Chapter 253: A New Way Out

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

How am I a bad person? HeChangming felt wronged.

Humph! There's a reason you're no good! If he was not a bad person, then what was he? She could tell he was the sort of brotherly figure who gave her delicious food because he wanted her to become his wife.

She had so many beautiful sisters. There was a good chance he was up to no good!

I'm warning you. If you try anything funny or attempt to seduce my sister from my brother-in-law, I won't let you off! As one of the most beautiful and quick-witted of the Su sisters, Sixth Sister vowed to protect her family. Little Sister Su was no good; she would probably be sold someday.

He Changming did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he soon realized he was in quite a pickle.

Su Wen and Zhou Hengyang seemed different when they exited their room. At least, their attitude toward him had changed. Su Wen did not go to the village chief's house to ask for some wine. Instead, she cleaned the wild rabbits he had skinned and salted them but did not prepare them for dinner.

Dinner began without much fanfare.

He Changming noticed Su Xiu was not around when they were all seated, and he frowned. It looks like we're one short. Where's Su Xiu?

Su Xiu isn't feeling well, Su Wen replied, How is it? What do you think of my cooking? Su Wen dodged any further questions about Su Xiu by redirecting the conversation. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but no one in Trinity

Village is a better cook than me.

Zhou Hengyang raised his chopsticks, his eyes gleaming like a Cheshire. Wenwen, keep a low profile.

A low profile, yes! Su Wen sat at the head of the table, greeting He Changming warmly. She was the picture of a good host.

Dinner was delicious. He Changming was not phased by the spices, even though some would have found the food spicy. He quite liked Su Wen's cooking.

The chef herself was eating with gusto, a thin sheen of sweat coating her face. It looked as if she could not bear to put down her chopsticks.

Zhou Hengyang could not help but laugh.

It was strange seeing the Su family enjoy their spicy food so much, except for Zhou Hengyang, who could not stomach the heat. Zhou Hengyang was an anomaly in the family with his different tastes. Because he could not eat spicy food, he could not eat from the same pot.

Hah! It seemed he was still more compatible with the Su family than he was.

The meal drew to a close, the atmosphere strangely charged. Most of the food ended up in He Changming and Zhou Hengyang's stomachs. They were not the sort to be overly polite, let alone embarrassed.

It was no surprise, however. He Changming was still young and strong and had a healthy appetite befitting someone of his occupation. It was only to be expected that he would eat more than Su Wen or her sisters.

After dinner, Su Qing led Sixth Sister and Little Sister Su away to clean up. Pots and pans, woks and dishes. There was plenty to keep them occupied; they even had to heat water for the bath. While they were away, Su Wen outlined her intentions, explaining how she hoped to continue procuring leather and furs from him. She hoped his supply could keep up with her demands.

She also brought up another point: she did not want him to sell furs or leather to anyone else in the future.

As for the price and further negotiations regarding cowhide, sheepskin, lambskin, and other furs, Su Wen proposed that they discuss the matter at a later date. Su Wen laid down most of the conditions of their future partnership, taking precautions against those who would take advantage of her work.

Still, an informal partnership like theirs would not last for long.

Su Wen's original intention was to get to know He Changming better through her dinner invitation- -it was not supposed to be anything more than that. A real, long-lasting partnership would demand they sign a formal contract.

Su Wen wanted to give herself some wiggle room, so she asked for some time to consider things in greater detail, only formalizing their deal sometime in the future.

He Changming's reaction aligned with her evaluation of him while she read the novel. He was smart and had a good head on his shoulders. He would not be led by the nose just because he was a guest of the Su family. On the contrary, he remained calm, as cool as a cucumber, making suggestions occasionally to ensure he was not being taken advantage of.

Meanwhile, He Changming got a better idea of Su Wen's ambition.

Black Eagle Village produced plenty of leather and furs. They were a village of hunters, after all. Su Wen's proposal and partnership would benefit him and everyone else in the village. Hunters lived dangerous lives, not much better than those in traditional farming villages. Worse still were the new laws in place which banned the hunting of certain protected animals. Those laws caused many of his tribesmen to suffer reduced incomes.

He Changming had long been trying to think of a solution for his clansmen, so how could he allow this opportunity to slip through his fingers?

Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much!