Little Girl (2)

Lin Wanrong broke into a sweat. This little chick wasn't dumb—she knew to scope things out before haggling.

His skin was thick as a wall, but having his trick seen through by a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl still stung his pride a bit. He snatched the booklet from her hand with a grin. "Miss, don't talk about ten taels—even a one-tael version has buyers. Look over there—"

He jerked his chin toward a poor scholar nearby, poring over a pirated booklet like it was a treasure. The guy's dazed look screamed he'd already half-claimed Miss Xiao in his mind just by owning it.

The girl had been watching Lin Wanrong for a while. She knew the rushed knockoffs in others' hands couldn't touch this legit copy. Glancing at him, she huffed, "Even if it's the real deal, you can't just jack up the price like that."

Her cheeks flushed red, brows furrowing—damn, she was cute. A real beauty in the making. Too bad Lin Wanrong didn't care about family ties when it came to business. He chuckled, "Little miss, ever heard of 'rare goods, high value'? We've sold out of originals. This one was my personal keepsake. You want it now, taking what I love? Gotta pay extra for that."

Her eyes darted as she countered, "Fine, fifteen taels it is. But you've got to answer a question first."

Lin Wanrong eyed her. "Little miss, answering questions costs an extra five taels. Think it over."

She fumed, "What kind of rule is that? Charging for answers? If everyone did that, it'd be chaos!"

"Not so, not so," Lin Wanrong shook his head. "I'm not like the rest. I'm an expert critic—every word a gem. Of course there's a fee."

She scoffed, "Expert? Anyone who takes cash to shill calls themselves that."

Lin Wanrong burst out laughing. "Little miss, didn't expect you to see through things so well. Almost had me pegged. Alright, tell me—your question, am I the only one who knows the answer?"

She thought for a sec, then nodded. "Seems like it."

"There you go," he smirked to himself. Too easy to trap this chick. "If I'm the only one who knows, I can answer or not. You want info from me? Pay the info fee. Fair deal. I'm an honest businessman—one tael, one worth. Five taels is a steal—no scam here."

She froze, mulled it over, then huffed, "Fine, five taels it is. But you better answer straight—no lies."

Lin Wanrong patted his cheek lightly. "See this? What a dashing face. Mark my words—this mug's my brand. Golden signboard, loved by young and old, no tricks."

She covered her mouth, giggling. "Never seen anyone so shameless."

His face turned mock-ferocious, glaring at her. But she didn't flinch, keeping a straight face. "My question is—have you ever met Miss Xiao?"

Lin Wanrong hadn't, of course. He grinned easily. "Didn't I tell you? This is a rare copy from a mid-tier Xiao family servant—my sworn brother. I haven't seen Miss Xiao myself, but I swear to the heavens, I was the first to lay eyes on this portrait of her."

He'd made the damn thing—first to see it, naturally. A shameless oath, totally duping a kid.

"Then do you know which master painted it?" she pressed.

That'd be Master Me, he snickered inwardly. But he'd never admit being the culprit. Smiling at her, he said, "Miss, if I recall, you said one question. I answered that. This one's number two, right? Heh—"

She dug into her pouch for silver. "I know, more cash, huh? Look at you, all greedy."

"You've got me wrong," he grinned slyly. "This expert answers based on mood. Today, I'll toss you a freebie—one question's enough."

She shot him a look. "That smile's so sneaky. You're a total swindler."

"Kid like you, I won't stoop to your level," he teased. She was pure and adorable—ripe for some fun. "You know the rules—every trade's got its code. Credibility's king in my line. If I spill the master's name today, how do I face my peers tomorrow?"

"Fair point," she nodded, eyeing him. "Didn't think a crook like you had some loyalty."

"You caught my good side that quick?" Lin Wanrong feigned shock. "I thought I'd hidden it well. Ugh, too sharp for my own good. 'A tall tree catches the wind'—time to rethink my life."

She giggled behind her hand, eyes blooming like flowers. "Seriously, how do you live without shame?"

A stunner like her, laughing so bright—Lin Wanrong, flush with cash today, was in high spirits. Trading quips with her felt great. Kids say what they think, so he let the "shameless" jab slide.

"You won't name the master, fine, I won't push," she said, eyes twinkling. "But can you tell me your name?"

"Lin San," he replied breezily. "This one's free."

He laughed. Little chick, you're too green to play me.

"Lin San, Lin San—" she muttered twice, then huffed, "Lin San, you conned me out of my silver today. One day, I'll get it back—with interest." She glared, tossed him a silver ingot, grabbed the booklet, and strutted off.

Conned? Lin Wanrong mock-gasped. With a kid like you, does this gentleman need tricks? Watching her retreat, he smirked coldly.

The Xiao family's pull was unreal. Word was, thousands signed up for their servant tryouts. Scholars? Nearly every literate guy in Jinling City had joined the fray.

Lin Wanrong sold off his last few booklets, keeping the original as a memento. First pot of gold in this world—worth remembering.

Back at Old Dong's place, just as Dong Qiaoxiao predicted, Dong Rende and Dong Qingshan, father and son, were gawking at the pile of silver. Their greedy stares screamed "beasts evolved into men."

Lin Wanrong clapped Dong Rende's shoulder, grinning. "What's up, Uncle Dong? Eyes glazing over?"

Dong Rende snapped out of it, rubbing his eyes. Seeing Lin Wanrong, he rushed to grab a stool, wiping it with his sleeve before offering it. "Young Master's back."

Big earnings had amped up Dong Rende's respect. Being admired felt damn good—Lin Wanrong plopped down without fuss. "Uncle, all this silver—why not swap it for notes? Leaving it out like this, aren't you begging for thieves?"