Gang family's task

"Why?" I asked, "Why would you want your own sister to die?"

That didn't make sense. Sisterly bond was supposed to be as good as brotherhood.

"I'm not her sister by blood," she said, leaning back.

"But so what?" my question remained the same. As I looked at her, I noticed that she was wearing tiny silver earrings; they moved.

"Why would you want to know?" her ladylike demeanour suddenly disappeared as she turned her head sideways. Her voice lost that made-up cuteness.

I hadn't really liked those squeaks anyway. I preferred this crispness.

"What if I told your father about this?" I threatened.

"He won't believe you. Even though I'm adopted, he won't be swayed by the words of a man who just joined the family," she looked at me again, scratching the wood of her flowery fan with her long nails. I knew what that gesture meant.

She again opened her firmly pressed lips, "I want y-"

"Here it is; sir, miss. Sorry for the wait," the waiter inadvertently interrupted her. He placed two identical ceramic plates each before us. I frowned at the chopsticks provided to us. The food on my plate occupied only a quarter of its whole space. It looked red, crispy and certainly tasty.

The waiter then placed two long glasses on our table. They too, were made of ceramics. The drinks in them were pure white, looking like milk but thicker and glossier.

"Please ring the bell for anything," the waiter said and quickly dismissed himself.

"So, I was saying... I want you to help me in this," she had quite the balls to ask a practitioner (two ranks above her) to help her in killing.

"What makes you think I'd even agree to this, little bitch?" My whole attitude towards her took a 180 degree turn. I wasn't even looking at her now, focusing on my food instead.

"U-uh," I managed to grab a piece of those red slices. Just as I was about to put it in my mouth, she spoke.

"Money, you dog. Money will make you work,"

There have been times when I was amazed what people said. But, this was the first time I became speechless. Where did she get that confidence? This one reply increased my interest in her, far more than her looks could've ever managed to.

I picked up my fallen slice and put it in my mouth. Its texture was exactly like French fries, but a little chilly. I grabbed my glass and took a sip, it helped. Not too sweet, fairly silky and thick; this drink immediately became my favourite.

"I won't discuss this matter until you've told me your reason," I put my half-empty glass and looked around. The huge dining room was packed full. This seemed to the peak hour for this pavillion. The loud noise would make our conversation obscure. There was no need to worry about someone eavesdropping.

"I... I am to be betrothed to anyone my sister marries with," she finally opened. There was frustration on her forehead, on her eyebrows, and on her lips.

'So it's a buy one-get one package,' my left hand reached for my chin.

Gang family was surely cunning. They knew getting a good spouse for Gang Bing was difficult. Good, in their terms, was a man with a fair bit of money, influence and cultivation. Such a man would never agree to marry a woman, who was neither beautiful nor a practitioner.

However, if they added Gang Ju as an "extra," the marriage suddenly became more desirable. I could imagine Gang Bing being sidelined after just the first night of the marriage.

Even though I wasn't a fierce advocate of feminism, I didn't like this notion of treating women as "goods."

'Women shouldn't be treated so lightly, they are just as dangerous as they are sweet. Like this one here...'

"Why would you want to kill her, though? I'm pretty sure her husband would rather prioritise you, miss Ju," I said. Let's not hurt the poor bitch's self-esteem.

"I hate her and I don't want to be married. Also, don't call me that. I'm not Gang Ju, I'll never be. My mother gave me the name of Feng Yi. My incompetent father practically sold me to the Gang family two years ago. If Gang Bing died, I'd be of no use to them," she took a sip from her glass.

Now I knew why she was so cruel at such a young age. People became cruel only after they themselves had experienced cruelty. He who sold his own daughter, he was no father.

"Even so, Is there any guarantee that the Gang family would just let you be free? You do realise that you are a replacement for Gang Bing."

Our conversation kept going as we ate.

"No, I won't be a replacement for her. Gang Gang Bing's father would never allow that," she put her fan away and reached for the chopsticks.

"You'll be paying for us, by the way," I told her. She didn't speak. Meh, I'd have dutifully played my role as a gentleman, if only she didn't have the nerves to call me a dog. She had money anyway, didn't she? This bitch.

"70 golds," she said, "70 golds and Gang Bing dies this week."

"Alright, pay up first," I stretched my hands out and she swatted it away.

"Only after the job is done," she stood up. She'd eaten only one red slice from her plate.

Suddenly, I grabbed her hand and said, "Not so fast. I haven't agreed yet. Also, I have a better idea than killing Gang Bing, that'll grant you your freedom. Sit down first."

She stared at me intensely and I stared back, saying, "Feng Yi, I don't like people who waste food."

The stare down lasted for a full minute before she sighed and sat down.

"Alright, tell me what it is," I caught a hint helplessness in her voice. It was kind of similar to when me and Chunu had no choice but to sell our clothes to the Tuo brothers.

...

Gang Wei waited. He sat in a straight posture, looking two palms taller than the elders who were a little hunched over.

"So, what would you do, Benfang?" he asked. "After much consideration, the family has assigned this role to you," he added.

Opposite to him, I was also seated on a straw mat. Chairs were never used in meetings.

It was a traditional belief that men should all sit on one ground, the earth, while discussing important matters. It suggested humility, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

"I think this job suits me well, brother Wei," I said. Even though Gang Wei rarely gave me face, I had to be cordial with him. Also, this job was actually a great chance, so I was more than happy to oblige.

I looked at the Gang family insignia that my robe now had. They'd given it to me earlier.

I was to be the representative of Gang family for merchant trades. Mostly, I'd buy crops, fruits, alcohols, clothes, and medicines from Hanai company and Orange Flowers group, who had been in business with this family for decades.

If I could lower the initial price by at least ten percent, I'd get a commission of 1.5% of that single transaction. Each of such transactions were worth hundreds gold kins, so I was was sure to get a solid commission.

However, If I couldn't do that, I'd be assigned as the disciplinary officer for the new recruits. It was just a fancy title. I knew these kinds of jobs had low pay but long work hours.

'After years, these officers would probably become instructors and will remain in that position until they died, unless...' I looked at Gang Wei. He really was something.

I could see how their minds worked. They wanted to test whether I was useful or not. I could also see how little they trusted me.

For such a family, they'd surely buy other things than just food, clothes and medicines. For example, weapons. I also couldn't forget about the slaves and lastly... information.

Maybe I was giving these people too much credit, but I was sure they didn't fully trust me yet. Well, it was normal. I'd actually be more suspicious if they trusted me right after I joined the family.