Wang Jin looked at Yuan Heng in surprise: "Brother Heng, you were gone so long, and besides bringing these back, you were discussing this with Shi Yu?"
Yuan Heng smiled without speaking. It wasn't just that, but the rest wasn't necessary to mention to the ger for now.
Wang Jin sighed and said: "It's not that I hadn't thought of partnering with Cheng Bai... but his status is special..."
Partnering with his nominal fiance—what would Yuan Heng think about that?
"I trust my ger," Yuan Heng interrupted Wang Jin. "Furthermore, Shi Yu has already given the firework you gifted him to Cheng Bai."
Wang Jin looked up in surprise. Yuan Heng said: "My ger should do whatever he wants to do."
The surprised expression on Wang Jin's face gradually faded, replaced by joy and happiness: "If Brother Heng says so, then I won't hold back."
"Mm." Yuan Heng responded softly and said: "I'll go arrange these first."
He pointed to the stones he had brought back. Wang Jin nodded and released the man. The man led the others into the small courtyard.
Partnering with Cheng Bai... if he agreed, would certainly be far simpler than dealing with Pan Shulin. Furthermore, Wang Jin wouldn't need to appear publicly himself.
This way, under any circumstances, it wouldn't implicate his brother Xi Ning...
In Wang Jin's previous life, officials' families were not permitted to engage in business. Here, the distinction was not so strict, but this blurred line could easily cause trouble for those who were not cautious, making it simpler for others to find a pretext to use against them. This had been one of the key reasons Wang Jin was unwilling to let Xi Ning manage the business.
Seeing that Yuan Heng remained in the small courtyard without coming out, Wang Jin thought for a moment, then took two gers with him and went out.
He sent one person to invite Cheng Bai, while he himself went to the largest restaurant in the city.
Cheng Bai arrived almost the moment Wang Jin sat down. When he arrived, sweat was beading on his forehead, he looked like he had run over, and his clothes were somewhat disheveled.
"..." Wang Jin silently picked up the towel from the restaurant and handed it to him. Cheng Bai took it happily, wiped his sweat, and sat down opposite Wang Jin.
"I heard all about it. You want to sell fireworks, little delicate one?"
"..." Shi Yu told him?
Wang Jin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Cheng Bai agreed immediately: "Sure."
Wang Jin's eye twitched slightly. "You... aren't going to ask about the profit share? Or how they'll be sold?"
Cheng Bai stared straight at Wang Jin, his thoughts clearly visible: "However you want to sell them is fine. I'll listen to you, little delicate one. I don't care about the profit split."
"..." Wang Jin took a deep breath. It was precisely because he anticipated it might be like this that he repeatedly hesitated to seek cooperation with Cheng Bai. Wang Jin sighed, his eyes full of helplessness.
Cheng Bai said: "However, I have one small request."
"?" Wang Jin's eyes lit up: Having a request is good, having a request makes it easier to avoid owing favors.
He looked at Cheng Bai inquiringly.
Cheng Bai laughed and said: "Can you come to my house tomorrow? I have something I want to give you."
"......" Wang Jin fell silent. His intention was simply to avoid incurring any debts of gratitude; wouldn't accepting an item from this man only deepen the obligation? Furthermore, could this object possibly be something significant, like a family heirloom often used as a pledge of love? He already had a partner and could not possibly accept a betrothal token from another.
Wang Jin looked at Cheng Bai with a face full of suspicion. Cheng Bai seemed to grasp Wang Jin's concern and hurriedly waved his hands. "It's not anything important. There's just an item I particularly want to give to you. It's not possible today, it has to be tomorrow. Come and get it tomorrow. Once you take it, we will cooperate."
"You mean... no cooperation if I don't take it? Even though these fireworks are absolutely guaranteed to make money?" Wang Jin asked tentatively.
A flash of struggle passed through Cheng Bai's eyes, then he pressed his lips together firmly and said, "Right. No taking it, no cooperation."
"......" The corner of Wang Jin's eyebrow twitched uncontrollably as he fell into a dilemma. Cheng Bai assured him again, "Rest assured, it's definitely not anything important. It won't put you in a difficult position."
"Really?" Wang Jin thought about it and asked, as if seeking confirmation.
Cheng Bai nodded.
Wang Jin lowered his gaze in thought, a flicker of resolve flashing in his eyes. "Fine. I'll come find you tomorrow. Tonight, I will write up a detailed plan for you. Don't worry, I won't let you lose money."
Although in his previous life Wang Jin lived off his father's estate, the shops his father left him never operated at a loss.
Making money for Cheng Bai without causing a loss wouldn't count as owing him... this could be considered mutual benefit.
"Good." Cheng Bai smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits. When he squinted, he looked even more like a fox, exuding an air of cunning from head to toe.
"Alright then, I'll take my leave first." Having said that, Wang Jin made to stand up. Cheng Bai quickly frowned and said, "We haven't eaten yet. Let's have a meal together. I'm not some wolf or tiger."
"......" Wang Jin shook his head. "Forget about the meal. It's not appropriate for you and me. Only if our engagement is formally dissolved someday would a private meal be appropriate."
Wang Jin said this with a smile, then left with his servant ger. Cheng Bai watched his retreating figure with a look of desolation, letting out a long, soft sigh.
Only now did he understand that the once coquettish and delicate person could be so aloof toward others. What a pity that when this person was warm and affectionate toward him, he hadn't known how to treasure it.
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