Chapter Eleven: This Is the Prime Location

Five seemingly ordinary plaid shirts, within less than an hour, were sold for a total of twenty-two taels under Gou Ye’s vivid pitch. Yun’s mother insisted on giving half of the profits to Gou Ye as payment, but he ultimately declined. Seeing the mother and daughter’s faces light up with irrepressible joy, Gou Ye felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Such a scene only strengthened Gu Shen’s desire to collaborate with him. Now, in Gu Shen’s eyes, Gou Ye was a man of great talent. Even as the son of the Duke of Jing—accustomed to the world’s ways—Gou Ye always managed to bring him a fresh sense of novelty. He believed this young man before him could help realize his aspirations.

“Thank you, Gou Ye. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my mother this happy,” Yun Niang said, somewhat embarrassed as she stood before Gou Ye. What pleased her even more than today’s earnings was seeing Gou Ye regain hope—no longer that half-dead figure lying in bed all day.

Gou Ye waved it off with a nonchalant expression, gently patting Yun Niang’s head. “When did you start being so formal with me? You and your mother have looked after me for years. Helping you now hardly warrants your thanks. If anything, I should be the one thanking you. Ha! These past two days have been full of good fortune. Let your mother head home, and let your Brother Gou treat you to a proper meal. What do you say?” He glanced at Gu Shen as he spoke.

Gu Shen immediately caught his meaning and chimed in, “Exactly! Since we’ve all met up today, let’s have a good meal together—my treat!”

“Great!” Yun Niang, never one for formalities with Gu Shen, cheerfully went to bid her mother goodbye.

Since arriving in this world, aside from yesterday’s meal at Boss Hu’s house, Gou Ye hadn’t truly tasted real delicacies. So when it came time to order, he made no effort to restrain himself, choosing all the most expensive dishes. Gu Shen could only smack his lips and give his coin pouch a rather pained squeeze.

Once the dishes were ordered, Gou Ye leaned back in his chair, utterly content, gazing out the window with idle leisure. “Brother Gu Shen, I imagine you invited me today because there’s something you wish to discuss?”

Gu Shen nodded awkwardly, replying, “Brother Gou Ye, you’re as sharp as ever. I haven’t even spoken, and you already know. Actually, it’s the matter of our partnership I mentioned before. I’ve already managed to gather some silver, but… but…”

Seeing Gu Shen hesitate, Gou Ye sat up straight. “Don’t tell me you can’t even put together thirty taels?”

“That’s right! The border is in constant turmoil these days, and all the government offices have cut salaries. This month, I can barely scrape together twenty taels, and that’s before today’s spending on clothes and this meal.”

“Waiter! Quickly, come here—I want to cancel a few dishes!”

Gou Ye had never expected that the son of a noble household could be in such straits. Clearly, his family, though officials, must not be corrupt. Just moments ago, Gou Ye had been full of ambition; now, he felt rather deflated. Was his ice cream enterprise to come to a halt so soon?

As he pondered, Gou Ye fixed his gaze on Gu Shen, making him rather uncomfortable. Suddenly, inspiration struck Gou Ye, startling Gu Shen in turn.

“Haha, I’ve got it! Gu Shen, just put in whatever silver you can. I still have some ingots left. Together, we’ll have enough. Later, take me around the county town—I need to pick a prime location for our opening.”

At the table, Gou Ye ate with immense relish, while Gu Shen, perplexed by Gou Ye’s talk of a “prime location,” could scarcely swallow a bite. Yun Niang, on the other hand, was unconcerned; she simply ate and drank as she pleased. If Gou Ye said he had a solution, then he must.

After lunch, the three of them wandered the county town under Gu Shen’s guidance. Though the town wasn’t large, it still took nearly two hours, and Gu Shen had shown them every bustling spot. Yet, Gou Ye remained unsatisfied.

“Brother Gou Ye, we’ve been walking all afternoon. Surely you’ve not found your so-called prime location? We’ve covered all the lively streets—even the alleys!”

Even Yun Niang looked at Gou Ye with curiosity, beads of sweat trickling down her face in the sweltering afternoon sun. Gou Ye wiped his brow but gave no answer, simply sighing softly to himself.

At that moment, a rich aroma wafted by. Two graceful young women passed nearby, and Gou Ye overheard one say, “It’s unbearably hot today. Let’s hurry home—I heard Mama’s prepared chilled pears for us!”

“Mama? Chilled pears?” Gou Ye stared blankly after the girls, prompting Yun Niang to glower at him, her anger plain as she gave a sharp “hmph” and yanked him back to his senses.

“I know exactly where we should go,” Gou Ye declared—only then realizing Yun Niang was already fuming.

Awkwardly, Gou Ye apologized repeatedly, “Yun Niang, I’m sorry, truly. Please don’t misunderstand—I was just distracted by what they said.”

But when a girl is angry, reason has little sway. Yun Niang’s cheeks flushed red as she scolded, “Brother Gou Ye, I don’t want to hear your excuses. If you ever behave so frivolously again, I’ll never speak to you!” With that, she stormed off before Gou Ye could reply.

Gou Ye could only look helplessly at Gu Shen. “I really was only listening to their conversation.” In response, Gu Shen gave him an “I understand” look.

After much coaxing—sweet words and candied hawthorn—Gou Ye finally soothed Yun Niang’s anger. Only then did Gu Shen dare to ask quietly, “Brother Gou Ye, did those two girls just now inspire you in some way?” Gou Ye glanced at Yun Niang at the stall, relieved she hadn’t overheard, and replied in a low voice, “Take me to where those two young women were headed.”

Gu Shen was stunned, casting a wary glance at Yun Niang as if to say, “Are you mad?” Gou Ye set his jaw, resolved. “Don’t ask so many questions. Just take us there.”

Gu Shen marveled at Gou Ye’s boldness, daring to go carousing with Yun Niang in broad daylight. Still, he held his tongue and did as Gou Ye asked, leading the two toward their destination.

Arriving at the place Gou Ye had indicated, they found it bustling with life, the air thick with enticing aromas. Immediately, Yun Niang’s anger returned. Gou Ye hastily grabbed her soft arm and explained, “Yun Niang, please don’t misunderstand. I heard those girls mention chilled pears, and that’s why I thought of this place.” Pointing to the lively street lined with pleasure houses, he said softly, “This—this is the prime location.”