Chapter 57: Probing for Information

Chapter 57: Probing for Information

A young girl stood before the shelf where *The Peony Chronicles* was placed, dressed in simple elegance. She looked surprised when she found *The Peony Chronicles*.

"Hmm, I thought it wasn't being reprinted anymore. It's still available?"

Liu Zhou gave a nod to Shitou and approached the customer. Shitou quietly left the bookstore hall and rushed off to inform Xin You.

"Miss, do you like *The Peony Chronicles*?"

Seeing the clerk approach, the girl nodded. "Yes, a few months ago, I came to your bookstore to buy a copy of *The Peony Chronicles*, but it was said to be out of stock. I didn't expect to find it here today."

Liu Zhou smiled. "Our owner decided to reprint it."

"I see." The girl picked up *The Peony Chronicles* and walked to the counter. "I'll pay for it."

Liu Zhou glanced at the back door, feeling anxious.

This girl is so decisive with her purchase. If the owner doesn't come soon, she'll leave.

"Miss, why not buy *The Painted Skin* as well? It's our new release, very popular and highly entertaining."

The girl thought this clerk talks too much and replied coolly, "Next time. How much is *The Peony Chronicles*?"

As she spoke, she reached into her purse.

"Four—four taels of silver!" Liu Zhou corrected himself, changing four hundred cash coins to four taels of silver.

"How much?" The girl's voice rose sharply, filled with anger. "Are you trying to rob me? *The Peony Chronicles* only cost four hundred cash coins when it first came out!"

She had brought only a few hundred cash coins, originally intending to buy *The Painted Skin* after hearing it was good. She changed her mind upon finding *The Peony Chronicles*.

"I've never heard of a book costing four taels of silver, especially a reprint!" The girl wiped away the dust on the cover of *The Peony Chronicles*, even more furious. "With all this dust, you must be taking advantage of customers!"

When Xin You arrived, she heard the girl's clear and sharp questioning.

"What's going on?"

Seeing Xin You arrive, Liu Zhou secretly sighed in relief and quickly called her the owner, thinking that if she hadn't come, their bookstore would have gained a bad reputation.

"Are you the owner of this bookstore?" The girl looked at Xin You.

Xin You smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."

The girl's expression was not pleasant. "Your reprint of *The Peony Chronicles* costs four taels of silver?"

Xin You glanced at Liu Zhou.

Liu Zhou hurriedly explained, "It was a slip of the tongue. It's not four taels of silver, but four hundred cash coins."

The girl's eyes widened. "What slip of the tongue? You were just trying to make a quick profit!"

Liu Zhou pretended to slap himself. "Oh, miss, it really was a mistake."

"Since it was a mistake, why didn't you correct it earlier?"

"You kept talking, and I wanted to wait until you finished. Our owner said we shouldn't interrupt customers while they're speaking."

The girl didn't seem to believe him and huffed, pointing at *The Peony Chronicles*. "Four hundred cash coins, right? Let's settle the payment."

Xin You stopped Liu Zhou from collecting the money and smiled apologetically at the girl. "Today, our clerk's mistake has ruined your mood. Please accept this copy of *The Peony Chronicles* as a gesture of my apology."

The girl's eyes widened in surprise and hurriedly refused. "That wouldn't be right. It should be paid for fairly. I won't take such an advantage."

Xin You pushed *The Peony Chronicles* into the girl's hands, smiling warmly. "How is it taking an advantage? Can four hundred cash coins buy a good mood? Accept this book, and I will feel better."

Clearly not skilled at such exchanges, the girl accepted without further refusal, feeling embarrassed. "I'll also buy *The Painted Skin*. Oh, how much is *The Painted Skin*?"

Liu Zhou glanced at Xin You, seeing no indication, he answered truthfully, "Three hundred cash coins."

The girl breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, she had enough money.

Most books in the capital were priced between two hundred and five hundred cash coins, depending on the author's fame and the length of the book. Three hundred cash coins for *The Painted Skin* was a reasonable price.

While Liu Zhou fetched *The Painted Skin*, Xin You seemingly casually asked, "I see you enjoy reading books. Why didn't you buy *The Peony Chronicles* before?"

Being a fellow woman, the girl relaxed and laughed. "I already bought it long ago. This one is a gift for someone else. Thank you for your generosity, owner."

Four hundred cash coins was not a small amount for her, who had limited pocket money.

Xin You continued, "My name is Kou Qingqing. You can call me by my name."

Hearing the introduction, the girl responded without hesitation. "My name is Ji Cailan."

"Miss Ji looks about my age."

They naturally shared their ages, with Ji Cailan being one year older than Xin You.

Xin You smiled. "Sister Cailan, you must have many friends who love *The Peony Chronicles*. Could you help promote it?"

She pointed at the row of *The Peony Chronicles* and sighed. "I'm new to running the bookstore and printed too many copies, which no one seemed interested in. They've gathered dust on the shelves."

Ji Cailan felt embarrassed. "All my friends who enjoy reading books have already bought it. This copy is a gift for my cousin. My cousin had a copy of *The Peony Chronicles* but lost it on the way to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Xin You's heart skipped a beat.

On the way to the capital—

Is the person she's looking for Ji Cailan's cousin?

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Xin You maintained a casual tone: "Isn't Cailan's cousin from the capital? I didn't expect *The Peony Chronicle* to be so popular that it's even sold outside the city."

A hint of pride appeared in Ji Cailan's eyes: "At the time, *The Peony Chronicle* was very sought after. The copy my cousin has was bought by me and sent to her."

"Then next time, Cailan, bring your cousin along when you come to buy storybooks, and I'll give you a ten percent discount."

"How could we impose on you like that?" Ji Cailan hurriedly waved her hand.

Xin You smiled: "I feel an instant connection with Cailan, and we get along so well. Please don't refuse; besides, it's good for business."

"Thank you, Xiao Kou." Ji Cailan found the beautiful young girl in front of her very agreeable and sighed, "It's a pity that my cousin's foot injury hasn't fully healed yet, so she couldn't come with me to visit the Bookstore. She would have been delighted to make friends with Xiao Kou."

Hearing Ji Cailan's words, Xin You clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeves, but her face remained composed: "That's alright. I'm usually at the Bookstore, so you can drop by anytime you have the chance. Oh, is your home far from here?"

"Not really, my home is in Cat Alley, Auspicious Square."

Having gathered enough information, Xin You did not ask further. After Ji Cailan settled the bill, Xin You personally escorted her out.

Liu Zhou nudged Shitou with his elbow.

"Brother Liu, what's up?"

Liu Zhou looked at the Bookstore entrance with admiration: "Shitou, did you learn how to inquire about a customer's identity when they buy *The Peony Chronicle*?"

The boss is truly a natural at business!