Remember to Dress a Little Prettier

With that said.

Yi Feng took out the card the Baofeng Merchant Association's steward had just given him.

"To be honest, in the past, I might have bent my back for five pecks of rice, but now..."

"Ten thousand Gold Coins truly mean nothing to me."

As he spoke, Yi Feng did not forget to wave the card before Mao Lin's eyes.

"Hmph!"

Mao Lin snorted disdainfully, but the next moment, his gaze caught the card Yi Feng was waving.

That distinctive color and pattern?

What?

Mao Lin's expression changed drastically. As the president of the Pingjiang Chamber of Commerce, how could he fail to recognize the exclusive deposit card of their mortal enemy, the Baofeng Merchant Association?

These deposit cards were much the same as those of the Pingjiang Chamber of Commerce, divided into different ranks.

With a single glance, Mao Lin could tell that the deposit card in Yi Feng's hand was a high-ranking Baofeng Merchant Association card. Anyone with such a card had at least a hundred thousand Gold Coins deposited within it.

In other words, Yi Feng possessed at least a hundred thousand Gold Coins.

At that thought, Mao Lin felt as though a fishbone had lodged in his throat, leaving him unable to utter a single word.

"How is it, President Mao?"

Seeing Mao Lin's stifled expression, Yi Feng narrowed his eyes and asked with a pure smile.

"You..."

"You, you, you..."

"You win, hmph." Mao Lin's face turned green with rage, and he nearly coughed up a mouthful of old blood. After an angry snort, he shouted, "Let's go."

Watching Mao Lin leave in a sorry state, Yi Feng disdainfully put away the deposit card.

Slapping faces with money felt damn good.

Of course, Yi Feng had never wanted to flaunt his wealth. Even if Mao Lin had refused to publish his book that day, he would not have held any grudge. From Mao Lin's position, he could understand that the interests of the merchant association came first.

But Mao Lin should never have belittled Yi Feng's efforts, much less tried to humiliate him with a hundred Gold Coins.

A man could be poor.

But he could never be poor in spirit.

So when Mao Lin came this time, Yi Feng naturally did not give him a pleasant face.

Mao Lin returned to the merchant association with a face as black as ink. Waiting for him were the association's upper ranks, and when they learned that Mao Lin had returned empty-handed, pressure came crashing down upon him head-on.

"President, didn't you swear with absolute certainty before that you would bring that author back?"

"Exactly. Last month, the Baofeng Merchant Association's profits already surpassed ours by twenty percent. If this continues this month, forget the profits this book brings them—its influence and reputation alone will crush our Pingjiang Chamber of Commerce."

"If the Baofeng Merchant Association takes first place in this association ranking, then you, Mao Lin, will be the sinner of our Pingjiang Chamber of Commerce."

One blunt accusation after another came at him. Mao Lin was overwhelmed and harried, but even as president, he could not simply ignore their pressure. He could only force himself to say, "It was only one unsuccessful attempt. What's the big deal? I have my own methods."

After the meeting, Mao Lin returned home and sat in the seat of honor, his brow tightly furrowed.

Finally, he called out, "Someone, bring the young lady here."

Before long, Mao Yun'er entered, her lovely figure draped in a red gown, her jade-like feet bare. She softly asked, "May I ask what Father wanted with me?"

"Ahem, Yun'er."

When Mao Lin saw Mao Yun'er arrive, he put away the gloom on his face and said with a broad smile, "I have good news for you. We found the author of Dream of the Red Chamber. Oh, and the author of Supreme Treasure is the same person."

"Really?"

Mao Yun'er's lovely face was startled, then filled with delight.

"That's right."

Mao Lin nodded, then asked, "Yun'er, tell me, do you like this person?"

Hearing this, Mao Yun'er's pretty face flushed crimson. Lowering her head, she said, "Father, although I have never met him, his literary talent is outstanding, and he has produced works of a great master. I think he must be a kind, refined, gentle, elegant young gentleman!"

Seeing Mao Yun'er praise Yi Feng so highly, Mao Lin's expression darkened uncertainly. But he quickly concealed it and said gently, "Yun'er, whatever you like, I will support you. Literature truly is something charming, so if you have something you wish to pursue, go after it boldly and without worry!"

"Thank you, Father."

Mao Yun'er's pretty face was full of excitement. Thinking that she would soon meet the great master who had occupied her thoughts day and night, her face unconsciously flushed red.

"All right, you may leave. Later, I will have someone tell you his identity and address. When you have time, go pay him a visit," Mao Lin instructed.

"Yes, Father. Yun'er will take her leave," Mao Yun'er said softly.

"Oh, right."

As Mao Yun'er was leaving, Mao Lin could not help calling out again.

"Hm?"

Mao Yun'er turned back.

"Remember to dress a little prettier. And that skirt of yours is a little too long. Scholars generally do not like that sort of thing."