chapter 92

Chapter 92: The Business War

Shen He blinked slowly.

The fact that he would see Qi Zhuoyun seemed not to surprise him. Instead, he intently studied Qi Zhuoyun's face for a long moment. After a while, he hummed softly and murmured something indistinctly.

Qi Zhuoyun didn't catch that.

He leaned in closer. The scent of osmanthus, intertwined with the sparse moistness in the air, brought a cool, invigorating aroma.

Qi Zhuoyun naturally picked up the dry cloth from the bedside. Continuing where Lianqiao had left off, he gently wrapped the cloth around the boy's damp, raven-black hair. With soft strokes, he absorbed the moisture. His voice was tender and cautious, as though fearing waking someone from drunken sleep: "What did you say earlier, Hehe? I missed it."

If he didn't hear, then so be it.

Shen He thought.

Why does a dream figure need to listen so intently?

Always invading my dreams, it's irksome.

Yet, he can't be with me.

Shen He was displeased, puffing out his cheeks.

Dreaming of Qi Zhuoyun made him more vigilant, feeling he should watch his words even in his dream.

If someone overheard any dream-talk revealing secrets, how awkward would it be if it reached Qi Zhuoyun's ears?

Such a thought was irksome. Being invaded in a dream was one thing, but having to be careful even in a dream, holding back words—what kind of stifling dream was that?

Just his luck to have such dreams.

At his puffed cheeks, Qi Zhuoyun found it amusing. His lips curled in a warm smile, and he gently teased Shen He's rosy skin, poking his puffed cheek.

Shen He was instantly irate!

His round eyes glared, shimmering brightly in the dim light, flickering like tiny flames, hinting at underlying tears.

With a snap, he slapped away Qi Zhuoyun's hand, grumbling, "Stop poking! No poking!"

Qi Zhuoyun, though chided, was not annoyed. Instead, this side of Hehe seemed endearing, making him want to playfully tease and provoke.

Thus, he withdrew his hand and diligently continued drying Shen He's hair, feigning sadness, "Is Hehe always this fierce when drunk? And here I am, kindly drying your hair."

Shen He, a little slow to react, looked down at the strands of hair in Qi Zhuoyun's grasp, yanked it back, saying, "You don't need to! Let it air dry!"

With that, he reached out, managed to grab the blanket into his grasp, threw it over himself, and laid down, declaring, "Sleep!"

Such a temper.

Like a dog baring its teeth at people - fierce indeed, but sadly, not at all intimidating.

Softness swelled in Qi Zhuoyun's heart. He lay down beside the youth, pinching the ear that peeked out, which quickly turned warm and flushed beneath his fingers.

Qi Zhuoyun could see the boy's eyelashes trembling gently, fluttering like a butterfly's wings as it rested on a leaf.

The youth waved away in annoyance, his usually crisp and vibrant voice turned slightly raspy and muffled after drinking, murmuring with a hint of complaint, "Can't you behave when you're in someone else's dream? What's with the touching?"

Qi Zhuoyun's fingertips paused momentarily.

Whether it was the alcohol or the boy's mistaken belief that he was in a dream, the realization brought a sudden surge of excitement to Qi Zhuoyun's heart, kindling some audacious thoughts.

He had always been cautious, thinking thrice before acting.

The term "reckless" was rarely associated with him.

Yet, at this moment, Qi Zhuoyun felt an overwhelming urge to be impulsive.

Perhaps it's because his Hehe looked so adorable.

Perhaps it's because his Hehe dreamt of him even in dreams, filling him with overwhelming joy.

Or perhaps, the day he feels his darling truly belongs to him seems to be dawning.

Qi Zhuoyun's Adam's apple bobbed, the veins on his neck slightly protruding from his emotions.

He tenderly embraced the youth, circling the slender waist, placing a kiss on the blushed earlobe.

The inebriated young man took a moment, then abruptly turned to stare in shock, reflecting Qi Zhuoyun's shadowed visage in his eyes.

The surprise left his wine-stained lips slightly parted, the fragrance of osmanthus growing stronger with each breath.

Qi Zhuoyun's eyelashes quivered uncontrollably. While his actions seemed calculated and confident, his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

He kissed the youth while Shen He looked straight into his eyes.

The man in his arms froze, unresponsive to the kiss, simply staring blankly at him.

Qi Zhuoyun's heart raced. He thought, "Qi Zhuoyun, look at yourself. You promised to take a step back and give Hehe a chance to breathe, but your actions now completely contradict your words."

Hypocritical, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

If tomorrow Hehe wakes up, remembering everything and not dismissing it as just a dream, then what?

These thoughts lashed at Qi Zhuoyun's heart, whipping it mercilessly like a long whip.

But his kiss deepened, cradling Shen He's head, enveloping him in his embrace as if holding a treasured possession that might slip away any moment.

Shen He was dazed.

Extremely dazed, feeling as if all the alcohol had rushed to his head, making him woozy. Had he been standing, he'd surely have collapsed.

He thought, "Ah, I've had more thrilling dreams before, but never one this vivid."

Why is that?

Because of the alcohol?

Thinking about it that way, the drink doesn't seem half bad.

The only downside is that it makes him blurt out things he shouldn't say.

Shen He felt the need to be constantly on guard; he'd have to keep his true self under lock and key for a few more years.

That said... the Qi Zhuoyun in this dream... was quite a good kisser.

Could drinking not only enhance the realism but also one's technique?

How does that even work?

He felt like the kiss was taking his breath away, completely putting him on the defensive.

As someone who's only read about such things but never experienced them firsthand, Shen He was utterly bewildered by this sensation.

On one hand, he felt utterly drained, unable to muster any strength; on the other, he wondered if he might actually be kissed to death in his dream.

No matter how real the dream feels, could one really be suffocated?

This is dire, what if he's actually choking in real life?

Shen He recalled news stories of intoxicated individuals lying in the streets, choking on their own vomit.

The mere thought of such a fate befalling him twisted his face in anguish.

Just as Shen He feared he was meeting his end, the skillful kisser in his dream released him, cradling his neck and coaxing, "Hehe, breathe."

Shen He's vision blurred as he gasped for air, a thin layer of moisture forming in his eyes.

The tears pooled and eventually spilled over, rolling down his cheeks.

The man in his dream would gently console him, asking why he cried and if he felt uncomfortable.

Shen He pressed his lips together, tears flowing freely as he whispered, "Don't think you can pry into my secrets; I won't reveal anything."

Qi Zhuoyun was at a loss as to why the boy's tears kept flowing. He hugged him with concern, refraining from kissing any further, "Don't cry, it hurts me to see. What cabinet? I won't touch your belongings. Tell me what you want, and if I can find it, I'll get it for you, okay?"

Shen He's tears intensified.

Darn it, this dream felt so real, even Qi Zhuoyun's tone was spot-on.

But this could only be a dream. In the dream, Qi Zhuoyun would kiss him, while in reality, he would keep a distance, acting like a guardian.

The disparity between the dream and reality was hard for Shen He to bear.

He gripped the blanket tightly, burrowing deeper into it, covering himself entirely. Even though he felt unbearably hot, he refused to emerge, staying silent under its cover.

*

With a jolt, Shen He sat up in bed, only to feel a wave of dizziness, nearly collapsing back down.

His eyes felt sore, his temples throbbing as he stared blankly at the foot of his bed.

It seemed unfamiliar.

It took him a moment to remember he had moved out of the Eastern Palace and was now in his own residence, living alone.

The pesky straight man who insisted on sharing a bed was no longer there.

His troubles seemed to have been resolved.

Shen He rubbed his sore eyes, feeling the bitter taste in his mouth. Holding onto his blanket, he faintly remembered a dream from last night. The dream felt so real, and in it, Qi Zhuoyun's kissing skills were quite impressive.

Shen He drew back the bed curtains, dressed himself, and walked outside.

The person at the door heard the movement and entered, "Young Master, you're awake?"

Shen He nodded, "Were my brothers all safely escorted home yesterday?"

Lian Qiao nodded affirmatively, "They all returned home last night."

As she spoke, she combed Shen He's hair, tying it up and securing it with a hairpin, not letting a single strand escape.

He Lian came in, carrying a basin of water. Shen He washed his face as Lian Qiao examined him carefully, "Young Master, why do your eyes look a bit swollen?"

Shen He felt a bit embarrassed, recalling that he seemed to have cried in his dream the previous night.

Feeling humiliated to this extent was probably a first for him.

With righteous indignation, he stated, “It must be from drinking alcohol.”

Fortunately, Lian Qiao and the others didn’t dwell on it. During breakfast, He Lian boiled two eggs, peeled them, and handed them to Shen He to soothe his eyes.

Holding an egg in his hand, Shen He closed his eyes and rubbed, his mind shifting to important matters.

His younger cousin had created quite a few items before. Because some processes were complicated, they hadn’t been introduced to their newly established workshop for the artisans to produce.

Only two artisans who helped create the prototypes knew the procedures.

There were also the wind-up fans they had started selling, which had become incredibly popular in the capital. Every household with some wealth would purchase one to adorn their home.

As for those aristocrats who were the first to buy them, they had already upgraded to the second generation, and preparations for manufacturing the third generation were underway.

They originally thought they could profit from the wealthy through successive upgrades.

But now, Shen He had a change of mind.

Part of their business was connected with Zheng Xue’s maternal family’s trade caravan. The caravan would transport the goods to various places for sale, and the profits would be shared.

The first generation had been on the market for quite a long time and had begun transitioning to more common use. Although Shen He was not sure about other places, he knew that in the capital, numerous shops had started selling imitations.

The prices of these imitation products were even lower than what they charged for the first generation, and correspondingly, their craftsmanship and material quality were inferior.

For many, the price tag often overshadows concerns about the quality and material of the product.

Shen He decided to reduce the production of the first-generation wind-up fans, increase individual parts for sale, especially those prone to wear and tear. Concurrently, he could offer a vintage after-sales service, keeping the essential components exclusively for in-store repairs and replacements.

In doing so, the inferior copies of their products became less economical and durable in comparison.

Shen He, donning a crisp, lightweight shirt, rode to the workshop nearby. After detailing his requirements, he took a few associates to meet the shopkeeper.

Later, he visited Tai Xue and met with Liu Zheng and the other two, sharing his plans with them.

Zheng Xue was the first to agree: "Excellent. That's a brilliant strategy."

As a technical stakeholder, Liu Zheng pondered for a moment before raising a concern: "Little He, it's a viable plan, but be aware that once you start selling individual components, others will follow suit. They might even undercut you with cheaper parts."

Shen He replied: "That doesn't concern me. If people can replace parts, many will opt for higher quality components. We can cut costs by eliminating the assembly process. We just loan them a shell, and in the end, we still profit. Moreover, our most critical parts won't be sold externally and can only be replaced in our shop. Doesn’t that add an extra layer of security?"

He had also considered the future: "For the second and third generations, we can design the parts slightly differently and price them higher. This way, many won't have the funds to buy a second unit. If any damage occurs, they'll need to buy our parts, as others won't fit."

Shen He even contemplated creating a sabotage device that would break the product if anyone tried to use other components.

But that seemed a bit too advanced, and he was clueless about it. He couldn't expect Liu Zheng to invent it from scratch.

Just as this thought crossed Shen He’s mind, Liu Zheng said, "I have an even better idea. I've crafted a small device. If someone tries to use counterfeit parts and they don't match the hidden catch of this device, it'll jam the wind-up mechanism and the gears."

Shen He: "What?"

Shen He jumped up in excitement!

He lunged forward, embracing Liu Zheng, "Bro, you're a genius! When did you make this? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

He always knew Liu Zheng was a master craftsman!

Liu Zheng, slightly leaning back from the hug, cleared his throat with pride, "Well, I tinkered with it during my free time over a few months and finally got it right. I actually had a prototype a couple of years ago, but it was too crude and easily replicable. Now, this one's as small as a pinky nail, with hidden holes, embedded in key component junctions, making it hard to detect."

Even if someone did detect it, he could alter the catch.

Zheng Xue asked, "Do you need my help at the store?"

Qi Yanbing chimed in with a competitive spirit, "Little He, if there's anything you need me to do, just let me know. I'll ensure it's done to perfection."

Qi Yanbing wore a look that screamed his desire to follow Shen He on his ventures, almost as if he wanted to plaster himself onto Shen He's face.

Shen He firmly declined: "There's no need. Focus on your studies! The imperial examination is in two months! Cousin, spending half a day with me is enough. I'll handle what comes next!"

Pushing back the stray hair on his forehead and fanning himself, Qi Yanbing casually asked, "Didn't you pass the initial examination, Shen He? Shouldn't you be concentrating on your studies for the upcoming rounds?"

Shen He waved him off: "No, no."

Why bother with examinations? He was about to leave the capital soon, and taking another exam would be self-torture!

Without hesitation, Shen He left with his company.

Qi Yanbing felt genuinely regretful for not being able to assist.

Why hadn't Shen He taken him along?

Zheng Xue glanced at him silently and then departed.

Following Zheng Xue, Qi Yanbing said, "Wait, what was with that look? Zheng Xue, are you getting ruder? Are both you and Liu Zheng becoming more audacious? Hey! Remember, I am a prince! A prince!"

With a sharp slam of the door, Zheng Xue's cold voice drifted out, "If you don't pass the exam this year, you'll be studying for many more to come. Think about that."

Qi Yanbing: "Wait, what?" That's true!

How hadn't he realized this earlier?

Instantly, the urge to go out and enjoy himself vanished, and he raced to his room, filled with newfound urgency.

The nightmare of having to study for several more years if he didn't pass was too daunting.

*

For several days, Shen He was seen bustling around the capital.

Occasionally, when Shen Yan returned from the city's outskirts, he'd join Shen He.

Shen He was keenly observing the counterfeit goods sold in various shops.

When immersed in work, he had little time to dwell on the bittersweet pangs of his unrequited first love.

If it's hopeless, then so be it. He'd eventually forget in a few years.

While busy making money, he also had to frequently study to keep up with Song Shaofu. He revisited old texts to stay updated, lest one day, in a whimsical mood, Song Shaofu might quiz him, and he'd stumble over his words, earning a reprimand.

After a long day outside, Shen He returned home at night. After freshening up, he collapsed onto the bed, so drained that he didn't even have the energy to read his booklet. Soon, he was enveloped in deep slumber.

Before sleep took over, a vague thought crossed his mind: he was truly living a busy life, much like the exhausting days his parents experienced during their startup days.

His situation was even more unfortunate. While earning money, he had to painstakingly study. It was nearly the death of him.

Whether due to exhaustion or maturing after quitting some habit, Shen He's baby fat on his cheeks was slowly fading away.

His already delicate and refined features became even more pronounced, growing more and more handsome by the day, his eyes sparkling radiantly.

Amidst his busy schedule, he still made time to visit his grandparents on both sides, and naturally, he also had obligations at the palace.

After seeing his aunt, he needed to visit Qi Zhuoyun in the eastern palace.

Though he felt uncomfortable, letting such minor issues and personal feelings affect their relationship beyond that would be a true loss.

During his free moments, Shen He amused himself with a thought. No wonder so many secretly smitten individuals choose to remain silent, preferring a lifetime of friendship over taking a brave step.

Who would dare to take that step?

Success would be great, but failure could ruin everything. Not many have the magnanimity to maintain a close friendship or brotherhood amidst such awkwardness.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the scent of osmanthus flowers wafted in the air.

The imperial examination season had arrived.

After sending his brothers to the examination hall, Shen He, leading his horse, strolled aimlessly around the streets with Zhongyan.

Catching the familiar aroma of wontons, he quickly approached with a gleeful smile, bought two bowls, and enjoyed the delicious meal with Zhongyan, savoring every bite.

As he was relishing his meal, he overheard from a newly opened shop nearby, where shop assistants were loudly advertising: "Self-striking clocks for only two taels of silver..."

There were other hawkers shouting nearby, so Shen He couldn't catch the rest of the slogan.

But three words were crystal clear to him: "Self-striking clock."

The smile on Shen He's face gradually faded.

With the creation of the wind-up fans, the most significant product of the winding mechanism is undeniably clocks.

Around this time last year, Liu Zheng had already fashioned a prototype of the chiming clock. Just a fortnight ago, Shen He had two batches produced and sold in the capital.

Priced at twenty taels of silver, they were primarily targeted at the city's elite and dignitaries.

Shen He anticipated imitations, but what he hadn't expected was for counterfeit versions to audaciously appear on the market within half a month, and at the audacious price of two taels no less.

Frustration welled up within Shen He.

Imitations in just half a month, and undercutting him with such a low price? Wasn't this a bit too much!?

With a stern expression, he put down his bowl and chopsticks and rose.

Zhong Yan was taken aback, "Young Master?"

What had changed his mood so abruptly?

Shen He took a deep breath, regaining his composure with a smile, "Zhong Yan, head back first. I'd like to take a stroll on my own."

He'd been keeping certain matters from Qi Zhuoyun, always ensuring that his meetings with craftsmen and shopkeepers excluded Zhong Yan, to avoid any unwanted attention.

Zhong Yan hesitated, "Young Master, perhaps I should accompany you..."

Shen He waved him off, "No need. I'd like some time alone. I'll be back before dark."

Seeing that Shen He's mind was made up, Zhong Yan nodded and took the horse back to their residence.

Shen He, in turn, made half a round around the shop before decisively heading back.

The shop's attendant, spotting him, greeted cheerfully, "Sir! Would you like to take a look inside? Even if you're not buying, it's always good to see something new! Our chiming clock is a novelty; the only original in the entire capital! Others are merely imitations of ours. In fact, two nearby shops have tried copying us. Unfortunately for them, their quality can't match ours, and they even have the gall to mark up their prices. Please don't be deceived by them!"

Shen He: ...

Well, that's interesting.

His resolve strengthened.