The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 465 - 463

Chapter 465: 463

Swallowing nervously, Song Chongjin tentatively spoke up, "Yongzhu, this opportunity is rare, and I can try to gather some more money. Let’s take over Boss Tian’s shop. Otherwise, someone else will get the bargain."

Wang Yongzhu was actually quite reluctant, but upon hearing what Song Chongjin said, she began to calculate in her mind. As long as they took over Boss Tian’s shop and inventory, adding one more processing step to the fabrics could turn waste into wealth.

By then, even if they sold the cloth to Shopkeeper Wu at a low price, they could still make a tidy sum of silver.

With a plan in mind, Wang Yongzhu nodded, "Alright, then consider it as a loan from you. I’ll write you an IOU, and once I make the money, I’ll repay you with interest and ensure you don’t suffer any loss."

Song Chongjin was taken aback and quickly responded, "Yongzhu, what is mine is yours. Do we really need to be so formal with each other?"

Wang Yongzhu shook her head, "We aren’t married yet. It’s better to keep things clear to avoid confusion later on."

Song Chongjin’s heart tightened, seeing the slight aloofness in Wang Yongzhu’s demeanor and the swirling darkness in the depths of his eyes.

He still tried to maintain his composure, "No need for that, let’s consider it a partnership purchase. We’ll go into business together. Whatever you say goes, Yongzhu, I won’t argue. When we make a profit, you can give me whatever you like, and I’ll take the losses on myself!"

No matter what, he would not let Wang Yongzhu push him away. He was determined to tie himself to Yongzhu, even if it meant being stubbornly persistent!

Wang Yongzhu keenly sensed the repressed and assertive nature hiding behind Song Chongjin’s calm exterior.

She knew well that Song Chongjin was a smart and sensitive person, probably already aware of her distancing.

That’s why he insisted on forming a business partnership, to bind the two of them together.

There were plenty of other partners to choose from; if there wasn’t an urgent need for money, she could have done something else. Moreover, given Song Chongjin’s current state, she couldn’t rely on him to acquire the shop. She had no choice but to agree.

After glancing at Song Chongjin, Wang Yongzhu nodded.

Song Chongjin’s heart was temporarily relieved.

"We shouldn’t delay, let’s go now," Song Chongjin didn’t want to waste a moment, knowing that Yongzhu had reservations about him, and he had to resolve them quickly.

Spending some time alone without interruptions, he could slowly explain and maybe he would gradually work his way back into her good graces.

Wang Yongzhu was unaware of Song Chongjin’s thoughts. Being a decisive person herself and worried that delay might lead to further complications, she nodded immediately, "I’ll go back and inform my family, and head to the town tonight. We’ll go to the county seat early tomorrow morning."

Song Chongjin stood up, "I’ll accompany you down the mountain and wait for you at the village entrance. We’ll take a shortcut to the town."

After discussing their plans, Wang Yongzhu didn’t waste any more words and promptly headed down the mountain.

When she arrived at the bottom of the mountain, Wang Yongzhu went straight home, while Song Chongjin watched her until she was out of sight, then turned and headed for the village entrance via a side path.

Upon reaching home, Wang Yongzhu ran into Old Granny Zhang. Pulling her inside, she began giving instructions while packing her bags.

When Old Granny Zhang heard that her daughter was actually going to buy a shop in the city, she was both happy and worried, "But we don’t have enough silver, do we?"

"Song Chongjin said we’d put up the money together, as partners. If we lose, it’s on him, and if we profit, we just have to give him a bit of interest," Wang Yongzhu reassured her mother.

Old Granny Zhang frowned and advised, "Be careful on your own. After all, buying a shop is a big deal. Be cautious and don’t just follow what Song Chongjin says."

Wang Yongzhu agreed, and then, turning the tables, she instructed, "Now that my eldest and Third Brother can take on responsibilities at home, I won’t be away for too many days. If anything comes up, we can discuss it when I get back. Counting the days, when I return, it’ll be just in time to visit Chongzi Gou and check on how Fourth Brother is doing. With mother watching over things, I have nothing to worry about."

"Mother, wait for me at home with peace of mind; I’ll bring you back something tasty to eat." That last sentence, like soothing a child, suddenly made Old Granny Zhang burst into laughter.

She pretended to be angry and waved her hand dismissively, "Go on, go on..."

Wang Yongzhu packed up her bundle, hugged Old Granny Zhang, and then hurried out the door.

Upon exiting the village, Song Chongjin was waiting behind a clump of bushes. When he saw Wang Yongzhu approaching, he took the bundle from her, and the two headed towards the town.

It wasn’t until dusk that they finally arrived in town.

While Wang Yongzhu was still wondering where they would stay for the night, Song Chongjin led her through several turns to the front of a familiar gate.

Isn’t this Hunter Qin’s courtyard?

Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin in surprise.

Song Chongjin, as if he knew the place well, opened the door and quietly entered the courtyard without a sound.

He went straight to the side room, struck a match to light a candle, and the room immediately brightened.

"Yongzhu, take a seat for a moment. I’ll go boil some water and prepare something to eat," Song Chongjin bustled about busily.

Wang Yongzhu looked around the room. It was a simple room, neatly arranged, yet devoid of vitality, with only a familiar pair of garments laid on the kang bed.

Song Chongjin just came back in, noting Wang Yongzhu’s curious gaze and quickly explained, "This is a room I occasionally stayed in before, no one else has ever been here."

Wang Yongzhu nodded without a word.

After Song Chongjin had boiled the water, he brought out a food container from somewhere. Opening it revealed several bowls of dishes and rice; the room was suddenly filled with a delicious aroma.

"Are you hungry? Let’s eat first." Song Chongjin knew Wang Yongzhu must have many questions.

Wang Yongzhu glanced at Song Chongjin, sat down, and took a bite. It actually tasted like the food from Shopkeeper Wu’s restaurant.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu eating, Song Chongjin also sat down, started serving her some dishes, and began explaining, "There’s only one guesthouse in town. It’s small and unclean, and I was worried you wouldn’t be comfortable there, so I simply brought you here to stay the night. Ever since they left, no one has come here; it’s both quiet and cheap..."

He looked at Wang Yongzhu cautiously as he spoke.

Wang Yongzhu put down her chopsticks and assumed an attentive posture.

"The deed to this house they left behind—Yongzhu, do you want to look at this?" Song Chongjin carefully placed the few deeds on the table.

Wang Yongzhu glanced at the deeds, "You can make the decision yourself."

The rest of Song Chongjin’s words were stifled, leaving him with a bitter taste in his mouth.

He gritted his teeth, "Yongzhu, I was wrong about the medication last time; I didn’t consider all the angles! I had my own selfish plans, and there are some things I don’t even know where to start explaining. When everything becomes clear, I will naturally explain everything to you in detail."

"I just want to tell you that I didn’t take that poison casually; I had already anticipated their moves and had an antidote prepared just in case. I won’t go into other details. Now that I have you, my life is no longer just my own; how could I recklessly take risks? I didn’t discuss it with you beforehand because I was worried..."

Before he could finish, Wang Yongzhu interrupted him, "I understand your concerns and know what you want to say. Since you’ve brought it up today, let’s clarify everything now, so we don’t have any misunderstandings in the future..."