Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 90

Da Lu hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, and his grin nearly split his face as he led Ying Su away. “Master Ba is already waiting for you.”

This time, their destination wasn’t a restaurant but an underground casino. Da Lu introduced proudly, “This is Master Ba’s turf.”

Ying Su glanced around. The place was busy, with people constantly coming and going. Clearly, business was good, and Wang Ba’s influence in Fengyang City must be considerable. He must be quite the gambler.

Da Lu brought her upstairs to a private room and knocked.

“Master Ba, Miss Cuihua is here!”

The door swung open, revealing Wang Ba’s gleaming bald head. A scar the size of a bowl marred his scalp. His rugged face was covered in a thick beard, perhaps all the hair that should’ve grown on his head had gone there instead. With his heavy brows and fierce eyes, he looked very much like a villainous monk.

“Come in, come in!” Wang Ba boomed with a laugh.

Ying Su nodded, thinking to herself that this man truly lived up to his name, his voice alone was as loud as thunder.

Inside, a long table stood with dice and a dice cup set upon it.

Wang Ba waved her to a smaller table. Da Lu, quick on the uptake, hurried to pour two cups of hot tea before stepping aside behind his master.

“I wonder what matter brings Brother Wang Ba to invite me here?” Ying Su asked as she sat, lifting the cup.

Wang Ba laughed loudly, his voice nearly deafening. “Little Sister Cuihua, you’re someone worth knowing. I, Wang Ba, like you. I want to be friends!”

Ying Su couldn’t help smiling. His accent reminded her of the Northeastern dialects from her previous life, which she had always found amusing.

Seeing her smile, Wang Ba laughed too, though he didn’t know why.

Ying Su nodded. “Then I shall accept Brother Wang Ba’s friendship. And thank you for helping with the matter of Liu Huang.”

Wang Ba waved dismissively. “Bah, I didn’t help much! I never liked that Liu Huang anyway. Seeing him eat dirt makes me happy!”

The room fell into silence, broken only by Wang Ba’s dry chuckle.

“I actually have a business proposition. I wonder if Brother Wang Ba would be interested?” Ying Su spoke at last. She always remembered even the smallest favor. If others offered her wood, she would repay them with jade. And right now, she truly needed a backer.

Wang Ba’s laughter stopped. “Let’s hear it, Sister.”

He didn’t agree outright. Ying Su noted with approval that though he looked rough, he was careful unlike Liu Huang. That alone made him more reliable.

Ying Su nodded. “It’s like this. I have a formula to make a kind of mirror that can clearly reflect a person’s appearance. You could see your face in it as if you were looking directly at yourself. The material is similar to glazed glass. It can also be used for fine tables, windows… and other things.”

Wang Ba’s eyes widened. Though he was excited, his voice remained steady. “How does this mirror compare to bronze ones?”

Ying Su’s lips curved. “A bronze mirror shows only a blurred outline. But with mine, it’s like looking straight into your own face.”

Da Lu gasped. Wang Ba quickly calmed himself. “Truly?”

“Truly.” Ying Su smiled faintly.

Wang Ba’s grin returned. “If that’s the case, then I’ll put my foot in this business. Where’s the formula?”

Ying Su chuckled. “I didn’t bring it today. Next time, I’ll come with a mirror, some glass, and the recipe.”

“Very well,” Wang Ba said with a laugh. “Then I’ll be waiting. Don’t keep me waiting too long, Sister.”

And so, a business deal was struck. Many years later, when Wang Ba had risen to prominence, he would still sigh with admiration at how wise he had been to recognize her worth.

Since Ying Su had shown her sincerity, Wang Ba decided to offer some in return. “As for Liu Huang, you needn’t worry. That fellow doesn’t have the guts to report this to the Qinlong Hall Master. When Da Lu smashed up your shop earlier, he was rash. Don’t hold it against him.”

He glared at Da Lu and barked, “Well? Apologize to the lady!”

Da Lu rushed forward, bowing deeply. “Miss Cuihua, I, Da Lu, was blind and reckless before. Please don’t hold it against me. From now on, if you need anything in Shili Town, just come to me!”

Wang Ba kicked him aside. “Go on! If Sister needs anything, she’ll come to me, not you!”

Da Lu scratched his head sheepishly. “Master Ba’s right. With him around, I’m nothing! From now on, Miss, you can walk sideways through Shili Town if you like!”

Ying Su found their antics amusing and smiled. “Then I thank Brother Wang Ba for his kindness.”

Wang Ba waved it off. “Trivial.”

Suddenly, Ying Su remembered something. “There’s one thing I want to ask Da Lu.”

“Ask away!” Da Lu said quickly.

“The day you smashed my shop, did you set a fire?”

Da Lu shook his head vigorously. “No fire, no fire! We only smashed things…” He looked anxious, afraid she wouldn’t believe him.

Ying Su smiled faintly. “I believe you. But when you were smashing the shop, did you run into anyone?”

Relieved, Da Lu thought hard, then shook his head. “No one.”

“What about when you were leaving?” Ying Su pressed.

Da Lu furrowed his brow, then suddenly slapped his thigh. “Yes! We did run into someone!”

Ying Su’s lips curved. “Do you remember what that person looked like? Can you find him for me?”

Da Lu thumped his chest proudly. “Of course! I’ll definitely find him. I know everyone from all walks of life in town. It won’t be hard. And one of my brothers that day even knew the guy, we just have to ask.”

Ying Su rose, smiling. “Good. Send word to my shop when you’ve got news. It’s getting late, I’ll take my leave.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Wang Ba offered.

The three of them went downstairs together. In the main hall, Ying Su glanced at the gaming tables. The casino’s play was simple just dice, betting big or small. She turned to Wang Ba.

“I see the games here are quite basic. Is that all you have?”

[Little Theatre]

Ying Su held a shiny knife against the author’s neck, glaring fiercely. 

“Why haven’t you let my man appear yet?”

The author trembled. 

“H-he… he dragged me into playing League… I’m trying to climb to King rank…”

Xiaoxingxing continued to eat popcorn on the side, letting Ying Su handle the author.