey to care for Fang Tianze’s health, so it was slower than usual, taking more than an hour to reach Lianhua Town. Originally, Han Baichuan had intended to escort her all the way back to her home, but Ruxin refused because Tianze’s carriage was spacious enough for her to ride comfortably. It seemed improper to ask Han Baichuan to make another trip.
Without making much of a fuss, Han Baichuan simply had some food packed from his own restaurant to take along.
"Thank you, Uncle Han. I should be going now..." Ruxin accepted the packed food without ceremony, letting Tianze’s servant Liuyun take the food box, and was about to get into the carriage when someone rushed over from behind, "Miss Yang, Miss Yang, please wait..."
Even Han Baichuan, who was about to enter the door, stopped in his tracks.
Ruxin frowned and turned her head to see a man running towards her, panting, "Miss Yang, I’ve finally found you..."
"You are..." Ruxin raised her eyebrows slightly. She recognized the man, who was none other than Ma Zhong, the Baiwei Restaurant’s shopkeeper, although she didn’t want to acknowledge him.
"Oh, it’s me, Ma Zhong, the shopkeeper of Baiwei Restaurant. We’ve met just a few days ago," Ma Zhong pointed at his own face, trying to calm his racing heartbeat from the running. These past days, he had been searching for Yang Ruxin without any news. He was scolded by his boss every few days and even had his position as shopkeeper revoked, being told that he could resume his duties only when he managed to strike a deal with this girl. He didn’t want to lose his job.
"So it’s Shopkeeper Ma. What business do you have with me?" Ruxin’s smile barely concealed her insincerity, even to her own perception.
"Miss Yang, I was wrong about last time..." Ma Zhong tried to catch his breath, "...our Baiwei Restaurant is willing to honor the previous contract. We will take all of your ’whatever sauce’ and we will order every month. Name your price..."
Han Baichuan’s heart leaped with concern and he watched Ruxin closely.
"Heh heh..." Ruxin laughed, "Shopkeeper Ma, thank you for your generous offer, but in life and business, one must adhere to certain principles. Opportunities, once missed, do not come again..."
Ma Zhong nodded vigorously, his face full of anticipation, waiting for her to continue.
However, Ruxin simply nodded and then turned to jump into the carriage, instructing the driver Liu Guang, "Let’s go."
"Hey..." In desperation, Ma Zhong ran after the carriage, "Miss Yang, we haven’t finished talking..."
"Everything that needed to be said has been said," Ruxin spread her hands.
"I am truly sincere this time..." Ma Zhong held on to the carriage door, not letting go, "What do you need for us to work together?"
"No matter what, cooperation is now impossible," Ruxin sighed, "As I said, opportunities are fleeting... You’re not young anymore; stop following or if you get hurt, I won’t have enough silver to compensate you..."
Upon hearing this, Ma Zhong reluctantly let go, watching the carriage drive away and then spitting on the ground out of spite, "Unappreciative wretch..." But after venting, his face soured again, wondering how he would explain this to his boss. No, he had to try again; he couldn’t believe that a mere country girl could resist.
Actually, Tianze had been thinking all along the journey that it would be nice to ride in the same carriage as Ruxin, so they could chat, but he was too shy to say anything. Now, at last, his wish was granted.