Chapter 193: Spoiled By Jealousy
Cui Rong took a sip of the “water” in his cup and choked.
“Cough cough…”
“What’s wrong?” Su Yaoguang heard the noise and turned back, handing him a handkerchief. “Wipe it off. How could you be so careless?”
Cui Rong’s cheeks flushed. He took the handkerchief and wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth, saying with a red face, “Why is it wine?”
“Is it wine?” Su Yaoguang was surprised and took a sip. “It really is wine.”
She waved at a shop assistant not far away and pointed at the wine in the cup. “I didn’t order wine.”
The shop assistant smiled. “This is the boss’s intention. The boss said Boss Su is our distinguished guest, and this is a gift.”
Su Yaoguang: “…Help me thank your boss.”
She looked at Cui Rong opposite her and said embarrassedly, “The boss meant well, but I didn’t expect Young Master Cui doesn’t drink.”
“I drink, I just wasn’t on guard.” Cui Rong said, “Does Boss Su have a good tolerance for alcohol?”
Su Yaoguang said, “It’s alright… Huh, Zi Zhan Young Master’s zither sound today is so strange. Why does it feel full of killing intent?”
Chen Buyu and Zhong Chushan moved to the side, farther and farther, almost to the doorway.
“Is this his attitude toward older sister?” Chen Buyu and Zhong Chushan complained. “Not long ago, I asked him, and he said on the surface he and Boss Su are husband and wife, but actually they are brother and sister. He has other matters to handle and will leave here sooner or later. When he’s gone, he asked us brothers to help take care of the Su family.”
“He said the same words to me.” Zhong Chushan said.
“Brother and sister?” The two said in unison, even their disdainful looks were identical.
Zhou Wangshu’s gaze lingered on Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong.
Cui Rong was choked by the alcoholic beverages, and Su Yaoguang even gave him her own handkerchief to wipe.
That stinky boy actually took it and actually wiped?!
“Zi Zhan Young Master’s zither sound today is like the clash of arms on the battlefield. Magnificent, wonderful!”
“Zi Zhan Young Master really has varied styles. Not long ago that melody was full of chivalrous tenderness, the one before that was full of sunshine when played, as if the world is full of warmth everywhere, and today it’s so majestic. Zi Zhan Young Master must have experienced many things as an adult man, probably around forty years old.”
Cui Rong took a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Su Yaoguang.
Su Yaoguang listened to his words and took it.
Thud! The zither sound stopped.
Zhou Wangshu stood up.
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu saw this and leaned toward the window, seeing the scene of Su Yaoguang accepting the “token.”
“Did you hear it?” Zhong Chushan asked.
Chen Buyu looked puzzled. “What?”
“The sound.” Zhong Chushan pointed at Zhou Wangshu. “Our Young Master Zhou’s heartbroken sound.”
Chen Buyu burst out laughing.
When Zhou Wangshu looked over, he immediately shut his mouth.
At this time, Su Yaoguang was settling the bill, then left with Cui Rong.
“Young Master Cui is no good, actually letting the young lady treat him to a meal.”
“This also shows that today’s meal was an invitation proactively issued by Boss Su. Whoever issues the invitation naturally settles the bill.”
“How old is our Wangshu?”
“Fourteen? I remember he had his birthday not long ago.”
“Too young.” Zhong Chushan shook his head and tsked. “Don’t look at Young Master Cui seeming young, he’s already fifteen, just one year younger than Boss Su!”
“One year younger is nothing, they can get married anyway.”
“Are you two very idle?” Zhou Wangshu straightened his sleeves. “Just right, I want to see Boss Zhong and Boss Chen, and talk to them about the arrangements for your upcoming studies.”
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu’s faces changed drastically.
“I say Wangshu, have you been possessed lately? Why are you suddenly so serious about our studies?”
“Boss Zhong and Boss Chen made a three-point agreement with me. If I can take you to pass the juren scholar exam, each will give me five thousand taels of silver. If I can get you to pass the presented scholar exam and enter officialdom, each will give me fifty thousand taels of silver.”
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged a glance.
“Five thousand?”
“Fifty thousand?”
The two said in unison, “He won’t earn that money.”
“How will you know without trying? You two young masters are my money gods, I have to take good care of you. Don’t worry, I’ll write out your study arrangements tonight, and start strict training on you tomorrow.”
“Wangshu, let’s make a deal. If we inherit the family property, we’ll also give you fifty thousand taels of silver.” Chen Buyu wanted to cry just thinking about the dark days ahead.
“From the physical condition of the two big bosses, they will live at least another thirty years. By the time you inherit the family property in thirty years, I’ll already be an old man. What’s the use of having money then? It’s better to earn money now, to support the family, and live freely.”
Zhou Wangshu smiled. “I’ll let you relax for half a day today, see you tomorrow.”
Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu exchanged a glance, both wailing at the same time.
“Brothers, why did we have to meet him?”
“No, why do we have to listen to him?”
The two were silent for a moment, and finally could only accept their fate.
They could only listen to him.
Beneath Zhou Wangshu’s harmless appearance hid eight hundred schemes; they couldn’t outplay him and could only accept their fate and obey.
The workshop delivered the first batch of goods, the heavy burden on Su Yaoguang’s shoulders lightened a bit, and her mood was quite good. She rarely relaxed today and personally cooked her family’s favorite pastries.
When Zhou Wangshu returned, Su Yaoguang pinched a piece of pastry and fed it into his mouth. “Ah, is it sweet?”
Zhou Wangshu held the pastry and looked at the pattern on it, his heart jolting.
“What is this pastry called?”
“This is something I made up myself, didn’t expect it to taste pretty good. I named it Ruyi Pastry.”
Zhou Wangshu had seen it in that dream; it was the pastry Su Yaoguang researched after becoming the Top Scholar’s wife to please Xiao Yanci.
Why could she make it now?
He had that dream in the temple—did it mean she had that dream too? Could it be that she experienced all that in the dream?
If she had those memories, did it mean she really became Xiao Yanci’s wife?
“What are you spacing out for?” Su Yaoguang looked at him. “If you don’t like sweet ones, I’ll make salty ones next time.”
Zhou Wangshu’s gaze stopped at her waist. “Where did this jade pendant come from?”
Su Yaoguang picked up the jade pendant, touched it, and said, “A gift from someone. This jade pendant is very important; it’s a symbol of identity.”
Zhou Wangshu: “…”
Su Yaoguang wanted to say more, but when she turned back, Zhou Wangshu had left without a greeting.
“What’s wrong with this child today?” Su Yaoguang muttered to herself. “Could he have been bullied at the academy? That shouldn’t be! There are no people at the academy now who would give him trouble. He saved so many people from the epidemic before; everyone likes him a lot. He should be doing quite well now.”
Whatever. A child’s thoughts are hard to guess. Later, take him out to stroll the night market and see if I can cheer him up.
