Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 361 - 361 362 Keeping You in Suspense _1

Chapter 361: Chapter 362: Keeping You in Suspense? _1 Chapter 361: Chapter 362: Keeping You in Suspense? _1 Zhong Yulang meticulously reviewed the materials Muniang had provided, and his heart was filled with nothing but shock and excitement. He was a clever man, and he instantly recognized that this novel mode of performance could make a fortune. The masses were always curious about new novelties, and given that this new model was even more intriguing, the results would undoubtedly be outstanding if they truly managed to collaborate.

However, the realization that his troupe was still under someone else’s control caused Zhong Yulang to frown involuntarily.

Tianniu hurriedly said, “Do you think this is not good? You mustn’t underestimate my sister Mu. If she wants to collaborate with your troupe, it’s a surefire win without any loss. My sister Mu never engages in losing business!”

Clearly taking the stance of a loyal supporter of Muniang.

Muniang smiled and asked, “Has Boss Zhong made up his mind?”

Zhong Yulang pursed his lips and then said, “I need to think it over.”

In fact, he was very much in agreement already and very eager to collaborate, but he was not actually the one in charge. The Mei Team had long been controlled by that scoundrel, with everyone’s Servant’s Certificates in his possession; even if he was especially keen on the collaboration, he still had to win that person’s consent first.

But of course, these were not words he would utter aloud. He was a man of dignity; how could he tell others that he, the leader of the troupe, was just a servant, at the mercy of someone else who clenched their Servant’s Certificates?

Muniang shrugged her shoulders and said, “Alright, then I’ll give you three days to think it over, and I’ll come back then.”

After leaving Mei Garden, Tianniu said indignantly, “Is that man putting on airs on purpose? Such a lucrative opportunity, and yet he says he needs to think about it, pretending to be in a difficult position. I bet he’s just trying to whet our appetite so he can demand a bigger share of the profits.”

Muniang patted her on the head and said, “You seem to have quite an understanding in that head of yours.”

“My mother taught me this. Some people like to use such tactics when doing business.”

Muniang smiled and said, “Your mother taught you well, but this time, I think the situation might be out of the ordinary.”

“Why?” Tianniu asked, cocking her head.

Muniang remembered the young servant’s attitude towards Zhong Yulang, as well as Zhong Yulang’s hesitance when making decisions, and she suspected the true master of Mei Garden might be someone else, with Zhong Yulang possibly just a puppet.

Besides, what kind of boss personally tends to customers?

She didn’t care who the boss truly was; after all, she just wanted to collaborate with his troupe. She couldn’t be bothered with others’ affairs. Since Zhong Yulang had asked for three days, she would grant him that much time, as there was no rush.

“But what if he doesn’t want to work with us?” Tianniu said, her face troubled.

“If they don’t want to collaborate, do we have no one else? I was only interested in the Mei Team’s reputation and their talented actors, which would save us the trouble of external promotion and training new actors. If they don’t want to collaborate, it’s not like our theater cannot open; it would just be more of a hassle,” Muniang explained.

Tianniu nodded, now reassured.

“Remember, never be rash in your actions. Don’t start hopping mad over a small issue. Those in high positions must bear the responsibilities that come with their status and always consider their next move in advance,” Muniang advised.

Tianniu nodded earnestly, “Yes! I understand!”

That day, Qiao Lianhua had specially sneaked out of the house and rushed to the town, heading straight to find Qiao Yuanzhen. She had not forgotten the promise Qiao Yuanzhen had made to her before.

“Fourth Uncle!”

Qiao Yuanzhen didn’t want to stay any longer in that rundown house, so he was waiting in a teahouse for Qiao Lianhua to come over. Hearing her voice, he turned his head out of habit, and his face quickly took on a look of contempt.

Crude rouge and vulgar powder!

Today, Qiao Lianhua had made an extra effort in her appearance, with her face so heavily powdered it looked like a corpse’s face. She had even deliberately adorned her hair with several cheap hairpins and wore a satin skirt that had been hidden away at the bottom of her chest.

When she got to Qiao Yuanzhen’s side, she didn’t forget to turn around and said, “Fourth Uncle, do I look pretty in this outfit?”

As she spoke, the powder on her face flaked off disgustingly.

Qiao Yuanzhen didn’t spare her feelings, “Go wash off the stuff on your face! Take off the flowers in your hair!”

For the first time, he truly felt that Li Qinghe was really beautiful. Indeed, only with a comparison could one see the gap.

Qiao Lianhua was visibly displeased, “Why should I? I spent a lot of time getting ready like this.”

Qiao Yuanzhen was too lazy to say more, sweeping her with a cold glance, and Qiao Lianhua sheepishly went to wash her face.

Once she had properly fixed her makeup, Qiao Yuanzhen took a careful look at Qiao Lianhua. Her looks definitely couldn’t be considered beautiful, at best a bit ordinary. Actually, the genes in the Qiao family were quite good, otherwise, they wouldn’t all have such good-looking children.

But clearly, Qiao Lianhua’s mother was the main culprit dragging down the Qiao family’s genetic advantages.

After all, several of the Qiao family’s sons were quite handsome, with Qiao Yuanzhen being the most outstanding. Even among the Qiao family’s grandchildren, it’s only fair to say that Qiao Muniang was the most outstanding due to having attractive parents. Madam Liu’s four kids were also pretty, each one of them looking vibrant and lively. It was just Qiao Dalang and Qiao Lianhua from the main branch, whose appearances were obviously a notch lower.

But still passable, Qiao Yuanzhen thought.

Qiao Yuanzhen took Qiao Lianhua straight to an elegant garden. Along the way, Qiao Lianhua exhibited the naivety of Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, extremely excited at heart. She was about to become the lady of a noble family. Even if she was only a concubine, to live in such a grand mansion and be served by maids, what a comfortable life it would be!

But her joy was abruptly cut off by what Qiao Yuanzhen said next.

“See over there? That’s the gentleman. If you can win his favor, then this trip won’t be in vain,” Qiao Yuanzhen pointed over, towards a man sitting on a chaise lounge on a balcony.

Qiao Lianhua looked over from afar and her face turned pale, “That man, he’s got to be fifty already!”

Not only was he fifty, but he was also fat with a large ear, grinning with a face like a pig’s head, his flesh quivering with every smile, slick with grease! His eyes gave off sleazy vibes as he looked over in this direction, and those big yellow teeth of his made Qiao Lianhua feel sick to her stomach.

“You actually arranged for me to be with such a man!” Qiao Lianhua accused.

Qiao Yuanzhen gave her a cold look, “And what kind of man do you think you deserve with your looks?”

Qiao Lianhua’s eyes reddened in anger, “You!”

“You should at least have some self-awareness. Even the masters of rich homes who are seeking concubines consider looks, and you want to be picky with your mediocrity? If you’re unwilling, just turn around and leave. At worst, marry a country bumpkin and suffer for the rest of your life,” Qiao Yuanzhen said without a trace of politeness.