Chapter 87 New Shop

Chapter 87: The New Shop

Song Fulang has approached Kongmo Bookshop first again?" In Baojin Studio, the young master berated Manager Jin.

Manager Jin replied cautiously, "Not just Kongmo Bookshop, he also went to Panshi Studio."

The master frowned, "So you're saying only our Baojin Studio has difficulty inviting this big shot?"

Manager Jin bowed his head and said, "Not only that, the owner of Zhujian Bookstore personally brought gifts and visited the Song family. One of his clerks seems to have a close relationship with the Song family."

"Slap..." The sound of a cup being knocked to the floor. "Such a small bookstore dares to compete with Baojin Studio!"

The young master tried to calm himself, "Forget it, bear with it a little longer. When this book is finished, the writers I've been grooming should be able to produce a dozen or so similar ones. It's just a minor juren's family, how dare they put on airs with our Baojin Studio."

Manager Jin quickly said, "Master, those people have already written two books. Would you like to take a look?"

The owner of Baojin Studio rubbed his forehead and said, "Since they've written them, handle it yourself and put them in the workshop. But now 'Human-Demon Romance' is at its peak popularity. We must secure the third book, even if it costs more. These small-time families just want more money, right? Give it to them."

Manager Jin secretly wiped his sweat, "Yes."

In fact, Manager Jin had already surmised that Meng Wan or his juren husband might have noticed the issues with the profit-sharing from their bookshop, but had been bottling up their dissatisfaction, waiting to strike, intending to squeeze Baojin Studio over the third book.

But unexpectedly, when he visited and stated his intention, Meng Wan readily agreed.

"So you want to buy the printing rights of the third volume outright, without profit-sharing? Sure, that's fine."

Manager Jin asked cautiously, "May I ask what price Song Fulang considers appropriate?"

Meng Wan's lips curled into a half-smile, "Your prestigious bookshop holds great power. I've heard the master is even the nephew of Prefect Wu, so naturally you have the final say."

As expected, he saw through it. When the big shots clash, it's the underlings who suffer. Manager Jin said with a worried expression, "I hope Song Fulang can understand. There are many managers large and small in the bookshop; I am merely a manager following orders."

Meng Wan feigned surprise, "I thought an old hand like you could get a share of the shop's profits. Manager Jin, are you really so hard up? I've passed by your three-courtyard mansion in the west city a few times; it's truly the style of a wealthy family!"

In a large prefectural city like Changping, Manager Jin was the manager of the most renowned Baojin Studio, trusted by the master, and had handled who knows how much money. This old fox probably pocketed quite a bit himself.

Meng Wan sneered inwardly. Such a person complaining to him? Was he, who had struggled for so long to buy a house, supposed to sympathize with someone who owned a three-courtyard mansion?

Manager Jin's face stiffened. Seeing that Meng Wan was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, he had to go straight to the point. "Fulang is joking. Since we're buying the rights outright, how about six hundred... eight hundred taels of silver?"

The final volume of the third installment would be popular for at least three months. His monthly profit share was nearly eight hundred taels. Baojin Studio sure knew how to get a lot for little money.

Meng Wan's chest heaved rapidly twice. Forget it, he couldn't focus on the present; he had to look to the future. Baojin Studio, just you wait!

"Fine, let's sign the contract. Manager Jin must have brought it." Meng Wan didn't want to waste a single second arguing with Manager Jin.

Manager Jin was slightly surprised. He had indeed brought the contract, but never expected the price to be negotiated so smoothly. But this should be the last time he signed a contract with Song Fulang, so there was nothing to worry about.

The two parties signed the contract. Manager Jin took the book in hand and smiled faintly, "Song Fulang is a sensible person. You will surely have great fortune in the future."

Meng Wan also gave a faint smile, "Then I'll take Manager Jin's kind words."

The eight hundred taels of silver disgusted him. Meng Wan decisively spent the money. In a good location in the west city bordering the south city, he rented a shop for six years at an annual rent of eighty taels without blinking an eye.

His thinking was straightforward. A new book might be hot for a while, but its popularity would only last a few months. Only continuous innovation could bring in a steady stream of money. But his ability was limited, and his writing was mediocre. However, the movies, books, and TV shows he had seen in his previous life were an inexhaustible resource, weren't they? Baojin Studio could hire writers; why couldn't he?

He would provide a shop, offer good terms to attract skilled writers, and turn the personal pen name Qingxiao directly into a brand. Each bookstore could sign a contract with whichever author they liked for whichever book.

He would also hire storytellers at various entertainment venues to promote and provide a platform to build momentum for the authors.

Meng Wan acted cautiously. Without a backer, he wouldn't dare to act boldly. In the prefectural city, the most powerful and trustworthy family he knew was the Nie family.

But Second Master Nie probably wouldn't bother with Meng Wan's petty endeavors, and Meng Wan didn't have the nerve to approach him.

Nie Zhiyao was different. Although they hadn't known each other long, Meng Wan dared to say they were kindred spirits. Nie Zhiyao rarely revealed his true feelings to others, but he was fairly open with Meng Wan.

The other party had a larger capital base and a backing. If someone had ill intentions, Meng Wan wouldn't have to worry.

However, this shop needed a front person. Nie Zhiyao wouldn't do, and neither would his family. Huang Zheng was the best choice.

"I'll be the shop manager!"

Huang Zheng abruptly stood up from his seat, pointing at himself in disbelief.

Meng Wan took a sip of tea, instantly tasting a faint floral fragrance on his lips and teeth. "Not only are you the manager, but this shop will also be registered under your name, so you count as the owner. However, I can only give you a ten percent share of the profits."

"Owner! And a ten percent profit share?"

Huang Zheng felt both incredulous and ashamed. "But, but I haven't done anything..."

Meng Wan put down his teacup and looked at him. "Don't worry; there will be plenty of opportunities for you to work hard. I called you here to ask if you dare to do it. If not, I'll find someone else."

Since he had already said this, Huang Zheng felt that if he continued to hesitate, Meng Wan would really find someone else, so he immediately replied, "I'll do it!"

Meng Wan had guessed he would agree, because Huang Zheng had a determined and driven spirit. His lack of eloquence could be worked on, ability could be gradually improved. They were running a legitimate business, not cheating or swindling. The more honest the manager appeared, the better.

Huang Zheng was still a clerk at Zhujian Bookstore. Because of Meng Wan, he had recently gained some recognition from the owner. Meng Wan said to him, "The owner of Zhujian Bookstore is a good person. Go and tell him that I will continue to cooperate with him for the next book I write. He should let you go. If it goes smoothly, come back to the Song residence and find me. I'll arrange the rest for you."

After seeing off an excited Huang Zheng, Meng Wan returned to the study to sketch out plans.

Afterwards, he focused on recruiting writers and decorating the shop as a secondary task. He also needed to meet up with Nie Zhiyao and Huang Zheng to plan carefully.

The more he thought, the more confused his mind became, to the point that he even wanted to give up.

"Bi Yun, go to the market and buy some colored thread. I want you to teach me how to make knotted tassels."

Meng Wan had run around many places in the past few days. Today he didn't want to move, so he sent Bi Yun to buy colored thread.

When Song Tingzhou returned, Meng Wan was sitting in the courtyard seriously making a knotted tassel. He didn't like flashy colors, so he chose dark green thread to match his double-fish jade pendant.

The complicated ones were hard to learn quickly, so he only learned the simplest knot from Bi Yun, with tassels hanging below. When he hung it on the jade pendant, it looked quite decent.

A shadow fell over him, and Meng Wan only then reacted. He looked up and saw Song Tingzhou, quite surprised. "What time is it? You seem to be back early today."

Song Tingzhou leaned down and said, "It's a quarter to four. The weather has been cold lately, so school ends half an hour earlier."

Meng Wan got up from the small stool and told Bi Yun to put away the remaining thread. "I see. That's good, so we avoid the dark and slippery roads on the way home in winter." In winter, the nights are long, and it gets dark by five. It's even harder to travel when it snows.

"What do you want for dinner? I'll cook today." Meng Wan wanted to go to the kitchen to see what ingredients were available.

Song Tingzhou stopped him. "We're not eating at home today. We're going to Ruifeng Tower."

"Ah?" Meng Wan said in surprise.

Song Tingzhou chuckled, "So you really forgot what day it is today?"

If he hadn't reminded him, Meng Wan would have forgotten. A thought flashed in his mind. "It's my birthday? How did you know?"

Before Song Tingzhou could answer, Meng Wan figured it out himself: "It was when the household registration was changed in Guyang County! So you remembered it back then."

On the household registration, the year matched the age of Chou Nu'er, but the month and time were his own.

Last year, he had been too anxious and lived in fear, never once thinking about celebrating his birthday.

Besides, since his parents passed away in his previous life, he had never celebrated his birthday again. Over a decade had passed, and he had grown accustomed to it, had no expectations.

Who would have thought that, ending up in this unfamiliar dynasty, someone would remember his birthday? Being treasured in someone's heart was a sweet feeling Meng Wan had never imagined.

Bi Yun placed her hands together at her side, bowed slightly, and sweetly offered a blessing: "May the master's husband have a joyful birthday, peace and good fortune."

Xue Sheng, who was leading a horse, froze in place. After a long pause, he squeezed out: "May the master's husband have a peaceful and healthy birthday."

Meng Wan's eyes crinkled in a smile. "Thank you both. Wait, today your master's husband has a reward for you."

He happily ran back to the house and took out two strings of cash. "Here, one string for each of you."

Bi Yun cheerfully took one string. "Thank you, master's husband. May you and your husband grow old together."

Song Tingzhou loved hearing that. He also pulled out a piece of silver from his sleeve and gave it to Bi Yun. "Well said. Take it."

Xue Sheng's mouth opened and closed. Imitating Bi Yun, he added another blessing. Song Tingzhou chuckled and also gave him a piece of silver, along with the string of cash from Meng Wan.

Chang Jinhua had apparently known in advance. She washed up, changed into fresh clothes, and came out. She said to Bi Yun and Xue Sheng: "You can go out for a stroll or buy some meat and vegetables to cook a feast—think of it as time off."

Xue Sheng was quiet by nature and didn't want to go out. But Bi Yun, being young, wanted to relax. Xue Sheng, afraid he might be bullied, went along with him.

The family of three strolled leisurely to Ruifeng Tower. Song Tingzhou had already spoken with Manager Zhou, so as soon as they entered, they were led to a private room on the second floor.

Once seated, Song Tingzhou said: "I’ve already ordered two dishes that take time to prepare—crystal goose and printed fish. You and Mother see what else you'd like."

Meng Wan ordered stuffed crab, Chang Jinhua ordered almond tofu, along with a plate of stir-fried water celery and a pot of fruit wine. Manager Zhou also sent over a bowl of soup with plum blossom-shaped dough pieces.

The soup, made with chicken broth, had red and white plum blossom-shaped dough pieces floating in it. None of them had ever tasted such an elegant soup; each had half a bowl first.

Chang Jinhua smacked her lips, failing to see how it differed from ordinary chicken soup.

Meng Wan loved goose meat and crab, so Song Tingzhou shelled the crab for him.

The meal lasted until sunset. Both Meng Wan and Chang Jinhua were tipsy. As soon as they left the restaurant, Xue Sheng was waiting at the entrance with a horse-drawn carriage.

Song Tingzhou helped his mother into the carriage, then he and Meng Wan climbed in.

It was an ordinary birthday, yet to Meng Wan, it was extraordinary. In his previous life, he had been like a rootless duckweed. Who would have thought that by fate, he would find a home in this strange world?

Later, after washing up, Meng Wan went to bed first. His head was still heavy. Hearing Song Tingzhou approach fresh from washing, he said softly: "In a few days, the new shop should be opening. This kind of business model is unheard of. I wonder if anyone will dare to come forward."

Even though the shop was set up, Meng Wan wasn't entirely confident.

Song Tingzhou lifted the quilt and covered them both, moving Meng Wan's heavy head onto his shoulder. He said gently: "At the prefectural school, there are plenty of students from humble backgrounds. I’ll find time to ask if they’d be interested in this work."

Meng Wan slowly climbed onto him, his head spinning but his hands restless, poking Song Tingzhou's hard abs. "Then I thank Zhou Lang in advance."

Song Tingzhou grabbed his wandering hand. "Your head doesn't hurt anymore?"

Meng Wan rolled to the inside of the bed in one swift motion. "It hurts. I want to sleep."

Song Tingzhou blew out the oil lamp on the cabinet. "It's still early. Don't rush."

"Hey! You—"

——

The manager of Zhujian Bookstore indeed let Huang Zheng go, and even gave him over two hundred wen in extra wages.

Huang Zheng had just packed his things from Zhujian Bookstore and rushed straight to the Song residence.

Huang Zheng: "Master said that when the shop opens, he will personally come to offer congratulations."

Among all the bookstores in Changping, Zhujian Bookstore occupied an awkward position. Compared to the top-tier stores like Kongmo, Baojin Studio, or Panshi, it lacked their deep backgrounds—whether as imperial merchants, connections to those in power, or decades of established roots in Changping.

Yet compared to smaller stores, it had a larger scale. The owner was also not lacking in wealth—what they lacked was opportunity and a benefactor.

The owner of Zhujian Bookstore was far more decent than those at Baojin Studio, humble in demeanor. For the rights to sell the third volume of *Human-Demon Romance*, he was even willing to go half-and-half with Meng Wan.

But Meng Wan didn't take advantage of him. He still signed a contract with a 30/70 split in the owner's favor.

The owner, knowing how to play along, proactively bought the rights to the first and second volumes. By then, the excitement for those two volumes had already faded, barely earning any money. This gesture was basically giving money to Meng Wan.

Meng Wan adjusted his sleeves, called for Bi Yun, and said to Huang Zheng: "Alright, today you'll come with me to the new shop. There are still a few things to add inside."