A Village Hidden in the Blossoms

Upon hearing this, Yi Feng, who was just about to get up and leave, shifted his gaze.

The author of Dream of the Red Chamber?

Isn't that me?

He hadn't expected that Mao Yun'er was also one of his readers. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope for printing his books. After all, his current financial situation was dire.

As expected, upon hearing Mao Yun'er mention Dream of the Red Chamber in front of Yi Feng, Mao Lin's expression became complicated. He quickly coughed twice and chided, "Yun'er, I told you I'm entertaining a guest. You should go out first."

Mao Yun'er glanced at Yi Feng, puffed out her cheeks, and retreated.

Seeing Mao Yun'er leave, Mao Lin forced a smile and looked at Yi Feng, saying, "Master Yi, to be frank, my daughter is indeed your reader. She used to read your Dream of the Red Chamber day and night!"

But then, his tone shifted.

"However..."

"As the jewel of my Merchant Association, she has important responsibilities. It's simply improper and a distraction from her duties to spend all her time engrossed in books about romance and love."

"Let me be direct with you. Part of the reason I don't want to help you print this... Supreme Treasure of Yours is because of my daughter. Once your book is out, she'll get addicted again. So, I hope you can understand."

Hearing this, Yi Feng nodded and, without further comment, prepared to get up and leave.

"Wait."

Mao Lin called out again.

Yi Feng stopped and looked back at him.

Mao Lin stood up and walked towards Yi Feng. He waved his hand, and his subordinates understood, leaving and quickly returning with a jade tray. On the tray were two rows of gold coins, likely over a hundred.

Yi Feng looked at him in confusion.

"You saw just now that my daughter was looking for you, the original author." Mao Lin brought the jade tray over and handed it to Yi Feng, continuing, "Don't reveal your identity to my daughter. Here are a hundred gold coins. Take them."

Yi Feng frowned slightly and looked at the jade tray.

After a slight hesitation, he reached out and took only ten gold coins from it, then said, "These ten are for the medicinal herbs from last time. The rest, you can keep."

With that, Yi Feng turned and walked away.

Different paths, no common ground. There was no need to say anything more.

At the doorway, he encountered Mao Yun'er, who was waiting. Yi Feng gave a polite nod, a gesture of respect and gratitude towards a reader, a benefactor.

That was all.

After Yi Feng left, Mao Yun'er went to find Mao Lin again.

"Father, you promised to introduce me to the author of Dream of the Red Chamber. Why haven't I heard anything yet?" Mao Yun'er pouted her red lips and acted spoiled.

"Yun'er, you should focus on learning business from the seniors at the Merchant Association. Why are you reading these unproductive books?" Mao Lin chided gently.

"Business, business, all you ever talk about is business! I don't like business at all! Besides, even if I'm in business, reading books doesn't affect it!" Mao Yun'er stomped her jade feet and said angrily.

"It's useless for you to say all this. You won't see him, and he probably won't publish any more books." Mao Lin said with a stern face.

"Why?" Mao Yun'er asked anxiously.

"He's just a poor country bumpkin. If I hadn't helped him last time, how could he have published any books?" Mao Lin said dismissively. "Besides, it doesn't bring much profit to the Merchant Association, so we won't cooperate with him anymore."

"But, but Dream of the Red Chamber sold very well! The Merchant Association made quite a lot of money from it!" Mao Yun'er said unwillingly. "Why aren't you cooperating with him anymore?"

"While there were indeed profits, it wasn't the focus of our Merchant Association. Compared to our main priorities, these profits are too meager." Mao Lin explained with a serious expression. "Moreover, this is a critical period of competition with the Baofeng Merchant Association. The Merchant Association cannot afford to be distracted."

Seemingly seeing that Mao Yun'er still wanted to say something, he waved his hand authoritatively and ordered, "Alright, I have things to attend to. Take the young lady back to her room to rest."

No matter how Mao Yun'er struggled, two servants directly carried her away.

After Yi Feng walked out of the Merchant Association, the autumn wind blew, and his figure appeared somewhat dejected.

Life.

It's not easy anywhere!

It seemed he would have to find another way to publish books and make money!

As he just reached the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall, he saw two familiar figures. One tall and one small, they were sitting on the steps of the Martial Arts Hall, resting their chins on their hands, waiting for something.

It was Luolan Xue and Yin Luoli from the Qingshan Sect.

They were cultivators, possessing extraordinary auras and natural beauty, with graceful and alluring figures. Passersby couldn't help but cast glances their way.

Seeing Yi Feng return, the two women's pretty faces lit up with joy, and they walked over to greet him.

"Greetings, Sir."

Luolan Xue bowed, but her gaze didn't dare to meet Yi Feng's.

Yin Luoli, however, looked at Yi Feng like a curious baby. She had heard her Master and sister mention more than once that the person before them was an unparalleled expert and that they must be polite and respectful upon meeting him.

"It's you two."

Yi Feng nodded and asked with a smile, "Where's Old Brother Qingshan? Why isn't he here?"

"Mas... My uncle is recuperating at home recently and specifically asked us to come and see you first." Luolan Xue took out a delicately wrapped basket from her hand and said softly, "These are fruits gathered from the mountains. Uncle asked us to give them to you."

"You're too kind, too kind."

Yi Feng smiled as he took the fruit basket, unceremoniously opening it to look inside. Several crystal-white fruits, like little dolls, lay within, looking delicious.

Seeing Yi Feng's smile, Luolan Xue also relaxed.

She had to admit, interacting with this Senior was truly comfortable. With that thought, she decided to chat with Yi Feng about everyday matters and asked, "Where are you from, sir?"

"Me..."

Yi Feng gave a wry smile and said, "I had some free time and wrote a book to earn a little extra, but I'm having trouble finding a place to publish it."

"You're writing a book to earn a living but can't find a publisher?"

Luolan Xue was slightly surprised.

But then she realized that Yi Feng, in his mortal guise, had always been unwilling to reveal his true identity, which was probably why he was facing this difficulty.

Human relationships, daily life, joys and sorrows, confusion and challenges – this was the true experience of life!

For a moment, Luolan Xue seemed to understand something anew.

Indeed, every time she interacted with him, she gained unexpected insights.

"Sir, how about we help you?" After composing herself, Luolan Xue asked cautiously.

"Oh?"

Yi Feng's eyes brightened slightly.

"Well, Luoli's father is the head of the Baofeng Merchant Association. Why don't we go find him together?" Luolan Xue explained. After all, since her sir was experiencing mortal life, helping him through the means of ordinary people shouldn't break any rules, right?

"That would be wonderful."

Yi Feng's gloomy mood vanished instantly. It was truly a case of 'a dark cloud giving way to a silver lining'!