Chapter 126 Lying Low and Slacking Off

Chapter 126 Lying Low and Slacking Off

When Chen Fu returned, Chen Wu came by again, carrying a fine bottle of wine. Upon seeing Chen Fu and Chen Jianfang who had just finished his studies, he gave them a warm greeting, "…Five-year-aged yellow wine! Come on! Little Rice Fragrance! I've reserved a grand feast with eight cold and eight hot dishes, specially for you two!"

Xianjin smiled as she watched.

What surprised Xianjin was that Chen Fu was genuinely happy to see this Uncle Wu.

At least, he was more enthusiastic than when he met any other member of the Chen family.

"Uncle Wu!" Chen Fu nodded with a smile and extended his hand in welcome. "How did you find time to come to Jing County?"

Chen Wu patted Chen Fu's shoulder while his eyes lingered on Chen Jianfang. "Hey! What else but to collect next year's straw and sandalwood bark from Dingzhuang!"

Chen Jianfang bowed politely, adhering to proper etiquette.

"What kind of straw requires you to come personally?" Chen Fu chuckled.

"Hey! Collecting straw is secondary; coming to see you and Erlang is the main reason!"

As he spoke, Chen Wu pushed Chen Fu towards the exit. "Come on, let's go! We'll take Erlang along too—get Old Dong and Old Li to join us, and even that dog Tuesday Zhou! The Zheng brothers should come too!"

Chen Fu loved nothing more than eating, drinking, and Ainiang. He happily followed Chen Wu, taking a few steps before realizing something was amiss. "Xianjin, aren't you coming?"

Chen Wu sighed. "A bunch of old men; it wouldn't be right for a young lady to join us!" Turning around, he waved the wine bottle at Xianjin. "I've ordered a couple of dishes for Sister Jin; have Aunt Zhang and her chubby companion eat with her."

Suo'er looked around, frowned, and slowly formed a question mark.

With the lively crowd gone, the old residence quickly returned to its usual calm.

Xianjin lowered her head, smoothed out the wrinkles on her skirt, and then casually called out to Chen Jianfang, "Aunt Zhang said we're having noodles tonight. I asked for mushroom toppings. Let me know what you want in advance."

Chen Jianfang walked up to Xianjin and smiled. "I'll have the same toppings as you to save Aunt Zhang the trouble of preparing two different sets."

As they headed towards the courtyard by the well, Xianjin nonchalantly asked, "Has Uncle Wu been following the Old Lady all along?"

Chen Jianfang nodded slightly. "Since Grandfather's passing, Uncle Wu has been accompanying Grandmother, while Uncle Six stayed behind to manage the family business—the two elders, though siblings, have very different personalities. Uncle Six has always been rebellious and daring."

Gentlemen do not speak ill of others, especially their elders.

Yet Chen Jianfang provided detailed information. "Uncle Six made a grave mistake, the outcome of which you and I both know. Uncle Wu, on the other hand, is always gentle, considerate, and pragmatic. He hasn't made any significant mistakes during his years in the main house."

Xianjin pursed her lips and nodded lightly.

Chen Jianfang stopped and frowned. "But didn't Uncle Wu seek you out today?"

Xianjin shook her head.

"Did he look for any flaws in the shop?"

She shook her head again.

Chen Jianfang was puzzled. "Then…what's wrong with him?"

It must be something about Uncle Wu.

Could it be anything about her?

Xianjin curled her lips, wanting to laugh but held back. "As soon as Uncle Wu entered the shop, he started asking about profits and costs nonstop. When I didn't answer, he circled around to ask about the shop's operations and the newly produced six-zhang xuan paper…"

Chen Jianfang was slightly puzzled by Xianjin's discomfort and instinctively defended Mr. Chen Wu. "Perhaps he saw how well you managed the shop and couldn't help but ask a few questions?"

Definitely not.

He was asking about trade secrets.

Who walks into a shop and asks, "Hey boss, how much do you make a month? Where do you buy your ingredients? How do you prepare your seasonings?"

You, commercial spy, don't even bother to cover your tracks; it's an insult to one's intelligence!

Xianjin opened her mouth to explain to Chen Jianfang but thought better of it, knowing it would turn into a lengthy discussion and delay her meal.

So she waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, ah, money matters; you wouldn't understand!"

And with that, she walked off to have her noodles.

Left alone, Chen Jianfang stood there, dumbfounded: Did she already think he was useless and leave so quickly?

...

Inside Little Rice Fragrance, cups were raised and exchanged, and the atmosphere was warm and convivial.

Seeing everyone flushed and relaxed, Mr. Chen Wu raised a toast to Manager Dong, leaning his head against his wine glass, drunk and slurring, "Old Dong, does it feel good to listen to the little girl?"

Manager Dong clinked his cup against Mr. Chen Wu's, maintaining a composed demeanor despite the flush on his face. His voice remained clear. "Sir, aren't you also following the Old Lady's orders?"

Mr. Chen Wu hadn't expected this response. After a moment of surprise, he laughed. "That's different! I listen to my sister-in-law, but you listen to a brat born to a concubine!"

Manager Dong downed his cup of wine.

Old Dong was meticulous about cleanliness, trimming his beard daily, keeping his face tidy, and always wearing a respectful yet friendly smile.

Now, this smile was a bit faint.

"Daughters are also people, speaking human words and eating white rice." Old Dong picked up a salted peanut with his chopsticks. "They're no different from others."

Mr. Chen Wu, upon hearing this, raised another cup of wine. "Yes, yes! I spoke out of turn after drinking, I spoke out of turn!"

Yellow rice wine is smooth and doesn't burn the throat, but it has a strong aftereffect, making your heart race after the noise dies down.

"Old Dong, pretending to be foolish with me isn't amusing." Mr. Chen Wu casually scooped half a spoonful of peanuts for Old Dong. "You work for the Chen family, and I work for the eldest branch. Who's any different from whom?"

"In these past few months, the profits from your shop in Jing County have doubled; several items sold exceptionally well. When you came to Jing County with the third son, everyone knew he was just a front, and you were the one truly in charge... Now? Do you think Madam would still attribute this success to you?"

Mr. Chen Wu, emboldened by the alcohol, squinted at Old Dong's expression. "Ask anyone, and they'll say that yellow-haired girl is amazing! What are you? You're just a fool helping someone else shine!"

Old Dong inexplicably raised his hand.

Did he provoke the wrong person?

Even Aunt Zhong couldn't stir him up, let alone be swayed by your few words?

Don't underestimate the determination of a near-retiree to lie low and slack off!

"It's indeed Jin Jie'er's achievement."

Old Dong chewed on the peanut. "It should all go to her."

Best take away the accounting duties from his ledger too!

He has no complaints about being a full-time couch potato!