Two individuals walked together, Lin Wanrong remained silent throughout the journey. Young Master saw Lin San frowning and dared not speak.
Upon returning to his own small cabin, Lin Wanrong didn't bother to wipe his face. He lay straight on the bed, feeling something stuck in his heart, making him uncomfortable. He scolded and fought today, feeling satisfied, but beyond that, he couldn't find any solace. Damn, did I overestimate myself? He sneered at himself.
He fumbled in his arms and took out the double-barreled shotgun Xiao Qingxuan had given him. The barrel still carried the scent of burning gunpowder, with a faint fragrance. This Western shotgun had exquisite craftsmanship, and the one given by Xiao Qingxuan was a masterpiece, rarely seen even in European royalty. With Da Hua's current technology, producing such a firearm was challenging, let alone a shotgun. And judging by Prince Zhao Kangning's astonished expression, he probably hadn't seen a shotgun before. Could Xiao Qingxuan's status be even more noble than Zhao Kangning's?
He pondered silently for a while, then started playing with the shotgun. It was the first time using this firearm, and he almost embarrassed himself. Lacking confidence in his marksmanship, he worried about missing the target. That's why he intentionally fired two shots. The shotgun had strong recoil, hitting the target on the first shot but deviating on the second, which embarrassed him. However, witnessing the power of the shotgun, he gained more confidence. Regardless of encountering any so-called experts, they were all amateurs before this shotgun.
Xiao Qingxuan treated him well; Lin Wanrong now understood Xiao Qingxuan's thoughtful intentions. With this shotgun in hand, he feared no one. He sighed slightly, recalling the days spent with Qingxuan. Though brief, the impression was deep. He wondered when he would see her again.
Today, he didn't know what happened. His emotions were unusually low. Lying on the bed, he unconsciously drifted into a dream.
After an unknown amount of time, a gentle knock on the door came. Lin Wanrong opened his eyes to find the sky completely dark. He had slept deeply until this late hour.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, he wondered how he became capable of sleeping like a pig. He opened the door, and a soft female voice outside said, "Why not light the lamp?"
"Because the night is most suitable for contemplation," Lin Wanrong chuckled, swiftly welcoming the young lady into the room.
"Loquacious!" Xiao Yuruo glanced at him, turned around to find a lamp, and lit it. The dim light cast a faint glow on her beautiful face and graceful figure, enchanting and charming.
Lin Wanrong was momentarily stunned, then said, "Miss, why did you come?"
Xiao Yuruo didn't speak. Seeing the black marks on his hands and face, she frowned and said, "You, look at yourself. Covered in dust, it's unsightly."
Lin Wanrong shook his head and said, "Tired. Don't feel like moving."
"Tired? I think you're just lazy, always finding excuses." Miss Bai gave him a disdainful look, stood up, took a few steps, and brought hot water towels for him, saying softly, "Quick, wipe yourself."
Lin Wanrong took the towels and wiped them haphazardly, saying with a smile, "Thank you, Miss, for personally serving tea and pouring water. Lin San is extremely grateful."
Miss Bai glanced at him and snorted, "You always like to be mischievous. Whether in front of me or others, today you offended Mr. Mei Yanqiu again. You don't know how influential she is in the capital. Now, before we even go to the capital, we've offended a big figure."
Lin Wanrong glanced at her and said, "You already know?"
Miss Bai nodded, "Cousin came back and told me about the incident. The little prince, Zhao Kangning, won't mention it. He has never had good intentions towards our Xiao family. You embarrassed him is not the first time. But this Mei Yanqiu's disciple, in the capital, they are all influential figures. You offended her, and we will surely face trouble when we go to the capital after the New Year. Speaking of which, it's all because of Miss Luo Ning's trouble—"
Lin Wanrong, puzzled, asked, "What does Miss Luo have to do with this?"
Miss Bai snorted, "If it weren't for her invitation, this wouldn't have happened. I see you've been enchanted by her. Yesterday you even fooled me, saying she wouldn't go."
Sweat, did I fool you? Clearly, you didn't understand the implied meaning of my words. Lin Wanrong shook his head and said, "This has nothing to do with Miss Luo. With my personality, sooner or later, I would have clashed with that Mei person. It's just a matter of time."
Miss Bai knew he wasn't wrong in saying that, sighed lightly, and said, "Our business people, in the eyes of those old masters, have a status lower than even farmers. This is not just a matter of one or two families; it's the atmosphere of the entire Da Hua Dynasty. It's not something you can change with just a few words. You, who are usually so clever, why can't you see through this matter so easily?"
Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, "When the road is uneven, everyone tramples on it. If I don't do this, I won't feel at ease."
Miss Bai whispered, "I followed my mother into the business at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Business people's status, let's not talk about it. As an orphan with a widowed mother, traveling around, how many white eyes and bullying have I suffered, I can't count. If everyone is like you, we wouldn't have survived until today."
Thinking of the past bitterness, tears welled up in Miss Bai's eyes, and she said softly, "You, can't you endure a little? Even if you trample on the unevenness, what will it change? Did you win this battle? Scolding felt refreshing, but it also ruined your own interest. Look at your current state, gloomy, not at all like the Lin San from before. Back then, you told me about the troubles of the Xiao family, I was frowning every day, feeling bitter. You said to me, worry is for a day, happiness is also for a day, people need to learn to enjoy. You advised me, but why have you fallen into this now?"
These words from Miss Bai made Lin Wanrong feel warm inside. He looked at Xiao Yuruo and said, "Miss, I thought you came to reprimand me. I didn't expect you to come to comfort me. I'm touched and almost want to cry."
Xiao Yuruo blushed slightly, stubbornly said, "What are you grateful for? I came to reprimand you. See if you dare to offend people casually in the future."
Miss Bai, tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Lin Wanrong understood her, feeling a little moved in his heart. He nodded and said, "Miss, rest assured. That Mei person is
unkind and will face divine retribution. Speaking of which, even if she has many wealthy and noble disciples, we are not necessarily soft persimmons." As he said this, he inexplicably thought of the well-dressed old man he encountered outside the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou that day. Of course, the one currently hiding somewhere in Jinling was the current prime minister, Xu Wei. With the current relationship between Xu Laotou and him, anyone who wanted to move Lin San or the Xiao family would need to think twice.
"Lin San, my Xiao family has no retreat now. You offended so many people; others will blame us. You can't just let it go. Otherwise, even if I become a ghost, I won't spare you." Miss Bai said softly.
Sweat, this, without me, you would have turned into a ghost long ago. Lin Wanrong smiled bitterly and said, "Miss, it's not as serious as you said. We only signed a one-year contract. You can't hold me responsible for a lifetime."
"Who wants to hold you responsible for a lifetime—" Miss Bai snorted, "These matters in my family, good and bad, are all caused by you. If you don't solve them, don't think about going anywhere. If you break the contract, I'll give you a ten or a hundred-year contract."
It turns out she wants to trick me into renewing the contract. This little girl is domineering and cunning. Lin Wanrong smiled and changed the subject, "Miss, how's the integration of the stores of the Tao family going?"
Miss Bai nodded, "After discussing with the stewards, they are all proceeding according to the plan. You took a break today; tomorrow you must not run away again, or I'll deduct your salary." Talking about deducting salary, even she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Speaking of salary, Lin Wanrong suddenly remembered and called out, "Miss, my perfume should also have a share by now."
Miss Bai smiled, "Don't worry; I won't leave you out. The net profit of our perfume this month is around thirty thousand taels. If you calculate half of it, it's fifteen thousand taels for you."
"Better than nothing—" Lin Wanrong laughed, "Miss, are you falsifying accounts?"
"Being killed by your bad temper—" Miss Bai was so angry that she sighed. She accidentally knocked over the oil lamp on the table. With a light sound, the oil lamp wick fluttered a few times before going out completely, leaving the room in pitch darkness.
Miss Bai screamed in surprise, and the sudden darkness made her at a loss.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Lin Wanrong gently pulled her and said, "I'm here."
In the darkness, Miss Bai hadn't spoken for a long time. Lin Wanrong heard her breathing sound somewhat strange. Turning his head to look, he saw her looking at him, eyes sparkling as if there were teardrops.
Lin Wanrong was puzzled and quickly whispered, "Miss Bai, are you okay?"
Miss Bai shook her head with a smile and said, "What can happen? If I hadn't been angered by you, I would have long been used to it."
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I talk like this because I'm familiar with you. When others want to joke with me, I can't be bothered."
"Lin San, you rest well. I'll come find you early tomorrow morning. Don't dare to slack off." Miss Bai turned her head, pulled the door, and left. Lin Wanrong, who was still confused, saw that Miss Bai turned back and said, "Almost forgot, this is a letter delivered to the mansion at noon today, saying it's for you."
She took out an envelope from her chest and handed it to Lin Wanrong. Lin Wanrong, a little surprised, said, "A letter for me? Who wrote it? I don't have many friends in Jinling."
Miss Bai said, "You'll know when you read it."
The room was too dark, and Lin Wanrong had difficulty seeing. After groping for a long time, he finally lit an oil lamp. Looking outside again, Miss Bai had already left without a trace.
He took out the letter from the envelope, but it turned out to be a small piece of white paper. On it were two lines written in small characters: "Feeling the sincerity of you, I should repay it with a ring of grass."