Chapter 203: Just a Dream

After they finished their work, they opened the door and came out. Mrs. Chen was standing at the entrance to the main room, shouting, "Hurry and come eat! It’s already afternoon."

She then called for Chunhua to bring water for the two of them to wash their hands.

Gu Zhang instructed his eldest son as he washed his hands, "Take all those pearl clams in the room and put them in the pond. Be careful with them."

Once his hands were clean, he and Gu Fei went into the main room to eat.

While they ate, Gu Fei brought up the matter of Old Huang’s shop.

Mrs. Chen listened in from nearby, stitching a shoe sole as she did.

Gu Zhang frowned after hearing her out. "Ten silver taels a month for that storefront is a good price, that’s for sure. I heard from Liu Zhuangtou the other day that even the lesser shops in Ping’an City cost twenty taels a month, and the rent has to be paid for the whole year upfront."

"It’s just... that Er Laizi is a real problem."

"Manager Wang had a point. It’s not the fear of being robbed, but the fear of being watched. Who knows when a moment of carelessness might lead to disaster?"

Gu Fei sighed. "You’re not wrong."

"But we don’t have enough silver. Mr. Huang is letting me pay rent month-to-month and isn’t even asking for a deposit. Where else could I find an opportunity this good?"

"We’ll all just have to be extra careful."

There are two sides to every coin. If you want to take advantage of a bargain, you have to bear the risks.

Gu Zhang looked at his daughter. "So you’ve decided you want to do this?"

Gu Fei nodded. "I’m thinking, that Er Laizi is still just a person. And every person has a weakness. I’m sure I can figure out a way to handle him."

Gu Zhang said, "But who’s going to help you? Your mother and your sister-in-law need to tend to the fields. Fortunately, it’s not rice we’re growing, so the work is a little lighter."

"And your eldest brother and I have to manage the pond. The fish have to be fed every day, and those pearl clams need delicate care, lest they get sick."

"Er Lang and Sanlang only have the brains for driving a cart. I don’t feel comfortable entrusting them with anything important."

"Why don’t you have your eldest brother help you get things organized first? Once you’ve got everything set up, he can come back to help me."

Gu Fei thought for a moment. "That could work. There are still so many things to do before opening. My eldest brother can run my errands."

"Also, I’ll need to bring Lian’er and Lan Zhi with me later. Lan Zhi is literate and can handle the books, so she can help me out."

Gu Zhang nodded. "That’s all up to you."

"By the way, Dad, I’ll probably have to live in the city from now on," Gu Fei said after a mouthful of rice.

Mrs. Chen, listening from the side, was aghast. "How could that possibly be alright? How can a young woman like you live in the city all by yourself?"

Gu Fei turned to her mother with a smile. "Mother, who said I’d be alone? I’ll have Lian’er and Lan Zhi stay with me. Besides, I’m opening an inn. There will be people staying at an inn every single day."

"I have to live in the city. I need to be on guard against that Er Laizi making trouble."

Mrs. Chen grew more and more worried. "How can this be good? My heart is fluttering with anxiety just hearing this. Daughter, maybe we shouldn’t chase after this cheap deal after all."

Gu Fei shook her head. "An opportunity like this won’t come again. A chance this good is worth taking a few risks."

Mrs. Chen didn’t know what else to say. She looked over at Gu Zhang, but he didn’t seem worried at all. She silently cursed him, ’This damn old man is too carefree,’ and the needle in her hand suddenly pricked her finger.

Mrs. Chen put the pricked finger in her mouth to soothe it, then went back to stitching the shoe sole.

After the meal, Gu Fei went back to her room. She then took the Five-Colored Glazed Lamp out from her space and set it on the narrow table under the window.

She sat at the table, her chin propped in her hand, and gazed quietly at the lamp.

Everything last night had been as beautiful as a dream. Gu Fei shook her head. ’It was just a dream.’ She couldn’t deny that she had good feelings for Su Chen, but that was all they were—feelings. Her rational mind would not allow that fondness to grow into something more.

She stared at the glazed lamp for a moment longer, then, with a placid expression, returned it to her space.