Chapter 13 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

Translator's Note:

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Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

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Xiao Zimo couldn't quite understand what had come over him. Typically indifferent to matters of the heart, he now found himself experiencing something new—an inexplicable feeling toward the young ger they called Bai ger.

 

Though they had exchanged only a few words, an inexplicable voice in his mind seemed to insist, This is the person you've been looking for all along.

 

"Xiao gongzi*, we'll be taking our leave now," came Wu Bai's clear voice, breaking Xiao Zimo's reverie.

 

[T/N: In traditional Chinese culture, the term 公子 (gōng zǐ) refers to a young man, usually of noble or high-status family, and is often used to denote a son of a noble family or a gentleman. The term has historically been used as a respectful or polite address for a young master or a young man of distinction.]

 

The doctor had finished applying a salve to Wu Bai's scraped palm, and it seemed they were preparing to depart.

 

For the first time, Xiao Zimo felt an urge to ask someone to stay, yet he couldn't find the words to delay them. All he could do was watch them leave.

 

...

 

At the jade shop counter, the shopkeeper absently tapped his abacus beads, his gaze fixed on the nearby tea table. There sat Xiao Zimo, sipping tea, a frown shadowing his face as if he were drinking away his troubles.

 

It had been three days since he last saw Bai ger.

 

Though he had already sent someone to find out where the young ger and his family were staying and knew that his two companions were his father and elder brother, he had yet to visit. He understood he couldn't bring misfortune upon Bai ger. His parents had already arranged a suitable match for him back in the capital, and if he visited Bai ger now and his parents found out, they'd undoubtedly cause trouble for him. With this in mind, Xiao Zimo set down his tea cup and went upstairs.

 

However, just after he went upstairs, Wu Bai entered the jade shop.

 

Wu Bai had come here with two intentions: first, to see if he might run into Xiao Zimo again. But upon entering, he didn't see him anywhere, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. He quickly shook it off, reminding himself that he had another purpose.

 

The shopkeeper was startled to see Wu Bai walk in. He glanced over to where Xiao Zimo had been sitting, relieved to find the young master gone.

 

He had no desire for any entanglements between Xiao Zimo and Wu Bai. After all, if Xiao Zimo truly fell for Wu Bai and brought him back to the capital, the family back home would certainly not take kindly to it.

 

Seeing Wu Bai enter, the shopkeeper didn't feel inclined to serve him. If not for a few other customers in the shop, he might have directly shooed him out.

 

With Xiao Zimo likely to come downstairs at any moment, the shopkeeper put on a strained smile and approached Wu Bai. "This young ger, are you interested in any jade pieces? I can recommend a few for you," he said, hoping that after a brief look, Wu Bai would leave—after all, he likely couldn't afford anything here anyway.

 

Despite the shopkeeper's polite demeanor, Wu Bai could sense that he disliked him. He was puzzled; he had done nothing to offend the man.

 

Well, it didn't matter. He wasn't here to win anyone over; he was here for business.

 

With that, Wu Bai pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to the shopkeeper.

 

The shopkeeper took the paper, intending to dismiss him quickly, but as he glanced down, he noticed it was filled with designs for jewelry he'd never seen before. His eyes lit up, and he looked at Wu Bai with newfound interest. "May I ask, little gongzi, what is the purpose of this?"

 

Wu Bai didn't bother with small talk. Having once managed several shops himself, he knew well that merchants often danced around words just to drive down the price.

 

Watching the shopkeeper closely, he saw the glint in the man's eye upon seeing the designs.

 

"I'm here to sell these jewelry designs. If you like them, name your price," Wu Bai said.

 

The shopkeeper hadn't expected such bluntness; he thought Wu Bai would extol his designs as unique masterpieces, hoping to increase their value. Then he realized Wu Bai was just a naive country lad who didn't understand the finer points of business.

 

Feeling a surge of disdain, the shopkeeper couldn't understand what his young master saw in this young ger. Xiao Zimo might not have openly pursued Wu Bai, but the shopkeeper could see through his young master's carefully hidden intentions all too well.

 

He cleared his throat and offered, "I see six designs here. I'll give you one tael of silver for each. But you'll need to agree not to sell these designs to anyone else."

 

Wu Bai was so angry that he laughed. He could confidently say that, aside from himself, no one else could produce these jewelry designs, for they were all styles he had seen in his past life—trendy and highly sought after. Yet, the shopkeeper, seeing him as an easy target because of his friendly appearance, assumed he knew nothing about the worth of these pieces and tried to dismiss him with a mere couple of silver taels.

 

Wu Bai had chosen this jade shop specifically because he wanted to keep the profits within Xiao Zimo's family. But he wasn't about to be humiliated by an underling. He snatched back his drawings, ready to leave.

 

Just as he turned, Xiao Zimo came down the stairs.

 

Xiao Zimo had heard from a clerk that Wu Bai had entered the shop. Unable to stop himself, he rushed downstairs, only to see Wu Bai looking upset, about to walk out the door.

 

He quickly stepped in front of him, gently grabbing his hand to stop him.

 

In truth, Wu Bai didn't actually intend to leave after seeing Xiao Zimo. Deep down, he yearned to interact with him some more. He wanted to understand why, in this foreign world, he still retained his memories while Xiao Zimo seemed to have forgotten everything.

 

So, when Xiao Zimo held him back, Wu Bai willingly stopped. Yet, seeing the man who had once cherished him with all his heart, Wu Bai couldn't help but feel his eyes redden.

 

Noticing the tears welling up in his eyes, Xiao Zimo, thinking he had hurt Wu Bai's hand, quickly let go, apologizing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so abrupt."

 

Wu Bai shook his head, looking at him in silence.

 

"When did you get here? How long have you been waiting? Were you looking for something in particular?" Xiao Zimo asked, concern softening his voice.

 

"I came to sell these, but your shopkeeper said they're worth only one tael of silver each." Wu Bai held out his sketches, his tone tinged with unintentional grievance.

 

Xiao Zimo looked at the designs on the paper—distinctive jewelry styles he'd never seen before. In an instant, he recognized their worth, and hearing that the shopkeeper had undervalued them brought a dark look to his face.

 

"Shopkeeper Wu, are you feeling unsteady in your position? Shall I find someone else to replace you?" Xiao Zimo said coldly.

 

The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his brow, hastily apologizing. "Young master, I beg your pardon—it was my foolish mistake. I'll increase the offer to ten taels—no, twenty taels each. Will that suffice?"

 

Watching the shopkeeper backtrack, Wu Bai felt his frustration dissipate. He wasn't one to hold grudges; business was a matter of negotiation, after all.

 

The truth was, this strange world, combined with his task to fulfill the wishes of his body's original host, had kept him on edge. Before seeing Xiao Zimo, he had convinced himself he was managing well. But after unexpectedly meeting him, his past husband seemed to have forgotten all about him.

 

Earlier, when dealing with the shopkeeper, he couldn't control his emotions for a while and let his outrage flare up, allowing himself to finally vent his frustrations.

 

Now, watching Xiao Zimo scold the shopkeeper on his behalf filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in ages. Even if his husband no longer remembered him, he still instinctively cared. Wu Bai's anger toward the shopkeeper melted away.

 

Feeling pleased, he no longer held any ill will. He turned to Xiao Zimo and pleaded on the shopkeeper's behalf, "Forget it, Xiao dage. It was partly my fault for acting impulsively. Shopkeeper Wu was only negotiating, as any good businessman would."

 

[T/N: The term "大哥" (Dàgē) literally translates to "big brother," but it is often used for a man who is older, more experienced, or in a leadership role, even if there is no blood relation.]

 

The shopkeeper was startled by Wu Bai's intercession on his behalf but quickly seized the opportunity. "Yes, yes, Young Master. I truly didn't intend to offend Young Master Wu. I was only..."

 

"Enough," Xiao Zimo said impatiently. "Since Bai ger has forgiven you, consider yourself lucky. Now, hurry up and offer him a fair price."

 

"Of course, of course. How about I offer thirty taels per design?" the shopkeeper stammered, nervous but hopeful.

 

Xiao Zimo nodded in approval.

 

"No need," Wu Bai interjected. "I know the designs aren't worth that much. Ten taels per design is enough."

 

Hearing this, the shopkeeper felt relieved but glanced anxiously at Xiao Zimo, unsure whether to follow Wu Bai's wishes.

 

Xiao Zimo frowned. "Why are you looking at me? Do as he says."

 

With that, the shopkeeper's respect for Wu Bai grew even more. He resolved that next time he saw him, he'd treat him with the utmost deference, lest Xiao Zimo decide to replace him.

 

Hurriedly, the shopkeeper counted out sixty taels and handed them to Wu Bai, wisely refraining from adding any conditions on exclusivity. He didn't realize that Wu Bai had no intention of selling the designs elsewhere anyway.

 

Since Wu Bai was now carrying a significant amount of silver, Xiao Zimo insisted on escorting him back personally. He invited Wu Bai into his carriage, and Wu Bai, unbothered, accepted the offer as they left the jade shop together.

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