Chapter 112

In the end, he was still a child. Even with Old Master Lan teaching him every day how to do business and deal with people, he was no match for a sly fox like Gu Yousi.

The next day.

Gu Yousi and Lan Lin were painting in the courtyard.

Old Master Lan had invited an art academy professor to teach the two children how to paint trees, using the courtyard's jujube tree as their subject.

While the children painted, Gu Jinshui quietly tucked some money away and prepared to leave.

The professor noticed his furtive behavior and paused, stroking his white beard. Gu Jinshui hurriedly gestured for silence. The professor understood and nodded.

Only then did Gu Jinshui turn and tiptoe away.

But his plans were no match for chance. Dead twigs and leaves lay buried under the snow, and one snapped beneath his foot with a crisp crack.

Gu Jinshui froze.

Gu Yousi's exasperated voice came from behind him. "Dad, if you're going out, just go. Do you have to sneak around like a ghost?"

Gu Jinshui awkwardly scratched the back of his head and gave a dry laugh. "Ha, ha. You knew?"

Gu Yousi set down her brush and turned to look at him, her expression saying it all.

Gu Jinshui cleared his throat. "Well, you two study hard. Dad's got something to take care of."

"Bye, Uncle."

Lan Lin considerately gave Gu Jinshui a way out.

Gu Jinshui appreciated it immensely. He smiled and nodded at him, then headed out with his things.

"Bro, are you really going over there to buy stones?"

On the bus, Douzi gripped a handrail and said to Gu Jinshui, "I've got to warn you. In their line of work, one cut makes you poor, one cut makes you rich, and one