A flash of doubt crossed Da You's eyes, yet his hands moved even faster.
It wasn't long before the packages of pork and chicken, neatly wrapped in oil paper, and the bamboo basket carrying live hens and chicks, were set carefully in front of Wan Zheng.
"Five catties pork belly, two catties chicken breast, one catty pork belly, fifteen copper coins each… Ten coins a chicken… Five chicks, two grown hens, three hundred coins… Total come to eight hundred twenty copper coins. No half, no bargain!"
Absolutely, absolutely not. Da You would never dare take half payment again.
If Young Master Zheng, standing right in front of him, refused to pay in full, Da You swore under his breath he would beat the life out of him, no matter the other's identity.
Da You's worry would not happen, Wan Zheng would surely pay him for the goods.
It was just a matter of copper coins, and the string he bought was still enough to carry all these lovely meats.
Although Wan Zheng spent almost one silver on this single stop, he knew the meat would last at most until tomorrow.
He also planned to give some to his father-in-law and his brother-in-law's family.
It was quite an investment, meant to show that his character was willing to change.
However, there was one problem he hadn't calculated.
Both his hands were already full with takeout and the box of silver.
Wan Zheng let out a soft sigh at how he had overlooked something so simple.
Guess he needed to ask the butcher if he could go back.
He would just need to go to the main gate again and hire a bullock cart first.
"You see, I have quite a few things to handle already. Could you take it to the main gate for me, or should I just go back later?"
Such a proposition already made the young butcher Da You frown.
Is Young Master Zheng tricking him again?
"I will not leave my stall, Young Master Zheng. But you can hire someone to take it to the main gate for you."
Da You's hands hovered protectively over the packages, for the sake of stopping Wan Zheng if he tried to use force.
Wan Zheng saw the other's gesture and was not offended.
Rather, he considered the suggestion seriously.
Glancing around, he wasn't sure if there was anyone who could serve as a helper, like those in a modern wet marketplace.
"Hire me! Hire me, Young Master Zheng!"
Popping out like a prompt on a computer screen, a teenage boy appeared, dressed in ragged clothes patched here and there, showing his family was not well-off.
Wan Zheng had the aura of a tall, imposing rich young master as he stared down at the kid.
The moment the young boy met the rumored cultivator master, he grew even more anxious.
It wasn't from fear of being beaten but from fear of not being hired.
"Only two copper coins… you can pay me two copper coins, Young Master Zheng! I will carry all of your things!"
The young boy stared back with silent determination, clenching his small fist near his chest, his voice tinged with near desperation.
Afraid that Young Master Zheng would not take him seriously, he even tidied up his old, worn-out coarse clothes.
He had been wandering the marketplace to earn some small copper coins.
However, because of his poor and dirty appearance, no one would hire him.
When the young boy saw the wealthy Young Master Zheng carrying a lot of things, his little mind made a decision.
He would follow the adult man around and quietly watch, in spite of the bad rumors.
"Why would I hire you when you're acting like a little thief, eh?"
Wan Zheng let out a soft hum, closed his eyes in thought, and asked the young boy with quiet, staring eyes.
The moment the young boy heard what the young master said, panic and fear spread slowly across his little face.
"Young Master, I'm not a thief!"
He wasn't a thief at all.
Such a thing had never crossed his mind, and even when he went hungry all day, he had never dared to take anything from anyone.
He just wanted to earn copper coins and buy some food for his family.
"I'm not a little thief! Please believe me, Young Master Zheng."
The young boy's voice trembled, and he even dared to kneel, which immediately annoyed Wan Zheng.
"I'm following you because you're carrying so much! If you ask someone else to carry it, I'll offer myself instead, Young Master! Please believe me!"
People around them began looking their way, and when the young boy noticed, he began to panic even more, wanting to run away.
"Get up. Do you think you can handle these baskets of chickens?"
Wan Zheng asked, his tone calm but firm as he gestured toward the heavy load.
He needed to make sure the boy's words were enough to prove he could carry the baskets.
The go signal was given, and the young boy went momentarily trance-like, staring at the adult for a few seconds.
Upon realizing the young master didn't hate him, his face lit up like an open book, full of joy, and he couldn't help shouting back.
"Yes! Yes, Young Master!"
With neat and quick movements, the young boy was now on his feet.
He carried the basket of little chicks and two hens in both hands.
It wasn't very heavy, and he managed it perfectly for his size.
Meanwhile, Wan Zheng handed the string of copper coins to the butcher with a swift movement.
After picking up the wrapped meats, he left the remaining livestock in the young boy's care.
Together, they walked away from the butcher's stall without a backward glance.
Da You and the other stall owners were now a bit bewildered at the sight.
That rumored Young Master Zheng had actually bought goods from them, the little people, and didn't hate their stalls.
Has the sun suddenly decided to rise in the west?
On their way toward the main gate, away from the marketplace, Wan Zheng didn't want to be bothered with anything.
Yet he couldn't help glancing at the young boy's wrist.
Around the skinny limb was a small red string bracelet that looked ordinary to mortal eyes.
Still, to Wan Zheng's sight, enhanced by the power of the otherworldly system, specific details hovered above it.
[10 Spirit Stones, Low Grade, Magical Beast Artifact.]
Magical Beast?
Is it one of the types of creatures in this cultivation world that the original body owner's family mentioned keeping?
What was that again?
Even when Wan Zheng tried to search his memories, he couldn't seem to remember, so he stopped trying to recall it.
Once at the main gate, many old farmers had their family's bullock carts lined up for business.
Wan Zheng approached an old man who seemed easy to deal with, briefly startling him with his noble's presence.
With the copper coins presented, the old farmer, known as Uncle Shu, nodded happily.
He was ready to do business.
Even his eldest son watched reluctantly beside his father and did not object.
After all, thirty copper coins for hiring the bullock cart wasn't cheap.
"You stay here and make sure to watch everything. I'll be back."
Wan Zheng turned to the young boy who nodded like a a good and obedient child.
Seeing him like that made him think about his new sons waiting at home.
He should buy them new clothes.