"It's a top-grade one, of course!" Bai Sheng was incredibly proud. This stone was a gift from her Lightning, and given its haughty nature, could it possibly be a shoddy item?
Wen Zhimu was captivated by the stone, but his face showed a troubled expression. He hesitantly said to Bai Sheng, "Young Master Bai, to be frank, this single stone of yours could practically buy my entire shop."
Bai Sheng wasn't just floating on air now; she felt she had ascended into the clouds.
Heavens! This sudden wealth was still a bit disorienting!
"What do you mean, Young Master Wen?" Bai Sheng was grateful she could still speak normally.
"Young Master Bai, I want this stone. Could we perhaps arrange it so that I pay you a portion of the silver now, and the rest in installments?"
Seeing Bai Sheng didn't immediately answer, Wen Zhimu added, "Rest assured, I will write a formal receipt, sign it, and thumbprint it. I will never default on the payment!"
Bai Sheng fiercely pinched her own thigh, suppressing the overwhelming joy in her heart. She asked, her expression unchanged, "Young Master Wen, what is the total price?"
Wen Zhimu pondered for a moment, then explained sincerely, "Since Young Master Bai is selling uncut stone, I will need considerable costs to process it into finished products. Therefore, I can only offer you fifteen thousand taels as the total price."
Fifteen… thousand taels!!!
Bai Sheng nodded dazedly, feeling as if her tongue no longer belonged to her. "Deal… it's a deal."
Wu Yun and Bao Yu looked at Heng Heng: What happened to their master treating money like dirt?
Heng Heng chuckled sheepishly: This pig just discovered that their master actually… has another side.
Wen Zhimu smiled, "The total will be paid in three installments over two years, as the jewelry business is truly difficult in these times."
"Ok, no problem!" Bai Sheng blurted out English in her excitement.
"Oh… Kai?" Wen Zhimu looked puzzled.
Bai Sheng gave an awkward smile, "It's 'ok'. It's a catchphrase I invented, meaning 'very good, no problem'."
"I see," Wen Zhimu smiled. "Young Master Bai, forgive my boldness, but do you have any more uncut stones of this quality?"
Bai Sheng shook her head. "Not at the moment. If I find more in the future, I will certainly consider you first, Young Master Wen."
Wen Zhimu's face lit up, and he cupped his hands towards Bai Sheng. "Then I thank you in advance!"
Bai Sheng returned the gesture like a true gentleman. "No need to be polite, Young Master Wen. I, Bai, will also take the liberty to ask, besides the jade business, have you considered other ventures?"
"Other ventures?" Wen Zhimu raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of interest.
"For example, the grain business."
Wen Zhimu paused slightly, then sighed. "That is indeed a good business, but currently, grain is scarce, not to mention the high purchase price, and it's extremely difficult to secure a supply."
Bai Sheng smiled. "If I have a supply, would you be willing to cooperate, Young Master Wen?" Judging by the stone sale alone, Wen Zhimu seemed to be a man of integrity.
"Does Young Master Bai truly have a supply?" Wen Zhimu was quite surprised. Even the official grain channels were strained, let alone for common folk.
"I do," Bai Sheng smiled faintly, her gaze particularly firm.
Wen Zhimu was overjoyed. "If what Young Master Bai says is true, I am naturally very willing to cooperate with you. However, how would we cooperate?"
Bai Sheng declared, "I will provide the grain, and you will be responsible for selling it. The price will be set at sixty percent of the market price, with profits split sixty-forty, me taking sixty, you taking forty. How about that?"
If he could truly obtain grain, Wen Zhimu would agree even to a thirty-seventy split, but at such a low selling price, how could he profit?
"I naturally agree! But isn't this pricing a bit too low?"
Bai Sheng shook her head and smiled. "It's not low. Rest assured, Young Master Wen, there will definitely be profit. In these times, most common people cannot afford grain. By setting a lower price, let's consider it… an act of accumulating merit."
In fact, Bai Sheng wanted to set an even lower price, but that would seem too unusual and attract suspicion. She could only wait until grain was abundant in the market before setting a lower price.
"Young Master Bai truly has a pure heart and a spirit of helping the world, which makes me admire you greatly!" Wen Zhimu couldn't help but praise, cupping his hands.
"You flatter me, Young Master Wen," Bai Sheng smiled modestly. "I simply believe that if all the common people in the world starve, whom else would I be able to earn money from?"
She wasn't that noble; compared to the world, she loved herself the most. However, she felt a bit uneasy about enjoying the space she obtained for free. It was better to spread some wealth to ease her conscience.
Wen Zhimu lowered his gaze and smiled gently. "Young Master Bai is too modest. Then, everything will be as you wish."
Bai Sheng nodded. "I have one more request."
Wen Zhimu raised his hand. "Please, speak freely, Young Master Bai."
"You simply receive the grain and, within two years, do not ask about its source or investigate its origins. Can you do that?" Within two years, Bai Sheng was confident she could legitimize the grain from her space.
Although this request was a bit strange, it did not affect the overall situation. Wen Zhimu nodded. "I promise."
Bai Sheng smiled. "Thank you for your trust, Young Master Wen. But I, Bai, guarantee with my head that the source of my grain is absolutely clean and legitimate!"
"Yes, I believe you, Brother Bai!" Wen Zhimu said loudly.
Bai Sheng's gaze was clear and upright as she looked at Wen Zhimu. "If you keep your promise, Young Master Wen, I can absolutely guarantee that your fortune will flow like a river."
Wen Zhimu appeared quite excited. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Bai Sheng. "Young Master Bai, please rest assured, I, Wen, also guarantee with my head that I will never break my word! Today, meeting Young Master Bai Sheng is truly a great fortune for me! May I ask, when can Young Master Bai's grain business begin?"
"In half a month, I will transport the grain to the county town. In the meantime, Young Master Wen only needs to prepare a shop. I will contact you three days in advance, and we can discuss the specific matters in detail then."
"Alright, it's a deal!"
"It's a deal!"
Wen Zhimu had his third uncle bring five thousand taels in silver notes and wrote a receipt and an IOU. Just as they were concluding the transaction, two imposing constables suddenly walked in, one very stout and the other thinner.
Everyone looked over in surprise.
"Are you Young Master Bai?" the stout constable asked, approaching Bai Sheng and demanding.
"That is I!" Bai Sheng cupped her fists. Although she didn't understand why the constables were suddenly looking for her, she acted with integrity and walked upright, neither seeking trouble nor fearing it!