Chapter 24: Your father wants to see me?

Regardless of whether Cheng An was in the right or wrong, his actions were far too heavy-handed. Punishment was inevitable; otherwise, the other children and their parents would surely cause an uproar, potentially disrupting the normal order of the academy.

Seven days of facing the wall!

Inside the dim, cramped room, Cheng An lay on the hard wooden bed, his hands pillowed behind his head. He silently recited a few poems from the Tang and Song dynasties. These were his trump cards for achieving fame and fortune in the future, especially in the Great Zhou Dynasty, where literature was held in the highest regard. Poems and essays were the most powerful tools for making a name for oneself!

But the holidays were starting the day after tomorrow... He wondered what his old man would say when he found out about this.

"Yao Liu'er?" A soft laugh drifted in from outside the narrow window.

Cheng An flipped upright in one agile motion. "Who's there?"

"Guess."

"I'm not a child; why would I guess?" Cheng An rolled his eyes. Few people in the academy knew his childhood nickname. Cheng Xiaoyuan certainly wouldn't come to visit him, and it didn't sound like his senior sister, either.

"Pfft! You little hooligan! You've been punished by the master, so why are you acting so high and mighty?"

Cheng An blinked, surprised. "Gu Xiaoyue?"

"Smart guess!" The voice moved closer to the window, whispering, "My sister asked me to tell you that Father has agreed to let your family supply our restaurant, but..."

"It’s a deal?" Cheng An felt a surge of joy.

However, Gu Xiaoyue said with mock regret, "But Father said he would only discuss this business with you! Looking at your current state... alas, I'm afraid it won't work out!"

"Discuss it with me?" Cheng An was stunned. "The method for this supply chain was thought up by my father. I—I don't know how to do it!"

"Anyway, I've delivered the message... I'm off!" Gu Xiaoyue giggled, deliberately stamping her feet.

"Hey! Don't..." Cheng An hurriedly leaned toward the window. "I'll go!"

"Hmph, I knew you were a money-grubber!" Gu Xiaoyue wrinkled her nose and pouted. "I don't know what kind of magic you used on my sister and father to make them believe you could do business."

"Yes, yes. I'm just a fool, and you, Second Miss, are the smartest." Cheng An flattered her with a smile, then continued, "So, could I trouble the smart, cute, beautiful, and gentle Second Miss to do me a small favor?"

"I wouldn't..." Gu Xiaoyue felt her lips curl up at the praise, but she feigned indifference. "Fine, seeing as your apology is sincere, I'll begrudgingly help you once! Just this once, mind you!"

"When did I ever..." Cheng An rolled his eyes, then gave a dry laugh. "Heh, thank you, Second Miss!"

***

On a country path, Du Qingqing frowned slightly. Thinking of her stern father, she let out a helpless sigh. "Sigh, I’ve really boarded your pirate ship!"

Compared to the free-spirited Gu Xiaoyue, Du Qingqing was a typical young lady of a prominent family who strictly followed the teachings of her elders—let alone sneaking out of the house.

"Don't worry, cousin." Gu Xiaoyue blinked, smiling as she linked her arm with hers. "This time it’s my father who wants to see Cheng An, so even if Uncle finds out, he won't be angry. If all else fails..." She tilted her head, declaring righteously, "I'll explain it for you later!"

"You? Forget it!" Du Qingqing squeezed her nose with a playful huff. "If you could just be obedient and stop causing trouble, I'd thank the heavens."

Upon arriving at the Gu residence, Gu Xiaoyue began chattering the moment they stepped inside: "Father, Sister! Cousin Qingqing and Cheng An are here!"

Gu Xiaorou welcomed them happily. "Cousin Qingqing, you're here too."

"Ah..." Du Qingqing smiled with a bit of guilt. "I was worried about Xiaoyue, so I tagged along."

Gu Xiaorou pulled her inside, not forgetting to instruct the butler, "Uncle Sun, go prepare some tea and pastries... and tell the kitchen to add extra sugar; Cousin Qingqing likes it sweet."

"Yes, Eldest Miss." The butler smiled and left.

Cheng An blinked and looked at Du Qingqing. "Senior Sister likes sweets?"

"You only just found out?" Gu Xiaoyue wanted to show how close she was to Du Qingqing and boasted, "Every time we make pastries at home, Cousin can eat an entire box!"

"Xiaoyue... shut up." Du Qingqing flushed, shooting her a sharp look. *An entire box? Am I a pig?*

A while later, Gu Changqing came from the back hall, smiling as he said, "Qingqing is here too."

"Uncle." Du Qingqing bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formality among family." Gu Changqing's smile was kind. He added warmly, "Since you're here, stay for a few days. The academy is on break anyway... it’ll be a good time for the three of you to catch up."

"Ah? This..." Du Qingqing felt awkward. She had snuck out; if her father found out, he would surely pile on the punishments.

"It’s no trouble," Gu Changqing said, waving his hand with a smile. "Old Sun, send someone to the town later to pass word that Qingqing is staying with me, so that her parents don't worry."

"Yes, Master."

Seeing the harmony in the Gu family and thinking of his own, Cheng An couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This was the difference!

Gu Changqing then looked at him. "Cheng An?"

"Greetings, Master Gu." Cheng An bowed respectfully.

"Hmm." Gu Changqing smiled meaningfully. "I didn't expect you to be attending the academy as well. Since that is the case, you must study hard! To make something of yourself in the future, books are essential."

"Yes, I will keep that in mind, sir." Cheng An felt a bit suspicious. He always felt there was something peculiar about the way Gu Changqing looked at him, though he couldn't grasp the hidden meaning.

Before he could overthink it, Gu Changqing continued, "Have you thought about how to conduct this business you mentioned earlier?"

"I..." Cheng An was about to speak, but Gu Changqing interrupted.

"Don't bring your father into this. I am only doing this business with you." Living as neighbors, how could he not know Cheng Dashan's temperament? Ever since the pulley system incident, and later hearing about the poem "Ode to the Goose" from his daughter, he had begun to hold Cheng An in higher regard. To have such vision at only eight years old—if this child were nurtured carefully, he would surely achieve great things in the future!

"It’s actually quite simple." Cheng An sighed, resigned to being direct. "In any catering business, aside from taste, the most important thing is the ingredients. If you can standardize the quality of the ingredients, business will naturally improve."

"Then why must I partner with you?" Gu Changqing asked with a serious expression, though his eyes held a smile. "You should know that the countryside is full of idle people. If I just mentioned it, many would scramble to do this work."

To put it bluntly, this was just a job of collecting and delivering goods. Without a unique competitive advantage, even if the business started, it wouldn't last.

Cheng An hadn't expected Gu Changqing to be so serious about such a small business. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Others might be able to complete this job, but there is more than one restaurant in town. Once there is competition, the cost of supplies will rise, and even..."

"And even what?" Gu Changqing’s smile grew wider.

"And even lead to your restaurant having no supplies to procure at all!"

"Hahaha!" Gu Changqing laughed heartily. "Good! Then as you say, I accept this business deal!"