Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Han Zhang invites him to the temple fair.

Does Shen Qinglan want to go?

He absolutely does!

After receiving the reply, the young man clutched the thin sheet of paper, spun around the room several times before joyfully throwing himself onto the soft couch, rolling back and forth while hugging the brocade quilt, unable to stop grinning:

"Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, Qiao Bei! Did you see? It's Brother Han's own handwriting! He invited me to visit the temple fair with him!"

"I was just talking about going to the temple fair a few days ago—how did Brother Han know? Could it be that our minds are truly connected? What do you call that? This is what they mean by 'soulmates, two hearts beating as one, perfect harmony'!"

"Qiao Dong, what robe do you think I should wear then? That moon-white cloud-patterned one, or that bamboo-green with subtle embroidery?"

"Ah, I can't be too flashy—that wouldn't fit the identity I told Brother Han... but I can't be too plain either. I need Brother Han to spot me in the crowd at first glance—and never take his eyes off me..."

Shen Qinglan pictured the temple fair meeting, growing more delighted the more he thought.

Finally, in his excitement, he jumped off the couch, ran to the clothing chest, and rummaged through it, holding up piece after piece to compare, muttering without stopping:

"And I need to pair it with a brighter belt, and style my hair bun beautifully..."

He was determined to make Brother Han fall in love with him at first sight, planting the seeds of deep affection, never to forget him!

The way he carried on, so unguarded and giddy, was almost embarrassing to watch.

The attendants Qiao Dong and the others standing by couldn't help but press their foreheads, exchanging knowing, resigned glances.

Qiao Xi gently reminded him, "Young master, you mustn't forget—in Master Han's eyes right now, you are a young lad disguised as a man."

"Men are supposed to be neat and carefree. If you keep dressing in the bright, intricate clothes of a young lad, someone as sharp as Master Han will eventually find it strange and see through your disguise..."

Shen Qinglan dismissed it casually, "What's so strange about that? We young lads look no different from men; we're just a bit more delicate."

"I've been wielding my whip with great vigor since I was a child—I'm more dashing than most men. With a presence like mine, even if I dress a little more beautifully, anyone who sees me will only exclaim, 'What a handsome, remarkable young man!'"

To prove it, he even drew the flexible whip coiled at his waist and cracked it a couple of times dramatically.

Demonstrating how masculine he was!

Qiao Nan couldn't help muttering.

"That's all well and good... but, young master, every time you see Master Han, you blush shyly, act coy with him, and act like a young lad through and through. If you then wear bright clothes, aren't you just deceiving yourself?"

Qiao Bei nodded in agreement, "It might not be obvious once or twice, but after three or four times, that's a different story. Master Han is clever; if it happens too often, he'll definitely find out..."

"When have I ever acted coy?"

Shen Qinglan retorted weakly.

Then he blinked and said, blushing, "Besides, fine feathers make fine birds. If I don't dress brightly, how can I make Brother Han fall for me if I go looking all drab? I don't truly want to be brothers with him—I want to be his husband."

Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, Qiao Bei: ...

"Young master, couldn't you be at least a little more reserved?"

Shen Qinglan said no—he couldn't hold back at all.

"Alright, it's decided! Go invite the fabric shop owner into the mansion right away to make me a beautiful outfit—one that will leave Brother Han utterly stunned!"

The young man happily planned how he would dazzle Han Zhang at the temple fair.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Han Zhang was also planning how to use this temple fair outing to make his beautiful future husband even more devoted to him.

If a man wants to succeed, he must seize opportunities.

And if there are no opportunities?

Then he creates them himself.

Han Zhang didn't get to where he is today on luck alone.

After receiving Shen Qinglan's reply agreeing to the invitation, Han Zhang formed a new plan. On his next day off, he visited the Clan Chief Han again with Grandpa Han.

The Clan Chief's small courtyard was tidy and clean.

When they arrived, the Clan Chief was resting on a stone bench under the persimmon tree in the yard.

As soon as he saw them enter—especially Han Zhang, the most promising young member of the clan—he stood up happily and greeted them warmly:

"Big Brother is here? Sit down, sit down! Just in time—come try our new tea. I picked some wild spring tea from the back hill a few days ago, and your little grandfather masterfully pan-fired it. The flavor is quite fragrant!"

Han Zhang sat obediently, first took a sip to taste it, then praised sincerely.

"The aroma is fresh and lingering, the taste is refreshing and brisk, with a clean aftertaste—Little Grandfather has real skill."

Grandpa Han also took a big gulp from his cup, smacked his lips, and smiled broadly in agreement: "Indeed, the Clan Chief's tea-frying skill has remained excellent for decades..."

Their praise was not mere flattery but genuine admiration.

Because before the Han family declined, the Clan Chief's young husband had been specially trained as a personal attendant for him. Though he was still young when they fell from grace, he was no ordinary village lad—his cooking and tea-making skills were quite good.

After the Clan Chief married him, the family's main livelihood came from selling the young husband's pastries and stir-fried wild tea in town during the slack farming season.

Hearing their praise, the Clan Chief's smile grew even brighter, his eyes filled with pride and satisfaction.

"Of course! Our whole family relies on Little Grandpa's craft to get by. If his skill weren't good, how could our lives be so comfortable?"

It was clear the couple had a deep bond, and the Clan Chief was a loving husband.

But then again, the Clan Chief and his husband had grown up together and endured life-and-death hardships—how could their affection be compared to ordinary couples?

If the Clan Chief's marriage hadn't been harmonious, how could he set a good example for the clan?

The clan's current positive atmosphere owed much to the Chief's many years of personal example.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries.

The Clan Chief smiled and asked, "Big Brother, what good news brings you here today?"

Seeing the relaxed way they entered, he knew it couldn't be bad news.

Now it was Grandpa Han's turn to gloat.

Grandpa Han's eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled. "You've got a sharp eye, Elder Brother. My grandson Han Zhang came today, indeed there is good news to tell you, Elder Brother."

"Oh, what good news? Tell me quickly."

Clan Chief Han's face lit up with joy as he urged him on.

He had great confidence in Han Zhang. Although the Match Workshop hadn't turned a profit yet, with his years of experience, he could still see the potential profit matches could bring.

He wondered what brilliant idea Han Zhang had come up with now.

They were all family, no need to beat around the bush.

Han Zhang dropped the formalities and laid out his idea.

"Grandpa Chief, the Sun family may be down and out, but we've missed the season for renting fields to plant wheat. I was thinking, isn't the South Town Temple Fair coming up soon?"

"Every year the fair is packed with people, a perfect time for vendors to make money. This year, our clan members can give it a try and earn some silver to get through this tough patch."

"I've come up with a game like pitch-pot, called 'ring toss.' We prepare some trinkets—like pottery jars, wooden combs, silk flowers, even a few pricier bronze or jade ornaments. Guests stand about ten feet away and try to toss bamboo rings over them. Whatever they ring, they take on the spot..."

"Of course, there's a trick to the rings and the arrangement... The rings should be light and bouncy, and the items placed with spacing—valuable ones farther away, common ones closer."

He explained the rules and insider secrets of the ring toss game in detail.

Anyone who's played it knows that simple as it seems, it's truly addictive. Suitable for all ages, it's perfect for making money at the temple fair.

Han Zhang concluded, "Grandpa Chief, we'll display a few valuable items to attract people. The rest we prepare based on each family's budget. The start-up cost is low, but the profit margin is huge..."

Ring toss wasn't complicated. The clan chief understood after one explanation.

The old man's eyes lit up and he couldn't help slapping the table in excitement.

"Excellent! Great! This game seems simple but has its tricks—truly a clever way to make money!"

"When the time comes, each family in our clan sets up a ring toss booth. After a few days of the fair, we'll earn at least several taels."

Keep in mind, many accountants work hard for a month and earn just a few taels.

Earning that in just a few days is a considerable income.

This business is viable!

Then Clan Chief Han asked for details on the operation and all the tips, writing them all down on paper, finally satisfied.

Han Zhang smiled and took a banknote from his pocket, handing it over.

"Clan Chief, the few dozen taels before probably aren't enough to settle the young ladies and lads who were divorced or separated. This hundred-tael note is something I managed to raise; use it for now."

Before Clan Chief Han could refuse.

Han Zhang said, "Grandpa Chief, don't refuse yet. Hear me out. Although clan affairs can't all fall on my shoulders, the clan has helped me a lot over the years as I studied. Now that the clan is in trouble, how can I stand by and do nothing?"

"Grandpa Chief, don't see it as a burden. As you once advised me, consider this note a loan from me to the clan's public account. Once our Match Workshop is up and running and earning, you can take silver from that to repay me."

"What's most important now is to help the clan get through this crisis..."

Adding flowers to brocade is easy; offering coal in snowy weather is hard.

Even though the original Han Zhang was already well respected by the clan, any relationship needs nurturing, or it fades over time. Now was when the clan needed help most—how could he miss this chance to win their hearts?

Sure enough.

Clan Chief Han was deeply moved. Holding the heavy hundred-tael note, he choked up with tears. "Good, good, good... what a good lad!"

Grandpa Han couldn't help stroking his beard and nodding, tears of relief in his eyes.

But once they left the chief's house and reached a secluded spot away from people, looking around to ensure no one was nearby,

Grandpa Han's relieved and proud expression instantly vanished.

He suddenly clutched his chest, turned to look at the calm-faced Han Zhang beside him, and said in a low, pained voice:

"DaLang! My precious grandson! Where did you get so much silver? The clan isn't starving yet—and you just gave away a hundred-tael note?"

"You have the imperial exams next year—this is when you need money. We can repay the clan's kindness after you pass the exams. Why make things hard for yourself now?"

Didn't he know his grandson's nature?

Brilliant at studying, but if he were good at making money, their family would already be well-off.

That hundred-plus taels he gave the clan was probably borrowed from classmates!

His good grandson, too honest for his own good.