Chapter 4: Let lend you so money
Let lend you so money . . .
Instantly, a spark of hope ignited in Zuo Wu-Ji's eyes, only to be swiftly extinguished by the reality of his situation. "It won't be that easy... I didn't know it was so precious. Such a small thing could actually be worth 500 kilograms of gold... How pathetic that I was incited by you rascals to steal and sell it for only 50 kilograms of silver. What a colossal loss..."
With a hint of bitterness in his voice and teeth grinding audibly, he continued, "You rascals have made the number one black sheep in the world... I should never have ntioned it and should have clung to it with my teeth and blood... Now that there's another jade ruyi present, what can I possibly do to obtain it?"
Cha Eun Xiao lowered his voice conspiratorially and said, "Heh heh heh... It's just about money, isn't it? That's not a problem. I only want to ask you, do you want that jade ruyi?"
"Of course! What a silly question. Why wouldn't I want it? When I get it, I'll finally shed the title of 'the number one black sheep in the Kingdom of Chen'... Only God knows how desperately I want to do that," Zuo Wu-Ji replied, nodding with a resolute expression but still grinding his teeth. "But I ran out of money when that nonsense happened. My allowance has been slashed from 15 kilograms of silver per month to just a asly quarter kilogram... What can I possibly do with a quarter kilogram of silver?"
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but think, "You want to get rid of the number one black sheep title... It's actually quite easy, only... You're about to beco the unprecedented number one black sheep in the universe..."
He chuckled heartily, thumping his chest with mock seriousness, and said, "If you really want it, I could lend you so money..."
"Really?" Zuo Wu-Ji's surprise was evident, mirrored by Lan Lang-Lang.
Had the world turned upside down? Since when did Cha Eun Xiao beco so generous?
"Absolutely!" Cha Eun Xiao affird, his deanor unwavering.
Zuo Wu-Ji's suspicion flared, prompting him to contemplate, "This rascal... he wouldn't be planning so business venture with , would he? Could there be a possibility that he's genuinely fond of ?"
Cha Eun Xiao exploded with indignation, pretending that his magnanimity had been unappreciated. "You scoundrel! Zuo Wu-Ji! What did you just insinuate? I'm helping you because I regard you as my brother, and it involves taking a considerable risk. Who knows when a scoundrel like you would return my money? And you... dare to doubt . Very well! I shall take my leave!"
"Forget it! I can save the money for the ladies, can't I... Lan Lang-Lang! Let's go!" Fuming with anger, Cha Eun Xiao stood up, ready to depart. "We no longer have a 'friend' like this scoundrel who fails to appreciate our kindness!"
Lan Lang-Lang, always adept at creating a ruckus, seized the opportunity and rose with a flourish, shouting cheerfully, "Absolutely! We'll never speak to this scoundrel again if he doesn't want to be our friend!"
"No... Please don't... Brother Ye, Brother Lan, stay! Oh, please, my dear brothers..." Zuo Wu-Ji rushed forward as quickly as his legs could carry him, gripping Cha Eun Xiao's waist with an almost desperate fervor. His tone turned obsequious as he pleaded, "Oh, I rely misspoke, just one small slip of the tongue... Please, we're brothers, aren't we? We're brothers for life. You wouldn't truly be angry with , would you?... Co on, just stay! Steward! Bring us so tea! The finest available! The imperial tea bestowed upon my grandfather by the king himself! Hurry..."
He then ushered Cha Eun Xiao to a seat of honor, bowing with a servile smile. "Hey hey... Brother Ye, hah hah, Master Ye, my brother... Would you genuinely consider lending so money?"
Cha Eun Xiao, with one ankle resting casually on his opposite knee, remarked, "I was considering it..."
"Oh, you can't change your mind, bro..." Zuo Wu-Ji was on the verge of kneeling in supplication.
He wouldn't let go of this hard-earned opportunity to correct his mistake. God only knew the kind of harsh life he had endured in the past months, unable to escape because his torntors were none other than his own family.
"Humph, fair enough," Cha Eun Xiao responded, nonchalantly blowing the tea leaves floating on his tea with a poker face. "Since I've ntioned it so soon, why don't you write a receipt and provide sothing as collateral? With that, I'll lend you 750 kilograms of gold... Just to be clear, you'll have to repay the money soday. Don't even think about negotiating!"
"Absolutely!" Zuo Wu-Ji replied with a contented expression. However, his joy was short-lived as he soon realized a problem. He asked with a despondent look, "But what can I offer as collateral?"
"Do you comprehend the human language? Anything will suffice; just give sothing. We're brothers, after all. I don't expect anything extravagant from you," Cha Eun Xiao replied.
Zuo Wu-Ji suddenly felt relieved. "That's indeed a good idea... Let see. What should I 'acquire' this ti?" He rolled his eyes, indicating his willingness to play the role of the family's thief once more.
"Oh, my!" Cha Eun Xiao sighed, sounding disappointed. "Could you just hurry up and select sothing from the collections in this house? It doesn't have to be valuable. Anything will do..."
Upon receiving this clear instruction, Zuo Wu-Ji finally grasped the situation. "Well... is it alright if I use this as collateral?"
"Forget about the collateral. That's what I ant. Co on, we're brothers!" Cha Eun Xiao displayed generosity and understanding.
Zuo Wu-Ji was overjoyed, unable to contain his excitent. He was finally able to relieve the burden on his heart. He laughed heartily and said, "Well then! Although every piece in this collection was amassed by my grandfather, and he cherished them all... it won't matter if one or two items go missing. Brother, tell which one you like, and I'll give it to you directly! We won't take it back! I'll certainly repay the money, and you can keep whatever you choose!"
Zuo Wu-Ji's generosity knew no bounds.
Cha Eun Xiao raised a questioning eyebrow and replied, "What do you an? What do you take for? I'm only trying to help you. Do you think I'm interested in your collection? You can give a gift after you've repaid the money to show your gratitude. The gift itself may be small, but it conveys goodwill. However, if I accept it now, it might be seen as you trying to bribe !"
"Bribing?" Zuo Wu-Ji thought, his mouth twitching. "Why does he sound like an honorable official?"
"I've had enough of your procrastination. This one. I like the feeling of flying," Cha Eun Xiao casually pointed to the Pure Heavenly Crystal.
"That... Isn't that too modest?" Zuo Wu-Ji was suddenly moved and thought, "It seems that Cha Eun Xiao genuinely wants to help . There are so many treasures in the house, and he's chosen one of the least valuable. What a good person. Why didn't I realize this earlier..."
"Alright, alright. You understand my intentions. That's sufficient," Cha Eun Xiao replied with depth. "What are we? Brothers should assist each other... By the way, keep it a secret. If others find out that I've lent you a substantial sum, they might all co to seeking loans. It could beco troubleso if I have to decide whether or not to lend money to each of them."
"You can count on . I'll keep my lips sealed!" Zuo Wu-Ji promised earnestly. "I'm not that kind of person, am I..."
"Why don't you... just take it now?" Zuo Wu-Ji was anxious, fearing that Cha Eun Xiao might change his mind, so he tried to persuade him.
"You fool!" Cha Eun Xiao chided him in a hushed tone. "Can't you think for yourself? If I take it right in front of all these people in your house, how can we keep it a secret?"
"Right, right," Zuo Wu-Ji agreed, then whispered to Cha Eun Xiao, "How about I bring it out to you when it gets dark?"
"Excellent idea!" Cha Eun Xiao responded with praise. "At that ti, I'll wait for you in the corner of the alley south of here with the money."
Zuo Wu-Ji smiled upon hearing this. "I should thank you for this, bro. As long as it saves my reputation in the family, I'll quickly secure the money through my business and pay you back. Rest assured, I'm a man of my word!"
"Alright, my friend. Would I trust you with my money if I didn't have faith in you?" Cha Eun Xiao and Zuo Wu-Ji stood shoulder to shoulder, displaying the camaraderie of close brothers.
anwhile, Lan Lang-Lang, who had been dumbfounded by these sudden developnts, stood there with his jaw on the floor.
After all the details were settled, Zuo Wu-Ji saw Cha Eun Xiao and Lan Lang-Lang off with boundless gratitude, while they departed with an air of satisfaction.
"When it gets dark, rember it, bro!" Zuo Wu-Ji shouted, and even from a considerable distance, Cha Eun Xiao and Lan Lang-Lang could hear his enthusiastic farewell.
...
"Hey, listen, are you really going to give him the money?" Lan Lang-Lang watched Cha Eun Xiao suspiciously. "Co on... you're not exactly a kind-hearted guy, are you? Are you planning to betray that guy..."
"What are you talking about? You're just a lackey, whereas I possess a magnanimous heart! Do you think I'm like you, always breaking my promises?" Cha Eun Xiao looked at Lan with disdain. "Go ho and prepare a promissory note for 500 kilograms of gold for . I need it!"
It appeared that he didn't have enough money to lend to Zuo Wu-Ji.
"Oh, so you need it? Alright, I will. Wait... What? What did you just say? You told to prepare a note for 500 kilograms of gold, so you can lend it to Zuo? Why should I? Give a reason first!" Lan exploded with fury when he finally comprehended Cha Eun Xiao's words.
"Why should I give him the money to make so good deals?" he pondered.
"A reason? Can't you see the obvious? If you don't prepare the note for , what will I lend to Zuo Wu-Ji? Isn't that clear enough? You're too talkative!"
Cha Eun Xiao rolled his eyes, then said nonchalantly, but with a hint of threat in his tone, "Lan Lang-Lang, if you don't bring the note and cause to break my promise, that's fine. I'll simply tell your grandfather, your father, your mother, and your aunt that you fought with Zuo Wu-Ji over a woman's favor in the brothel and ran around naked... If that's not enough, I can even graffiti your na on every wall in the street! I'll ensure your notoriety matches that of Zuo Wu-Ji!"
"What? You!" Lan Lang-Lang was so furious that he nearly passed out. His eyes even returned to their normal state due to his anger. He shouted as if he were bleeding, "How ruthless can you be? You're dredging up my darkest monts..."
"Stop whining! You dare to refer to your juvenile exploits as 'monts'?" Cha Eun Xiao retorted. "Ultimately, this won't even cost you anything. Let ask you again, will you do it or not?"
"I'LL DO IT! What other choice do I have?" Lan Lang-Lang was on the verge of tears. "I'll bring it to you..."
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