Agent Yu Dafu

The old man glanced, his brows furrowed.

"Guest, what's this?"

"Settling the bill!" Night San Geng pointed to the row of red peppers in front of him. "One copper coin for each pepper, exactly two hundred and fifty here. Boss, take it."

Weng Ling, embarrassed, covered her face and poked Night San Geng. "Stop fooling around!"

"I'm not kidding! I'm serious! Old man, let me tell you, your meat slices have a strong smell, but with my peppers, I guarantee your noodles and buns will be five or six times tastier. Selling a bowl for a few extra coppers is no problem!"

The old man looked hesitant, glancing at the serious man in front of him and his companions, especially the big crocodile behind him. The wrinkles on his face twitched.

"Really?"

"Absolutely! Hu, old man, don't let these outsiders cheat you. One copper coin per pepper is fine, but who would buy so many peppers to put in noodles?" A man in the crowd sneered.

"Raise the price? If you do, we might as well go to the restaurant for better quality."

"Yeah, Hu old man, hurry and ask them for money, don't let them take advantage! Trying to avoid paying for a few bowls of soup noodles, these outsiders are really poor!"

Seeing the people around exchanging words, Night San Geng shrugged.

Ignoring the vulgar insults, their words seemed considerate toward Hu, the old man. It seemed that he had a good reputation.

What Night San Geng didn't know was that Hu, the old man's, noodle soup was quite popular in Tian Shi City. Cheap and plentiful, with decent taste.

Even those slices of sauce-covered meat that even Bet didn't like were the preferred choice for many who were frugal.

Now, seeing Night San Geng encouraging Hu to raise prices, that couldn't be allowed!

At this moment, a thin man in a short hemp shirt squeezed in. He stared straight at the row of red peppers on the table, hands slightly trembling. He swallowed, then respectfully asked:

"Esteemed sir, I am Yu Da Fu, a errand boy from the Tooth Hall in the east of the city. May I have a look at these peppers?"

Tooth Hall was a kind of intermediary service, both official and private, profiting from price differences through information.

The errand boys were like apprentices, needing to be eloquent and agile. Most of the Hall's businesses relied on them. However, they earned the least.

"Tooth Hall?" Night San Geng looked at the man patched all over, nodded, and said, "Sure, have a look."

"Thank you, sir."

Yu Da Fu thanked and approached. He picked up a red pepper, touched and sniffed it, then took a copper coin from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Sir, may I buy this pepper?"

Night San Geng squinted, not saying anything but pinching the coin in his hand.

Understanding Night San Geng's intention, Yu Da Fu's face lit up. He bowed again, then walked to Hu's pushcart, laying down twenty copper coins.

"Old Hu, may I borrow your stove to cook a bowl of noodles?"

"Ah, you, feel free."

Hu, already a timid and humble person, was now a bit flustered. Although he didn't know what Yu Da Fu was planning, it seemed like he was helping him. So, he nodded.

Once approved, Yu Da Fu picked up a sharp knife, chopped the vibrant red peppers into small pieces, and clumsily cooked a bowl of noodle soup, sprinkling the pepper bits into it.

As the hot soup was poured, a faintly sweet and spicy flavor filled the air, making everyone involuntarily salivate.

Yu Da Fu, realizing the crowd's anticipation, greedily took a sip of the soup. However, his face gradually turned red, sweat appearing on his forehead. He looked like a shrimp just out of a steamer.

"Ha, ha! Fantastic!"

Yu Da Fu gulped down the entire bowl, patting his stomach contentedly and stood up in excitement.

However, due to overeating spicy food, he occasionally stuck out his tongue, flapping his right hand in front of his mouth.

"Sir, may I buy these peppers?"

Night San Geng, with a strange expression, as he saw Yu Da Fu's gaze fixed on the pushcart, asked, "All of them?"

"Ten thousand pieces?" Yu Da Fu was stunned.

Ten thousand peppers cost one gold coin, equivalent to two months' income for him. But thinking that this was a rare opportunity, he bit his teeth.

"Yes! I'll take them all!"

Hiss!

One gold coin might not sound like much in the crowd, but buying so many peppers? Was Yu Da Fu's brain caught in the door when he left this morning?

Or...

Suddenly, someone sternly shouted, "Da Fu, are you not getting married? Or are you trying to be a middleman for these outsiders? Let me tell you, I won't buy it!"

Middleman?

The crowd suddenly realized that Yu Da Fu was an errand boy for the Tooth Hall, engaged in a line of work that profited from information discrepancies.

However, errand boys earned the least among them all.

"However..." Yu Da Fu looked embarrassed.

"I don't have that much money at the moment. Can I..."

"No!" Night San Geng shook his head.

"As much money as you have, take as much goods. And I only give you a day. If you can't come up with the money by tonight, the deal is off!"

Yu Da Fu looked at the surroundings helplessly, but everyone turned their heads, indicating that getting money on the spot was impossible.

Nevertheless, he nodded, took out a patched money bag from his pocket, and poured out a pile of copper and silver coins.

"Ten silver coins, I'll take a thousand."

"Deal!"

Night San Geng smilingly pocketed the money and then unloaded a bag of dried peppers from the pushcart, handing it to Yu Da Fu.

"Hope to see you tonight."

"You will see me for sure." Yu Da Fu bowed and left quickly.

"Since we're done eating, let's go." Night San Geng patted his money bag and stood up satisfied.

"Guest, wait..." Hu, the old man, suddenly stopped him.

"You haven't paid yet!"