Chapter 845: Exactly whose account are we buying?

After passing several main streets, Xiao Er followed Wu Shuang from afar and turned into a quiet alley.

The alley wasn't deep; at its end stood a narrow wooden door.

Wu Shuang pushed the door open, and a woman's voice came from inside: "Comprador Wu is back? Would you like a meal?"

Wu Shuang replied with a dark face: "No need, where is Mr. Cai?"

"He's drinking tea inside."

Wu Shuang walked in; a woman in her forties appeared at the doorway and raised her hand to close the door.

Xiao Er didn't approach; he hid behind an open door panel of a house in the alley, glanced at that door, then looked at the side wall.

The wall wasn't high, with a few bundles of unused bamboo and a large water tub piled in the corner—just an utterly ordinary Jiangnan household courtyard.

He turned and walked out of the alley, found a seat facing the alley entrance in the opposite tavern, and sat down.

"Boss! One bowl of plain noodles, and a pot of tea!"

"Sure thing, customer!"

Soon, the sun slowly slid westward and then sank below the horizon.

Xiao Er set down a few copper coins, stood up, passed through the alley, and went around to the back of the courtyard.

He leapt up and landed silently on the roof.

A strangely familiar feeling welled up in his chest.

Not long ago, he often did this with Lu Qi, sneaking around the rooftops of Jingcheng on Miss's behalf.

Back then it was extremely perilous, but now recalling it is genuinely amusing.

He chuckled, lowered his head, and looked toward the courtyard.

The courtyard wasn't large, consisting of a main hall and two side wings; the main hall's windows glowed with dim yellow candlelight.

A woman pushed open the main hall's door, carrying a water jug, apparently to fetch water for tea.

Xiao Er lowered his body, felt his way onto the main hall's roof, gently pried open a tile, and held his breath.

Sure enough, after the woman had filled the jug with hot water, she retreated back out.

Wu Shuang sat at the table, with a man about forty sitting opposite him.

Wu Shuang's tone was respectful, a stark contrast to his arrogance at the cloth shop earlier that day: "Mr. Cai, have you figured out a plan?"

Xiao Er's heart stirred; this Mr. Cai must be the person behind Wu Shuang.

Wu Shuang's voice was noticeably hurried: "You told me to rest and eat first; I've finished my meal and rested enough, but what should we do about this assignment?"

"Those few Jingcheng merchant magnates can not only afford the price, they pay in pure silver—how can I possibly compete with them?"

"If I return empty-handed, this comprador of mine will likely lose his head."

"Don't rush, I'm here," Mr. Cai said, lifting his teacup and taking a sip, his voice calm and unhurried, showing no panic whatsoever, "It's not a problem."

"In business, the highest bidder wins—that's simply the most ordinary principle."

"If you truly come back empty-handed, I will personally speak well of you before the Governor."

"Governor?" Xiao Er startled at the words; this person could actually meet the Governor of the Red-haired Barbarians—his office must be high.

Wu Shuang hastily rose and bowed: "Thank you, Mr. Cai."

Mr. Cai took another sip of tea and said: "Six silver carriages paraded through the streets; the whole Jiangzhou City knows of it… such a huge commotion can't be blamed on you."

Wu Shuang nodded, as if finally relieved: "Then, according to Mr. Cai, shall we head back tomorrow?"

"No," Mr. Cai said, setting down his teacup, "the work that needs to be done still must be done."

"Since they're going to the porcelain and tea shops tomorrow, and the medicine and gold shops the day after, you should go straight to the medicine and gold shops tomorrow morning."

Wu Shuang blinked, then suddenly understood: "Mr. Cai means we should get a step ahead?"

"Exactly," Mr. Cai nodded, "you go first thing tomorrow morning, get there before them, and lock down the goods."

He pondered: "We need to secure the inventory and all goods for the coming year—don't leave the opposition any opening."

"I understand," Wu Shuang said, standing up, "I'll go early tomorrow morning and finish things before Boss Xiao."

"Hold on," Mr. Cai called after him, after a moment's thought: "Go to the gold shop first, then the medicine shop."

"The gold shop's figures are the largest; as long as we don't mess up there, explaining things back will be much easier."

"Being able to convert into over ten thousand taels of hard silver and coming from Jingcheng, this Boss Xiao is probably no mere merchant."

"Tomorrow, after you finish your business, find a way to investigate his background."

"Yes." Wu Shuang bowed, turned, and walked out.

Hearing this, Xiao Er gently replaced the tile, retreated to the courtyard wall, flipped over it, and vanished into the night.

When he returned to the bridgehead gang, the night was deep, yet the courtyard lights were still lit.

Xiao Ningxun sat under the lamp, flipping through a volume of *Jiangnan Products Record*.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningyuan whispered something to each other.

Tuan Tuan nestled in Xiao Ningchen's arms, her little head drooping bit by bit.

Lu Qi stood at the small courtyard's gate, arms crossed, pacing—clearly waiting for him.

Xiao Er felt warmth in his heart and quickened his steps.

Seeing him unharmed, Lu Qi visibly relaxed: "Why so late? Have you eaten? I'll go make you a bowl of noodles."

"Miss refuses to sleep, insisting on seeing you return, no matter what."

"Thanks," Xiao Er patted his shoulder, "I've eaten; let's go inside."

The two entered the house, and everyone lifted their heads.

Before Xiao Er could speak, the drowsy Xiao Tuanzi shot upright, rubbed her eyes, and shouted: "Uncle Er! You're back!"

"Easy now!" Xiao Ningchen hurriedly steadied her.

Tuan Tuan leapt from his arms, stretched out her tiny arms, and stumbled toward Xiao Er: "Where have you been? I've waited for you forever."

Xiao Er bent down and lifted her into his arms, his heart filled with tenderness.

He gently patted Xiao Tuanzi's back: "We were delayed a bit on the road, Miss, go to sleep."

Tuan Tuan's voice was soft and muffled: "Have you eaten? Are you thirsty? Are you hurt?"

Xiao Er smiled: "I'm not hurt, I've eaten my fill and drunk enough, don't worry, Miss."

Tuan Tuan gave a little yawn, buried her little face in his shoulder, her voice growing softer: "Uncle Er, could you come back earlier next time?"

"Okay!" Xiao Er's voice was soft and deep: "Uncle Er next time, I'll definitely come back earlier, so I won't keep you waiting so long, Miss."

"Mm, good." Tuan Tuan turned her face, rubbed against his big cheek, closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Everyone watched them, knowing Tuan Tuan was already exhausted from sleepiness, they waited silently, not making a sound.

Xiao Er held Tuan Tuan and walked a few gentle circles around the room; seeing the child asleep without moving, he jerked his chin toward the inner chamber.

Lu Qi understood and followed him up.

Xiao Er carefully placed Tuan Tuan on the inner side of the bed, took off her little shoes, and pulled the blanket up to cover her.

Lu Qi placed the pillow behind Tuan Tuan, and the two watched Xiao Tuanzi sleep soundly and comfortably, exchanged a smile, then turned and walked to the outer hall.

Xiao Er recounted everything he had seen and heard that night, word for word.

Xiao Ningchen said: "Your trip wasn't in vain; it seems this Mr. Cai is someone of note."

Xiao Ningxun asked: "Did you overhear that by sneaking in after dark?"

Xiao Er nodded: "Exactly."

Xiao Ningxun fell into thought.

Xiao Ze looked at Xiao Ningyuan: "How is it?"

"What else can we do?" Xiao Ningyuan yawned, "Let's all hurry up and go to sleep!"

"Tomorrow, we'll also head to the gold shop first; I want to see whose account the gold shop's boss is actually buying!"