Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

Meanwhile, Lin Daiyu glanced around the shop and found that there were still many customers present. She realized that what she was about to do might affect the shop's future business, so she found the shopkeeper and led the people straight there.

The shopkeeper, seeing a group of people with cold faces heading straight for him, sensed something was wrong, but still forced a facade and dodged the question:

"Miss Lin is here again? Feel free to pick and take whatever you like. The lady of the house certainly won't say anything. Please, Miss Lin, be lenient and don't make things difficult for us lowly servants."

Lin Daiyu did not respond immediately, but instead wore a slight smile.

"I know Manager Zhang is an old man, and he has worked very hard. My father wrote to me, asking me to thank you properly! Please come in with me."

After saying that, without waiting for Manager Zhang's reaction, she led Xueyan and Zijuan into the inner room.

Having no other choice, Manager Zhang followed him inside, with Deng Zechen trailing behind.

Upon entering the inner room, Manager Zhang saw Lin Daiyu already seated in the main seat, her expression inscrutable and silent.

Deng Zechen stepped over Manager Zhang, his voice icy, and coldly uttered a first sentence:

"The shopkeeper certainly has an air about him. Not only does this shop belong to Miss Lin, but the entire shop itself does. What right do you have to put on airs? And you even said Miss Lin can take whatever she wants and leave?"

Although Zhang, the shopkeeper, dared not openly contradict Lin Daiyu due to her status, he was still quite embarrassed to be questioned in front of others by such a junior, given his advanced age.

"And who is this young master?"

Lin Daiyu then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"This is my father's student, surnamed Deng."

My father said there are some things in the capital that I can entrust to him.

A disciple? To be able to handle such matters on behalf of Master Lin, he must be a trusted junior. But why have I never heard of him before?

He's probably just a gigolo who lives off women!

Although Manager Zhang had many doubts, he could tell that the other party was clearly up to no good, so he had no choice but to remain still and deal with the current challenge first.

"Young master is too kind. Of course I know this shop belongs to Miss Lin."

However, Miss Lin and her husband have been away from the capital for a long time, and the shop has always been managed by the ladies of the Rongguo Mansion. Although Miss Lin has now arrived in the capital, she is still quite young…”

Deng Zechen interrupted Manager Zhang somewhat rudely before he could finish speaking:

"Enough! Since you've admitted that this shop belongs to Miss Lin, then Miss Lin has the final say!"

"I'm here on my teacher's orders, not to chat with you. Hurry up and bring out the account books, don't waste our time!"

For the past six months, Deng Zechen has been studying and practicing diligently every day. He is at the age where he is growing taller, and with proper nutrition, he has grown very quickly.

Facing the somewhat hunched-over shopkeeper Zhang, Deng Zechen leaned forward slightly, looking like a vicious falcon, as if the person in front of him was his prey.

Manager Zhang looked at Lin Daiyu, who then seemed to suddenly realize something and advised Deng Zechen:

"Brother Zechen, Manager Zhang is a veteran of the Rongguo Mansion. He certainly has his own set of rules for doing things. This matter can't be rushed; we have to give him some time, don't we?"

Deng Zechen looked at Lin Daiyu, who had been "persuading" him, and replied in a tone of disappointment:

"You're just too young, making you seem easy to fool, which is why these people don't take you seriously! Who's the owner here? They have every right to see what they want and ask what they want!"

At this point, Deng Zechen looked at Manager Zhang again, his words carrying a pointed meaning, "Some people are just used to being carefree, unable to distinguish between what's important and what's not, and that's why they become increasingly audacious!"

"How could that be? Manager Zhang has worked hard and made great contributions; he must have his own reasons."

"Fine, since you've put it that way, I'd like to hear what his reasoning is. If he can't come up with a satisfactory 'reasoning,' don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Manager Zhang could finally see clearly that these two were working together to settle accounts!

Seeing that Manager Zhang's eyes were shifting, Deng Zechen decided to intensify his efforts:

"What reason do you have? Confess immediately! If you can't, I'll have you tied up and handed over to the authorities. There are plenty of people who can deal with parasites like you who line their own pockets and deceive their superiors!"

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang, who was below, immediately broke out in a cold sweat, knelt down with a thud, and stammered:

"This humble servant... this humble servant would not dare to conceal this from Miss Lin. The shop's accounts... the account books are indeed with the madam in the mansion..."

Deng Zechen slammed his hand on the table, startling Manager Zhang, who trembled again.

"Nonsense! The madam is long gone. How could she possibly be looking at the shop's account books? Tell the truth! Guards, tie him up!"

Two tall, burly guards stepped forward to seize Manager Zhang, at which point Lin Daiyu intervened to smooth things over.

"Brother, don't be hasty! Ask the matter clearly first, so as not to wrong the old man. We'll deal with it after Manager Zhang explains everything."

Seeing that Lin Daiyu was speaking up for him, Manager Zhang disregarded whether it was true or not and repeatedly begged for forgiveness, "It's true! The account book was taken away by Madam... that is, the wife of the second master of the manor, just the day before yesterday. It's really not here now!"

"Just because she wants it doesn't mean you should give it to her. Who owns this shop? Who's the master?"

Shopkeeper Zhang weakly replied, "Miss Lin is the true mistress..."

Deng Zechen is still diligently playing the role of someone who indiscriminately stirs up trouble:

"Fine! Since you admit it, then you should be punished for your incompetence. Tie him up and send him to the authorities!"

Seeing that things were about to get to the point, Lin Daiyu finally came out, stopped Deng Zechen, and announced the decision:

"Forget it, Manager Zhang has worked hard even if he hasn't done anything outstanding. Let's just let him go. He's getting on in years and it's not easy for him."

Lin Qiao, from now on, you'd better be more careful when you're managing things here, and don't make the same mistake as Manager Zhang.

"How can we let him off so easily? I think he should be taught a lesson as an example to others."

"Alright, let's do it this way. Manager Zhang, take Lin Qiao to meet the shop assistants, take care of the rest of the business, and then collect 20 taels of silver to retire."

You told me before that the shop only brings in less than 20 taels of silver a month, so I'll make the decision to add some to make it a round number for you.

Now that things have come to this point, Manager Zhang understood perfectly well that this was the true purpose of Lin Daiyu and her entourage, and that they were even using the excuse they had given her a few days ago to shut themselves up.

But what could I do if I didn't comply? Oh well, I'd better take the money and leave obediently. I'll just go and inform Madam Wang as soon as possible. That would be enough. The big shots' battle of wits has affected a nobody like me.

"Yes, thank you, Miss Lin."

Lin Qiao was quite excited upon hearing this. He was at the prime of his life, and finally had the opportunity to leave that manor. He was determined to seize this chance to make a name for himself.

"yes!"

"Okay, everyone get back to work. If any customers in the shop are frightened, remember to give them some gifts as an apology, so they don't laugh at us."

After everyone had been settled, only Lin Daiyu, Deng Zechen, and the young Xueyan remained in the inner room. Even Zijuan had been assigned tasks and sent out to work.

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth slightly and chuckled softly:

"Brother Zechen, you are truly amazing. It's a pity you don't go into opera. If we hadn't agreed beforehand, even I would have been shocked by you."