"Buy… sell…" Having discerned the true essence behind these two murmurs, Wu Jinliang suddenly became wide-eyed and speechless, his expression exaggeratedly surprised to an unbelievable extent.

Then he slowly turned his head back toward the entrance of Cloud Building, which was surrounded by a crowd of people. His mind suddenly staggered, and he could not help but silently start counting on his fingers. With an investment of fifty thousand taels, he could take the top performer out of the Cloud Building, and then sell her for two hundred thousand taels, netting a profit of one hundred and fifty thousand after deducting the initial cost!

What did one hundred and fifty thousand represent? Most people earned three hundred gold a month, amounting to three thousand six hundred a year. Forget about most people, for those just out of the Land of Exile like them, securing a job that paid three hundred gold a month was already commendable. This one deal could cover forty years!

Old Dong and the others had invested forty thousand, and doubling it to make eighty thousand. From the two hundred thousand in Chun Tian, they could still keep one hundred and twenty thousand.

That kind of money, squandering it wouldn't be too joyous, almost immediately imparting a sense of superiority.

Had they offended Cloud Building? No, the top performer wanted to redeem herself and leave, Cloud Building still got its five hundred thousand regardless, no loss there.

Had they offended Lv Taizhen? No, the beauty was still intact, not a single hair harmed. Originally planning to spend five hundred thousand, isn't saving three hundred thousand a fragrant deal?

Besides, the beauty was unwilling to follow him and nearly escaped; it was they who played the villains and forcibly returned her, thus saving him a great deal of money. Lv Taizhen should be thanking them, right?

Wu Jinliang's tongue nearly rolled out as he weighed this calculation. Indeed, it was a lucrative deal, and though morally dubious, he quite favored it.

Looking again at Shi Chun, his gaze shone with an abnormal admiration. Truly deserving as the leader of the East Nine Plain; even away from the Land of Exile, he could still make big deals. It was irresistible.

Looking at the crowd gathered, including himself, they were all there for the spectacle, all thinking it none of their business and not wanting trouble; truly blind to the stack of money right under their noses.

It seemed staying in the Land of Exile was the right decision. If he could make a fat profit here, how many years earlier could he have left?

Nothing more needed to be said. He immediately rummaged through his belongings and pulled out six thousand gold he had just brought from the Land of Exile. He firmly pressed it into Shi Chun's hand, "Brother, I will surely provide what help I can. Six thousand gold. Chun Tian, you know this is all the money I have."

Shi Chun pushed it back, "No need. I said four thousand is enough."

"Don't be like that." Wu Jinliang was a bit anxious. Repaying double would mean a big difference between contributing four thousand and six thousand, so he pressed it back again, "Master, a brother who's been through life and death with you, yet you won't even let him have a sip of soup if you are eating meat. Isn't that a bit harsh?"

Looking at this brother eager to give money, Shi Chun scoffed coldly, almost wanting to hold up a mirror for him to see his own petty face. Mockingly, he said, "Aren't you planning to enjoy yourself in Cloud Building? How would you do that without money?"

Not mincing words this time, Wu Jinliang spoke truthfully, "Once I earn money, I can afford to play whenever. A great man can bend and stretch."

Still needing his help, Shi Chun didn't say much else, reluctantly accepting the money. "Alright, keep it with you for now, I'll take it when needed."

Wu Jinliang immediately smiled broadly, "Sure, I'll listen to Master."

Thus, the two of them, like close brothers, sat in a row, looking scruffy and unperturbed, not ashamed of waiting.

After a good while, they saw Old Dong and Da Shitou returning, accompanied by one more person—an acquaintance of theirs, the leader of the Bowan Building's delivery team, with a case in his hand.

Now knowing this person was named Che Si, Shi Chun found it strange how he had left them and ran back. Eyeing the case in the man's hand, he pondered if it was a delivery of money.

At their reunion, the expressions of Old Dong and Da Shitou were somewhat unnatural.

As Shi Chun was about to make polite conversation with Che Si, Che Si was the first to speak. "Is it you who wants to borrow forty thousand gold?"

Shi Chun was taken aback, glancing at Old Dong and Da Shitou. The two had gone to arrange the money; why was it turned into him borrowing? Nonetheless, saying it was him borrowing posed no problem, so he nodded in agreement, "Yes."

Che Si pointed at Old Dong and the other man, "They said you can pay it back within three days. Is that so?"

Shi Chun did not deny it, simply nodding, "If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to repay it within three days; I will strive to do it even quicker."

Che Si immediately handed the box to him, "Forty thousand gold, count it. Miss Miao said that it's fine if you return the principal on time; she doesn't want any interest, consider it as a gift for your release from Life Prison."

"Miss Miao?" Shi Chun widened his eyes, surprised, "Is Miss Miao here?"

Wu Jinliang was also full of astonishment.

Che Si immediately looked back at Dong and Da Shitou, equally surprised, "Didn't they tell you?"

At this, the expressions on Dong and Da Shitou's faces were quite awkward.

Shi Chun quickly figured things out, guessing what had happened, The two rascals had used his name to borrow money from Miss Miao and hadn't told him, to safeguard themselves in case the investment failed. They didn't want to bear any losses and could blame everything on him, Shi Chun, if it succeeded, they would have made a real profit.

Miss Miao must have found it strange that Shi Chun was borrowing money but hadn't spoken directly with her, so she sent someone to verify in person, especially because it was a substantial sum of forty thousand gold.

Truth be told, he was surprised himself that he could borrow forty thousand Sandalwood Gold just on his name from Miss Miao.

Wu Jinliang also figured out the little game the two were playing, his face showing a teasing and sympathetic expression, Those two old brothers were treading on a narrow path, missing out on a chance to make a fortune.

He really was secretly delighting in their misfortune.

Shi Chun wasn't very close to Che Si, nor was he familiar with him, unaware of his background, and didn't want a small matter to jeopardize the livelihood of Dong and others. Besides, the money had already been gathered, so he perfunctorily said, "Maybe they were afraid I would feel embarrassed, the money is indeed what I intended to borrow, thank you, senior."

He took the box with both hands and then bowed to express his gratitude.

Ideally, since the money had been delivered and thanks given, Che Si should have left. However, he stood there showing no intention of leaving.

Shi Chun immediately slapped his forehead and realized, "I will write you an IOU." He handed the box with one hand to Wu Jinliang.

Che Si said, "No need for an IOU, Miss Miao asked me to see what you need this large amount of money for."

Some words remained unspoken; if misused, the money would be taken back.

Shi Chun froze, then exchanged looks with Wu Jinliang.

Che Si added, "Count the money, just to avoid any misunderstanding."

Shi Chun waved his hands generously, "No need, I trust Miss Miao."

Che Si was slightly surprised, not seeming like someone from a destitute background; he regarded him a bit more highly and didn't say much more.

Shi Chun, unaware that there were thoughts of taking the money back at any time, thought the money was his to manage now. If others wanted to see, let them see, so he didn't think much of it and took out the money-stained white cloth he had brought from the Land of Exile, asking Wu Jinliang to bring out his as well, peeling off the money stuck on it to make the full amount...

Upstairs, the old madam Feng Chi leaned out of the window to see that it was noon, turned around to seek Xiang Laner's opinion, then found a cloak for her, asking her to wrap it around herself temporarily to cover the marks from the beating.

Afterward, the two left the building, heading down to the main hall.

Having led Xiang Laner to a small side room to wait temporarily, madam Feng Chi went out, closed the door, then proceeded with a jaunty, flippant stride towards the main entrance.

Inside the small side room, Xiang Laner lifted the hood of her cloak, listening intently to the noises outside, preparing to take action whenever necessary.

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