Song Zhi stood up and retreated several steps backward.

He put some distance between himself and Troupe Master Tao.

Keeping his head lowered, he insisted: “Song understands Troupe Master Tao’s intentions and knows you mean well for me, but please allow me to think it over carefully before giving you an answer.”

Old Tao frowned and sighed. Unable to press further, he could only say: “Alright then, but you must promise me you’ll think it through properly.”

“Certainly.”

And so, Song Zhi left.

If he stayed any longer, Old Tao might force him to sign and seal the contract.

How could that be acceptable?

Troupe Master Tao couldn’t keep holding onto him either, lest it backfire. He could only hope that Song Zhi would remember their past friendship and sign that contract. If another troupe managed to recruit him away, wouldn’t that be a loss?

The manager came in and asked: “Troupe Master, how did it go? Did Master Song sign?”

“He still needs to think about it.”

“Still needs to think? Which storyteller gets this kind of treatment?”

Troupe Master Tao sighed again and instructed: “Just keep watch anyway. Don’t let those other troupes go looking for Song Zhi.”

The manager responded: “Alright, I’ll go keep watch right away!”

And off he went at a run.

As soon as Song Zhi left the main gate of the Zhao Family Troupe, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Clutching the five taels of silver in his bosom, he went onto the street, planning to first buy some firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. At the very least, he needed to fill his stomach. If there was any silver left over, he’d then purchase clothing and roof tiles.

Calculating his expenses all the way, he had already arrived at the general store.

He wandered around inside for a bit and selected everything he needed—firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea.

“One tael of silver,” the shopkeeper said.

“Good, I’ll give you the money right away, no rush.”

Song Zhi took out the silver and opened his coarse cloth pouch, just about to pay—

Suddenly, a figure flashed past from behind him. A hand reached from behind to in front of him and grabbed the coarse cloth pouch containing his silver.

With a forceful yank!

The heavy five taels of silver were just like that snatched from his hand.

Those five taels hadn’t even been warmed in his keeping yet!

He froze, unable to react.

Standing there in place for quite a while.

Until the general store’s shopkeeper patted his shoulder and said: “Young master, your money has been stolen.”

Stolen?

“Oh no!”

He spread out his empty hands and slapped them against his thigh.

Finally, he came to his senses.

“Catch the thief!”

He quickly lifted the hem of his robe and gave chase.

The person who had grabbed the silver was running swiftly ahead through the crowd, moving as fast as flying.

Song Zhi was, after all, just a scholar. Normally when he walked, he was refined and slow. Even when running, he wasn’t as fast as others walking.

“Catch the thief! Catch the thief!” He shouted at the top of his lungs with all his might.

But he was gasping for breath!

Covered in sweat.

The surrounding common people remained indifferent, going about their business as if they hadn’t heard him shouting at all.

After all, Song Zhi’s voice was too soft!

He pushed through the crowd, chasing for a short distance, watching as that petty thief ran farther and farther away…

About to disappear.

My five taels of silver!

The money earned from writing scripts through how many days and nights of toil!

The cooked duck had just flown away like that.

He stopped, leaning against a wooden post nearby, gasping for breath continuously.

Won’t chase anymore, no matter what, won’t chase anymore.

Suddenly—

A figure flew over from the distance. The approaching person kicked the petty thief in the back.

Very hard!

“Ah!”

After a miserable cry, the petty thief fell sprawling to the ground. Just as he turned over to get up, a foot kicked toward his chest, pinning him firmly to the ground.

“Spare my life, sir.”

Jingrong’s eyes flashed coldly: “Hand over the item right now.”

“I will, I’ll hand it over right away.”

The petty thief took out all five taels of silver he had stolen.

Jingrong grabbed the silver and weighed it several times in his hand.

Not much silver!

By this time, Bai Yin had already ridden over on horseback. Dismounting, he yanked the petty thief up and rebuked: “Behave yourself.”

“Spare my life, sir. I won’t dare again. I beg you to spare my life, sir.”

“We’ll send you to see the magistrate shortly and have you locked up for ten or eight years.”

“Ugh!”

The petty thief immediately deflated.

Song Zhi came running over, gasping for breath: “This… this…”

He couldn’t even get a complete sentence out.

Jingrong looked at the refined and simply dressed man before him and asked: “Is this yours?”

“Yes… thank… thank you, brave warrior.”

“Check if anything is missing.”

Jingrong handed him the silver.

Song Zhi took it and counted: “Fortunately, fortunately, nothing is missing.”

He breathed a sigh of relief!

Jingrong: “Good that nothing is missing. Be more careful in the future.”

“Yes, thank you, brave warrior.”

“No need to thank me.”

The petty thief, taking advantage of Bai Yin’s inattention, made a last desperate attempt. He twisted around and ran off.

Bai Yin was about to give chase but was stopped by Jingrong, who said quietly: “Forget it. This isn’t Da Lin after all. Better to be cautious.”

“Mm.”

Song Zhi, holding the silver and having caught his breath, cupped his hands toward Jingrong and thanked him repeatedly: “The brave warrior came to my aid and retrieved these silver taels for me. I truly have no way to repay you.”

Jingrong said: “It was merely a small effort, but you should be more careful yourself from now on.”

“Certainly, certainly.”

Inside the carriage, Ji Yunshu heard the commotion outside and leaned out to look.

She saw Jingrong and Bai Yin talking with a man. That man kept his hands tucked inside his robe, very polite. Although poorly dressed, his bearing remained. At first glance, he appeared to be an elegant young gentleman. Looking at him, she somehow felt there were a few points of similarity, as if she had seen him somewhere before.

After Jingrong spoke a few words with Song Zhi, he instructed Bai Yin to lodge at an inn nearby.

The carriage convoy stopped outside the inn. Ji Yunshu descended from the carriage, feeling truly relaxed as her feet touched the ground.

She was dressed in men’s clothing, with handsome features, naturally attracting quite a bit of attention. Combined with wearing the attire of Da Lin people, she appeared even more conspicuous.

Jingrong said: “Let’s stay here tonight.”

Ji Yunshu nodded: “Mm.”

Just as the group was about to enter, Song Zhi walked over and cupped his hands, asking: “Are you heroes planning to eat something?”

Hmm?

What? You want to share a table?

Jingrong’s brow furrowed slightly. He deliberately pulled Ji Yunshu behind himself before asking: “Does the young master have other business?”

Song Zhi smiled sincerely: “Earlier, the brave warrior retrieved my silver for me. I would like to invite everyone to a meal to express my gratitude.”

“I already said it was merely a small effort. No need to be so polite.”

“I must, I must. Please consider it as my sincere intention.” Song Zhi held the silver in his hands and said sheepishly, “Although it’s just a small amount of silver, I can still afford to treat everyone to a meal.”

Jingrong declined repeatedly, but Song Zhi insisted on treating them to a meal.

Such sincere insistence was hard to refuse!

Jingrong had no choice but to accept, but he arranged for his subordinates to eat at another table, with the dishes they ordered not counting toward Song Zhi’s bill. He also simply ordered a few vegetable dishes, ordering neither meat nor wine, to avoid emptying out that scholar’s five taels of silver.

At close range, Ji Yunshu studied Song Zhi before her. This man had a gentle and mild appearance, and his conduct was also very proper, even carrying a few traces of languid air.

Song Zhi asked: “Are you all from Da Lin?”

Jingrong nodded: “Yes, we came here for trade.”

“Oh!” Song Zhi muttered: “Trading is good, trading is good.”