C5 Deal!

"Hahaha."

The sound of hearty laughter diffused the tension, effectively easing the awkwardness Wu Qing was experiencing. He and Lee Fei turned to see who it was.

A man dressed in a white robe emerged from the rear hall. His face was pale and beardless, and he wore a hairpin crown, his slightly protruding belly indicating his age to be around thirty.

With a smile gracing his face, he approached Lee Fei and Wu Qing.

Reaching Lee Fei, the man tucked his wind-proof lighter into his waistband, clasped his hands together, and introduced himself, "My name is Chen Kuo, the proprietor of this establishment. I presume you're the merchant?"

Lee Fei confirmed with a nod, "Indeed, I am."

Chen Kuo got straight to the point, "Liu Chaoan mentioned you've brought a treasure from the Western Regions. What's so extraordinary about it? I'd be grateful for a demonstration."

With a slight smile, Lee Fei took the wind-proof lighter in hand, flipped open the lid, and with a gentle stroke of his finger on the steel wheel, a blue flame surged forth.

Chen Kuo was visibly astonished, murmuring in awe, "Truly a remarkable treasure. Incredible."

In ancient times, starting a fire was a cumbersome task. During the Tang Dynasty, the technique of fire-drilling was widespread, but now, the preferred method was using a fire striker.

Lee Fei snapped the lighter closed and inquired, "This wind-proof lighter is easy to carry and impervious to the elements. Might it interest you, Shopkeeper Chen?"

A gleam sparked in Chen Kuo's eyes as he replied, "Certainly. Please, name your price."

He was quite taken with the wind-proof lighter, yet as it was his first encounter with such an item, he hesitated to appraise it. Offering too much might be a loss, and too little could mean missing out on the opportunity, especially since his wasn't the only pawnshop in Wreah.

After a moment's thought, Lee Fei silently raised five fingers and stated, "Five hundred taels of silver, firm price."

Chen Kuo breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared an exorbitant demand, but five hundred taels of silver was within the realm of reason.

He nodded in agreement, "Alright, for five hundred taels of silver, I'll take the wind-proof lighter off your hands."

He then leaned in to whisper to the elder behind him, who promptly nodded and retreated to the back hall.

Shortly thereafter, the elder returned, carrying a metal box which he placed on the counter.

At Chen Kuo's gesture, the elder opened the box, revealing fifty gleaming taels of silver before Lee Fei and Wu Qing.

Wu Qing's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight of so much money for such a small item. He had lived for many years and had never laid eyes on such wealth.

Lee Fei, on the other hand, remained composed. He passed the wind-proof lighter to Chen Kuo, explained how to use it, called to Wu Qing, and prepared to leave with the silver.

Chen Kuo called out hastily, "Young Master, please wait!"

Lee Fei paused and turned, "Is there something else you need, Shopkeeper Chen?"

With a smile, Chen Kuo gestured towards Lee Fei's feet and said, "I'm interested in purchasing your shoes. We can discuss the price if you're willing..."

"The shoes are not for sale," Lee Fei cut him off firmly, shaking his head.

Chen Kuo's face fell with disappointment, lamenting the missed opportunity.

Without further attention to Chen Kuo's reaction, Lee Fei picked up the iron box and headed out. The deal was done; there was no reason to linger.

Once Lee Fei was out of sight, Chen Kuo's expression darkened. He fiddled with the wind-proof lighter and turned to the elder, "Liu Chaofan, do you think that kid has any other valuables on him?"

The elder felt a twinge of unease at his boss's words, sensing trouble brewing for the young man.

"What are you suggesting?" he inquired cautiously.

Chen Kuo gave him a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Here's what we'll do: have someone tail him, find out where he settles down, and I'll take care of the rest."

The elder didn't dare voice any objections and quickly nodded in agreement.

Unaware of the looming threat, Lee Fei and Wu Qing had made their way to a tea stall and settled down for a break.

After enjoying a cup of chilled tea, Lee Fei opened his box and laid out ten silver ingots before Wu Qing.

Wu Qing, puzzled, inquired, "Lee, what's this about?"

With a smile, Lee Fei replied, "I owe my life to Brother Wu Qing's timely rescue. A hundred taels of silver isn't much, but it's a token of my gratitude."

"No, no, I can't possibly accept your money," Wu Qing protested, waving his hands.

Lee Fei had anticipated Wu Qing's reluctance, hence his decision to offer precisely one hundred taels.

Patiently, Lee Fei explained, "You're not married yet, are you, Wu Qing? This hundred taels can help you find a wife and buy some farmland, securing your future."

The sight of the silver on the table stirred something in Wu Qing. Indeed, even Wu Dalang, a man of his stature, had found a spouse, while he remained alone.

Lee Fei added, "Consider the hundred taels a loan. You can pay me back gradually over time."

After some thought, Wu Qing finally nodded and accepted, "I appreciate your generosity, Brother Lee. I'll be sure to repay you in full one day."

Lee Fei smiled, privately doubting such a day would come.

Finishing their tea, they went their separate ways from the stall. Wu Qing headed back to Taurshire, while Lee Fei made his way to the bank to convert the remaining four hundred taels of silver into banknotes for convenience.

Lee Fei then visited a clothing store, selecting a well-fitting green robe to replace the torn, ill-fitting garment he'd borrowed from Wu Qing, which he nonchalantly discarded by the roadside.

While wandering the streets, Lee Fei intended to find an inn but unexpectedly came upon the "Garden of Delights." The name alone told him it was a brothel.

In ancient times, it was believed that one would regret it for the rest of their life if they never visited a brothel.

With this notion, Lee Fei strolled into the Garden of Delights, where he was immediately enveloped by the heady scent of rouge.

Soon after, a heavily made-up woman approached Lee Fei with a smile, saying, "You seem new here. Is this your first visit?"

She appeared to be the madam of the establishment, no longer in her youth. Lee Fei had no interest in her and, with a frown, gently pushed her aside.

The madam chuckled behind her hand, "Oh, are we a bit shy?"

Lee Fei produced a silver note worth ten taels and asked indifferently, "Is there somewhere quiet here?"

The woman eagerly accepted the note, her face blooming into a smile. "We have private rooms upstairs. How many ladies would you like?"

"Not in a rush for that," Lee Fei replied. "First, prepare a table with some food and wine."

"Right away, sir. Please follow me upstairs."

Lee Fei nodded and ascended the stairs, surrounded by a cacophony of sounds—drunken laughter, playful banter, and the boisterous pitches of those selling their company. Amongst this, a plump girl sent a flirtatious glance his way.

Quickly shielding his eyes with his sleeve, Lee Fei reassured himself, "I didn't see anything, I truly saw nothing."