Chapter 12: Persuasion

Early the next morning.

Just as Zhou Qing began sweeping the courtyard, Wang left with a small bundle.

After a night of tossing and turning, her dark circles were quite pronounced.

As soon as Wang left, Zhao came out of the house.

"Qing, thank you."

Zhou Qing knew she was referring to Zhou Ping learning to read and smiled, "Third Aunt, you don't need to be so polite. We're family, there's no need for thanks. If Ping can succeed, I'll benefit too."

The phrase 'if Ping can succeed' made Zhao's eyes well up with tears. She could tell Zhou Qing was sincere.

With red eyes, Zhao pulled out a hairpin from her bosom.

"It's not much, but this is what I had when I married your third uncle..."

Zhou Qing quickly waved her hand.

"Third Aunt, what are you doing? I'm helping Ping learn because he's my little brother. Put that away."

Zhao still tried to give the hairpin to Zhou Qing.

Sun opened the door and came out.

"What are you two gossiping about so early? Have you finished the house chores?"

Frightened, Zhao immediately put the hairpin away and hurried to the kitchen. "Mother, I woke up early to help Qing with cooking."

Sun snorted, "Already currying favor, are we?"

Zhou Qing and Zhao both ignored her.

Since it had been decided that Zhou Huaishan would study, breakfast was quite peaceful.

During the meal, Sun made some sharp remarks, but Zhou Qing ignored her. After feeding the chickens and pigs, Cheng Wu arrived with a mule cart.

"Sister Qing, I caught some sparrows last night and roasted them this morning. They're still warm."

Zhou Qing got on the cart and Cheng Wu handed her three skewers of roasted sparrows.

The smell of meat immediately hit her nose, making her mouth water.

"They smell so good."

Cheng Wu chuckled, "Eat up. I'll see if I can catch more tonight."

"How many did you catch?"

Actually, he only caught three and gave them all to Zhou Qing, but he didn't dare say that, so he just smiled and said, "About a dozen, these are the leftovers for you. By the way, Sister Qing, everyone in our village knows about the buy-one-get-two-free deal at the calligraphy shop. Many are planning to go to town today."

Zhou Qing nearly choked on her meat.

Uh...

In fact, not only people from Qingyang Village but also from several surrounding villages knew about it.

Upon hearing about the buy-one-get-two-free offer, anyone with relatives who studied informed them overnight.

So on the way to town, Zhou Qing noticed an unusually large number of carts.

All heading for the calligraphy shop's deal.

A huge crowd!

Zhou Qing...

She sighed helplessly and touched the chicken in her bag.

She wondered if this chicken was enough as an apology.

When Zhou Qing arrived at the calligraphy shop, it was already packed with people.

Not only had villagers come, but even townspeople, seeing a queue, joined in when they heard about the buy-one-get-two-free offer.

A massive crowd!

Uncle Zhong, who had opened the shop early in the morning, was so shocked he nearly fell to his knees. His hands trembled as he closed the door again.

"Milord, our shop hasn't had a customer in half a month, and now there are at least hundreds of people outside."

Shen Li glanced out the window.

In just one look, he saw Zhou Qing, her small face scrunched up in worry, looking nervously in this direction.

The corners of Shen Li's mouth lifted as he guessed what had happened. "No problem, just open the door."

Seeing Shen Li's inexplicable smile, Uncle Zhong looked at him suspiciously before turning to open the door.

Are all men in love this crazy?

As the door opened, the crowd outside surged in.

Only then did Uncle Zhong understand why there were so many people.

Someone had spread a rumor!

They said the calligraphy shop was offering buy-one-get-two-free!

Buy a cheap brush and get a stack of paper and an inkstone for free!

Did they think their shop was stupid?

And buy-one-get-two-free? Why not just rob the place?

Uncle Zhong looked at Shen Li with a furious expression.

Shen Li, however, smiled warmly and said to the incoming customers, "Indeed, there was a buy-one-get-two-free promotion yesterday, but it has now ended. Apologies to everyone."

Uncle Zhong...

Milord, why are you saying this?

A stone tossed into the water created many ripples.

"Why was there a promotion yesterday and not today? You can't just say it's over!"

Having woken up early and traveled a long way to queue up, they now found out the promotion was over?

If there had never been a promotion, that would be one thing.

But knowing some had taken advantage while they couldn't made them upset.

"Yes, why not today?"

"Give us an explanation!"

Uncle Zhong...

Hey, my temper.

Why is there no promotion? Because we are the shop owners!

However, he couldn't say that. It would only provoke the crowd, and they might end up looting the shop.

Moreover, he couldn't report it to the authorities.

Reporting it might expose Shen Li's identity.

The Shadow's presence in Qinghe County was a secret.

Uncle Zhong cleared his throat and raised his arms to calm the crowd. "Everyone, please quiet down. Our shop has never..."

Everyone looked at Uncle Zhong.

"Our shop has a promotion every sixth day of the month. On this day, the first customer receives a buy-one-get-two-free deal. Regular customers are aware of this."

Shen Li's gentle voice interrupted Uncle Zhong.

Uncle Zhong...

How come I don't know!

Also, do we even have regular customers?

The crowd...

None of them were regular customers.

Most didn't even know there was a calligraphy shop here.

But... missing out on a good deal was hard to swallow.

Seeing the crowd's reaction, Shen Li smiled, "You all are either scholars or have scholars in your families. I respect your knowledge and education. Today's issue is our shop's poor communication, causing you inconvenience. As an apology, I invite everyone to have tea at the shop next door."

The crowd...

The shop owner has the final say on promotions. They understood this but felt it was unfair to miss out.

However, the shop owner had spoken respectfully, addressing their scholarly demeanor. Causing a scene would mean losing face as scholars.

True scholars would not embarrass themselves.

Those with scholars in their families wouldn't damage their family's reputation.

The crowd dispersed.

A few felt resentful and went to the tea shop to drink a few bowls of tea before leaving.

Zhou Qing watched the crowd disperse, both shocked and relieved.

Shen Li's way with words was impressive!

Cheng Wu, disappointed, said, "Sister Qing, next month on the sixth, I'll come early to be the first customer and get more supplies for Uncle Huaishan."

Zhou Qing quickly said, "That's still a while away. The shop might not offer the same deal next month."

Cheng Wu paused, then laughed.

True, the shop didn't promise the same deal every month.

"Sister Qing, where are you going now?"

"I'll wander around. Let's meet at the tea shop later."

Cheng Wu nodded and left with the mule cart.

Shen Li stood at the shop entrance, watching Zhou Qing.

Why was the man with her?

Shen Li didn't know if his feelings for Zhou Qing were true affection or something else. But seeing her so close to another man made him uncomfortable.