This Seat is Lin Xiu, Here to Pay a Visit (Seeking Follow-ups)

Xikou East Wharf, afternoon.

Fang Shuwen carried Hu Da's blue cloth bundle to find Little Hu.

In front of the Lu Family Shipping Warehouse, he found Hu Desheng.

"Brother Hu, Uncle Hu asked me to bring you something." Fang Shuwen handed over the bundle.

Hu Desheng took it, revealing a braised pork knuckle and two summer shirts inside, and muttered gloomily:

"Thank him for me."

Immediately after, he fished out a few silver dollars for Fang Shuwen to take back.

Fang Shuwen pushed the silver dollars back and shook his head:

"Uncle Hu's sentiments are better expressed by you yourself, Brother Hu. I've delivered the items; you're busy, so I'll be going."

Hu Desheng gripped the silver dollars, watching Fang Shuwen's retreating back, his lips moving, but in the end, he said nothing more.

Fang Shuwen exited the wharf area and walked west along the road by the river.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, his mind calculating the matters ahead.

The National Martial Arts Hall was at the end of East Street, about a two-quarter-hour walk from the wharf.

Aside from delivering items for Hu Da, his main purpose for coming out today was to buy Ghost Jade.

With the money he had pilfered from Brother Hu and Lao Liu, plus the fifty dollars he had won from Old Master Zheng, he had a total of over 160 silver dollars on hand, along with a few colorful paper banknotes.

The banknotes were new currency issued by the Great Yan Bank, in denominations of ten and five, which could be used in Xikou County Town, though they were not as reliable as silver dollars.

Small merchants and peddlers wouldn't accept paper money, but the National Martial Arts Hall did.

If I buy all of it in Ghost Jade, I might be able to upgrade Soaring Snake Fist from Proficient to Mastery.

Fang Shuwen did the math in his head, and his pace quickened slightly.

After crossing half the street, he saw the building of the National Martial Arts Hall, designed in the style of Prok, from afar.

The arched porch, carved stone pillars, and circular dome stood out starkly amidst the surrounding drab, traditional Chinese houses.

He walked up the steps and pushed open the heavy, bronze-framed glass door.

The lobby was much quieter than the last time he had visited.

There were sparse lines in front of a few windows, and two or three people sat on benches waiting; some were whispering, while others were flipping through thin booklets.

Fang Shuwen walked straight to the supply exchange window.

"Old man, I'd like to buy some Ghost Jade."

Fang Shuwen tapped on the counter.

The old man lifted his eyelids to glance at him, then lowered his head back to his book, spitting out two words in an indifferent tone: "Out of stock."

Fang Shuwen frowned: "What do you mean, out of stock?"

"The Ghost Jade is gone."

The old man turned a page, his tone as flat as before.

"Ordinary Ghost Jade, defective Ghost Jade—all out. Come back at the beginning of next month."

Fang Shuwen was stunned.

When he came last time, there were two rows of defective Ghost Jade on the counter for him to choose from.

It had only been a few days; how could they be sold out?

"Old man, why is the Ghost Jade suddenly gone? Is the National Martial Arts Hall not selling it anymore, or..."

"It's not that we aren't selling it; we're out of stock."

The old man finally put down his book, took off his reading glasses, and wiped the lenses with a cloth. "The higher-ups issued a notice: all Ghost Jade is to be prioritized for middle schools of all levels. From now on, the National Martial Arts Hall's quota will be reduced accordingly."

"If you really want to buy some, leave your name, and we'll notify you when it's back in stock."

Fang Shuwen thought for a moment, pulled a brush from the pen holder on the counter, and wrote his name and address in the register the old man pushed toward him.

Putting down the brush, he asked one more question: "Old man, will the quota for this Ghost Jade always be this tight from now on?"

The old man put his reading glasses back on, picked up the book, and flipped back to the page he was on.

"Who knows? But I heard there's some new policy being pushed recently. I reckon the quota won't be loosening up anytime soon."

Fang Shuwen nodded, asked no more, and turned to leave the counter.

He crossed the lobby and pushed the door open to exit the National Martial Arts Hall.

Standing on the steps, the afternoon sun made him squint.

The Ghost Jade was out of stock, and he wouldn't be able to buy any until next month.

This meant his plan to accumulate skill points would have to be delayed once again.

So, should I go back to the bookstore and take another look?

See if there are any more books like that one?

Fang Shuwen calculated in his mind, walked down the steps, and headed back along East Street.

He had only taken a dozen steps when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Young friend! Wait a moment!"

The voice was aged, full of vigor, and carried a hint of smugness that made one's teeth ache.

Fang Shuwen paused his steps and turned his head.

He discovered that the one calling him was Zheng Yuanpei.

Following behind him was another person.

The young girl was looking down at a book, her long, raven-black hair obscuring most of her face.

She looked somewhat familiar.

Fang Shuwen didn't pay much mind to it and replied directly:

"Old sir, what is this..."

"Haha, I was just having tea across the street and spotted you at a glance."

Zheng Yuanpei walked up to him, tapped his cane against the ground, and said with a chuckle.

"I was just looking for you; I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep."

"Looking for me? Want to play chess again?"

"The chess match can wait."

Zheng Yuanpei waved his hand and stepped aside to reveal Zheng Shulan behind him, his tone carrying a touch of boastfulness.

"This is my granddaughter, Zheng Shulan. Shulan, isn't this the person you've been wanting to meet—the one who won that Ghost Jade from you in a game of chess? It's him!"

Fang Shuwen's gaze landed on Zheng Shulan.

Zheng Shulan was also looking toward him.

The moment their eyes met, both of their expressions changed simultaneously.

Fang Shuwen's brows furrowed slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

He hadn't expected it to be the girl whose bottom he had pinched and whom he had also saved once.

What a coincidence!

Zheng Shulan's almond-shaped eyes widened into perfect circles, her mouth slightly agape, her face practically screaming the words, "Why is it you?"

"You two... know each other?"

Zheng Yuanpei looked at Fang Shuwen, then at Zheng Shulan, the smile on his face slowly turning into confusion.

"We don't!"

The two spoke in unison, then simultaneously turned their heads away.

Zheng Yuanpei stroked his goatee, swept his gaze back and forth between the two, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward.

"Don't know each other? Then why did you both have expressions like you'd seen a ghost just now?"

Zheng Yuanpei muttered to himself, then grabbed Fang Shuwen.

"Come, come, come, get in the car. What kind of look is it to stand here like this? We're going to my place to play chess; I must win a game against you today!"

"Old sir, I don't mind playing chess, but this..."

"No nonsense! If you don't come, you're not giving me any face!"

Fang Shuwen glanced at Zheng Shulan.

Zheng Shulan happened to be stealing a glance at him as well; their eyes collided, and she quickly looked away.

"Then... I shall impose upon you." Fang Shuwen did not decline further.

The Zheng family's car was parked across the street, a black Ford with a gleaming body.

The driver was a sturdy man in a uniform; seeing Zheng Yuanpei approach, he hurriedly opened the rear door.

"Get in."

Fang Shuwen hesitated for a moment, then ducked his head and climbed into the car.

This was the first time he had ridden in a car since he had transmigrated.

The car drove through East Street and turned onto a wide road.

The buildings on both sides gradually became sparse, replaced by rows of tall phoenix trees and neatly trimmed holly bushes.

Fang Shuwen noticed that this road led toward Xikou North District.

The North District was the wealthy area of Xikou County Town, home to the military governor, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, foreign firm compradors, and those prominent families passed down since the Great Yin era.

The Zheng family residence was, as expected, in the North District.

The car pulled to a stop in front of a grand residence built of green bricks.

Above the gate hung a plaque inscribed with the two gilded characters "Zheng Mansion," the strokes bold and vigorous, clearly the work of a master.

Zheng Yuanpei and his party did not enter the main hall, instead leading Fang Shuwen through a covered corridor to a side room on the east side.

"Sit."

Zheng Yuanpei sat at one end of the chessboard, leaned his cane against the back of his chair, and gestured for Fang Shuwen to take the seat opposite him.

Fang Shuwen sat down as instructed.

Zheng Shulan followed them in and took a seat by the window, though her gaze remained fixed on the chessboard.

At the same time, she could not help but glance at Fang Shuwen.

When they first met, she had simply assumed the boy was a little hoodlum.

Later, she kept hearing her grandfather talk about how he had encountered a master of chess.

Zheng Shulan had offered her grandfather advice several times, yet he had never managed to defeat his opponent.

Back then, Zheng Shulan had been very curious about who that person was.

Most recently, she had been kidnapped while out.

It was the very youth before her who had stepped in to save her.

This Fang Shuwen was truly shrouded in mystery.

Just then, a sudden sound of footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard.

Fang Shuwen's ears twitched slightly, and his hand paused mid-motion.

Zheng Yuanpei heard it too; his brow furrowed as he set down his chess piece and looked toward the doorway.

"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Zheng. I am Lin Xiu, and I have some matters I wish to discuss with Miss Zheng Shulan of your esteemed household."