From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Jin Qianqian put away the red contract. Watching Lin Aijiao’s receding figure, she felt an inexplicable surge of fighting spirit.

"This Boss Lin is no simple woman," Gu Wenheng said thoughtfully.

"She’s a very nice person," Jin Qianqian said. "It’s just a shame she married into a bad family. I just don’t understand how someone with her personality could compromise so easily."

Gu Wenheng patted her head. "Sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to attack. It’s good that she’s like this. That which is too rigid is easily broken."

Jin Qianqian pursed her lips. "I hope everything turns out well for her.

She’s really a good person. She clearly could have asked for a higher price, but she even offered us a discount. I wonder if she’ll be able to explain herself when she gets back to that pack of vampires."

Gu Wenheng asked, "Why do you think she was willing to sell the shop to you?"

A thought suddenly struck Jin Qianqian, and she understood. The whole county knew she was a Scholar’s wife, and Gu Wenheng was seen as a prospective scholar. On top of that, the two of them had connections with the county’s arrest officers. If Lin Aijiao’s in-laws wanted to cause trouble later, they would have to think twice.

"Of course. I still see things too simply." Jin Qianqian resolved to learn her lesson. From now on, she would have to think more carefully before speaking. Otherwise, it would be a real shame to fall into some old fox’s trap.

Gu Wenheng then explained Lin Aijiao’s motives to her in detail. "Although the shop has been transferred to us, how she divides the Silver Taels she receives is not for others to decide. They want to take advantage of her, but in the end, it’s hard to say who will be worse off."

Jin Qianqian hadn’t expected the tables to turn so quickly. Just a moment ago, Lin Aijiao had been vaguely complaining about her troubles, but it turned out she was playing a game of chess, and Jin Qianqian herself had become one of her pieces.

"Don’t dwell on it," Gu Wenheng said, taking her hand under the cover of his long robes as they walked home. "Keep an eye on the news for the next few days. I expect some big gossip will break out soon enough."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’I thought you were my hero, but it turns out you’re just here for the gossip???’

「 」

"On a snowy day like this, why aren’t you staying warm at home? What are you doing running over here?" Gu Wenheng glanced at Deng Yuanhang sitting across from him, his hands never ceasing their task of brewing tea.

"You sly dog, you’ve really been hiding this. To think you’re only just now bringing out such fine tea," Deng Yuanhang said, sniffing the fragrance in the air while his eyes remained glued to the teapot.

"I don’t have much of this tea myself. You should feel lucky I’m willing to share it with you." Gu Wenheng’s fluid, practiced tea-brewing motions left Deng Yuanhang momentarily stunned.

"Your tea-brewing skill is really something else. It’s a pleasure just to watch. You must have studied it."

"If you had a master from the south, you could learn this set of skills too." Gu Wenheng placed a cup of tea in front of him. "Have a taste."

Deng Yuanhang lifted the aroma cup, holding it under his nose to enjoy the tea’s unique, fresh fragrance. "You think this is beyond me? I may not have a master from the south, but I’ve traveled all over the country with my father since I was a child. I’ve seen a thing or two."

Gu Wenheng rolled his eyes at him, in no mood for games. "You still haven’t said why you came today."

"What’s the rush?" Deng Yuanhang took two sips from his cup. "Wrap up some of this tea for me later. I’ve come with good news this time, so you’ll have to bribe me first."

Gu Wenheng asked, "Gambling on stones again?"

Deng Yuanhang shook his head. "How could we go stone gambling so often? The caravans only come by every so often. If you want to go, I’ll let you know when the next shipment arrives.

But I think you’ll be interested in this trip, too."

Gu Wenheng just watched him quietly.

Deng Yuanhang couldn’t hold out any longer. "Alright, alright, I’ll just tell you. This time, our escort agency has put together a caravan to the south. The weather there isn’t as cold as it is here, so I want to take this opportunity to go on a study tour.

And there’s one more important thing: Mr. Wang will be going too."

Gu Wenheng asked, "Mr. Wang? How come I didn’t hear about this when I went to the academy yesterday?"

"It was just decided yesterday. He asked me to come and ask you and Zhou Ping if you’re interested in following him south and returning in the spring. As soon as I got the news, I rushed over here first."

Gu Wenheng hesitated. "Can we bring family?"

Deng Yuanhang rubbed his nose. He knew Wenheng and his wife were very close. "I actually didn’t ask about that. I’ll go ask the caravan leaders later. If other people are bringing female family members, then we can arrange it for you too."

Gu Wenheng refilled his teacup. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Senior Brother Deng.

But is this caravan transporting goods north and south, or is it just a one-way trip?"

"That?" Deng Yuanhang was stumped again. "I’ll be sure to find out when I get back. But why do you ask?"

"The round trip is so long, we can’t just follow them back and forth empty-handed, can we?" Gu Wenheng leaned forward slightly. "If this trip happens, I should also contribute something to this family."

"..." Deng Yuanhang licked his lips. "Wenheng, pursuing the path of the imperial examinations might be a waste of your talents."

Gu Wenheng just smiled, lifted his cup, and continued to enjoy his tea.

After wheedling the two taels of tea he wanted, Deng Yuanhang left humming a tune, ready to find Zhou Ping.

As soon as Gu Wenheng finished explaining the reason for Deng Yuanhang’s visit, Jin Qianqian paused her work.

In the past two days, she had followed the method from the book and had already made some simple soap.

She was currently removing the soap from the molds and wrapping each bar in oil paper.

"If we can bring goods, what are you planning to take?"

Gu Wenheng pointed to the soaps in front of him. "I think these would be perfect. And we don’t need to bring too many. As long as we put this stuff out there, people with foresight will come to us looking to cooperate."

Jin Qianqian said, "But we only have this small batch of samples right now, and we don’t know when they’re leaving."

"It’ll probably be a while yet. Besides finalizing the number of people, they also have to give everyone time to pack." Gu Wenheng knew this trip was a rare opportunity and naturally didn’t want to give it up easily.

"I’ve also asked Senior Brother Deng to find out if we can bring family. If we can, you’ll come with me."

Surprise flashed across Jin Qianqian’s face, but she quickly collected herself. "It’s alright. If we really can’t bring family, then I’ll just move into the shop and have Sister-in-law Xiang keep me company."

Gu Wenheng patted her head. "We should have news soon. It’s just that if we go on this trip, the shop’s business will have to be temporarily suspended."

Jin Qianqian was reluctant to hear that. After all, it was a shame to give up the few taels of Silver that came in every day.

"What do you think of Xiao Dongzi?" Jin Qianqian looked up at Gu Wenheng.

Gu Wenheng asked, "Are you thinking..."

Jin Qianqian nodded. "Compared to Sister-in-law Xiang and the others, I’d rather trust Xiao Dongzi."