Although the fan shop owner had received no deposit, he still basked in Wang Yang's reflected glory and enjoyed a splendid meal at the External Forces Army Advisor's residence.
Jiao Zheng's daughter, Jiao Yan, blinked and asked in a sweet voice:
"Young master, I've never seen a fan like that before. It looks as though it's made of paper? Aren't you afraid it'll break? Is there some special purpose to opening and closing it like that? May I have a look?"
"It's just something made for amusement," Wang Yang said. "If you like it, I'll give you one sometime."
Despite saying that, he did not hand over the paper fan for Jiao Yan to examine.
Seeing that Wang Yang would not give it to her, Jiao Yan did not dare to pester him further.
Jiao Zheng, meanwhile, grew all the more convinced that Wang Yang was a spoiled young scion with a taste for ingenious novelties. He secretly pondered how he might win Wang Yang's favor in the future.
Cups passed back and forth, wine goblets and drinking tallies mingling.
Jiao Zheng's family spared no effort in flattering him, urging wine and food on him. Wang Yang was aloof at first, but after several rounds of drinks, he began talking and laughing freely, and the mood steadily warmed.
Before long, another person asked to see Wang Yang, this time bringing him a small slip of paper.
Wang Yang's expression shifted as he read it. He asked Jiao Zheng, "Old Jiao, what sort of army advisor did you say you were?"
"I currently serve as the External Forces Army Advisor," Jiao Zheng promptly replied.
"Oh, right. Then you're in charge of personnel assignments and transfers for the garrison troops outside the city?"
"Yes. I assist in administering the army affairs outside