Lin Yuchan’s mind buzzed, her mouth agape and tongue-tied, all logic dead, completely unable to explain.
Organizing gatherings carried risks!
As a returned “foreign guest,” Rong Hong knew society was treacherous and had developed basic vigilance. It was just that his wariness didn’t follow conventional patterns – the conspiracies he imagined were rather naive, making real underworld people laugh.
This was what Rong Hong thought: His shop had been targeted by Boss Chu of “Yixing Shipping,” who had extorted him several times and nearly smashed his storefront in the end. Coincidentally, Miss Lin had appeared, saying she had an acquaintance detained by Yixing and was worrying about raising silver to ransom them, appearing to be a fellow victim. A few days later, he had accompanied Miss Lin to Yixing Shipping for a visit, after which the matter had fizzled out anticlimactically. He had thought those thugs had gone home for New Year’s.
Who knew that Miss Lin would turn around and invite him to a dinner gathering where there was actually someone from “Yixing” – this was clearly luring him into a trap. In his shock, Rong Hong looked at the table full of men and women, feeling they were all accomplices.
“Let me leave, or I’ll report to the authorities!” Rong Hong said righteously. “I’m also going to find friends at the newspapers…”
Su Minguan was also initially confused, looking at the open private room door and gazing puzzledly at Lin Yuchan, saying quietly:
“I’m not stopping him from leaving.”
Lin Yuchan quietly mouthed to him: “This is the victim!”
No wonder – although Su Minguan had searched Yixing’s black accounts and seen Boya Trading House on the extortion list, he didn’t know the trading house owner was Rong Hong before him. Lin Yuchan, meanwhile, hadn’t known he would swagger in wearing Yixing clothes – this was truly enemies meeting on a narrow road.
But Su Minguan was extremely alert. In moments, he had guessed the causes and consequences. His expression unchanged, still smiling slightly, he set down his wine cup, stood up, and cupped his hands.
“Could Mr. Rong have mistaken me for someone else?”
Rong Hong was still shaken. Seeing that everyone at the table looked stunned with no intention of rushing forward to rob or kidnap him, he felt somewhat embarrassed and asked: “Boss Su, what did you say your company’s name was?”
“Guangzhou Yixing Shipping,” Su Minguan replied frankly. “With shipping recently declining, I came to Shanghai to seek opportunities. I’ve only been here a few days and don’t even know the roads well – didn’t I arrive late and have to drink penalty wine? Everyone forgot?”
The crowd looked at each other blankly. When Su Minguan arrived, everyone had been busy recognizing fellow townspeople. Seeing him so ordinary at the time, they hadn’t paid attention. Penalty wine… There seemed to have been some…
Rong Hong opened his mouth, feeling this coincidence of identical names was too convenient, and asked quietly: “Then this on your sleeve…”
“Universal shipping company rules – business names embroidered uniformly on clothes to avoid confusion on the chaotic docks.” Su Minguan raised his sleeve and said seriously, “Mr. Rong isn’t in this business, so probably doesn’t know.”
Rong Hong believed him: “Oh.”
Young Master Su had only entered the business today – this “industry rule” was made up on the spot.
Only then did the others slowly understand. Mrs. Sun laughed and smoothed things over: “Could Mr. Rong have been scammed by a business with the same name?”
Su Minguan suddenly realized, sat down, and lightly slapped the table: “Aunt is truly knowledgeable and experienced – I never thought of that.”
The tone in his words was very intimate, not put on. Having eaten dozens of Mrs. Sun’s egg tarts, he felt very fond of her.
Rong Hong nodded and angrily recounted the whole story of being extorted by “Shanghai Yixing.”
“…I hired their boat once, but there were tricks in the contract documents, leaving an equivalent loan behind. The middleman was also bought off by them and gave me no warning whatsoever… When I discovered it months later, the loan had compounded to two thousand taels of silver. Then people came to collect the debt, threatening to smash my shop, and the police didn’t care at all…”
Everyone was indignant, but they also knew that within Shanghai’s concessions, Qing law didn’t apply and foreign administrators were very arbitrary. Rong Hong encountering this was pure bad luck.
At the same time, the fellow townspeople felt deep concern for Boss Su’s plans to expand into out-of-province markets.
“So there’s also a Yixing Shipping in Shanghai that runs rampant and commits all kinds of evil. They’re local snakes, you’re an outsider – Boss Su, your business will probably be hard to conduct. I suggest you change your name…”
But Boss Su was stubborn about this: “A real man doesn’t change his name when walking or his surname when sitting. I will openly squeeze out that black shop! Everyone watch – within a year, my Guangdong Yixing will occupy a place on the Shanghai Bund!”
Saying this, he drained his cup alone, full of heroic spirit.
Everyone echoed agreement while secretly shaking their heads and quietly saying, “Newborn calves don’t fear tigers. Such a young master, you can tell he’s just taken over the family business – how can he compete with those battle-hardened underworld criminals?”
They had competed yesterday – one gun solved everything.
But Su Minguan still maintained his unassuming surface, showing difficulty for a moment before smiling: “Of course, I still need all you fellow townspeople to support and assist me. Well…”
He silently glared at Lin Yuchan. If he’d known so many people were coming, he would have at least made some preparations.
Now he could only snap his fingers, call over a waiter, request brush, ink, and fancy paper, quickly wrote several business cards, blew the ink dry, and distributed them to everyone.
“Please help spread the word – if any merchants come to Shanghai for shipping and need boats, feel free to find me. We’re all fellow townspeople, and I, Su, cherish my reputation. I would never stab anyone in the back or drain the pond to catch fish. I’ve remembered all your names. If anyone mentions your distinguished names, I’ll offer another twenty percent discount on shipping fees. As introducers, when you next come to Shanghai, I’ll host a banquet to thank you. Also…”
He glanced at the waiter and said calmly, “Today was originally Miss Lin’s gathering, yet I troubled everyone to listen to my rambling, truly stealing the host’s spotlight. I’m treating today – the bill is already paid, it’s nothing.”
The waiter nodded and bowed with a grinning face, confirming this.
The table was quiet for two seconds, then exploded.
“Aiya, Boss Su, why are you being so polite? How can we let you treat…”
“When did you go out to pay the bill? We didn’t know at all! Quickly refund the money, we can’t let you spend…”
“No, no, I ruined the atmosphere earlier and spilled so much wine and food – I should be the host! I already agreed with Miss Lin!”
“Boss Su is generous and magnanimous. My in-laws’ uncle is in business – when I return, I’ll tell him that when he comes to Shanghai, he must only look for you!”
“Exactly, exactly! We Guangdong talents can’t let Shanghai ruffians bully us – we’ll all help you!”
“Squeeze out Shanghai Yixing and get revenge for Mr. Rong!”
“Waiter, quickly cancel the bill, we can’t let this young brother pay…”
…
At Chinese drinking tables, the liveliest time was always when fighting to pay the bill. With all these voices tangling together, the entire private room buzzed, and the yellow wine in their cups began to resonate.
Lin Yuchan didn’t participate in this battle. She rested her chin on her hand in thought, quietly observing that spirited, handsome face from behind the hands competing to pay, looking at this young master with new respect.
Had he improvised this opening declaration?
Wasn’t this just a primitive version of “like this post, share for red envelopes when shares exceed XX”… plus new customer discounts and referral rewards…
Ten minutes ago, he had nearly been dragged by Rong Hong to report to the authorities!
Ten minutes later, he had already secured at least three business deals!
This person had become a spirit!
He had used up all the little tricks she’d planned to use to crush the ancients!
She was both stunned and slightly indignant.
She wondered: In a similar situation, could I have reacted so quickly?
Honestly speaking, she seemed to lack a bit of skill.
Fortunately, among all Shanghai’s small merchants and vendors, probably less than one in a thousand could cultivate to this level. Her entrepreneurship still had hope.
Suddenly, Su Minguan’s gaze also looked over. His face still carried a social smile, his lips barely perceptibly pressed together, eyebrows lightly raised, his expression carrying three parts provocation.
She decided to play dumb, giving him a simple thumbs-up.
He was startled, put away his domineering expression, lowered his head with a smile, and adjusted his sleeve cuffs.
…
The private room finally quieted down. Since Su Minguan had already paid the bill and no one could out-argue him, everyone could only begin elaborate praise, toasting several more rounds, saying a bunch of auspicious words. Seeing the time approaching curfew, it was time to disperse.
The singing storyteller had already begun packing up with her assistant. The waiter busily cleared cups and plates.
Lin Yuchan seemingly casually suggested, “This restaurant is quite good. In the future, during festivals and holidays, when Guangdong fellow townspeople in Shanghai miss home and friends, we can gather here.”
This suggestion was well-received by everyone.
Su Minguan also agreed with a few words, giving her a meaningful smirk.
She didn’t mind him seeing through her little scheme: You can drum up business, can’t I create a group chat?
The owner of Renhe Hotel also ran out to join the fun: “This is patronizing my small business – you’re most welcome. When the time comes, I’ll specially instruct the chef to prepare more Cantonese-style dishes.”
These words were also sincere. Besides settling the bill, Su Minguan had given enormous tips. Since it was former gang ill-gotten gains anyway, he didn’t feel bad spending it.
The hotel owner had never seen such a generous Cantonese person and couldn’t flatter him enough.
Most of the female guests had bound feet and walked with difficulty, so the waiter ran to call rental carriages.
Lin Yuchan pulled up her hood and stood under the red lanterns at the hotel entrance, when suddenly there was another shadow beside her.
Someone gently tugged her sleeve.
“A’Mei, where are you staying tonight?”
Lin Yuchan vaguely understood his meaning and smiled: “I won’t be sleeping on the streets.”
“Come keep accounts at Yixing.” Su Minguan got straight to the point, his cold breath condensing into white mist before him. “I’ll cover your room and board and guarantee your safety.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d had this thought. Last time he’d felt she probably looked down on Yixing; today with his successful opening, he had much more confidence.
Only then did Lin Yuchan look up. Red lanterns hung at the hotel entrance, their reflection flickering in his eyes.
She thought for a moment and asked: “What’s the monthly salary?”
“How much do you want?”
Lin Yuchan opened her mouth like a lion, using customs’ highest standards: “Twelve taels per month, room and board separate.”
Su Minguan hesitated, then nodded.
She laughed instead and quickly waved her hands.
“We’re fellow townspeople – you can’t cheat me.” She lowered her voice. “Tell me honestly, how many months of my salary can Yixing’s cash reserves cover?”
He smiled frankly: “Business will come soon. Trust me.”
She pressed her lips without speaking. After a quiet moment, she said: “Let me think about it.”
Su Minguan pressed further: “How many days do you need?”
He gave her no room for evasion. Lin Yuchan lightly stamped her foot, her words carrying some temper: “At least wait until after New Year’s.”
Carriage wheels sounded in their ears. The waiter called for the female guests to board.
Lin Yuchan bowed farewell to all the fellow townspeople and jumped onto the carriage, grasping the handrail.
Su Minguan, like the others, properly cupped his hands toward her, the corner of his mouth curving.
“I await you at the Lantern Festival.”