Chapter 203: Where did this “Business Partner” Come From?

“Shopkeeper Wei!”

“One look at you, and it’s clear you have an extraordinary bearing—surely, you must be highly experienced in business!”

“My future son-in-law may not always get things right when it comes to business. I’ll have to rely on your guidance!”

Unlike his usual indifferent attitude toward the Yu family, Liao Cui’s father¹ immediately changed his demeanor upon seeing Wei Hai. He stood up with a smile, clearly eager to strike up a conversation.

Hearing this, Wei Hai glanced at Gu Ning’an again. Seeing that the latter remained silent, he considered his words carefully before responding, “Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?”

“My tavern is run entirely by my family—I don’t have any business partners…”

“Yu Fu simply helps me deliver wine on occasion…”

As soon as these words left his mouth, the room fell into an eerie silence, with various expressions flashing across everyone’s faces.

Madam Yu was the first to react, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Shopkeeper Wei… you must be joking, right? My son told us he was in partnership with you in the wine business!”

Wei Hai waved a hand dismissively. “What’s there to joke about? My brewing formula is a closely guarded secret—why would I take on a partner?”

“Son!” Madam Yu immediately turned to her own child.

Yu Fu’s face had turned ashen. He gritted his teeth and replied, word by word, “Shopkeeper Wei is telling the truth… I’m just a deliveryman in Xiangzhou…”

“I’ve delivered so much of his wine that I just started saying we were business partners.”

“You little brat!”

“How the hell does that count as a partnership?!”

Liao Cui’s father was seething with anger, his teeth grinding audibly. He continued, “Just a mere deliveryman, yet you had the gall to exaggerate yourself into a businessman?!”

“Your character must be rotten!”

With that, Liao Cui’s father yanked his daughter’s hand toward him, pulled a red pouch from his robe, and slammed it onto the table.

“My daughter may be getting older, but she certainly won’t marry someone with such questionable character!”

“Let’s go!”

Having said his piece, Liao Cui’s father stormed off with his daughter in tow, his fury palpable.

“What kind of people are they?!”

“What’s wrong with being a deliveryman?!”

“You say my son isn’t good enough, but your daughter’s so old she can’t even find a husband—who’s really got the problem here?!”

Madam Yu, unwilling to let her son be “humiliated” like that, rushed to the courtyard gate and hurled a string of curses at the departing figures.

Seeing this, Zheng De could only sigh helplessly…

It was New Year’s, and now there was someone screaming insults at his front gate. What kind of nonsense was this?

“Cousin, sorry for the trouble.”

After standing in place for a long moment, Yu Fu finally muttered these words. Then, without another word, he turned and ran after his mother, dragging her away from the scene.

And with that, this “sudden” farce finally came to an end.

Wei Hai scratched his head with an awkward smile. “Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

“Ah!” Zheng De quickly waved his hands. “Brother Wei, this had nothing to do with you! That mother and son have problems of their own!”

“You guys rest for a bit. I’ll prepare some dishes—let’s have dinner together tonight!”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Really, no need. My home’s kitchen hasn’t been used in ages—I was thinking of cooking there today. Your family’s been busy these past few days, you should take a good rest instead.”

“This…” Before Zheng De could say more, Gu Ning’an had already waved and walked away. Wei Hai, after playing with Little Grape for a moment, also took his leave.

Once they were gone, Tan Bing, looking troubled, finally spoke.

“Where do you think Sister Qingqing is now?”

“It’s New Year’s, and she’s all alone… I hope nothing happens to her…”

Zheng De hesitated for a moment before responding, “I doubt it. Anywhere she goes will be better than staying with the Yu family…”

Upon returning to Ansi Courtyard, Wei Hai curiously wandered around, taking in the sights. What intrigued him most was the kumquat tree in the yard.

Peering through the dense branches and leaves, he spotted numerous kumquats about the size of an egg, surrounded by a faint golden glow.

As the fragrance of the kumquats filled the air, Wei Hai felt his mouth water and swallowed involuntarily.

However, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he couldn’t bring himself to pick one and eat it on his own, nor did he feel right asking Gu Ning’an for one.

From the kitchen, the sound of a spatula flipping ingredients rang out, while the rich aroma of meat and vegetables distracted Wei Hai’s attention.

He turned around, intending to ask Gu Ning’an if he needed help, when suddenly—a kumquat dropped straight down!

It landed squarely on his forehead!

Startled, Wei Hai fumbled to catch it, missing twice before finally securing it in the crook of his arm.

Holding the kumquat, he looked up in confusion at the swaying branches overhead.

“Feels like you did that on purpose…” he muttered, tucking the fruit away as he headed toward the kitchen.

“Mr. Gu! I was standing under the kumquat tree for a bit, and just as I was about to leave, a fruit fell right on me.”

“Where should I put it?”

Before Wei Hai could finish speaking, Gu Ning’an chuckled from the kitchen.

“It’s just a fruit. Since it dropped for you, you might as well eat it.”

“Huh?”

“But this fruit seems special… Wouldn’t it be a waste if I ate it?”

Wei Hai stared at the kumquat in his hand. Now that he was actually given one to eat, he found himself reluctant.

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Go ahead. The kumquat tree gave it to you—if you don’t eat it, that’d be rather rude, wouldn’t it?”

Rude to the kumquat tree?

Could it be that this tree has a spirit and actually meant to give this to me?

After a moment of contemplation, Wei Hai glanced back at the swaying branches in the yard and responded, “You’re right, Sir. If the tree dropped it for me, then I should accept it!”

With that, he popped the kumquat into his mouth in one go.

Underestimating its size, he tilted his head back, struggling to chew with his mouth full, looking rather comical in the process.

Half an hour later, Gu Ning’an and Wei Hai sat at the stone table in the courtyard.

Two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, one soup, and two large bowls of Eternal Vintage were laid out before them.

Wei Hai looked at the spread and grinned. “Sir, your cooking skills are truly top-notch—no wonder you didn’t need my help!”

Gu Ning’an raised his bowl and clinked it against Wei Hai’s, smiling. “Seems like running a business has sharpened your flattery skills quite a bit.”

“Praising the food before even tasting it?”

Wei Hai chuckled sheepishly. “It looks and smells amazing—there’s no way it could taste bad!”

Taking a sip of the finely brewed Eternal Vintage, Gu Ning’an gave Wei Hai a thumbs-up.

“Smooth on the palate, fragrant but not overpowering, with a silky texture as it flows down the throat.”

“A fine wine—truly excellent!”

Hearing such praise for his brew, Wei Hai burst into hearty laughter. “You flatter me, Sir! If you like it, I’ll bring you more in a few days!”

“Ah, this batch will last me quite a while…” Gu Ning’an paused before continuing, “I’ll be heading out after the new year. If I run out and come looking for more, I might miss you.”

“In that case, I’ll keep some good wine stocked for you.”

As he spoke, a sudden thought struck Wei Hai. “Mr. Gu, can the kumquat tree drink wine?”

“It gave me a fruit, but I don’t have much to offer in return. Should we pour it a bowl of wine?”

Shasha~ Shasha~

The kumquat tree rustled its branches in response.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an smiled helplessly. “Go ahead and pour some for it…”