Chapter 43: The Manager is Put in a Difficult Spot

Little Yun’er couldn’t help but feel pity for the shop assistant; he saw something of himself in the man’s situation. If not for Miss Nine, Xiao Cui would never have given him a second glance. Similarly, if not for Xiao Cui’s company, the shop assistants here would have thrown him out long ago.

The assistant who had just been scolded by Manager Qian hastily nodded and apologized to Xiao Cui, though resentment simmered in his heart. What irked him was Little Yun’er. Where did this boy come from, with two beautiful women fussing over his attire, making him look so grand? He thought to himself that once he earned enough money, he too would find a few pretty women to dress him up.

But earning money was difficult, and finding women as beautiful and impressive was even harder. He sighed quietly.

Xiao Cui tried several outfits on Yun’er, but none seemed quite right. She couldn’t help cursing, “Manager, this is my first time shopping here, and all you offer are these ugly, worthless things.”

Manager Qian cried out, “You wrong me, Lady Cui! These are the finest, most expensive garments for young gentlemen in our establishment.”

Xiao Cui asked, “Is there anything better inside?” Manager Qian pleaded, “Please, Lady, don’t make it hard for me. Truthfully, this is all we have.”

Xiao Cui ignored him and went inside, rummaging through boxes and shelves. Suddenly, she found a sable fur coat in a sandalwood chest, its size perfect for Yun’er, and its appearance luxurious and beautiful. She brought it out for him to try.

Manager Qian was instantly alarmed. “No, Lady Cui, this sable coat is not for sale!”

Xiao Cui was curious, “Why not?”

Manager Qian nervously explained, “This coat was specially ordered from the Northeast for Master Shen’s beloved son in the East City to wear for the New Year.”

Xiao Cui laughed, “Why are you so anxious? I just want him to try it on and see if it fits.”

Manager Qian thought, how could I not be anxious? Xiao Cui was notorious for her forcefulness. If she decided it suited Yun’er, she would insist on buying it, and how would he explain to Master Shen? If Master Shen accused him of breaking his word and complained to the owner, he would lose his job.

He desperately hoped the coat wouldn’t fit Yun’er, so no trouble would arise. But his fears came true. Once Xiao Cui dressed Yun’er in the sable coat, he appeared dashing and noble, like a model young gentleman from an aristocratic family.

Xiao Cui smiled and asked Xiao Hong, “Well, what do you think? Doesn’t he look good?”

Xiao Hong looked him over and agreed, “Yes, this one suits him best. Of all the clothes we’ve tried this morning, this is definitely the finest.”

Xiao Cui was delighted, “After all that searching, I finally found the right one. Heaven rewards those who persist.” She turned to Manager Qian, “How much is it?”

Manager Qian’s face fell. “Lady, I told you, the sable coat is not for sale. It’s already been reserved.”

Xiao Cui laughed, “I could leave without buying anything, but after spending so long here, it would seem as though I couldn’t afford anything and was just being picky. That would be quite humiliating. Besides, it would be disrespectful to your establishment to waste so much time and leave empty-handed.”

Manager Qian was at a loss, “Lady Cui, it’s all right if you don’t buy anything. I’ll explain to the owner, and our shop always welcomes you both.”

Xiao Cui smiled, “But after all that effort, finally finding something, you refuse to sell it to me—aren’t you making me lose face?”

Yun’er couldn’t help but recall the scene where Manager Yang refused to sell the Lucky Wine to the Wolf of Hedong. Now, Manager Qian was just as awkward.

Manager Qian thought, “All that effort was your own doing, not mine!” But he said, “Lady, I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that Master Shen from the East City ordered this sable coat. Please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Xiao Cui retorted coldly, “Is that Master Shen the fat one?” Manager Qian nodded repeatedly, “Yes, that’s him. Lady, you know we can’t afford to offend him.”

Xiao Cui was annoyed. She thought, you can’t offend him—but does that mean you can offend me? Aloud she said, “I know Shen the Fat. How much is he paying for the coat? I’ll pay double.”

Manager Qian pleaded, “Lady, it’s not a matter of money.”

Xiao Cui laughed slyly, “If it’s not about money, all the better. We’ll just take the coat, since you’re not concerned about the price.”

Xiao Hong, barely containing her laughter, said to Manager Qian, “Just tell us, how much does it cost?”

Manager Qian realized there was no way out; they were determined to buy the coat. He secretly raised the price considerably. The coat cost eighty taels of silver from the Northeast, and he intended to sell it to Master Shen for one hundred. Now, feigning reluctance, he said to Xiao Cui, “This is the finest sable coat from the Northeast. We paid one hundred taels for it and planned to sell it to Master Shen for two hundred and ten. Since you insist, Lady Cui, you can have it for one hundred seventy taels. We won’t take extra profit, just twenty taels for transport.”

He thought, “I didn’t want to sell, but since you’re forcing me, I’d be foolish not to raise the price.”

However, he miscalculated. If he’d told the truth, Xiao Cui would have paid the original price, or at least not forced the price below cost. But now, by inflating the price, he’d encountered Xiao Cui and Xiao Hong—both shrewd and experienced in business, especially Xiao Cui, who managed a gambling house. She was sharp and clever, sharper even than Miss Nine in such matters.

If Yun’er had come with Miss Nine, she might have bought it. But Manager Qian had misjudged, and now he was in trouble.

Xiao Cui laughed, “One hundred seventy taels isn’t expensive. How about I pay you two hundred?”

Manager Qian was secretly delighted. If she paid two hundred taels, even if Master Shen came, he’d only lose a few dozen taels, and a few kind words would smooth things over. He would still make a handsome profit. But outwardly he sighed, “If you insist, Lady, our shop will obey.”

Xiao Cui pulled out a silver note and waved it. Xiao Hong secretly smiled, knowing Xiao Cui’s cunning nature; she would never hand over the note so easily.

Manager Qian, face alight with joy, reached out to take it, but just as he was about to touch it, Xiao Cui drew it back. She laughed, “Oh, I almost forgot. If I buy it like this, you’ll have trouble explaining to Fat Shen. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll write a note, and you can have Shen come to me to collect it. He can choose the coat or the money, whichever he prefers.”