In Jian’an City where every inch of land was worth gold, owning a store might not guarantee significant profit, but the storefront itself could certainly fetch a good price.
"Being someone with limited connections like me, I might not be able to sell top-notch items. So I just barge in blindly, hoping to make as much money as I can when I find a lucrative opportunity, and pull out promptly when I’m incurring losses."
He chuckled sheepishly.
"It’s the same for everyone."
Lin Caisang also chuckled and responded.
"Dad, I’m back... Miss Lin, why are you here?"
As the words were spoken, Zeng Yulang returned home. Upon opening the courtyard door and sighting Lin Caisang, his first reaction was surprise, followed by a question.
"I was just passing by, so I came to visit," Lin Caisang replied.
"Yulang, what happened at the academy? Did the vice principal tell you what exactly is going on?" Seeing his son, Old Man Zeng, too engrossed to notice Lin Caisang at first, asked anxiously.
"Well, what else could it be? It’s that woman causing trouble, as the vice principal said. It’s just the Marquis Mansion using their influence to pressure the academy, and that’s how they struck off my name."
Zeng Yulang replied bluntly.
This was not rocket science; it was too obvious.
Yan Jinhua must have heard that his face was almost healed by Lin Caisang, so when she realized her plan didn’t work, she shifted strategies to spite him. In short, she didn’t want to see him better off than her, as he was the poor scholar she had discarded!
"This damn Yan Family!"
Old Man Zeng’s face turned red with anger as he cursed bitterly.
"So, what do you plan to do, stay home and study? Can you succeed with that?"
"Studying at home will suffice. I’ve already arranged with the vice principal to borrow books from him when the time comes. He has plenty of books," Zeng Yulang stated.
Among everyone at the academy, only the vice principal was a good person. The rest, he shook his head; they stared at him today as if he was covered in something filthy.
They were all social climbers, he had seen enough.
"Dad, what were you discussing with Miss Lin?"
"The matter of our grocery store. We’re planning to sell it, and it so happens Miss Lin wants to buy a storefront in Jian’an City. Isn’t our storefront just right?" Old Man Zeng turned to his son and replied.
"Miss Lin wants to open a store in Jian’an City?" Zeng Yulang looked towards Lin Caisang, a bit surprised.
"If I have a storefront, why not conduct some business? I, for one, can’t really sit on any silver I have. Engaging in small businesses serves as a pastime," Lin Caisang chuckled as she spoke.
"Also, the emperor awarded me some fertile land. I can’t just cultivate crops without selling any merchandise, can I?"
"Miss Lin, what about this proposition?"
After hearing her words, Zeng Yulang contemplated for a while before finally voicing his thoughts.
"We’ll offer our store to you. From now on, my father and I will help you manage the business in the store and work for you. Does that sound alright?"
Lin Caisang opened her mouth wide, shocked by his proposition.
Did Zeng Yulang intend to follow her? Surely not! He was a scholar. Would it be okay for him to follow her around, a traveling physician? And he was even offering his storefront, making this a losing deal. It was a complete loss. If she were in the same position, she’d never agree to such a thing.
She glanced at Old Man Zeng, thinking he would certainly lambaste Zeng Yulang, his mischievous son. Little did she know...
"Yulang, you’ve come up with a great idea."
Surprisingly, Old Man Zeng clapped his hands together, his face beaming, praising his son’s idea.