"...You drew this, little delicate one?" Cheng Bai moved aside the white paper Wang Jin had used to cover it. The hanging scroll depicted an elegant young master wearing extremely intricate and luxurious clothing, set against ink-wash style flowers and plants. The person looked like an immortal who had fallen to the mortal world.
"..." Wang Jin snatched back the white paper Cheng Bai had lifted and covered the drawing again, saying irritably, "Don't you know to knock before entering?"
"I thought someone would announce me," Cheng Bai said, making himself at home and sitting down beside Wang Jin.
Wang Jin rolled his eyes at him. "What decision do you need my approval for this time?"
Hearing this, Cheng Bai adopted a serious expression. "It's not about a decision this time. I wanted to tell you that the fireworks are almost sold out."
So fast?
Wang Jin was a bit surprised. Cheng Bai said, "I've already sent people to find more of those materials. Once we have the materials, we can continue cooperating."
Upon hearing this, Wang Jin quickly waved his hand. "No, we agreed to cooperate only this once. Consider the formula my compensation for your hard work selling the fireworks all these days. I won't be selling fireworks in the future."
"Switching to selling clothes?" Cheng Bai asked, glancing at the drawing on the table.
"..." Wang Jin didn't answer.
Cheng Bai said, "Recently, a very popular ready-to-wear shop appeared. More than half of its clothes are sold to beastmen. The clothing styles are novel and unique, but the effect when worn is excellent. The color combinations are also very popular among beastmen. Within a few days, it became the most popular ready-to-wear shop in Ning'an City. The business at the fabric store under my name has been significantly affected."
As he spoke, Cheng Bai chuckled lightly. "I was wondering who this capable person was who suddenly appeared. I just sent someone to investigate, and I didn't expect to stumble upon it..."
Cheng Bai lifted a corner of the paper covering Wang Jin's drawing and peeked inside. "This drawing is extremely well done. I've never seen you draw before. If it weren't for the fact that a few similar drawings are already hanging in your ready-to-wear shop, I really wouldn't have thought it was you, little delicate one."
Wang Jin's eyes flickered. Cheng Bai's gaze softened. "You've given me quite a few surprises since you disappeared."
"..." Wang Jin pushed his hand away and covered his drawing properly. "I need to have some business in Ning'an City to establish myself. I can't always rely on my brother."
Cheng Bai's eyes lit up. "I like your thinking, little delicate one."
"...Alright." Wang Jin sighed. "The fireworks are sold out. Just give me the remaining money. I gave you the formula long ago, and there's nothing else to settle. If there's nothing else, you can go back."
Upon hearing this, a trace of bitterness flashed in Cheng Bai's eyes. "The way you say that sounds so much like 'the person has been used, now get lost.'"
Wang Jin raised an eyebrow. "This was clearly mutually beneficial. If you want to think that way, there's nothing I can do."
Cheng Bai gave a bitter smile and said in a low voice, "Fine. It's my fault."
"?" Wang Jin didn't catch it and looked at Cheng Bai questioningly.
Cheng Bai collected his emotions and said, "We've been cooperating for a while now. How about honoring me with a meal to mark the end of our partnership?"
"This..." Wang Jin wasn't very keen on going.
Cheng Bai frowned. "You left everything to me these past days, but I was the one running around busily selling the fireworks. If it weren't for me, how could you have found the time to set up your clothing shop? Don't you feel any gratitude at all?"
Gratitude? Didn't he already give this guy the fireworks formula? This guy really...
"It's just a meal to mark the end of our partnership. That ancient beastman of yours won't mind. I'm still your fiance," Cheng Bai spoke again, his face now red and pale, as if he were extremely embarrassed.
This person was always proud. For him to lower himself like this repeatedly must not have been easy...
Wang Jin's heart softened a little. "Fine. Tomorrow."
"Great!" Cheng Bai was overjoyed. "Then I'll wait for you at Jiu Yuan tomorrow evening."
Jiu Yuan?
He remembered Uncle Shan mentioning that place. It was known for being quiet and elegant. For enough silver, one could rent an entire courtyard and cook for oneself. Even without bringing personal servants, the establishment's chefs were renowned for preparing exquisite and delicious dishes. It was very famous in Ning'an City. He had always wanted to go there with Yuan Heng, but the man had been staying in his courtyard and hadn't come out. He himself had also been busy with the clothing shop lately and hadn't had time to go. Now this guy was inviting him first.
Wang Jin agreed, "Alright. See you tomorrow evening."
Cheng Bai smiled, his fox-like eyes squinting. "It's settled then."
Having said that, he didn't linger but left directly.
Seeing this, Wang Jin removed the covering white paper and continued drawing.
Cheng Bai returned to his courtyard in an excellent mood and immediately called people to start preparing.
Over this period, he had already made the little delicate one let his guard down around him. But with the fireworks sold out, his contact with the little delicate one would decrease. Tomorrow evening was a crucial night. He absolutely had to make the little delicate one forgive him and accept him.
Only then would marriage between him and the little delicate one be possible.
Therefore, tomorrow night was extremely important. He had to give the little delicate one the most unforgettable and surprising night.
"Zhao Qi, Zhao Qi!" Cheng Bai called for his good friend as soon as he entered the courtyard.
Zhao Qi walked out slowly from inside, responding helplessly, "I'm here. What is it now?"
"The little delicate one agreed to go to Jiu Yuan with me tomorrow night," Cheng Bai said happily.
Zhao Qi's eyes lit up. "So, does that mean the young master has accepted you?"
Cheng Bai shook his head. "Not yet. But tomorrow night is very important. Come, go out of the city with me. I need to find some things."
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