Dong Qiaozhao figured it out too. Buying power was limited—the rich scholars had their copies, and the secondary market wasn't worth much. More printing would just lose money.
She was an easygoing girl. Netting five thousand taels in one morning was a miracle—she'd never dared dream of it before. She was content.
"Big Brother Lin, are you really going to the Xiao mansion to be a servant?" She dropped the printing talk, hesitating before asking, eyes on him. "It's not… for Eldest Miss Xiao, is it?"
Lin Wanrong hammed it up. "Whoa, Qiaozhao, you saw right through me! Sharp as a tack, predicting the future!"
Her face flickered with an odd look, her mood dimming.
Seeing her slump, he couldn't bear to tease more. Shaking his head with a grin, he said, "Heh, kidding. Relax, I've got zero interest in that Eldest Miss Xiao. Think about it—no one's even seen her face. If she's an ugly hag who latches onto me, I'd rather hang myself from a tree."
Dong Qiaozhao giggled at his nonsense. "Who talks about people like that?"
He smiled. "Life's a mess nine times out of ten. I've got my reasons for working at the Xiao place. You know this booklet gig—good money, but it's a one-shot deal, not a living. I need to eat, keep a roof over my head. Finding a spot that'll take me is decent enough. Xiao family servants get solid pay. Me? I'm aimless, happy to roll with it. I've got no real skills—just a bit handsome, easygoing, and full of ideas. If the Xiao folks pick me, they've barely got the right guy."
His bitter look wasn't fake. If Old Man Wei hadn't tricked him, he'd never stoop to serving anyone.
Dong Qiaozhao stifled a laugh, blushing. "Big Brother Lin, your skin's thicker than a wall. But talking to you's fun—you're nice and know so much. I love chatting with you."
Lin Wanrong grinned. "Of course! Back in my old—uh, hometown—tons of girls loved hearing me talk. At work, they'd crowd around for my stories. Pretty charming, huh?"
He wasn't bluffing. Lin Wanrong was upbeat, quick-witted, and got along with everyone. You don't hit a smiling face—business demanded a thick hide like his.
"Really?" Dong Qiaozhao glanced at him. "Wonder which miss is lucky enough to land a catch like you."
He thought of ex-girlfriends—ones he'd loved, ones who'd loved him—all gone like water, never to be seen again.
A flicker of loss crossed his face. Shaking his head with a wry smile, he said, "Lucky? I'm a lone bachelor now—one gun, no ties, crashing wherever."
That hint of melancholy hit Qiaozhao square. She bit her lip, head down, but at his words, she looked up, a spark of brightness in her eyes.
"But, Big Brother Lin, when you get serious, you're kinda scary." Mimicking him, she gruffed, "'Respect's given, pride's earned—'" then burst into giggles.
He wanted to laugh but didn't. Sobering up, he said, "Qiaozhao, don't judge a book by its cover. You like talking to me, but how do you know I'm not a bad guy?"
He recalled the cutthroat business world—smiles up front, knives in the back. He'd seen it plenty, done it too. Looking back, it felt like a dream.
Dong Qiaozhao froze. She'd known him a few days—always joking, never serious like this.
She murmured a soft "mm," then looked at him gently. "Big Brother Lin, got something on your mind? You seem down. Can you tell Qiaozhao?"
He laughed it off. "Don't play smart, little girl—I'm doing great."
She stared, firm. "Big Brother Lin, you're a good person. I knew it the moment I saw you."
With that, she gave him a deep look, grabbed the empty lunchbox, and bolted.
Lin Wanrong rubbed his nose, bemused. Good guy? Yeah, I think so too. Watching her run, her hips swaying fast, he thought, She'd kill it in a sprint—real talent there.
Full and satisfied, he didn't feel like heading home. Leaning against the tree, he draped a leftover booklet over his face and dozed off.
No idea how long he slept—suddenly, his nose itched. No sneeze came, but he woke up.
Blinking groggily, he saw a flower-like face smirking down at him.
Whoa, who's this cutie? Yawning, his head cleared. The girl held a booklet, smiling at him.
She looked sixteen or seventeen—curved brows, big eyes, cherry lips, rosy cheeks. She wore a yellow floral skirt and pale red boots, oozing spunk. Young, but well-developed—curves where they belonged, a rare beauty in the making.
She looks familiar… Lin Wanrong frowned. He was sure he'd never met her—he remembered every pretty face, young or old.
Catching her stare, he grinned. "Hey, missy, I know I'm tall, handsome, genius, and cute, but staring like that? Even I'll blush."
Her cheeks pinked. She glared, waving the booklet. "Hey, you rascal—was this little picture book your doing?"
She held it high—the one he'd slept under. No clue when she'd swiped it.
Lin Wanrong chuckled. "What's up, missy? Want one too? Got a brother or cousin too shy to come himself, so they sent you?"
Her eyes twinkled. "Yeah, yeah, my brother made me come. This portrait—it's Eldest Miss Xiao, right?"
He nodded. "You bet. A rare Xiao family exclusive—took me a lot to get it. Ugh, I'm a softie—can't say no to a pretty girl begging. Fine, fifteen taels, I'll sell it to you at a loss."
She snorted. "You're such a crook! I've tailed you all morning—you sell it for ten taels to everyone else. Why's it fifteen for me?"