Chapter 19: She Is Not Your Sister

Hu Zhaodi extended her palm, grinning as she said, “Boss, you’re generous; it’s clear you’re someone who can make big money. I’ll set the price at five hundred taels.”

The owner winced a bit at the price. A tiger of this size, with its fur intact, was indeed worth that much. However, looking at the girl who appeared to be just over ten years old, he hesitated to pay that much.

He had initially thought he could settle for three hundred taels, but this little girl seemed to understand the market value.

It wasn’t that Hu Zhaodi really understood; she was simply good at observing the owner’s subtle expressions that led her to quote five hundred taels.

“Little girl, five hundred taels is too much. How about three hundred and eighty taels?” the owner proposed.

Hu Zhaodi shook her head. “Five hundred taels is the minimum. We risked our lives to catch this big fellow. If you won’t pay, I’ll find someone else.”

The owner gritted his teeth. “Four hundred taels. That’s my final offer.”

Without hesitation, Hu Zhaodi picked up the cloth covering the tiger’s body, pretending to leave with her cart.

The restaurant owner grew anxious. “Wait, little girl! Five hundred taels it is! You really won’t budge at all!”

Hu Zhaodi thought for a moment; after all, she would often be hunting and gathering herbs in the mountains, so establishing a long-term partnership would only be beneficial for her.

But there was no way she would lower the price for something so valuable.

Smiling, she said, “It’s worth the price! Boss, don’t feel too pained about it. It’s like getting to know each other!

As long as the price is fair, my brother and I will bring you good things in the future. You can count on it being fresh!”

“Hey! I didn’t expect this little girl to be so savvy. Just for that line, giving you five hundred taels today isn’t a loss. Rest assured, in the future, if you have good items, just bring them to me, and I’ll guarantee you the fairest price.”

Hu Zhaodi’s eyes lit up. Smiling, she said, “Great! From now on, we’ll have a long-term partnership. Since the boss is so generous, I’ll bring you a surprise next time.”

The owner, curious, asked, “Oh? What kind of surprise?”

Hu Zhaodi gave a mysterious smile. “Boss, let’s have the kitchen bring over two bowls of soup, and I’ll let you witness a miracle.”

The owner nodded, signaling the manager to fetch two bowls of soup.

As Hu Zhaodi concentrated, a bit of chicken essence appeared in her palm.

When the manager brought the soup over, Hu Zhaodi pretended to rummage through her pocket, then added the chicken essence to one of the bowls.

Stirring with a small spoon, she said, “Boss, give it a try.”

The owner hesitantly picked up the spoon and tasted it, his eyes instantly narrowing with delight at the soup’s richness.

He was well aware of the taste of the soup brewed in his restaurant, and such an exquisite flavor was something his restaurant could never produce.

He quickly drank the entire bowl, savoring the taste for a while, and didn’t feel any discomfort in his body afterward.

“Little girl, what did you add to the soup?” the owner asked.

Hu Zhaodi chuckled, “Just a little seasoning to enhance the flavor. If you like it, I can bring some for you next time.”

“Like it? How could I not like something so good? Little girl, next time, bring me more, and I’ll pay you for it.”

“Sure, next time, I’ll bring you plenty.”

The owner readily pulled out five hundred taels in banknotes and handed them to Hu Zhaodi, repeatedly reminding her to definitely bring it.

Hu Zhaodi promised again that she would deliver it within three days.

Only then did the owner watch her leave.

At that moment, the restaurant owner felt ecstatic, never having expected such an unassuming little girl to bring him such a huge surprise.

With this seasoning to enhance the flavor, the restaurant’s business would definitely thrive, bringing him plenty of profits.

Hu Zhaodi hadn’t even left the county town when the restaurant owner began looking forward to her next visit.

Meanwhile, Hu Zhaodi headed to a tailor shop, where she bought two bundles of durable fabric, planning to make clothes for Uncle Ji and Aunt Ji.

After purchasing the fabric, she went to a ready-made clothing store and bought herself three sets of clean clothes.

Then, she bought several cloth bags.

Finding a secluded corner, she took out a fifty-pound bag of rice, a fifty-pound bag of flour, and a twenty-pound bag of glutinous rice from her space, putting everything into the cloth bags.

With everything prepared, Hu Zhaodi hopped onto the ox cart and drove it toward the city gate.

Uncle Ji had been waiting at the city gate for a long time, a folded piece of printed fabric tucked under his armpit.

When he saw Hu Zhaodi approaching with the ox cart, his face broke into a broad smile.

However, upon seeing the large bundles piled on the cart, Uncle Ji frowned and said, “Girl, why did you buy so many things? The fabric in that color won’t suit you! It’s a good thing I got you a piece; I’ll have your aunt make you a set of clothes when we get back.”

Hu Zhaodi handed the whip to Uncle Ji. “Uncle, I bought three sets of clothes for myself. This fabric is for you and Aunt Ji.”

“Girl, your aunt and I have clothes to wear. You don’t need to buy for us; just buy for yourself. You’re just wasting money.”

Hu Zhaodi laughed nonchalantly, “Spending money on you and Aunt Ji isn’t a waste. If it weren’t for you two taking me in, I wouldn’t even have a place to shelter from the wind and rain.”

“Look at you; you’ve even bought so much food. Did you spend all the money you made selling herbs today?” Uncle Ji asked.

“Uncle, money is meant to be spent. Once it’s gone, I’ll earn more. If we want to make money, don’t we first need to fill our stomachs?”

“Yes, yes, you’re right.” Uncle Ji lovingly ruffled Hu Zhaodi’s little head, saying, “A child as filial as you, the Hu family doesn’t appreciate you, but the Ji family treasures you!”

Hu Zhaodi patted the piece of pork beside her. “Let’s go home and cook braised pork!”

“Alright, hahahaha…” Uncle Ji laughed heartily as he drove the ox cart toward Dawai Village.

Back in the village, Uncle Ji boisterously showed off the rice, flour, fabric, and pork that Hu Zhaodi had bought.

The news quickly reached the Hu family, causing them to become restless.

Yang twisted her old face in anger, “That little wretch is truly a money-losing deal. We’ve raised her for so many years, and she hasn’t bought us anything. After just a few days in the Ji family, she buys so many things for them. What an ungrateful wolf!”

Hearing that Hu Zhaodi had bought meat, Hu Yaozu jumped up, stretching his hand toward Yang. “Grandma, give me some money! I want to buy roasted meat from my sister!”

Ever since Hu Zhaodi had beaten him, Hu Yaozu had started calling her sister, though no one knew that he didn’t want to call her that at all.

Hu Dashan’s face darkened. “Who’s your sister? That little wretch Hu Zhaodi? Does she deserve to be your sister? From now on, you’re not allowed to call her sister, and you’re definitely not allowed to buy roasted meat from her!”

Hu Yaozu threw himself on the ground, rolling and throwing a tantrum. “No! I want to eat roasted meat! Sister’s roasted meat is the best! I want to eat!”

Hu Dashan shouted frantically, “Shut up! You shut up! She is not your sister!”

Hu Yaozu turned his head, tearfully looking at his beloved Yang. “Grandma, I want to eat roasted meat!”