The Genius and The Demon
Author: 橙子澄澄
Source: Instadoses
Two children were discussing business.
While the bunch of adults standing around were all in a petrified state.
As if they were dreaming.
And while they were at it, the negotiation came to an end.
By the time the Liu family regained consciousness, Qian Wanjin had already left to work out the plans for the new winery.
Leaving behind a pile of pastries.
Liu Yusheng met the stunned eyes glued on her, raised her smiley face and threw herself into Grandma Liu's arms, her eyes sparkling like a little puppy begging for praise.
"Grandma, aren't I powerful? Brother Axiu taught me everything! He said that if Young Boss comes back, he would want to buy our secret recipe, and then taught me many times how to negotiate with him. I didn't forget a single word!"
"Axiu taught you?"
"Yeah, I've been going to the cabin for the past few days, and Brother Axiu has been teaching me all this. He said that once our wine is sold, there will be a lot of people hitting on the secret recipe. He told me that if Young Boss comes back, I should talk to him like this, and also make demands so that we can continue to live a peaceful life."
The whole family sighed.
Axiu – that child was extraordinarily smart and calm in their eyes. It wasn't surprising that he taught her something of the like.
Grandpa Liu pulled Liu Yusheng over, "Today, Nannan has opened my eyes. Speaking of which, when you were negotiating, you were really powerful!"
"Dad, Mom, do you think I should also learn from that boy, Axiu, so that in the future, I can kill everywhere with my mouth alone? It's so cool to be able to pull in a winery just by babbling over a single meal!" Liu Erlin said, daydreaming.
The family gave him a contemptuous look, "With your intelligence and understanding – huh, don't make a fool of yourself."
"…"
"Father, Mother, if we really are building a winery in Xinghua Village, should we talk to the village chief about this matter first?" Liu Dalin asked.
"There's no rush. Let's wait until it's confirmed over there. Although Young Boss has agreed to build one in our place, this isn't a small matter. He should also discuss it with his family. In the end, there's no certainty that it will push through," Grandpa Liu said.
This matter drew the attention of the family, and they discussed it with each other. Liu Yusheng was secretly relieved.
Before her confrontation with Qian Wanjin, it wasn't that she didn't want to continue playing innocent and delicate in front of her family, but the circumstances didn't permit her to do so.
Once the Liu family's wine was on the market, there would never be a shortage of people thirsting for the recipe. Qian Wanjin was the first one. Perhaps, the next one won't be so easy to deal with. If someone else came, the Liu family would probably not have this peaceful atmosphere now.
A small farmer family with no money, no power, no background – if those dignitaries wanted to control their family, it would be as easy as pinching ants – powerless to resist.
So she could only seize this opportunity to drag Qian Wanjin into the water in exchange for the safety and security of her family.
This was also her ultimate goal with her deal with Qian Wanjin.
As for the winery, it was a sure thing. Her fruit wine was unique. The Qian family must have already seen it, so how could they give up this golden opportunity?
The next morning, when Liu Yusheng arrived at the cabin, she took Axiu's hand and in a chirp, poured it all out to him.
"I totally scared Grandma and Grandpa, giggle~ Brother Axiu, did I scare you too?"
Staring at the little toddler's bright smile and her slightly wandering eyes, Axiu smiled gently. "No."
"Really?"
"Really, Shengsheng is just very smart."
Liu Yusheng patted her chest with her small hand in relief, "Brother Axiu is smart too! Brother Axiu, what were you doing when you were three?"
"At three years old…I was debating The Doctrine of the Mean with my teacher."
"…" With a wooden face, Liu Yusheng dropped her small hands. That was why he was unlikely to be intimidated.
If she was a genius, then he was a demon. He was a human being who has crushed her by several blocks! Scared? Definitely not!
She had worried for nothing.
She practiced her calligraphy in the sand angrily a few times before comforting her battered feelings.
She couldn't keep her silence once more.
"Brother Axiu, Qian Wanjin will soon be building a winery in Xinghua Village. Do you have any suggestions?"
"No. With Shengsheng here, the winery will definitely flourish and the entire Xinghua Village will benefit from it."
"Then I'll talk to Aunt Wanrong about the preparation of medicinal wine. Do you think she'll agree?"
"Shengsheng, you'll have to ask my mother."
"I'm not nervous…"Liu Yusheng sneered. She wasn't nervous, she was just guilty.
When she drew the big pie in front of Qian Wanjin, she drew Aunt Wanrong into it without her consent.
"There's no need to be nervous. You were trying to help us, that's why you said that. You're kind. How can my mother blame you?"
He always seemed to be able to read her mind at a glance and then soothe her with the simplest of words.
Liu Yusheng felt at ease. She interlocked her little fingers with the boy's hand and shook their hands gently.
A sweet smile in the corner of her lips.
He, on the other hand, held a branch in his other hand and wrote down new words to teach and for her to read.
Wanrong sorted her tools to be used up the mountain, and walked over with her back basket, "Xiu'er, Nannan, I have to go up the mountain to collect herbs. Do you want to stay at home or come with me?"
"Aunt, I'll practice at home with Brother Axiu today! Be careful going up the mountain and return early!" The little girl's childish voice was crisp and sweet to the ears.
Wanrong smiled, "Okay, then I'm going. There is baked cornbread in the pot. Eat them when you're hungry."
"Aunt, take care!" Liu Yusheng waved a small hand at Wanrong who was leaving, and when she turned around, she was met with Axiu's smirk.
"Smiling, what are you smiling for?" She choked. She leaned closer and shook his arm again. "Brother Axiu, I still don't dare to tell Aunt. Why don't you mention it to her later? By concocting medicinal wine for the winery, Aunt won't have to work so hard going up the mountains every day to pick herbs. She'll be able to spend more time with you…"
"Okay." No sooner had she rattled off the litany of benefits did he agree. He pinched her cheek dotingly and retained the feeling on his fingertips.
Liu Yusheng froze. In her excitement, she puckered her mouth and kissed the boy's face on tiptoes. "Brother Axiu, you're the best!"
The boy's body immediately turned rigid.
The morning breeze gently blew, fluttering the boy's messy bangs and softening his eyes.
Liu Yusheng, who had retreated, realized that she'd acted inappropriately and quietly covered her face.
She didn't mean it. She just got used to acting cute at home, and from time to time kiss her grandparents to coax them.
It was really just an impulse – a reflex.
Now, she was too embarrassed to look at him, so she could only pretend scratching on the sand as if nothing had happened, her eyes drifting around.
After a moment, a very soft laughter sounded in her ears.
Liu Yusheng blushed and looked up, and met the boy's eyes like the starry summer night sky.
He looked at her with a smile, his eyes twinkling like stars.
Then he lowered his head and printed a kiss on her face, clumsily. "Shengsheng is so much better."
Note this is for Offline reading/purpose only credits to the authors, publishers, editors and translators.