Chapter 54: Nonchalant

Originally, it was thought that during the competition, Zhou Huaishan would recite a good poem in front of everyone.

That way, Yunhai Bookstore could gain more popularity, and his poetry collection could include another masterpiece.

This would be a wonderful story to tell.

Who would have thought that a perfectly good competition would end up like this!

The bookstore owner intended to discuss more poetry with Zhou Huaishan, hoping to get a poem out of it. Unfortunately, Zhao Dacheng was making a scene in the bookstore, causing a commotion.

With no other choice, the he had to give up on the poetry discussion and decide to leave it for another time.

After carefully putting away the recommendation letter given by the bookstore owner, Zhou Huaishan turned to his daughter Zhou Qing with a smug look and handed the pile of silver on the table to Zhou Qing.

"Daughter, the time has come to rely on your father! From now on, I’ll support you!"

He was full of spirit and confidence, as if ready to conquer the world!

Zhou Qing's eye twitched as she looked down at the silver in her hands.

This was a full seven hundred taels!

She had been busy selling calligraphy and even robbing Wang Qiang.

Her father participated in a competition, and not only did he win the qualification to take the exam but also earned seven hundred taels of silver?!

The world of the idle rich truly opened her eyes.

"Father, you’re really amazing!" Zhou Qing sincerely exclaimed.

Zhou Huaishan, looking quite pleased, winked at Zhou Qing and said in a hushed tone, "Of course, no one understands the idle rich better than me, Zhou Huaishan!"

"Suddenly getting so much silver, and it’s in public, it’s inevitable that someone might have bad intentions and target us. Master, I think—"

Before Shen Li could finish, Zhou Huaishan turned to give him a disdainful look.

Zhou Huaishan still held a grudge against Shen Li for his actions involving Zhou Qing last night. 

Even though Shen Li’s actions were a sudden, makeshift measure, it was unacceptable!

A father couldn’t just let things go!

"I don't want your opinion, I want my opinion!" Zhou Huaishan snapped.

Oh, the domineering CEO is online!

Zhou Huaishan, finishing his words, threw an arm around Zhou Qing’s shoulders and said, "Daughter, let’s go. I’ll take you to the best restaurant in Qinghe County, and we’ll enjoy ourselves!"

"Father, let’s first deposit the silver. Shen Li is right, carrying so much silver is not safe."

Zhou Huaishan retorted, "Seven hundred taels, is that considered a lot?"

Shen Li’s eyes widened in shock.

Seven hundred taels, not a lot?

It might not be a lot for the noble families in the capital, but—

Zhou Qing immediately pinched Zhou Huaishan’s waist, reminding him to stay in character!

Zhou Huaishan’s face contorted in pain. "This is definitely a lot!"

Zhou Qing rolled her eyes at Zhou Huaishan and took out a silver, handing it to him. "Keep this for our celebration, and we’ll deposit the rest."

There was a Shunfeng Bank in Qinghe County, where the deposited silver could be used nationwide with the bank’s receipts.

With the receipt in hand, walking on the county’s main street, Zhou Huaishan swaggered around with a sense of disregard for his relatives.

Although Qinghe County couldn’t compare to the capital he came from before his transmigration, it was still bustling with activity.

"Daughter, what do you want to eat?"

Shen Li smiled and said, "Since we’re in the county, there’s no reason not to let the master treat us."

Zhou Huaishan looked at Shen Li with a hint of disdain. "I asked my daughter, not you. Did you think I was going to treat you?"

Meeting Zhou Huaishan’s hostile gaze, Shen Li smiled.

"Stop smiling. Of course, I’m taking my daughter out to celebrate, and you’ll pay the bill separately."

Shen Li responded, "That’s not good, I’ll cover the master’s bill too."

Zhou Huaishan snorted. "You said it."

"It’s only right for me to treat the master," Shen Li said.

Zhou Huaishan pulled Zhou Qing closer. "Daughter, don’t be polite. Order as much as you want! Let him see that he’s just a small stationery shop owner!"

A small stationery shop owner?

Zhou Qing admired Zhou Huaishan’s vocabulary!

If Zhou Huaishan hadn’t mentioned he was a transmigrated noble from an ancient dynasty, she would have suspected he was someone from modern times.

"Father, how do you know the term 'stationery shop'?"

Zhou Huaishan replied proudly, "I used to love reading storybooks. One of them mentioned a shop selling the four treasures of the study, but it’s all referred to as a stationery shop."

That’s possible?!

Small stationery shop owner, Shen Li, just chuckled.

Hehe!

My identity doesn’t quite fit!

The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed straight for the best restaurant in Qinghe County.

Fushun Restaurant.

The news of Zhou Huaishan’s victory over Zhao Dacheng had spread throughout Qinghe County. As soon as the three entered the restaurant, they immediately received everyone's attention.

On one side, Shen Li asked the waiter if there was still a private room available.

On the other side, the diners in the main hall greeted Zhou Huaishan enthusiastically.

"Huaishan, keep up the good work!"

"Zhou Huaishan, I’m rooting for you in the exam!"

"Don't let us down, we are betting on you!"

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers, Zhou Huaishan's gait became even more swaggering.

"Father, if you don't walk properly, you'll turn into a crab!"

Zhou Qing couldn’t stand it anymore and tugged at Zhou Huaishan.

Zhou Huaishan smiled confidently. "I swagger by my own ability. How can a crab compare to me!"

Zhou Qing replied, "Didn’t you hear what they just said? They said you must win the exam! Win the exam!"

Zhou Qing emphasized the last four words.

Zhou Huaishan’s swaggering steps faltered, and he put a hand on his back, looking at Zhou Qing with a pained expression.

"We're about to eat. Can you not say things that kill the appetite?"

"Then walk properly."

Zhou Huaishan rolled his eyes and muttered, "What kind of daughter tells her father how to walk."

Zhou Qing laughed in annoyance. "Yes, that’s because other people’s fathers don’t walk in a snake-like manner!"

Zhou Huaishan, in the corridor of the restaurant, stubbornly walked in an S-shaped.

The corridor also had other guests coming and going.

Zhou Qing was genuinely afraid that someone with a bad temper would punch him for looking so annoying.

"You almost walked into that man's shoulder just now!"

As they spoke, Shen Li, who was leading the way, paused and smiled. "Master, this is our room, Fengzhuxuan.^[1]"

Zhou Huaishan glanced at the plaque of the private room and muttered, "Fengzhuxuan, as if there’s a queen coming. It’s just a small county. If it were the capital, it would definitely get them in trouble."

His muttering was quiet, so Zhou Qing and Shen Li didn't pay attention.

The three of them settled down and began ordering dishes.

Zhou Huaishan, sticking to his earlier principles, took a look at the menu and ordered six of the most expensive dishes.

After ordering, he lifted his chin and provocatively looked at Shen Li.

"You said, order whatever you want!"

Shen Li smiled and said, "Six meat dishes, let’s add a few vegetable dishes. Miss Qing, what would you like?"

Zhou Qing quickly responded, "For the three of us, six meat dishes might be too much. How about three meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a soup?"

This was the best restaurant in Qinghe County. Her father’s whims shouldn’t cause trouble for Shen Li.

Zhou Qing looked at the menu and named three vegetable dishes and one soup.

The waiter looked at Shen Li.

Shen Li then looked at Zhou Huaishan. "Master, is this okay?"

Zhou Huaishan rolled his eyes. "You’re really lucky."

Shen Li closed the menu, "Let's order then."

As the waiter closed the door and left, Zhou Qing was about to speak when they suddenly heard a familiar wail.

_____

Footnotes:

[1] "鳳竹軒" (Fèngzhú Xuān) is a name for a place, can be translated as "Phoenix Bamboo Pavilion" or "Phoenix Bamboo Veranda." 鳳 (Fèng): This means "phoenix." In Chinese culture, the phoenix is a symbol of high virtue and grace, often associated with beauty and nobility.