Chapter 316: But You Have to Sign an IOU!
“Good, good! Since they treat you like family, you must also be grateful to them. I have no abilities and can’t give you a better life, and I know that ever since you were little, you never had a single good day at home. Seeing you so happy now makes me feel relieved.
“I originally wanted to start a business in the city so I could visit you often, but that dream might not come true anymore. Still, as long as you’re well, I don’t need to come to the city to see you—I can be at ease knowing you’re living a good life.”
Thinking about the steep rent, Yu Shanhe couldn’t bring himself to tell his daughter the truth, but he couldn’t help but reveal his initial motivation.
Compared to the rest of his family, Yu Shanhe was an honest man. In reality, he had never had the courage to do business. But since Liu Lan wanted to move to the city, and he missed his daughter, he had considered the idea. Now, however, he had to face reality.
Rather than gambling away their savings, he felt it would be safer to continue as a laborer with his son, daughter-in-law, and father. That way, they could earn a stable income of several taels per month.
“Father, why aren’t you going to start a business anymore? Didn’t you come to Luo City today to rent a shop?”
“I did, but you know how it is—Xiao Luo and her family built these shops, and their rent is too high for a simple farmer like me. Besides, no one in our family knows how to do business. Rather than risking everything, I’d rather take your brother, sister-in-law, and grandfather to work as laborers.
“That way, we can save eighty or ninety taels a year, which is much safer. Don’t worry—I’ll prepare a dowry for you. There are many good men in Luo City, but very few women. You’ll definitely find someone who will cherish you. With a proper dowry, you’ll have more security when you get married.”
“Father, I’m not getting married. I just want to serve Lady Ye and Sister Luo well. Even I dislike my own face—why would I go looking for someone else to criticize it?”
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t touched. Yu Xiangxiang had never expected her father to think so much about her future.
Looking back, she realized her father had always cared for her—he had just never been good with words.
“Sigh… Don’t say such discouraging things. It’s my fault. I should have stopped your grandmother sooner…”
Seeing the sorrow in his eyes, Yu Xiangxiang didn’t want to bring up painful memories, so she quickly changed the subject.
“Father, you should do business! I heard from Zhang Xiaoliang that when he went to Feng City with Sister Luo, everything there was outrageously expensive. A single night at an inn cost two hundred taels of silver! Even a simple meal was over a hundred taels! And a ticket to a private auction? Three hundred taels!
Money flows easily in this wilderness—only the rich come here to spend it. If you start a business, it’ll be much better than working as a laborer. If you’re worried, you can keep two people working as laborers for security while the rest try running a business.
If it works, you might make a fortune! And if you ever return to our hometown, having money will keep people from looking down on us for being exiles. Take this silver and use it as startup capital. It’s not much, but combined with what you and Mother have, it should help.”
How could Yu Shanhe possibly take money from his own daughter?
He had already sold her once—he couldn’t take money from the child he had sold!
But her words lit a spark of hope in his heart.
If business in this wasteland was really as profitable as she said—if only the wealthy came here to spend money—then maybe dozens of taels in rent weren’t as outrageous as he had thought?
“I won’t take your silver. Keep it for yourself. But tell me—are you sure about what you just said? Why would so many rich people come to a barren land like this? What’s the attraction?”
“Father, you don’t understand—wealthy people don’t think like us. Many martial artists come here, and events like auctions attract them. In a few days, Luo City is hosting a martial arts tournament, and last night, I heard Sister Luo instruct people to spread the news. The champion will receive a reward of ten thousand taels of silver! With a prize like that, how could people not flock here?”
Hearing this, Yu Shanhe’s eyes gradually lit up.
Ten thousand taels! That was an unimaginable amount!
Back in their village, someone with just one hundred taels was considered rich. And yet, here in Luo City, winning a single competition could earn ten thousand? That was bound to attract thousands of people!
“Father, look at all the shops in Luo City. Sister Luo and Second Uncle are both brilliant at making money. They’ll only make Luo City even busier. Yesterday, the gates just opened, and already, hundreds of people have arrived.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. This place, which was once a wasteland, is becoming a thriving city. So don’t be afraid! The worst that can happen is losing some silver, but Sister Luo provides food for laborers, so you won’t starve. But if you succeed, you won’t just go home with money—you’ll live comfortably even in this wilderness!”
Seeing the conflict in her father’s eyes, Yu Xiangxiang continued to encourage him.
When they returned to the main hall, Yu Shanhe was shocked by the feast before him!
He had never seen apples cooked into dishes before. He had never seen stir-fried greens retain their bright green color instead of turning yellow. And he had certainly never seen pork prepared in so many ways—cut into slices, cubes, and braised into rich, flavorful dishes.
And fish! Instead of boiling it all together, they made fish head soup, pickled fish fillets, and fish balls!
“Xiao Luo, I—I’ve decided to follow your advice and open a tea shop. But… my family only has one hundred and thirty taels of silver… The rent…”
After finishing the meal, Yu Shanhe finally gathered his courage and made up his mind.
But as soon as he started speaking, his face turned red with embarrassment—he had never begged for money before.
“Brother Shanhe, you don’t need to rent a shop. I’ll lend you fifty taels of silver!”
Before Yu Luo could respond, a slightly tipsy Liu Mingxia slammed his hand on the table and boldly made his offer.
“Yes! Brother Shanhe, we were all exiled together. We can’t let you stay behind in the stone caves while we move to the city. I, Bai You, will also lend you fifty taels! B-but… but you’ll have to sign an IOU…”
Yu Luo: …
