Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 28 - 19 Earned Money_1

Chapter 28: Chapter 19 Earned Money_1
"Brother Youheng," Lian Manman greeted with a smile, thinking to herself that time was silver, and how could she not be in a hurry? She was also worried that if she delayed too long, Wang Youheng might change his mind.
Wang Youheng came over and patted Xiao Qi on the head.
"Let Shopkeeper Wang handle this. Manman, come sit with me in the house and have a cup of tea," he said.
Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi followed Wang Youheng to the guest room, where a young attendant brought over tea and snacks.
Lian Manman sat down confidently, while Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang were somewhat restrained, sitting up straight. Even Xiao Qi sat properly, and although he was curious about the furnishings in the room and coveted the snacks on the table, he refrained from looking around.
"It must be hot from the journey. This is sour plum soup, chilled; it should quench your thirst," Wang Youheng offered.
It was indeed sour plum soup, with a light brown liquid topped with tiny bits of osmanthus. Without even tasting it, one could already sense the sour and sweet aroma.
The children did not move.
"Don’t be formal with me, just be as you were when you were little," Wang Youheng said with a smile. "Manman’s wound hasn’t healed completely, so this is honey citron tea, also quite good."
Wang Youheng picked up the tea in front of Lian Manman and handed it to her.
Lian Manman had no choice but to take it. The tea was a pale yellow-green color, wafting with the distinctive fragrance of citrus. Seeing Lian Manman drink, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also picked up their tea and drank.
Wang Youheng then stood up and took a piece of pastry for Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi didn’t dare to take it but turned his head to look at Lian Manman, who gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, Brother Youheng," Xiao Qi then took the pastry and slowly started to eat it.
Wang Youheng returned to his seat and asked, "Did you really push the cart and bring all those things here by yourselves?"
"Brother Youheng, we wanted to earn some pocket money," Lian Manman nodded and said. She wanted to keep this matter confidential, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to make such a direct request to Wang Youheng. He was a man of status and didn’t seem like someone who would blab, and she was confident that he would not casually reveal their business of selling bitter melons. Hopefully, he would get her hint without her having to tell him outright.
Indeed, Wang Youheng got her point and nodded with a smile.
"I understand," he said, "I’ll instruct my people about this matter. No one will know... You’ve worked hard." He was aware of the Lian Family’s affairs, especially since he lived in the town and knew some things better than Lian Manman and the others. Wang Youheng was also happy to see Manman earning her own money.
While everyone was chatting, Shopkeeper Wang came in from outside.
"... Six bags in total, weighing four hundred and fifty-eight jin and six liang," Shopkeeper Wang ed. "At the rate of five wen money per jin, the total comes to two thousand two hundred and ninety-three wen money."
Wang Youheng gave a nod and looked at Lian Manman, seemingly asking if she had anything to say. Although Lian Zhizhi and Wu Lang were older, he could tell that Lian Manman was the one making the decisions.
The weight was about what Lian Manman had estimated, and she was quite satisfied with it.
"Could we exchange those two strings of money for silver?" Lian Manman asked. Carrying more than two thousand large coins was not only burdensome but also not easy to hide without attracting attention.
"Certainly," Wang Youheng responded readily, instructing Shopkeeper Wang to get the money.
Shopkeeper Wang left and soon returned with a two tael silver ingot and three strings of coins on a tray.
Lian Manman collected the money and then discussed with Wang Youheng, "Brother Youheng, if the bitter melons sell well, how about we deliver another batch in a few days?"
"About how many days?" Wang Youheng inquired.
Lian Manman looked at Lian Wulang, since it would depend on how many more days until the bitter melons were ripe.
"At least ten days, but no more than half a month," Lian Wulang hurried to say.
"All right, let’s make it ten days from now. You can bring as much as you have," Wang Youheng said.
"Brother Youheng," Lian Zhizhi began hesitantly, "if they don’t sell well, don’t feel obliged to buy them out of consideration for us and lose silver on our account."
Lian Manman also nodded; she wanted to make money, but not in such a manner.
"Didn’t I tell you? Business is business. I’ll tell you the truth—I’ve already discussed with my father, and we plan to take these bitter melons to sell in Prefecture City. You can send us as much as you have and, remember, don’t sell to anyone else!" Wang Youheng said with a laugh.
"Of course," the children all chorused in agreement.
Having successfully sold the bitter melons and secured money, as well as arranging for the next delivery, Lian Manman bid farewell to Wang Youheng, who personally saw them out.