"Buy...sell..."
Wu Jinliang murmured these two words, finally grasping the true meaning behind them.
Instantly, his eyes widened in disbelief, showcasing an exaggerated expression of shock.
He then slowly turned back to gaze at the bustling entrance of Graceful Cloud Pavilion.
His mind was suddenly overwhelmed, making him compelled to silently count on his fingers.
Purchasing the first lady for fifty thousand taels and selling for two hundred thousand, after deducting the initial cost, meant a profit of one hundred fifty thousand!
What concept was one hundred fifty thousand? Most people earn three hundred silver a month, around three thousand six hundred a year.
Forget about most people; for those like them who just left the Exile Lands, finding a job that pays three hundred silver a month was already considered good.
This single transaction was equivalent to forty years of work!
If Old Dong and his group invested forty thousand and took away eighty thousand, they would still be left with one hundred twenty thousand by spring.
With such a large sum of money, spending it would certainly bring joy; it might even elevate their status quickly.
Did they offend Graceful Cloud Pavilion? No, the first lady was buying her own freedom.
The pavilion would still make fifty thousand, not a loss.
Did they offend Lu Taizhen? No, the beauty remained untouched, not a hair missing.
What originally cost fifty thousand, suddenly saving thirty thousand wasn’t appealing?
Moreover, the beauty wasn't willing to stay with him and was nearly gone; it was they who thwarted a romantic getaway and helped return the couple, saving him a considerable sum.
Lu Taizhen should be thanking them, right?
Wu Jinliang couldn't stop his mouth from grinning as he calculated, almost slumping in his seat; truly a good deal, perhaps too good, but he liked it.
Looking at Shi Chun with shining eyes, filled with twisted admiration, he realized the Big Boss of Eastern Nine Plains was indeed extraordinary.
Even outside the Exile Lands, he could manage great deals; one's admiration was unavoidably swayed.
The crowd around, including himself, was only looking for entertainment, thinking of avoiding trouble — a bunch of oblivious fools, failing to see the wealth sitting right there.
It seemed he had made the right decision not leaving the Exile Lands early.
Scoring a hefty profit here equaled how many years of early release?
Without a second thought, he immediately flipped open his bundle, pulling out the six hundred silver he had brought from the Exile Lands.
He forcefully shoved it into Shi Chun's hands.
"Brother is in need, and I'm more than willing to lend a hand. Six hundred silver. Spring, you know, this is all I have."
Shi Chun pushed it back, "No need, I said four hundred would be enough."
"Don’t!" Wu Jinliang was slightly panicked.
If they were doubling the returns, investing four hundred or six hundred would yield very different profits.
He insisted, "Big Boss, we've been through thick and thin together. Are you really going to eat meat without giving your brothers even a sip of soup?"
Watching his eager brother, Shi Chun let out a cold laugh, tempted to hold up a mirror to show the other's petty look, and mockingly said, "Weren't you planning to visit Graceful Cloud Pavilion? How will you play without money?"
At this moment, Wu Jinliang dropped all pretenses and honestly said, "Once the money's made, I can play whenever I want. A real man knows when to bend and when to stretch."
Since he still needed the man, Shi Chun didn’t argue further, reluctantly accepting, "Alright, just keep it with you. I'll ask for it when I need it."
Wu Jinliang was delighted, "Alright, as you say, Boss."
The two then sat like brothers, waiting patiently, looking no better than beggars, but without shame.
After a long wait, they finally saw Old Dong and Big Stone returning, with an additional familiar face from the delivery team of Bowang Pavilion.
He was carrying a box in hand.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang now knew this person was Che Si.
They were a bit puzzled.
For someone who had left them abruptly, why did he return now? Glancing at the box in his hand, they wondered if he came to deliver money.
Seeing Old Dong and Big Stone's unnatural expressions, Shi Chun was just about to exchange pleasantries with Che Si when Che Si spoke first, "Are you the one borrowing four thousand silver?"
Shi Chun was slightly stunned, looking at Old Dong and Big Stone.
How did their task of gathering money turn into him borrowing? But it wasn’t wrong to say he was borrowing, so he nodded, "Yes."
Che Si pointed to Old Dong and Big Stone, "They said you'd return it within three days, is that correct?"
Shi Chun didn’t deny it, nodding, "Barring any accidents, I can return it within three days. I'll strive to be quicker."
Che Si immediately handed over the box, "Four thousand silver, check it. Miss Miao said, just return the principal; there's no interest. Consider it a gift for leaving the Exile Lands."
"Miss Miao?" Shi Chun’s eyes widened in surprise, "Miss Miao is here?" Wu Jinliang was equally baffled.
Che Si looked back at Old Dong and Big Stone, equally surprised, "They didn’t tell you?"
Now, Old Dong and Big Stone were incredibly embarrassed.
Shi Chun quickly pieced it together, guessing they had borrowed the money from Miss Miao using his name, but hadn’t informed him, probably to avoid any risk.
If the investment lost, they wouldn’t face any liability, pushing the responsibility solely on him, Shi Chun.
If they profited, they would gain considerably.
Miss Miao must have been curious why Shi Chun didn’t personally ask, hence sending someone to verify.
After all, four thousand silver wasn’t a trivial sum.
Frankly, he was surprised himself that just his name could get him a loan of four thousand sandalwood gold from Miss Miao.
Wu Jinliang also pieced together the little scheme those two played, his face showing amusement and sympathy.
Those two brothers chose a narrow path and missed the chance to make a fortune.
He was secretly delighted by their misfortune.
With no close acquaintance with Che Si, Shi Chun didn’t wish to jeopardize Old Dong and Big Stone’s livelihood over a small issue, especially since the money was already secured.
Immediately, he responded dismissively, "They were probably concerned about embarrassing me. It is indeed I who is borrowing. Thank you, Senior."
Receiving the box with two hands, he bowed in gratitude.
Logic dictated that after money was delivered and thanks were exchanged, Che Si should leave.
However, he showed no sign of leaving.
Shi Chun patted his forehead, suddenly realizing, "I’ll write you an IOU."
He passed the box to Wu Jinliang with one hand.
Che Si remarked, "No need for an IOU. Miss Miao wants to know why you need such a large sum."
Unspoken was that if it were being squandered, the money would be withdrawn.
Shi Chun was taken aback, glancing at Wu Jinliang.
Che Si added, "Check the money to avoid misunderstandings."
Shi Chun generously waved him off, "No need, I trust Miss Miao."
Che Si was slightly surprised, seeing Shi Chun in a different light, not like the usual impoverished folks, regarding him a little higher, but said no more.
Shi Chun unknowingly assumed the money was already his to command, not realizing the intention of recalling it at any moment.
Thus, taking it casually, he pulled out a white cloth wrapped in money from the Exile Lands, signaling Wu Jinliang to contribute his share, peeling off the money from it…
Upstairs, Madame Fengchi glanced out the window, noticing it was midday.
She turned around to consult Xiang Lan'er, then retrieved a cloak for her, draping it over her shoulders to temporarily conceal the marks from the beatings.
The two then left the room, making their way to the ground-floor hall.
Leaving Xiang Lan'er in a small side room to wait, Madame Fengchi went out, closed the door behind her, and strutted toward the entrance with a swaying, frivolous demeanor.
Inside the side room, Xiang Lan'er lifted her hood, listening intently to the noises outside, ready to seize any opportunity to act.