OFTLHFRO C28

Chapter 28: Why Don’t You Pay for Them?

Faced with this situation, Luo Mingchen approached rationally and said, “Hello, this is actually our rented stall. We’ve already paid for half a month, and there are still a few days left before it expires.”

The mother and daughter were also selling tofu. Hearing this, the woman did not look surprised in the least. With calm assurance, she said, “That’s right—we rented this place as well. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask the steward.”

Seeing her so confident, the two men had no choice but to find the steward.

When the steward came over, he said blandly, “So what if there are still a few days left before it expires? Two grown men shouldn’t bicker with a widow and her daughter. Haven’t you already earned enough these past days?”

At this, Luo Mingchen looked at him in disbelief. “This stall is ours, we paid for it. No matter how much we earned, it’s wrong for you to just hand it to someone else.”

By now, many people had gathered. Seeing that Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan hadn’t set up their stall, their regular customers were puzzled.

The steward grew impatient. “Then just come earlier tomorrow, problem solved. Or, if you can make them leave, go ahead.”

Luo Mingchen almost laughed in anger. “Steward, you’ve taken double rent, haven’t you?”

“So what if I have? This place is under my management. If you had the money to buy a proper shop, you wouldn’t be fighting for this stall.”

His voice was loud, and everyone around could hear. The other stall owners didn’t dare speak up—they couldn’t afford to offend him. If the steward decided to “inspect” their stalls out of spite, their business would suffer.

Pressing his lips, Luo Mingchen decided to press the matter down for now. Turning back to the mother and daughter, he said coldly, “Our stall hasn’t expired yet. You two should move out now.”

At that, the young woman fell to her knees, feigning pitiful tears. “Young master, my mother and I earn barely anything in a day. At home, I still have younger brothers to support, and Father passed away early. We spent ten copper coins to rent this stall. We don’t have any more money. Please, give us a way to survive.”

People are always quick to sympathize with the weak. Though Luo Mingchen was technically correct, with his strong appearance he hardly looked like the one needing pity.

From among the onlookers, someone muttered, “It was only ten copper coins, why not just let them? They seem pitiful enough.”

A few more chimed in agreement.

But Luo Mingchen was not about to indulge them. He said coldly, “Since you’re all saying ten coins isn’t much, why don’t you pay it for them, then?”

“This…”

When no one answered, Luo Mingchen moved to remove the mother and daughter’s tofu himself.

But the two women clung tightly to their wares, refusing to budge. Crying loudly, they managed to make it look as if they were being bullied by villains.

The crowd, not knowing the truth, began to point and whisper. Luo Mingchen dared not use too much force—if the tofu were crushed, he’d be forced to pay for it too.

Huo Yan, carrying Huo Xinyue, pulled him aside. “Let’s go ask at a restaurant first.”

If this dragged on, the tofu would spoil in the sun, and they’d gain nothing anyway.

Luo Mingchen glared, but meeting Huo Yan’s calm eyes, he cooled down, agreed, and packed up the tofu to sell instead.

Seeing them leave, the mother and daughter cried out gratefully, “Thank you…”

Luo Mingchen rolled his eyes and ignored them.

On the ox-cart, he told Huo Yan, “That woman was clearly doing it on purpose. She and the steward are in it together.”

“Whether they are or not isn’t worth worrying about. Let’s sell the tofu first. If tomorrow proves they’re sincere, we can simply reclaim the stall. If it was deliberate, then tomorrow we’ll go wait there, and for everyone we meet, we’ll explain the truth—ruin their little act of pity. After all, playing the victim isn’t hard, and we’ve got Yueyue too.”

Hearing that, Luo Mingchen’s eyes lit up. “Good idea.”

Their luck wasn’t bad. They thought they’d have to wander through several restaurants, but the very one that had previously asked to buy their tofu daily bought up all their stock at this time as well.

When the innkeeper finished counting the money and handed it over, he smiled. “You can bring another batch tomorrow at this same time.”

Luo Mingchen was curious. “Innkeeper, didn’t you already have another tofu supplier?”

A restaurant of this scale would surely have a stable source for tofu. Why would they need so much extra?

“Old Zhang’s tofu shop is about to close. His daughter-in-law just had a baby, and the elder couple want to move to the county. His shop is near the academy, at the very far corner. Before you came, his tofu was considered the best, but he only ever made a small amount each day. Only old customers knew of the shop.”

At this, Luo Mingchen paused. If it was a tofu shop, then surely it had all the necessary equipment inside.

Smiling, he asked, “Innkeeper, has that shop been sold yet?”

The innkeeper immediately grasped his meaning. “Not yet. It’s not expensive either. With my recommendation, the price might even be lowered. Mind you, the location is rather hidden. If you’re aiming to expand business, not ideal. Still, you could sign a long-term contract with our restaurant and deliver tofu daily at fixed times.”

“Thank you, Innkeeper. We’ll take a look first.”

Leaving the restaurant, Luo Mingchen turned to Huo Yan. “What do you think?”

“Tofu doesn’t need to make it big. Let’s look at the location. If it’s close to the academy, we could sell small things like puddings. Catering only to the students wouldn’t be bad. Students are much more generous customers than ordinary folk.”

Indeed, most students at the academies were wealthy, hardly caring about small sums.

Their new home, though not far, was too large a mansion to be turned into a storefront—it simply wouldn’t suit.

“Then let’s look.”

With their child, they went off to Old Zhang’s tofu shop.

Asking around, plenty of people knew where it was.

A kindly aunt who pointed the way even reminded them, “Old Zhang’s family isn’t selling tofu anymore.”

“We’re only here to see the shop, maybe take it over.”

“Oh.” She nodded, a little puzzled why two young men would want such a remote place, but didn’t press further.

The location was truly hidden, but very close to the academy—directly across from a bookshop, tucked in a corner. The storefront was small, but for them it was enough—whether for snacks or tofu-making, it could serve.

Thinking so, Luo Mingchen knocked on the door.

A middle-aged man in his forties answered. His legs were a bit unsteady. Looking at them in puzzlement, he asked, “Gentlemen, what brings you here?”

Smiling, Luo Mingchen said, “Uncle Zhang, we’re also tofu makers. The innkeeper at Kangde Restaurant sent us. We’d like to buy your shop. Might I ask the price?”

Hearing that they came recommended by the restaurant keeper, the man smiled. “The deeds for the house plus land would normally be three hundred and twenty taels. For you, three hundred taels flat. Since you’re also making tofu, all the stone mills and wooden boards can be thrown in. Want to come inside and take a look first?”

Three hundred taels—it was a price Luo Mingchen could accept. He nodded. “Alright.”

Footnotes:

 

 

• Three-entry-three-exit mansion (三进三出) – Refers to a traditional Chinese large courtyard house with three successive courtyards and gates, not suitable as a shopfront.