128: Ansui Xiaoge

This day was the opening celebration for An Sui Small Pavilion.

Xu Qi'an and Ning Sui stood at the entrance, arranging flower baskets, decorating with lanterns and streamers, and even bought firecrackers to set off.

"An Sui Small Pavilion is open! We sincerely invite everyone to come and browse our goods!"

"All goods are 10% off today!"

Ning Sui stood outside the door, shouting.

Xu Qi'an, meanwhile, sat in the Master's chair inside the house, acting as a hands-off manager.

The goods at An Sui Small Pavilion were varied, with everything imaginable, set up in several exhibition areas.

Besides ordinary items, there were also some elixirs that could prolong a Mortal's life.

However, outsiders couldn't discern this.

"Greetings, Ning Guniang. You've become even more beautiful after a few days!"

The speaker was an old man over fifty, dressed in luxurious clothes, slightly overweight, with a beer belly.

He was the manager of Hundred Flavors Building across from An Sui Small Pavilion, and he seemed like a kind person.

Ning Sui smiled and said, "Manager Xu, please come in quickly. My Master is inside."

Xu Pang smiled and then walked in.

"Lu Laodi, I'm here to support you!"

Xu Pang cupped his fists in greeting. Xu Qi'an immediately rose and also bowed.

"Thank you for your support!"

"Brother Xu Pang, feel free to look around. Perhaps you can pick out something useful."

Xu Pang hummed in acknowledgment, then looked around before picking up a rattle-drum.

"I'll take this."

But then Xu Pang showed a difficult expression, seemingly having something he wanted to say.

Yet, perhaps due to saving Face, he hesitated.

Xu Qi'an raised his eyebrows slightly and then spoke, "Brother Xu Pang, if you have any needs, feel free to tell me. I, your younger brother, might be able to help!"

Xu Pang then sighed, lamenting, "Actually, Brother, I've recently encountered some financial problems."

"Brother, I have two shops in total. One is the Hundred Flavors Building here, and the other is a stone gambling house."

"The stone gambling house had some issues a few days ago, so I used a lot of funds to cover them, but unexpectedly, the problems there still weren't resolved."

"I was being pressed hard, so I mortgaged the deed to Hundred Flavors Building."

"Now, if I can't produce the corresponding silver, those people will force me to hand over Hundred Flavors Building. I truly have no other choice!"

After speaking, Xu Pang let out a heavy sigh.

"So now I just want to ask, younger brother, if you can lend me some silver so I can rent back the deed to my Hundred Flavors Building."

"Don't worry, younger brother. Once I get the deed to Hundred Flavors Building back, I'll give it directly to you until I've raised enough silver to redeem it."

"What do you think?"

Xu Qi'an pondered for a moment, then walked over to a drawer and took out several silver notes.

"Brother Xu, take these for your urgent needs."

Upon seeing the silver notes, Xu Pang's eyes lit up. He grabbed Xu Qi'an's hand and said gratefully.

"Thank you, younger brother!"

"I will redeem the deed to Hundred Flavors Building and definitely hand it over to you!"

After taking the silver notes, Xu Pang cupped his fists in greeting and left.

At this moment, Ning Sui walked up to Xu Qi'an and asked with some confusion, "Master, why did you lend him money?"

Xu Qi'an chuckled softly, "It's fine. I'm just acting on intuition."

"Let's just wait and see!"

Ning Sui immediately looked helpless.

"Master, we just opened for business, and instead of making money, we've lent some out."

"By then, if the shop's income isn't good, both you and I will have to starve!"

Xu Qi'an's mouth twitched slightly.

He hadn't expected Ning Sui to actually play along.

"Alright, alright, just take good care of the shop."

"Do you think I would let you go through hardship again?"

Ning Sui immediately let out a light laugh, turned around, and went back outside the room to shout.

"An Sui Small Pavilion, opening today, 10% off, welcome to browse!"

In the blink of an eye, the day passed.

Most of the visitors were curious neighbors, and only a handful of people actually bought goods.

Just as Ning Sui was about to close the door and thank the guests, a figure emerged from the night.

"Younger brother, I'm back!"

It was Xu Pang.

"Oh, it's Ning Guniang. Is Lu Laodi inside the shop?" Xu Pang's forehead was covered in sweat, clearly having just run all the way.

"Yes, Master is inside," Ning Sui replied.

"That's good!"

Xu Pang then entered the shop and placed the deed to Hundred Flavors Building on the table in front of Xu Qi'an.

"Younger brother, I finally got the deed back. Here you go!" Xu Pang said happily.

Xu Qi'an slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xu Pang.

"I didn't expect Xu Pang to actually prepare to give me the deed to Hundred Flavors Building."

He then smiled, "Brother Xu, you're too kind. Take this deed back!"

"If you earn enough silver later, just repay me then."

Unexpectedly, Xu Pang shook his head, "Younger brother, that won't do. Since we agreed, the deed must be given to you. Only by leaving it with you can I feel at ease."

"When I really save enough money, I'll just redeem it then, won't I?"

"Moreover, you helped me a great deal this time. If I were to break my promise, wouldn't I become a petty person!"

"That's how it is, I'm leaving now!"

With that, Xu Pang, with his belly protruding, left An Sui Small Pavilion and disappeared into the night of the street.

Xu Qi'an rubbed his chin and shook his head with a smile.

He then put the deed into the drawer.

At this moment, Ning Sui walked in.

"Master, did he really bring the deed?"

Xu Qi'an nodded slightly and said, "That's why I said you can't judge a person by their appearance. Xiao Sui'er, you still have a lot to learn."

"Xiao Sui'er???"

"Master, why don't you change the name?"

Ning Sui's mouth twitched slightly.

Xu Qi'an lay back on the chair and closed his eyes, "Then what do you want to be called?"

Ning Sui thought for a moment, then gave up.

"Never mind. Master can call me whatever he wants."

However, Ning Sui always felt that starting like this was not a good thing.

...

As expected, the next day, the threshold of An Sui Small Pavilion was worn down.

"Master Lu!"

"Brother Lu!"

"Brother Lu!"

"Please help us! Our shops are in imminent danger!"

Ning Sui stood with her hands on her hips, watching this scene, and spread her hands helplessly, "Master, look, didn't I tell you?"

Xu Qi'an paused, his mouth twitching slightly.

Since he had started, he might as well go all the way.

Then, the deeds to all the shops on this street ended up in Xu Qi'an's hands.

An Sui Small Pavilion had no business, but instead, Xu Qi'an became a landlord collecting rent.

And Ning Sui became the landlady for the neighbors.

But at this point, Ning Sui once again strongly stated that she was merely Xu Qi'an's Disciple, not in any marital relationship.

So the neighbors teased, "Which Master and Disciple live and eat together, with a relationship as close as husband and wife?"

In response, Xu Qi'an remained silent.

He still leisurely lay on the soft chair, reading leisure books and drinking tea.