“Buy… sell…” Wu Jinliang mumbled twice, and once he grasped the true meaning, he was instantly dumbfounded, an exaggerated expression of surprise difficult to top.
Then he slowly turned his head back to the spot where a crowd had gathered at the entrance of Liyun Tower.
His mind suddenly felt a bit muddled. He couldn’t help but quietly count on his fingers: if they paid 50,000 gold, they could get that top courtesan out of Liyun Tower, then sell her for 200,000 gold.
After deducting costs, they would earn 150,000! What was 150,000 gold? Most people earned 300 gold a month, which was 3,600 a year. Forget most people; for those who had just come out of the Land of Exile, being able to find work that paid 300 gold a month was already good.
This single deal was enough to cover forty years’ worth of earnings!
If Old Dong and the others invested 40,000 and took 80,000 back, Chuntian would still get 120,000 from the 200,000.
With such a huge sum of money, spending it would be immensely pleasurable.
He felt he could immediately experience what it was like to be above others.
Would they offend Liyun Tower? No, the top courtesan was redeeming herself and leaving, and Liyun Tower would still receive 500,000, so they wouldn't lose out.
Would they offend Lü Taizhen? No, the beauty was still the same beauty, not a single strand of hair missing. He was originally going to spend 500,000 to buy her; wouldn't it be great to suddenly save 300,000?
Moreover, the beauty didn't want him and almost ran away.
They were the ones who broke up the 'lovebirds' and played the villain to help send her back, and they even saved him a huge sum of money. Lü Taizhen should be thanking them, right?
Wu Jinliang’s tongue couldn't stay in his mouth from calculating this, almost flopping out.
It was indeed a good deal, a truly dark deal, but he liked it very much.
He looked at Shi Chun with sparkling eyes, full of a twisted, adoring glow.
He realized he truly lived up to being the Chief of East Nine Plains; even outside the Land of Exile, he still managed to make big deals. He couldn't help but admire him.
Looking at the crowd gathered there, including himself, all they thought about was watching the spectacle, about not getting involved and avoiding trouble. They were all completely blind, a pile of money sitting right there, yet they couldn't see it.
It seemed he was right not to leave the Land of Exile earlier. Making a fortune here would be equivalent to how many years if he had left sooner?
Without another word, he immediately rummaged through his satchel and pulled out the 6,000 gold he had just brought from the Land of Exile.
He practically shoved it into Shi Chun's hand, “Brother, if you have something, I’ll naturally do my utmost. Six thousand gold.
Chuntian, you know this is all the money I have.”
Shi Chun pushed it back, “No need, I said 4,000 is enough.”
“Don’t be like that,” Wu Jinliang said, a little anxious. If the money was to be doubled, there was a big difference in profit between contributing 4,000 and 6,000.
He immediately shoved it back, “Chief, brother has braved life and death with you. If you eat meat, and don't even give your brother a sip of soup, isn't that a bit much?”
Looking at this brother who was so eager to give money, Shi Chun let out a cold chuckle.
He really wanted to get a mirror and let the other party see his petty face, mocking, “Didn't you want to go play in Liyun Tower? How will you play without money?”
Wu Jinliang wasn't pretentious at this moment and spoke frankly, “Once I make money, I can play whenever I want. A true man can bend and stretch.”
Still needing his help, Shi Chun didn't say much more and reluctantly accepted, “Alright, keep it for now. I'll take it when I need it.”
Wu Jinliang immediately beamed, “Good, I'll listen to the Chief.”
So the two brothers sat side-by-side, looking like shabby beggars, waiting and waiting, feeling no shame.
After waiting for a while, Old Dong and Big Stone returned, accompanied by another person who was also an acquaintance: Chasi, the leader of Far-Gazing Tower’s delivery team, who was carrying a small box.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang now knew this person was named Chasi.
They found it a bit strange; why did he leave them and then come back? They looked at the box in his hand, a little suspicious. Could he be bringing money?
Upon meeting again, Old Dong and Big Stone looked somewhat unnatural.
Shi Chun was about to greet Chasi politely when Chasi spoke first, “Are you the one who wants to borrow 40,000 gold?”
Shi Chun paused slightly, looking at Old Dong and Big Stone. How did their mission to get money turn into him borrowing it? But it wasn't a problem to say he was borrowing it, so he immediately nodded, “Yes.”
Chasi pointed at Old Dong and Big Stone, “They said you can return it within three days. Is that right?”
Shi Chun didn't deny it, nodding, “If nothing unexpected happens, I can return it within three days.
I’ll try to be even faster.”
Chasi immediately handed him the box, “Here’s 40,000 gold; you can count it.
Miss Miao said that as long as you return the principal in time, she won't charge you interest. Consider it a congratulatory gift for your release from the Living Prison.”
“Miss Miao?” Shi Chun's eyes widened. He said in great surprise, “Miss Miao is here?”
Wu Jinliang also had a look of astonishment.
Chasi immediately looked back at Old Dong and Big Stone, equally surprised, “They didn't tell you?”
At this, Old Dong and Big Stone's expressions were beyond awkward.
Shi Chun quickly reacted, probably guessing what had happened.
The two scoundrels had gone to borrow money from Miss Miao under his name but didn't tell him, just in case. If this investment failed, they didn't want to bear any losses, they could push all the blame onto Shi Chun.
If it succeeded, then they would genuinely profit.
And Miss Miao probably found it strange that Shi Chun didn't come to borrow money in person, so she took an extra precaution and sent someone over to confirm, after all, 40,000 gold was not a small amount.
To be honest, he himself was surprised that he could borrow 40,000 Wood Gold from Miss Miao just by his name.
Wu Jinliang also guessed the little trick those two had played, his face showing a hint of amusement and deep sympathy.
These two old brothers had taken a narrow path, missing out on an opportunity to get rich.
He was truly secretly gloating.
Shi Chun didn't have a deep relationship with Chasi, nor was he familiar with him, and he didn't know his background. He also didn't want to affect Old Dong and their livelihoods over a small matter.
Moreover, the money was already procured, so he quickly prevaricated, “They were probably afraid I'd be embarrassed. The money is indeed what I wanted to borrow.
Thank you, Senior.”
He took the box with both hands and then bowed to express his gratitude.
Logically, with the money delivered and thanks given, Chasi should have left. However, he stood there with no intention of leaving.
Shi Chun immediately slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, “I'll write you an IOU.” He handed the box to Wu Jinliang with one hand.
Chasi said, “No need for an IOU. Miss Miao asked me to see what you need such a large sum of money for.”
Some words were unspoken: if he was up to no good, the money would be taken back.
Shi Chun froze, then exchanged glances with Wu Jinliang.
Chasi added, “Please count the money to avoid any misunderstanding.”
Shi Chun waved his hand magnanimously, “No need.
I trust Miss Miao.”
Chasi was slightly surprised; he didn't seem like someone from a poor, suffering place, so he regarded him a little higher and didn't say much more.
Shi Chun didn't know that Chasi harbored the thought of taking the money back at any time. He assumed the money was already his to command, so he didn't take it seriously, thinking, 'If he wants to see, let him see.
' He pulled out the white cloth stained with money he had brought from the Land of Exile, told Wu Jinliang to take out his own, and peeled off the money to make up the full amount…
Upstairs, the madam Feng Chi looked out the window. Seeing it was already noon, she turned back to inquire about Xiang Lan'er’s opinion, then found a cloak for her, instructing her to wrap herself in it to temporarily cover the marks of being beaten.
Then the two left the room and made their way to the downstairs hall.
After escorting Xiang Lan'er into a small side room to wait, the madam Feng Chi went out and closed the door.
Only then did she adopt her flippant, swaying gait, swaggering towards the main entrance.
Inside the small side room, Xiang Lan'er lifted her cloak hood and listened intently to the movements outside, ready to seize the opportunity at any moment.