A scholar dies for his confidant

Cheng Mo silently listened as the shadow guard faithfully recounted every word of their conversation. His fists clenched with resentment, "Qiao Ziqiu, openly revealing your background, achieving success, and then retiring – is this a strategic retreat? Splitting everything in half, do you think I, Cheng Mo, can't do the same? I can, and I even offered to transfer all the eighteen Fu Hai Lou establishments nationwide under her name. Can you do that? That heartless girl didn't want to be the mistress of Fu Hai Lou, yet she collaborates with a newly established small business. Hmph, is it because she's attracted to that scheming handsome man? Despite being old enough to be a father, causing trouble for the princesses in the capital is not enough; she comes to my Zebei and deceives me with that innocent face. She only knows how to act like a silly girl, infatuated with that flower-like man. He can really stoop so low!"

Just after signing the contract, while discussing plans for starting and proceeding with work, detailing the formulas for chalk and brush ink production, and even exploring ways to make pencils more cost-effective, the door was pushed open by Cheng Mo. He directed the staff to prepare a table full of dishes, putting on a completely insincere display of warmth, smiling at the two, "Xiao Bei has found a partner for your stationery. This is a formal contract; congratulations, Brother Ziqiu. The business hasn't even started, and you've found such a clever and resourceful partner like Xiao Bei. You'll be busy in the future. Now, let's have a meal. Come, come, I'll have a few drinks with Brother Ziqiu. Xiao Bei, from morning until now, have you eaten anything?"

Since when did Xiao Bei become so smoothly spoken? And 'our Xiao Bei,' is he that familiar? However, with his stomach reminded of its hunger, Cheng Mo felt a surge of nausea. Cheng Mo stopped his sarcastic comments against Qiao Ziqiu and quickly served a bowl of clear chicken soup, blowing on it before handing it to Xiangbei, "Here, quickly, drink some chicken soup to fill your stomach. I had them skim off the oil just for you." Xiangbei, somewhat moved, drank half a bowl, warming her stomach. As she picked up her chopsticks to eat, Cheng Mo spoke again, "Hey, look at how hungry you are. It's only the first day, and your partner has been dragging you around all day without eating a hot meal. Be careful in the future; don't stay small forever."

"Do you still want people to eat? You're so talkative; why don't you go to a teahouse and tell stories?" Xiangbei, annoyed, slapped the chopsticks on the table, looking at these two men with a sarcastic mouth.

"Have some, have some . Come on, here you're, have this piece. The lamb today is cooked exceptionally well. I'll accompany Brother Ziqiu for a drink."

"Brother is unworthy of such praise; you still can call me Qiao Er."

"Brother Ziqiu, you're several years older than him, of course, he should call you brother. What's so unworthy about it?" Xiangbei picked up her chopsticks again to soothe her protesting stomach.

"Yes, Brother Ziqiu, look, even Xiangbei calls you Brother Ziqiu. You must comply with my address as Brother Ziqiu from now on."

Seeing Cheng Mo's pretentiousness, Qiao Er understood in his heart. He smiled, "Then I'll have to feel honored to be called brother. Let's drink this cup first. Thanks, Dong—"

"Ren Zai, Brother Ziqiu can just call me Ren Zai. My family gave me the name Ren Zai, but not many people know about it yet. Brother Ziqiu, you can call me Ren Zai from now on."

"How can this be? I'm just a humble merchant．You also know, according to our dynasty's hierarchy of scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants, merchants are the lowest class. I can't be so disrespectful. I'm just a commoner, how can I dare to be so presumptuous?"

"Alright, Brother Ziqiu, don't belittle yourself. With your generations of loyalty, even though you've suffered injustice, I believe that one day you'll clear your name. I trust the old general, and I trust you!"

"Thank you, Ren Zai! Qiu expresses gratitude to Ren Zai on behalf of my brother. For the trust you've shown today, if there's an order in the future, my Qiao family will repay it even at the cost of ten thousand lives!" Qiao Er stood up, bowed deeply, and solemnly pledged to the Meng Alliance, "Ren Zai, today, I'll drink first as a sign of respect."

It's like a realistic rendition of ancient times—people die for a noble cause. Otherwise, I'll develop a series of beauty and makeup products along with wine vessels, and swords and sell them together. Xiangbei indulged in her own fantasies.