Business
In addition to tea, the tea house offered a variety of pastries, the most of which Xu Ran had never heard of. He didn't know what those individuals liked to eat, so he chose a few with interesting names. When it came to tea, Xu Ran did not disappoint. You couldn't make an omelet without breaking eggs, as the adage goes. Each individual was assigned to a group of persons.
It was vital to build a good interpersonal relationship.
Qin Shuwu must have sent out a lot of people to invite customers. Xu Ran hadn't waited long in the tea house before Qin Shuwu with a group of people came in.
Xu Ran greeted them as soon as they walked in. "Fellow gentlemen, Brother Qin. I've reserved a seat at the table. Please come inside." Xu Ran extended his hand in a traditional greeting motion. None of these persons entered the room without their gaze lingering on him for a moment because of his stunning appearance.
Qin Shuwu presented Xu Ran first, then the others one by one once they entered. Some of these people were business associates of Qin Shuwu, while others met him for other reasons. They were typically in close contact with one another, or else Qin Shuwu wouldn't have summoned them all at once.
When everyone arrived, Xu Ran requested pastries and tea from the server. Businesspeople, on the other hand, were not particularly fussy about meals. The appearance of the pastries was unimportant as long as they were delicious. The taste came first, regardless of whether the tea was pricey or not.
The pastries that Xu Ran ordered quite catered to their appetite.
Someone even joked that Xu Ran had enquired about their preferences ahead of time. Xu Ran gave a gentle smile. "I honestly didn't think so. To be more specific, you haven't given me the opportunity to do so yet. By chance, I've hit the target today. I was concerned that you wouldn't like the meals."
"No, no, how can we dislike it? I heard that you are a scholar. You might be a high-ranking official in the future."
When it came to this topic, Xu Ran remained silent until Qin Shuwu exposed him. "You could rely on his son more than on him. He wanted to be a scholar in order to avoid paying taxes on his family's farmland. He had never considered taking more exams to become an official."
When they heard Qin Shuwu's statements, others burst out laughing, yet no one suggested Xu Ran had a poor aspiration. Xu Ran was a little embarrassed as Qin Shuwu talked about it in front of so many people. "I'm too sluggish to take the exam again because I don't have much skill and can't be a government official."
Someone nodded and said, "Brother Xu is a man of true disposition. Being an official isn't that easy. It's better to live a peaceful life as our ordinary people. Brother Xu, there's no wine here. I'll toast you with tea instead of wine. I just appreciate someone as true as you."
"Come on, count me in."
"Count me in."
A group of people came to join them.
Xu Ran also drank up his tea freely.
After drinking, Qin Shuwu began to talk.
"Hey, hey, hey, I do not only invite you guys here for tea today. There's a good stuff to recommend to you. Xu Ran, bring the chess over and show them."
Xu Ran got up and took three chess sets over, which were respectively of large, medium and small sizes. Then he handed out to each of them an instruction booklet.
When they saw the chess on the table, they were curious. "What is this? Wu, what did you just call it? Chinese chess?"
Qin Shuwu smiled and nodded. "It's known as Chinese chess. It's a Xu Ran game that my father and daddy used to play with a long time ago. I'm not sure how to begin. Allow Xu Ran to explain in greater detail."
Xu Ran took out the tiniest chess set and proceeded to explain the chess pieces within, including their functions and the laws of chess moves. They integrated what he taught with the content of the booklets at the same time.
The businessmen, as the term goes, were all crafty. As businesspeople, these individuals were certain to have something under their sleeves, and they possessed exceptional all-around abilities. They were able to grasp the gist of it after Xu Ran stated it once and referred to the pamphlet.
Qin Shuwu could play chess, though he wasn't particularly adept at it. Xu Ran and Qin Shuwu gave them a demonstration by playing a game on the spot. Those who were first intrigued were even more so today.
Xu Ran said, "Do you want to try, too? One round won't take you too long. Just take it as a practice."
After Xu Ran said this, someone immediately answered, "I'll have a try. Wu, I'll play with you."
Under the other people's gaze, the two started their battle.
This individual was inexperienced with it and made numerous errors. Xu Ran counseled him and explained the reasoning for his actions. In the end, this person surprised everyone by defeating Qin Shuwu.
Qin Shuwu's expression was not very good and he kept staring at Xu Ran.
Xu Ran casually shrugged his shoulders. Instead of engaging in, he was simply offering counsel. As a result, he could only blame his own abilities. After two rounds, Qin Shuwu decided to stop playing and let the others continue. Qin Shuwu reminded them when it was time.
"It's late today. The child of Xu Ran is only a month old. He must return home to care for the child. You are free to play chess at home. If you don't understand the regulations, read the guidebook or come to my house and ask my father and daddy, who are far more knowledgeable than you."
"Wu, since you have said so, can we each get a chess set? I don't think you have many here. Do you have enough for us all?"
Qin Shuwu said, "Yes, yes, just for you several guys, I surely have enough."
"Xu Ran had meant to sell his creations. I just told you about it first since you're my friends. The Spring Festival is approaching quickly. When family members get together, the chess board can be utilized as a gift or a game. At the moment, I haven't produced much. Tell Xu Ran right away if you want it, and he'll save one for you."
Xu Ran stood aside smilingly. Then he took out several identical chess sets, and gave one to each of them.
After they took the sets, someone began to ask the price. Xu Ran said, "You are friends of Qin. This chess is a gift for everyone. I will expect and appreciate your favor in the future."
The person closest to Xu Ran patted him on the shoulder. "You are a smart guy, but I definitely can't take this stuff for free. If you will give it to us at a better price, we will accept gladly. However we cannot take it for free." Then he made a gesture of putting the chess set back on the table.
To business people, they adhered to give-and-take policy, and no one wanted to owe anyone else.
Xu Ran hurriedly stopped him, "Don't say it like that. Fine, I had planned to sell one tael of silver for each set. How about selling you at the half price?"
The man nodded. "OK, half price will do. Do the math. How much are these? I'll pay them all."
Xu Ran counted the price and the man paid it the right amount of money on the spot.
At last, he asked Xu Ran to make a few more sets for him, saying that they would serve as new year gifts.
Xu Ran agreed with a smile, "No problem. I'll put them in Qin's place. You can ask for them from Qin."
"Good, good."
Xu Ran paid for the tea. Then the group of people left the tea house merrily.
Xu Ran, who was carrying a pack basket on his back, appeared a little like a rural folk with the face of a city resident, which was quite contradictory when compared to the group who wore excellent attire.
Xu Ran himself did not know it.
It was very late when they emerged from the tea house. It would be dark even if Xu Ran drove the carriage back. In Qin Shuwu's place, Xu Ran placed all of the chess sets he had brought with him. "I'll leave these chess sets here, Brother Qin. Each tael of silver costs one tael of silver. I'll return now and come back tomorrow."
Qin Shuwu nodded. "Alright. Be careful on your way back."
"OK, I have occupied you for so long. Brother Qin, you can leave me alone!"
After Qin Shuwu saw Xu Ran off, he went back to the store to settle the account.
Before Xu Ran drove back home, he went to purchase some goods for Spring Festival. As to Du Xin, he didn't think of going to see him at all. He only thought about if when he was halfway home. Since he had been halfway from home, there was no reason to turn back!
So Xu Ran kept going forward.
When he got home, it was already dark, just in time for dinner.
Tangtang, Guoguo, and Xu Ran had a pleasant chat of sons and dad at the dinner table. He's been focusing all of his time on tiny Baozi lately, and he's been neglecting them. Tangtang and Guoguo were as beautiful and obedient as they had always been. They could now run longer and more laps in the morning, obtaining a better understanding of the entire back slope.
Xu Ran didn't expect them to be very powerful. As long as they were able to protect themselves, it would be fine. A strong body was their elementary asset.
Xu Ran decided it was time to celebrate the new year, and that he needed to send Tangtang and Guoguo to school after the Spring Festival, which he hadn't informed them about. Xu Ran was thinking about it and wanted to know what they're opinions.
"Tangtang, Guoguo, you will be seven years old next year. Do you want to go to school?"
The two kids nodded. "Yes, Dad."
"You should attend to school in the village after the Spring Festival. Even if you don't know much, you can always learn something new. Tangtang, in particular, because you enjoy learning, you should study diligently. I'll send you to the town school if Fuzi in the village can't teach you much."
Tangtang and Guoguo nodded. "Okay, we will follow Dad's arrangement."
Xu Ran believed that the two kids were too submissive and had no sense of accomplishment, despite the fact that his goal had been met. He was upset in some way. "Tongtong, do you believe Tangtang and Guoguo are too obedient?" he questioned Liu Tong after supper when he sent the meal to Liu Tong.
Liu Tong looked up at him and said, "Isn't it a good thing to be obedient?"
Xu Ran frowned. "Yes, it is. But they are too obedient. They don't look like children at all. I hope they can be more lively, just like little Baozi."
Liu Tong flashed a smile. "You have no idea how much more troublesome they were as newborns than Baozi. They would cry together if they had to cry. You should be happy. You'd probably feel considerably more depressed if kids were truly disobedient."
Xu Ran thought about it, so it was better now.
05.26.21