Chapter 8: Business Smile

After Hu Shuo fell unconscious, I ordered a lavish meal and satiated my hunger. As for the payment? I just pointed at him when the mistress asked for it.

"My friend here is very generous. Please take care of him. Ah, he might forget about the bill, so do remind him of that when he wakes up."

I exited the saloon looking satisfied, idly stretching my long tongue to clean the insides of my mouth.

Judging at it from an ethical standpoint, what I did to Hu Shuo was awfully wrong.

However, what could I do? I had no money on me after bribing him. A man's gotta eat afterall...

Anyways, I put Hu Shuo's matter to the back of my mind. For now, his use was over.

Walking back to Yellow Rocks Mansion, I perfected the 'plan' I had thought of back in the saloon. The more I thought about it, the more appealing that plan seemed to be. If all went well, I'd be rich tonight.

However, I had to do some preparation and that would require "initial investment."

'Thankfully, we still have some money left. By now, Chunu must've ended her training,' I thought.

Briskly, I reached the mansion. However, I didn't find Chunu anywhere near reception. Not in the task area either. She was still inside her chamber.

I went directly to the cultivation chambers after realising that but this time, the door was guarded.

"Ah, you must be the day guards clerk Kang mentioned," I fished out my token and passed it to them.

They returned it back to me after a casual look. One of them asked as I entered the corridors, "Your time is about to end soon. Why did you leave for so long?"

I didn't answer him and went straight towards Chunu's rented chamber.

From behind, I heard the guard grumbling, "Tsk these free cultivators; always acting as if they own a sect."

I paid him no heed and stood before little Nu's doors. They were closed of course.

"Nu?"

Knock! knock!

"Little Nu, it's me Zuifan. Are you done with your practice?" I leaned against the door and asked from outside.

There was no reply for a minute. Abruptly, the door opened and I, who was leaning on it, was sent stumbling inside.

There, I saw Chunu behind the door looking drained. Beads of perspiration sparkled on her forehead.

However, her expression told me she was rejoicing.

Looking at me, she flashed a joyful smile, exclaiming, "I broke through to second rank!"

"Wow, that's great! Did you use the technique I told you to train on?" My mood suddenly uplifted, I smilingly asked.

"Yes! Forbidden techniques are great!" she said. I didn't expect such enthusiasm from her. I'd thought she wouldn't like the notion of cultivating in a closed room all day, but I was wrong.

Trying to encourage her more, I spoke, "Then why don't you train in tha-"

Suddenly interrupting me, she said in a slightly raised voice.

"B-big brother..."

"Yes?" I flashed my supposedly 'perfect' smile. Were my teeth clean? I couldn't help but be self-conscious of them.

Unexpectedly, she raised her hand and covered her nose, saying, "You...stink."

My smile fell immediately as I realized I hadn't taken a bath yet.

Earlier, Hu Shuo was too afraid to point that out, and in the saloon, the smell of alcohol covered it. But now, my sweat dried body smelled quite a lot.

Did the guards notice? I hope they didn't...

...

"I didn't know the mansion had it's own bath house," she mentioned.

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"It was even free for those who rented the cultivation chambers. I think the cultivators requested for it." I stroked my chin, something I habitually did every now and then.

Body scrubbed and cleaned of grime, me and my sister were heading towards the outskirts of the town as I'd planned.

Beside me, little Nu didn't continue to talk about the bath house, and instead asked a question I thought I had already answered.

"Why are were going to that tailors shop again?"

"To get the clothes," my reply was nonchalant.

"But don't we already have clothes?"

"We need one more set."

"Big brother, we only have 18 silver kins. If we spend all that on buying clothes again, then what will we eat a week later?" A logical question, based on rational reasoning. Was it really difficult for me to understand?

No, I was more amazed by how she tried to disagree with me. She didn't do that much often. Actually, I think this was the first time she tried not to follow me without question.

"Little sister," I called.

"I know how much risk I'm taking by trying to spend this money."

"Then-"

"And, I also know what type of situation we would be in after this money is spent, either it's buying food or fabric." I stopped and turned to her.

"Look, the cloth I'm going buy for us is necessary for my plan." saying so, I put my most convincing expression on my face.

"What plan? You never told me," tilting her head, she inquired.

As I proceeded to tell her what I had concocted in my mind, I suddenly decided against it. I had a feeling she would refuse to accompany me if I told her now. The plan was quite a cowardly and detestable move...

"Let's get there fast," I insisted, "I'll tell you after we get the clothes."

On that note, I started walking faster, prompting little Nu to follow me taking vigorous strides.

'She's fast eh...Oh, I forgot she just had a good meal earlier,' walking afore her, I found myself facepalming at my forgetfulness.

"You always do this. Saying you'll tell me later..," She complained from behind but got no answer.

Very quickly, we reached the tailor's shop. This clay house, which looked like a beggar's rundown shed from outside, was instantly recognizable.

"Hoho, if it isn't brother Fan?" so was Tuo Bao's voice when he called out to me.

Sitting on a wooden stool with left feet on top of his right thigh, he was flashing a business smile that he seemed to have learned from me. I didn't know he was such a copycat.

I flashed the same smile as I replied back with copious exuberance, "You are absolutely correct, brother Bao. Brother's memory is truly vast, to even recognize this Fan from so far away."

Here we go with the first flattery of our meeting. What will you do Tuo Bao? I have the initiative.

"You must be joking. This Bao's eyeballs be ripped out if I couldn't tell-apart Brother Fan's handsome face," his counter-flattery hit right on spot.

I was pleased. He and I were alike in so many ways.

"Ahahaha, I can't deny that." I again started stroking my chin which caused Chunu to look warily at me. She was learning about the dark secrets of this "business smile" faster than I'd thought she would.

"Ahahaha, brother Fan's smile was all I needed to make my evening even better. Come, come inside. Let's have a nice talk with some cups of tea, shall we?" Tuo Bao invited, hinting for another deal.

I knew it! He smelled the money coming!

Shaking my head, I was about to head inside when Chunu stopped me, pulling at my robes. I wish she'd just tell me to stop instead of doing that.

"Hmm?" I turned to her and she pointed at him, telling me to look at his clothes.

"I know, I know." I nodded unconcernedly and entered the clay house.

Chunu was too suprised to speak. I guess she didn't expect that from Tuo Bao. He was wearing the same clothes he bought from us yesterday.. MY clothes, to be exact.

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