Chapter 66
The household registration paperwork was processed quickly. This thing was quite similar to a modern household registration booklet. Lao Wang asked questions, and Fang Zichen answered them. The whole process took no longer than the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
Fang Zichen tucked away the document and asked, "How much does it cost?"
"Two hundred and eighty copper coins," Lao Wang said.
As Fang Zichen fished out the money, he remarked, "Don’t try to cheat me!"
Hearing this, the village chief nearly choked.
Lao Wang glared at him indignantly. "What kind of nonsense is that? Am I that kind of person? Out of consideration for our acquaintance, I only charged you for the ink and paper—didn’t even include labor fees. Anyone else would’ve had to pay at least five or six hundred copper coins before leaving."
Fang Zichen, having gotten a good deal, started acting smug. He patted Lao Wang’s shoulder. "Lao Wang, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. A real pillar of virtue in these corrupt times! Selfless! Honest! So kind it brings tears to my eyes! Truly, a gem among men. I’m moved. Absolutely moved!"
Lao Wang wasn’t buying it. "Stop with the bullshit."
"Seriously, good people go to heaven when they die, bad people go to hell. You’re definitely heading up." Fang Zichen added, "A hundred years from now, I’ll remember to burn some gold and silver treasures for you."
Village Chief: "..."
Lao Wang: "..."
Lao Wang wanted to kick him. "Get lost!"
"Then I’ll be off," Fang Zichen said.
Lao Wang wasn’t actually angry and waved him off. "Come by for tea next time you’re free."
"Sure!"
Fang Zichen agreed verbally but had no intention of actually going. For one, it might just be polite talk. Secondly, Lao Wang’s house was far from Zuixiao Restaurant. Those with carriages didn’t care, but for someone like him who had to rely on his own two legs to get anywhere, it was a big deal.
Besides, was Lao Wang’s tea brewed with divine water? Was it worth the trip? If he had time to walk that far for tea, wouldn’t it be better to go home and tease Zhao Ger? A little sweet talk, a kiss when the mood struck, a gentle touch—wasn’t that much nicer?
After this incident, the village chief was utterly impressed by Fang Zichen.
The man had wide connections and nerves of steel. If an ordinary person had said those things, they’d probably be sitting in jail by now.
A couple of days ago, Uncle Liu’s father-in-law had passed away. Last night, he had specifically come to tell Zhao Ger that they should come by on the day of the funeral.
[Uncle Liu: A ger from the village whom Zhao Ger previously bought eggs from]
Fang Zichen had no familial ties to He Daleng’s family, but funerals and weddings were major events in the village. Regardless of relations, everyone in the same village was expected to lend a hand.
Before leaving today, Zhao Ger had asked him to buy some paper money on the way back. The village chief was also heading to the coffin shop to help He Daleng’s family with arrangements, so the two walked together.
As soon as they entered, the coffin shop owner came forward, introducing them to the items. The craftsmanship of the ancients was truly impressive—horses, bridal sedan chairs, and little maidservants were all cut so vividly they seemed alive.
Fang Zichen had initially admired them, but then he remembered they were for the dead and quickly lost interest. After buying the paper money, he stood to the side. The owner walked over with a smile and struck up a conversation. "Young master, do you remember me?"
Fang Zichen nodded. "Yeah, you came to Zuixiao Restaurant for a meal last time."
"Heh," the owner chuckled. "Actually, I’ve been paying attention to you for a while."
Huh?!
Fang Zichen was stunned.
Why was a coffin seller paying attention to him?
"I have a niece, eighteen years old," the owner said. "Pretty, hardworking, knows how to wash clothes and cook, works in the fields—"
"Hold on, hold on." Realizing this was a matchmaking attempt, Fang Zichen couldn’t take it anymore and cut in bluntly. "I already have a fulang."
"That’s fine, she can be the second wife!"
She might be fine with it, but I’m not!
Fang Zichen was about to shake his head in refusal when the owner grinned. In his eyes, ger were stiff and unappealing—how could they compare to soft, delicate girls? "Besides, what man doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Sticking with just one gets boring—gotta switch things up sometimes!"
What kind of scumbag talk was this?!
If this owner were in a place like the Kingdom of Women, he’d probably be dragged out and shot!
[The Kingdom of Women: a fictional all-female nation in Journey to the West where men are forbidden and traditional gender roles are reversed, with women holding all political and social power]
Fang Zichen was speechless. And anyway, what kind of men had three wives and four concubines? Either they came from prominent families or were extremely wealthy. Right now, he was just a commoner, a laborer. In this era where human life was as cheap as grass, he’d be lucky not to get dragged off as cannon fodder—three wives and four concubines?! Was this guy still dreaming?
Besides, a truly charismatic man only needed one wife. Only broken-down carts constantly changed their wheels.
Zhao Ger was well-behaved, gentle, considerate, and utterly devoted to him. Fang Zichen was more than satisfied.
He politely declined. "One is enough for me. Can’t afford more."
"Don’t joke around. You work at Zuixiao Restaurant—must earn several taels a month. Can’t possibly not afford to support a few more in the household!"
The owner of coffin shop wasn’t giving up. In this world, merchants might be ranked lowest in the social hierarchy, but they made money! Wasn’t that better than clinging to a few meager fields? His small coffin shop had taken effort to establish in town. Zuixiao Restaurant was a famous establishment in Fu’an Town, and its owner, Yang Mutao, had connections with both the gambling den and shipping industry bosses. Rumor had it that Yang Mutao planned to have Fang Zichen take over for the old shopkeeper. If Fang Zichen married his niece, he’d definitely be able to lend support later.
Seizing this rare opportunity, the owner spared no effort in persuasion.
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