Chapter 332: If You Can’t Beg for Alms, We’ll Sponsor You
Upon returning home, only then did Wen Xiuyi realize that these two girls had quietly pulled off such a massive undertaking behind his back, buying a building and a residence—and they weren’t even finished yet.
“What? You two are going again tomorrow? What else are you buying?” Wen Xiuyi was left flabbergasted.
Wen Yao counted them off for him: “We still need to buy two storefronts to open a roast duck shop and a milk tea shop. In addition, we plan to convert our current house into a workshop, so we still need to buy a small courtyard compound for our convenience when we stay here.”
Wen Xiuyi: “…”
Even so, forget it—he’d leave it be. Who asked him to lack financial authority at home anyway?
“Still, your Uncle Chen and I have to head back. We came here to beg for alms to begin with, so since alms cannot be begged, it’s better to head back earlier. After all, we have a pile of affairs waiting for us as well,” Wen Xiuyi said.
Magistrate Chen sighed and groaned as well—if alms couldn’t be begged, did they really have to dig into their own pockets again?
Right at this moment, Qiu Rongrong spoke up out of nowhere: “Godfather, I see you two shouldn’t bother asking the governor for money anymore. How about this—I’ll sponsor your research!” At any rate, multiple burdens were no heavier than one. Wen Yao had given her such immense credit for the new crops, even granting her the opportunity to break free from the Xie family, so she had to do something in return.
As it happened, Qiu Rongrong felt this was the perfect opportunity.
Wen Xiuyi and Magistrate Chen exchanged a glance. Magistrate Chen hesitated, looking as if he had something to say, and the moment Wen Xiuyi saw his expression, he knew what the man was thinking.
“Well… Rongrong, it’s not that your godfather wants to stand on ceremony with you, but research isn’t a matter of a day or two. Furthermore, regarding this matter—to tell you the truth—you won’t gain any substantial benefits from it. As family, your godfather will tell you directly that this is a bottomless pit. Do you understand my meaning?”
Wen Xiuyi understood the journey of research deeply; it was built upon money and the accumulated wisdom of generations. Once started, it could not be stopped. Furthermore, the work he was doing right now—plainly speaking—was done for free for the common people of the world. The new varieties researched could not be used by them to seek profit either.
Thus, Wen Xiuyi felt some words had to be made clear to Qiu Rongrong beforehand. Otherwise, he could completely agree directly and spend his two daughters’ money to pursue what he wished to do, but that would be unfair to them.
Copying Wen Yao’s posture, Qiu Rongrong sat up straight and nodded: “Godfather, I understand your meaning, and I also know what you seek and what you do. Yao Yao and I…” Qiu Rongrong cast a glance at Wen Yao, and the two sisters exchanged a glance, sharing a smile, before giving Wen Xiuyi a firm nod.
“Yao Yao and I will fully support you, no matter when!” Qiu Rongrong spoke her inner feelings with firm conviction, pulling two silver banknotes directly from her bosom and placing them on the table before them.
Each had a face value of one thousand taels, totaling two thousand taels.
Wen Yao gave Wen Xiuyi a cheering gesture as well.
The eyes of both Wen Xiuyi and Magistrate Chen went wide.
Qiu Rongrong added, “My parents are not by my side. Since Godfather treats me as his own blood, I naturally don’t want Godfather to suffer the grievance of begging others. Although us girls don’t understand the inner workings of your officialdom, we understand the principle that our own family shouldn’t be made to suffer grievances.
“Therefore, Godfather, feel free to boldly pursue what you want to do. When it comes to money, Yao Yao and I are here! You take these two thousand taels first, and when my brother sends our profit share during the New Year, I’ll give you another two thousand taels.”
Seeing this, Wen Yao dug into her own pocket as well: “Dad, I’ll sponsor you one thousand taels too!” She was a little rich woman now, and bringing out one thousand taels of silver was well within her means.
For reasons unknown, Wen Xiuyi felt the rims of his eyes turn somewhat moist. Reorganizing his emotions, he ultimately patted Magistrate Chen on the shoulder and said, “Good! Put your hearts at ease—Old Chen and I will definitely not let down your good intentions, nor fail your sacrifices. Just wait and see!”
Pressed down by this sudden weight, Magistrate Chen trembled slightly, opening his mouth: “Well… why are you still…”
“Hmm? What?” Wen Xiuyi turned his head to look at him.
The corners of Magistrate Chen’s mouth twitched, swallowing the remaining phrase—why are you bringing me into this too—forcibly back down, and nodded along: “Yes, your dad and I will definitely work hard! Hahaha, work hard!”
Sigh, at any rate, now that he had stepped onto this path, he couldn’t get off even if he wanted to, nor was there any need to get off. At any rate, let it be—at worst, he would walk this path all the way into the dark.
Magistrate Chen was throwing caution to the wind as well; future prospects and grand pathways to promotion were no longer important. Old Wen said to give it an all-out shot, so he would give it an all-out shot!
The two burst out laughing with a hehehe, as if having reached a tacit understanding of sorts.
Unable to watch any longer, Wen Yao and Qiu Rongrong cast disdainful looks at the two before returning to their respective rooms. There was still plenty of shopping to do tomorrow.
The next day, Wen Yao and Qiu Rongrong were set to inspect storefronts and houses, while Wen Xiuyi and Magistrate Chen were heading back.
Before departing, Wen Xiuyi made a point to instruct Xun Feng to protect the two girls properly, until Xun Feng’s ears almost grew calluses from listening. Wen Xiuyi even suggested leaving Mu Li behind as well, proposing that he and Magistrate Chen simply hire a driver to head back.
Wen Yao rejected his offer, shooing them onto the carriage and urging Mu Li to set off quickly, only then feeling her ears catch some peace and quiet.
“It’s not a matter of life-and-death separation—look at my dad’s dramatic act!” Wen Yao complained with utter disdain.
“Bah, bah, bah! Don’t talk nonsense. Let’s go, we’re setting off too.” Qiu Rongrong pulled Wen Yao onto the horse carriage, and once everyone else climbed aboard, Xun Feng flicked his whip and set off.
Manager Wu truly lived up to Broker Deng’s recommendation. Both storefronts he selected for Qiu Rongrong and Wen Yao satisfied them immensely, and in just a single morning, both storefronts were purchased.
Manager Wu was thrilled beyond measure, busying himself front and back without a single trace of complaint. After all, these were major patrons!
At noon, Manager Wu hosted a meal for the two at the finest restaurant in the prefectural city, ordering a table full of dishes.
“Although the head chef here cannot match the culinary skills of Zui Xian Tower’s head chef, the flavor is quite decent as well. Please do not look down upon it, you two,” Manager Wu said with a smile. After all, they were restaurant owners themselves, so polite words naturally had to be spoken.
The two naturally wouldn’t look down upon it, taking the opportunity to taste how the finest restaurant in the prefectural city fared in flavor.
After finishing the meal, Wen Yao felt that for this restaurant to thrive as the finest in the prefectural city, it wasn’t without genuine capability—at the very least, these dishes tasted quite good.
After eating, the group didn’t rest either, as Manager Wu began leading the two to inspect houses.
Wen Yao had no special requirements—a two-entry courtyard compound, somewhat spacious, and close to the Li residence purchased by Qiu Rongrong. Manager Wu thus brought them to inspect several properties up for sale.
After browsing through them all, two houses aligned quite well with Wen Yao’s requirements, boasting suitable layouts in every aspect. One stood closer to the back door of the Li residence, possessing a private water well dug in the back courtyard, meaning there would be no need for the hassle of buying water from outside.
The other stood closer to the front door, separated by merely one street—taking a shortcut through a small alley would make it even closer—yet that house lacked a water well, and digging one might not necessarily yield water.
After final consideration, Wen Yao ultimately chose the one with the water well. Front door or back door mattered little so long as visiting each other was convenient, but a water well was an absolute necessity. Wen Yao certainly didn’t want to have to buy water for daily use after moving in.
