Chapter 286: Getting Rich Together
Li Yi and Wen Yao exchanged a glance, seeing through it without pointing it out.
Being a man of immediate action, Doctor Jin penned a notice right then and there and posted it on the door of Jishi Hall. He had Honghai close the main gates, leaving only a small side door open.
Since he was returning to the capital to treat the Empress Dowager, Doctor Jin had to go home to prepare the prized possessions he kept at the bottom of his trunks to bring along. He also needed to pack those items Wen Jun had given him. He hadn’t been back in many years, so shouldn’t he take this opportunity to return and show off a little? Let those old fogies envy him for taking in such a fine disciple!
Li Yi summoned one of the three guards he had brought along, instructing him to go to the docks to arrange a boat so they could set off early the next morning.
After all, where the Empress Dowager’s health was concerned, no delay could be permitted.
Learning that they weren’t departing until the next morning, Wen Yao breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Had they left right now, she wouldn’t have had time to instruct her elder brother on many matters. Fortunately, there was still time, which was good.
With matters here settled, the two strolled leisurely toward Zui Xian Tower.
Upon their arrival at Zui Xian Tower, Manager Lu caught sight of them and immediately came out to greet them. Seeing Li Yi, he prepared to drop to his knees.
Though Manager Lu didn’t recognize the Heir of Prince Fu, Qiu Rongrong had long instructed him that whoever was with Miss Yao Yao was bound to be the young master.
“Dispense with the formalities,” Li Yi spoke up before he could drop down.
Caught halfway through kneeling, Manager Lu seamlessly shifted into a deep bow, putting on his usual host demeanor to invite the two inside. He escorted them to a third-floor private room and knocked on the door.
The door opened, and Qiu Rongrong walked out. Gathering her skirts, she was also about to kneel, but Wen Yao wiggled her eyebrows at her, causing Qiu Rongrong to instantly alter her move into a curtsy.
“Come inside first before speaking.” After offering her curtsy, Qiu Rongrong stepped aside to let the two step through the door.
Qiaoyan withdrew, pulling the door shut behind her, and stood guard at the threshold.
Inside the room, Qiu Rongrong offered her respects once more: “This humble woman, Qiu Rongrong, greets the Heir of Prince Fu.”
“Manager Qiu need not be so formal. There are no outsiders here, so dispense with these rigid etiquettes,” Li Yi said. This was precisely why he liked the Wen family.
At the Wen household, he was simply Li Yi—unlike in the capital or other places, where he was merely the Heir of Prince Fu.
Once the three were seated, Qiu Rongrong poured tea for the two, then retrieved several documents from the table behind her.
“Since we are all our own people, I won’t beat around the bush. These are the contracts I had drafted. Li Yi, Yao Yao, please both have a look. If there is anything unsuitable, we can negotiate further.” Qiu Rongrong handed each of them a copy.
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow, teasing, “Sister, your efficiency is quite something!”
Qiu Rongrong offered a proud smile: “Not being proactive about earning money means there’s a problem with one’s head—you were the one who told me that!”
That single line made Wen Yao burst out laughing, and even Li Yi couldn’t help but curve his lips upward.
Wen Yao read through it once, pointing at the profit-sharing section: “Sister, this part needs to be changed.”
Qiu Rongrong froze, hurriedly winking at Wen Yao: What’s wrong? Thinking it’s too little?
Wen Yao blinked: No.
Qiu Rongrong continued wiggling her eyebrows: Then why?
With the three sitting in a triangular arrangement, Li Yi took in all their silent signals. He let out a helpless laugh, raising his hand to cover his mouth as he feigned a cough, saying, “Since we are partners, if the two of you have something to say, why not speak directly?”
Playing charades like this made him feel somewhat excluded.
Qiu Rongrong didn’t beat around the bush either, asking directly, “Yao Yao, what did you mean just now when you said this needs to be changed? Does the young master feel that sixty percent is too little?”
Qiu Rongrong looked at Li Yi as she asked that last sentence, her expression solemn. If he still felt sixty percent was too little, she would have to carefully reconsider. Although they needed to rely on a giant tree, if the lion’s share was taken by him, the money they could actually earn would be very little indeed.
Li Yi didn’t deny it, stating instead, “It indeed needs to be changed, but merely swapped around. I only want forty percent. As for the remaining sixty percent, Manager Qiu, you and Yao Yao get thirty percent each. I wonder what Manager Qiu thinks of this?”
Wen Yao raised her head to look at Li Yi. The first part had been agreed upon by the two of them, but Li Yi had never mentioned the latter part to her.
Could it be that Li Yi was worried Sister Qiu might take a cut of her share, so he brought up splitting it equally between the two of them so plainly?
Indeed, a good buddy! Truly worthy of being someone she had precisely fed for so long.
Having heard his words, Qiu Rongrong looked at Wen Yao in utter disbelief, continuing to wiggle her eyebrows frantically: What’s the situation? Really refusing money handed to him?
Before Wen Yao could respond, she heard Li Yi’s coughing once more.
“If Manager Qiu has something to say, why not speak directly?” Li Yi said.
Awkwardly, Qiu Rongrong touched her hair ornament and said, “Does the young master truly only want forty percent?”
“Absolutely true.”
“Deal!”
The moment the word “deal” left her mouth, Qiu Rongrong raised her teacup directly, offering a hearty laugh: “Today, this humble woman shall substitute tea for wine to toast the young master. May our future cooperation be delightful, and may we get rich together!”
“Get rich together!” Wen Yao raised her cup as well, wiggling her eyebrows at Li Yi when she saw him remain still.
This time, Li Yi understood, raising his teacup along with them: “Get rich together.”
While sipping his tea, Li Yi stole a glance at Wen Yao over the brim of his cup. Seeing the smiles filling her eyes and face, the corners of his own mouth couldn’t help but curl upward slightly.
The Wen family truly possessed a kind of magic, causing anyone who drew near them to unconsciously forget their own status, becoming relaxed and free of worry.
Strike while the iron is hot. Qiu Rongrong didn’t bother finding someone else to draft new contracts; she had Manager Lu fetch fine brush, ink, paper, and inkstone directly, preparing to rewrite three copies on the spot.
“Yao Yao, you write them.” Setting out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, Qiu Rongrong handed the brush to Wen Yao without hesitation.
Though she had studied reading and writing under tutors since childhood, her handwriting was truly embarrassing to present—especially in front of an Imperial Heir.
Wen Yao wrote with a lovely hand, as could be seen from the recipes for new dishes she sent over every month.
Wen Yao wasn’t timid either. Rolling up her sleeves, she picked up the brush and began to write. Wanting to put on a good performance, she wrote with utmost care and focus.
Li Yi turned his gaze slightly aside, avoiding that lotus-root-like arm, and focused his eyes on Wen Yao’s handwriting.
Wen Yao’s brushwork flowed like moving clouds and flowing water, sharp and crisp at the edges, leaving Li Yi momentarily stunned. A hand of calligraphy like this couldn’t be developed without ten or eight years of practice. Wen Yao was only eleven or twelve years old, yet she possessed such natural talent.
Wen Yao completed all three copies of the contract in one breath. Setting down the brush, she couldn’t help shaking her sore arm, unconsciously blurting out, “I haven’t written this many words in a long time. Take a look and see if there’s anything incorrect.”
Li Yi and Qiu Rongrong had each picked up their respective copies to examine. Qiu Rongrong praised Wen Yao’s calligraphy as lavishly as ever—aside from pretty, it was simply pretty.
Li Yi, on the other hand, offered just two words: “Fine calligraphy.”
Only then did Wen Yao realize she had shown off too much, quickly trying to smooth it over awkwardly: “It’s all because my father taught me well.”
Hehe, Dad, sorry to trouble you to take the blame for this.
Li Yi thought nothing more of it. Indeed, for a man of Uncle Wen’s refined character, it was hardly surprising that he could teach such calligraphy.
