Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 148

As an unmarried young man, Song Qingzhan was constantly plagued by the nagging questions of his numerous aunts.

They always had a few phrases that they never tired of repeating: “Qingzhan, did you get married today? Did you go on a date today? Are you planning to remain single forever? Are you still single today?”

He had become immune to these questions.

Hearing Zhuang Yu’s remark, he glanced at Qin Mo and casually said, “When he gets married, I’ll think about it.”

Lu Tang:?

Zhuang Yu gave Qin Mo a sideways glance, then looked at Lu Tang and laughed, “He might get married by the end of this year, and you? Are you planning to follow suit by next spring?”

Everyone assumed Zhuang Yu was just joking, so no one responded to his comment, except Zhuang Yu himself, who walked behind them, observing Lu Tang.

This little girl always called herself “Young Master,” and initially, he really thought she was a delicate young boy.

Well, it seems there’s some interesting drama unfolding.

In a good mood, Zhuang Yu hummed a tune as they arrived at the Laifu Inn.

When they arrived, Xie Yu was still buried in his books. Hearing the knock on the door, he took a moment to pull himself out of the sea of knowledge and went to open the door.

Seeing a crowd outside, Xie Yu widened his eyes and asked Lu Tang, “Are we leaving already?”

Before Lu Tang could reply, Zhuang Yu pushed his way in from behind. “Do you like water management?”

Xie Yu looked at him in surprise. Not recognizing him, he instinctively moved closer to Lu Tang for safety.

Lu Tang patted Xie Yu’s arm reassuringly. “This is the former Imperial Censor. Whatever he asks, just answer honestly. Don’t be nervous. I brought him here.”

I brought him here, he won’t harm you.

Xie Yu, still anxious, asked, “What does he want to ask? Why doesn’t he ask you? You’re much better at water management than I am. I learned everything from you.”

The moment Xie Yu said this, Lu Tang wished she could cover his mouth, but it was too late.

Xu Shen’s eye twitched in shock and disbelief as he looked at Lu Tang: Much better?

Lu Tang: I’m not, he’s exaggerating.

Qin Mo stroked his chin: Is this little fool really that capable?

Lu Tang: …Yes!

Zhuang Yu looked at Lu Tang. “So, you can speak multiple dialects, do math by sight, write plays, and now you’re an expert in water management?”

Lu Tang shrank back. “A poor child learns many skills.”

Xu Shen: You must be kidding me.

Leaving Zhuang Yu and Xie Yu to talk, with the door closed, Xu Shen pulled Lu Tang aside. “Water management?”

Lu Tang sheepishly replied, “Xie Yu is exaggerating. I just lent him a few books, and he thinks I know everything. You know what I’m like.”

Xu Shen poked her forehead. “You know if you’re really knowledgeable or not. I’m just reminding you, don’t pretend to be something you’re not.”

He glanced at Qin Mo. “I’ve figured out that his status is definitely high. We’re just common folks. Don’t feel the need to glorify yourself to match him. It’s unnecessary. If someone likes you, they’ll accept you even if you’re a beggar. If someone wants to play with you, even if you’re a princess, they won’t care. Don’t do something foolish, got it?”

Lu Tang, who had told Xu Shen she was a girl to ease his worries, now felt like he was more worried than before. “You sound like my dad.”

“Get lost! Has your dad ever taken care of you?”

Lu Tang stuck out her tongue. “You’re better than my dad.”

“Get lost! And don’t forget, even if we’re not as high-status, emotionally, we’re equals.”

“Got it, got it, Grandpa Xu, you nag too much.”

Xu Shen poked her forehead again. “I’m just worried you’ll be taken advantage of. His status is high, and he seems very shrewd. Your simple mind can’t keep up. Don’t dig a hole for yourself.”

“I know! Let’s take these stories to the other side and let Zhou Shu and the others help review them. We need to pick the best one for the grand opening. Once we select the story, I still need to find actors and arrange rehearsals. It’s a lot of work.”

“Young Master Lu.”

While Lu Tang and Xu Shen were talking, Du Zhongming’s son, Du Xuan, timidly called out from the wall.

Lu Tang and Xu Shen turned to look at him.

Du Xuan, rubbing his hands, smiled and walked over. “I heard you opened an inn?”

Lu Tang didn’t hide it. “Yes, it’s being renovated. It should open next month.”

“Well, I’m not good at studying, but I’m really good at making up stories.”

Lu Tang:?

Recommending himself?

“I heard you’re looking for someone to write stories. How about me?” Du Xuan asked, biting his lower lip nervously.

Yesterday, Lu Tang and Xu Shen had been wondering how to lure Du Xuan to their inn. Now, he was offering himself.

Lu Tang eyed him suspiciously. “You want to write for me?”

Du Xuan nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with hope. “Can I?”

He didn’t look at all like the usual carefree rascal.

Lu Tang said, “It’s not impossible, but does your father know?”

“Of course not. You’re competitors. If he knew I was going to your inn to shine, he’d beat me and cut off my allowance.”

Lu Tang:…

“Then why not stay at your own Laifu Inn?”

“We don’t need stories at our inn.”

“Then why don’t you tell your father we’re looking for stories? Maybe he’ll want to compete and find some too.”

Du Xuan gave her a look that said, “Are you stupid?” “If my dad did that, you’d have no market. Our inn is well-established!”

Lu Tang:…

She said nothing, just stared at Du Xuan.

Du Xuan stomped his foot. “My dad has always said I’m useless and unmotivated. You guys are rascals too. You must understand my frustration, right? I need to prove myself to my dad.”

He looked at Xu Shen.

Xu Shen, expressionless, shook his head. “No, I don’t. I just want to live an easy life, eating, drinking, and having fun as a rich second generation. I don’t want to work hard or prove myself. It’s enough that my dad can support me.”

Du Xuan:!

“Don’t you have any ambition?”

“Does having ambition make you a rascal?”

Du Xuan:!

“Anyway, I want to write stories for your inn. I don’t need money, but if my stories sell well, you have to tell everyone in Yuhang that I’m the author.”

Lu Tang understood what he wanted.

Yesterday they were seeking cooperation; today, they had the upper hand. Lu Tang spoke formally, “It’s not impossible, but we need a contract. While you’re supplying us with stories, you can’t write for anyone else. It’s called an exclusive contract, for five years. During this time, anything you write can only be for our Qiao Family Inn.”