Chapter 518 The Song Family Never Said Such Things!

Chapter 518: Even the Song family never said such things!

Second Master Gong was slouching with his legs crossed, complaining lazily: "Hurry up! This is our Gong family's business. It's just a few hundred taels! Quit dragging your feet!"

The shopkeeper forced a smile: "Second Master, normally when you come to withdraw a few taels or a dozen taels, it’s no problem—the owner's given his okay. But now, both of you want to withdraw hundreds of taels at once... Our shop operates on a small scale, settling accounts with suppliers every half-month. We just made a payment two days ago, and there isn’t that much silver in the accounts..."

Second Master Gong hurled his teacup on the ground: "Bullshit! What do you mean 'your shop'? This is the Gong family’s shop! If there’s no silver in the accounts, go get it from another shop! Don’t make me wreck this place!"

Just then, a clerk came over and whispered something in the shopkeeper’s ear. The shopkeeper suddenly straightened his back with newfound confidence.

He coughed: "My apologies, both masters. I’ve just learned that the owner has hired a new general manager to oversee all accounts. I truly don’t have the authority here."

Second Master Gong frowned: "What nonsense? General manager? What general manager?"

"One like me."

Yu Yongbai strode in, glaring coldly at Second Master Gong and Third Master Gong.

Second Master Gong sat up slightly upon seeing Yu Yongbai, sizing him up: "And who the fuck are you?!"

Yu Yongbai sneered: "Ever heard of the Yu Family Trading House? Turns out, it belongs to my family."

Second Master Gong’s face fell slightly.

Even he had heard of the Yu Family Trading House.

"You're full of it!" Second Master Gong eyed Yu Yongbai warily. "If you’re from the Yu family, what are you doing here as a general manager in our Gong family’s small shops?"

Yu Yongbai had no goodwill toward the Gong family. He scoffed: "Why not? Because I can! If Second Master Gong wants to withdraw silver from the shop again, fine—bring the seal. Everything must go through proper accounts. No seal, no silver. That’s the rule for everyone."

Second Master Gong was suspicious: "Where’s Gong Qingniang?! Call her out!"

The mention of Gong Qingniang made Yu Yongbai's face darken, like he was ready to throw hands.

Xingxing rushed over and grabbed Yu Yongbai’s hand.

Second Master Gong eyed Xingxing warily: "And who the fuck are you?!"

Zhao Ying, the maid beside Xingxing, immediately stepped forward with authority and shouted: "How dare you! This is Her Ladyship, the Lady of Blessed Peace! How dare you disrespect Her Ladyship!"

The title of Township Lady was highly effective, and Zhao Ying’s stern demeanor made it all the more intimidating.

"Township Lady..." Second Master Gong seemed half-convinced, his bravado shrinking, though he still muttered, "What’s a Township Lady doing here?"

Xingxing, recalling that these two might be the ones who poisoned Gong Qingniang, wore a cold expression: "He's my brother. Why do you think I’m here? To have his back, of course. Withdrawing silver requires presenting the seal—that’s the rule. Otherwise, anyone with the surname Gong could come and take money, and that'd be a free-for-all!"

Second Master Gong and Third Master Gong looked at each other, realizing they wouldn’t get any silver today. Reluctantly, they left, plotting to ambush Gong Qingniang later and demand an explanation.

Yu Yongbai returned to Gong Qingniang and discussed: "These days, while you’re detoxifying, it’s best not to return to the Gong residence. My family has a few hot spring villas outside the city—you can recuperate there for a few days. As for the shops, I’ve already told your clerks that I’m your newly appointed general manager. If anything comes up, I’ll relay it to you. How does that sound?"

Yu Yongbai had thought everything through, and Gong Qingniang wasn't one for formalities. She agreed directly and reminded him of a few important matters.

Yu Yongbai gave a firm nod.

After finishing their business discussion, the two fell into awkward silence.

Xingxing looked between them and suddenly smacked her forehead: "Oh! I just remembered! Xu Ge’er wanted sesame sugar cakes from East Street, and I promised to bring him some!"

She jumped up and ran out: "Gotta run!"

She bolted faster than a rabbit!

Zhao Ying hurriedly followed after her.

In a flash, only Yu Yongbai and Gong Qingniang remained in the room.

Gong Qingniang wasn’t some shrinking violet. She took a deep breath and said to Yu Yongbai, "You already know most of my family situation, Boss Yu. I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s even worse than you think. So… Boss Yu, regarding what I said earlier, you can still back out now."

Gong Qingniang swallowed her emotions and mustered a breezy smile. "I’d completely understand."

"What do you think I am?" Yu Yongbai held back his heartache. He knew a woman like Gong Qingniang didn’t need anyone’s pity.

He put on a relaxed expression. "Your family situation is nothing. A woman as strong and independent as you? Marrying you would be a stroke of luck I don’t deserve… What I said earlier about giving you dowry in advance wasn’t a lie either. With a capable partner like Boss Gong by my side, I can’t even imagine how much easier life will be!... Honestly, it’s you who should think carefully about whether you want to hop aboard this mess of mine."

Tears glistened in Gong Qingniang’s eyes as she fought them back, smiling faintly. "We’re in too deep to back out now!"

Their gazes met—one smiling softly, the other with tears in her eyes.

...

Xingxing wandered out of the Gong family shop, spaced out for a second before suddenly burying her face in her hands and giggling.

Looked like she was getting a second sister-in-law, huh?

Then Xingxing suddenly thought of Yu Yongliu.

She had no clue how things would pan out for her third brother’s love life.

Ever since he aced the exams, their doorstep had practically been trampled by visitors—and the most persistent among them was none other than the family of the Rector of the National Academy, whom they had once visited.

When Xingxing returned home, Bai Xiaofeng had just seen off the Rector’s wife and happened to meet her at the inner gate.

The moment the guest left, Bai Xiaofeng’s face fell. She took Xingxing’s hand and vented, "...You weren’t here today, and I almost lost my temper with that Rector’s wife! If I weren’t afraid folks would say Liu Ge'er got too big for his britches after acing the exams, I would’ve thrown her out!"

Xingxing was startled. "Second Aunt, what happened?"

Bai Xiaofeng fumed, "What else? We only visited the Rector’s house once before, and nothing was said about marriage back then. But today, they showed up and started hinting—heck, straight-up asking—when we’d propose. I was stunned! And that’s not all—before anything’s even settled, they started lecturing me about how their family is scholarly and refined, how their daughter was raised like a porcelain doll, and how my mother-in-law and I should be more accommodating once she marries in."

"Don’t even get me started on your eldest sister-in-law—she was raised as a noble lady by the Suyang Song family, and the Songs never said anything like this!"