NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Favorability
Chapter 24: Favorability
Xu Lian returned to the old street in town and found a large crowd gathered in front of his house. Thinking that something was amiss, he urged his horse to gallop toward them. As he approached, the crowd parted and moved toward him, blocking his way.
“Manager Xu is back!” they shouted.
“Manager Xu, this is my daughter, please take a look at her,” some begged, holding out their daughters. Others carried small amounts of grain and wild game, hoping to be hired as overseers. Many others had nothing to offer, desperate for work as their families starved.
Xu Lian frowned. As the manager of a large mine with a significant supply of grain, he knew he’d soon be bombarded with requests every day.
“I don’t need women, don’t send them here,” Xu Lian stated firmly.
“The mine is full for now. When there are vacancies, I will make a public announcement. Then you can apply. If anyone dares to block my door again, they will never work for me.”
He knew that he couldn’t afford to show weakness. If he did, more people would swarm his door and it would become impossible to manage the mine.
“It’s getting dark. If you stay too long, the night patrol will come. You’ll regret it if you can’t leave,” Xu Lian warned, feeding his horse. Ignoring their pleas, he let the crowd disperse as they became anxious with the fading light.
Some desperate ones continued to try to push their daughters into his arms. Annoyed, Xu Lian raised a stick and broke it in half, which startled them into retreat.
At that moment, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly face. It was Wang Cuiyun, who cautiously looked around.
“Are they gone?” she asked.
“They’re gone,” Xu Lian replied, closing the door behind him. He handed her the grain, vegetables, and meat.
Wang Cuiyun smiled, “You’ve been working all day, sit down and rest. I’ll start dinner soon.” She called to the other girls, “Xiya, hurry up and make some tea! Chan’er, give him a shoulder massage!”
Xu Lian relaxed, enjoying her antics.
Li Xiya soon brought hot tea and lamented, “Unfortunately, we don’t have any tea leaves.
Xu Lian took the tea from her, smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “Xiya, things are different now. If there’s anything we need, just tell me. I’ll take care of it. Your husband can provide.”
Li Xiya thought for a moment. “We’re almost out of salt, and we’re running out of firewood. I’d also like some soapwort to wash my hair. Is that possible?”
“Sure, I’ll bring it tomorrow. Do you need any rouge or powder?”
Xu Lian added a finger’s worth to her request.
In Green Bamboo Town, essentials like firewood, rice, and salt were crucial. Tea, oil, vinegar, and soy sauce were luxuries for many, and items like soapwort and makeup were rare, reserved for the wealthier households.
Li Xiya shook her head, “I don’t need the rouge or powder, just the soapwort.”
Xu Lian smiled at her natural beauty, “Xiya, you look stunning without it. You really don’t need to add anything.”
“Brother Lian, your words are getting sweeter,” she replied, pleased as any woman would be by such flattery.
Xu Lian turned to Yang Chan’er, who was massaging his shoulders nervously. He pulled her gently to the front. “Chan’er, do you want something?”
Blushing, Chan’er hurriedly shook her head, “I don’t need anything. I’m already happy living with Brother Lian.”
Xu Lian thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want a bronze mirror?”
Yang Chan’er was delighted, but then shook her head. “It’s too expensive, no need.”
She was truly reasonable and obedient. Copper coins were the main currency in this world, and a bronze mirror was extremely expensive, usually only affordable by wealthy families.
Xu Lian said, “Your man manages an entire mine on his own now. He earns twenty taels of silver a month, but that’s not the main income. The most important part is that all aspects of the mine’s income and expenditure are handled by me, making it very convenient to get some money and grain.”
Hearing this, Yang Chan’er didn’t object and just nodded.
Xu Lian continued, “Just live peacefully with me. I’ve promoted your father to an overseer, and he now earns several taels of silver monthly, improving your family’s life.”
Being good to her meant letting her know… to quickly increase her affection.
He couldn’t silently sacrifice himself as a fool… this world didn’t appreciate that.
Yang Chan’er’s eyes welled up with tears as she leaned on Xu Lian’s shoulder. “Brother Lian, you are so good to me.”
“Master, dinner is ready.”
Wang Cuiyun had prepared the food.
The four of them ate with laughter and pleasant conversation, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
For ordinary families, happiness was simple; just having enough to eat was happiness. With Xu Lian bringing home big fish and meat every day, it was no wonder the women were delighted.
After eating, they digested for a while. Wang Cuiyun handed Yang Chan’er a knife and a small pottery cup, indicating that it was her turn to bleed tonight.
“Chan’er, look what I have!”
Like a magician, Xu Lian produced a small bottle of blood he had brought from the mine, giving Yang Chan’er a pleasant surprise. “From now on, I will bring you a fresh bottle of blood every day, so you won’t have to bleed so much.”
Not only was Yang Chan’er happy, but Li Xiya and Wang Cuiyun were also delighted. This meant that the physical burden of bleeding was gone, preventing them from aging quickly.
“Great, Master is truly amazing!”
Wang Cuiyun couldn’t stop smiling.
Xu Lian took the knife and ceramic cup from Yang Chan’er, put the knife back in the corner of the kitchen, and poured the blood from the bottle into the cup. He opened the door, put the cup outside, and closed the door.
“It’s getting late, let’s rest early.”
Wang Cuiyun entered the inner room and closed the door.
Li Xiya and Yang Chan’er were stunned for a moment, then they looked at each other and both blushed.
Xu Lian understood immediately and felt a surge of warmth. Sometimes, he had to set aside his prejudices against Wang Cuiyun. Her mercenary nature had its benefits; as long as she was well-fed with big fish and meat every day, she was content.
The opportunity was right in front of him, what was there to wait for?
Xu Lian eagerly blew out the oil lamp.
The night patrol was once again ignored…
The night passed without incident.
The next day.
Refreshed, Xu Lian woke up and checked his attribute panel.
【Name: Xu Lian】
【Rank: Muscle Refining Stage】
【Items: None】
【Skills: None】
【Note 1: Li Xiya’s affection for you has increased from 91/100 to 92/100. You have gained 1 progression point, which can be used to increase your rank, items, or skills.】
【Note 2: Yang Chan’er’s affection for you has increased from 70/100 to 85/100.】
Xu Lian was pleasantly surprised. Sister Xiya’s affection for him had increased by 1 point, giving him 1 progress point. Chan’er’s affection had increased by 15 points, almost reaching the 90/100 mark.
“Add the progression point to the rank.”
He didn’t hesitate and added the progression point to his rank.
Currently, he had no items or skills, so he could only increase his rank.
Moreover, his rank was the foundation of his own strength. Even the best items and skills needed his own strength as a support to fully unleash their power.
He understood this simple principle.
【Progression completed. Adding 1 tiger bone will allow you to advance to the Bone Refining Stage】
Xu Lian thought about it and understood it. The material for skin refining was cowhide, for muscle refining it was python tendon, and for bone refining it was tiger bone.