After arriving in the county town, Song Zhaoxi and Ji Changfeng headed straight to the marketplace and rented a stall for five copper coins.
The market was noisy and chaotic, nothing like the modern world. After taking a bamboo stool off the ox cart and sitting down, Song Zhaoxi remembered that Ji Changfeng was a scholar and might dislike doing business in such a place.
She tactfully said, “There’s no guarantee these crayfish will even sell. Why don’t you go take a walk around town? I can handle this myself.”
“I’ll stay with you.”
After a pause, worried she might misunderstand, he added, “To sell the crayfish.”
Song Zhaoxi let out a cold laugh. “I know! I’m not as narcissistic as some people who love to imagine things.”
“By ‘some people,’ Miss Song means me?”
“Whoever admits it is the one I’m talking about.”
Ji Changfeng merely smiled.
Today he was dressed in the coarse clothes of an ordinary countryman, but his appearance and bearing were still far above the average person. When he smiled, he looked as refreshing and elegant as a spring breeze and a bright moon. Several young wives who had come to buy vegetables couldn’t help blushing as they stole glances at him.
Since it was still early, there were only a few people in the market. Yet most of them drifted toward their stall.
Partly because the crayfish looked fresh and appetizing, but more importantly because Ji Changfeng was simply too handsome. Young maidens and married women gathered around the stall. The shy ones secretly looked at him, while the bolder ones even teased him a little.
Ji Changfeng remained completely unmoved.
Seeing that they couldn’t get a reaction from him, the women finally turned their attention to the crayfish.
“Miss, what is this thing called?”
“Crayfish,” Song Zhaoxi answered casually, bluffing, “It’s made with my family’s secret recipe. Even if you don’t buy any, you can have a taste.”
As she spoke, she skillfully peeled a few and handed them out.
No one had expected much from these bug-like creatures, but the taste turned out to be surprisingly delicious. After trying one, they couldn’t stop praising it.
“Little sister, how much are these?”
Song Zhaoxi had already decided on the price beforehand and smiled.
“Thirty copper coins per jin.”
Everyone gasped.
“That expensive? Why don’t you just rob us?”
“For that money, I could buy a whole chicken or duck!”
“My crayfish aren’t any less delicious than chicken or duck,” Song Zhaoxi replied. “And after you’re done eating, you can reheat the leftover sauce and use it to mix with noodles or boil vegetables in it. The flavor is wonderful.”
Seeing that they were tempted, she added,
“To be honest, this is the first time I’m selling crayfish. The price may even go up in the future.”
A plump woman tried to bargain.
“Don’t think we don’t know better. This thing can’t cost much to make. You’re charging such a high price—aren’t you afraid you won’t sell any? Lower the price and we’ll buy some.”
Song Zhaoxi smiled.
“It’s very labor-intensive to make. If it doesn’t sell, then so be it. Small business—no bargaining.”
She could tell that the women were already tempted. Selling goods was often a psychological battle.
Sure enough, after hesitating for a while, they gritted their teeth and each bought a few jin to take home.
When there was finally no one around, Ji Changfeng, who had remained silent the entire time, asked,
“Why are you selling it so expensively? Aren’t you worried no one will buy it?”
“I plan to sell it for even more in the future, so I can’t start with too low a price.” Song Zhaoxi smiled slyly. “Today I’m just testing how much people are willing to pay. If it really doesn’t sell, I can always lower the price. But judging from today, I could probably raise it even higher.”
A trace of admiration appeared in Ji Changfeng’s eyes.
He had never expected that the foolish wife he had married by accident would turn out to be quite clever after regaining her senses. Even if she left their family, she would probably be able to live well on her own.
More customers soon arrived.
Ji Changfeng and Song Zhaoxi worked together, and in less than one morning, all the crayfish were sold out.
After counting the money, Song Zhaoxi discovered they had earned six hundred and thirty copper coins.
She smiled.
“We were so busy this morning that we didn’t even eat breakfast. Come on, I’ll treat you to a big meal!”
The two found a small tavern.
Song Zhaoxi ordered a plate of spicy chicken, a small side dish, and two steaming bowls of wonton noodles.
“Oh, right. I still need to sell a few things this afternoon. Do you want to come with me?”
“No, I have something to do.”
Ji Changfeng finished eating first and went to pay the bill.
Feeling embarrassed, Song Zhaoxi said, “I said I was treating.”
“Miss Song, you’ve already helped our family enough. How could I spend your money?” Ji Changfeng frowned slightly.
Their family might be poor, but as a man, there was no way he would let a young lady pay when they were out.
“Actually, a large part of today’s earnings was thanks to you.” Song Zhaoxi smiled. “Didn’t you notice? All our customers today were women. The other stalls were practically deserted.”
“So?”
“It’s all thanks to your handsome-man strategy. So let’s split today’s earnings equally.”
Though she was eager to make money, Song Zhaoxi knew that from catching the crayfish to selling them today, Ji Changfeng deserved at least half the credit. Besides, he would need money once school started again.
She was trying to give him a share of the profits tactfully.
But Ji Changfeng only chuckled softly.
For some reason, his laughter made her scalp tingle.
A handsome-man strategy?
Would he really use his looks to make money?
“No need. Keep it for yourself.”
“But if you don’t take the money, then weren’t you stared at by all those women for nothing today?”
“It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”
Song Zhaoxi: “…”
So narcissistic!
Still, she had to admit that someone as handsome as Ji Changfeng would attract attention wherever he went.
Ever since they entered the tavern, she had noticed several female customers glancing their way from time to time. A young woman at the next table had been so captivated that she spilled her tea onto the table. When she came back to her senses, she lowered her head, her face bright red.
Ji Changfeng said,
“Take your time eating. I’ll be going now. Let’s meet at the entrance of this tavern tonight.”
“Okay!”
As she watched his departing figure, Song Zhaoxi’s expression darkened.
The Ji Changfeng in the novel hadn’t become the youngest Grand Chancellor merely by succeeding in the imperial examinations.
If she remembered correctly, while studying in the county town, he had encountered a tremendous opportunity.
Although that opportunity had nearly cost him his life…
Song Zhaoxi shook off her thoughts.
Her friendship with Ji Changfeng was shallow at best. Whether he lived or died, whether he was poor or rich, had nothing to do with her.
After leaving the tavern, Ji Changfeng headed north to Zouma Street.
There stood a grand mansion that occupied an entire street. Rumor had it that it belonged to a high-ranking official who had retired from the imperial court and returned to his hometown.
Above the gate hung a plaque with two gilded characters:
Sun Residence.
Two fierce-looking guards stood watch at the entrance. Passersby only dared glance at it briefly before hurrying away.
Yet today, a young man stood before the gate, graceful as a jade tree and handsome as an immortal descended from heaven.
“Young Master Ji has arrived. Our master has been waiting for you for quite some time.”
The smile at Ji Changfeng’s lips faded, and a flash of calculation crossed his eyes.
A moment later, his usual cold and detached expression returned.
Then he stepped into the residence.