Under the trusting gaze of the little girl, Luo Cuiwei composed herself, put her hands on her hips, and thought for a moment.
“If I get involved in their ridiculous antics, things will only get more chaotic. There are so many people watching,” she said, lightly brushing her teeth against the corner of her lips and clicking her tongue in annoyance. “Here’s what you’ll do: go tell Gao Zhan that I need to speak with him and ask him to come to the courtyard immediately.”
Those two are not usually unreasonable or lacking in manners, but today they started arguing in front of everyone over a trivial matter. I suppose they are both in a difficult position. Perhaps she should call Gao Zhan away. Although it is not a brilliant idea, at least it will give them both a way to end things gracefully.
Song Qiuqi was a straightforward young girl. Since Luo Cuiwei had made up her mind, she didn't delay and hurriedly nodded in agreement before turning around and running back the way she came.
****
Luo Cuiwei turned back to her own courtyard. As soon as she entered the gate, she called out, "Tao Yin, has there been any news from Songyuan?"
At the beginning of the month, Luo Cuiwei had someone deliver a letter to Luo Fengming in the capital through Luo's rice shop in Songyuan, informing him that he would be transporting some cardamom back and asking him to negotiate a buyer in advance.
She wasn't quite sure how things were going with Luo Fengming. Ever since the first batch of cardamom was shipped to the capital ten days ago, she had been anxiously waiting for a reply from Beijing.
In truth, she knew she was just worrying futilely. It had only been ten days, and even if there were news from the capital, it would not be delivered so quickly. But she couldn't help but panic because she needed money everywhere and had no "food" on hand.
Tao Yin peeked out from the kitchen doorway, looking surprised: "Your Highness, you asked this question just half an hour ago when you left..."
"Oh, I forgot," she lowered her eyes to hide her disappointment and anxiety, forcing a calm smile, "When Gao Zhan arrives later, tell him to come to the side hall to find me."
While Luo Cuiwei was anxiously calculating the next month's expenses on the abacus in the side hall, Gao Zhan finally arrived.
Luo Cuiwei has been extremely busy lately, both physically and mentally. Although she still puts on a smiling face in front of others, her temper is quite unstable inside.
Upon seeing Gao Zhan's disheveled appearance, she immediately frowned in anger and said fiercely, "How old are you, still causing trouble?! Do you really think that just because you're in Linchuan, no one can control you?!"
These days, the two have been in frequent contact because of the house construction project, and they have gradually become familiar with each other. In addition, Gao Zhan is Luo Fengming's friend and is about the same age as Luo Fengming. Luo Cuiwei has unconsciously treated him as her own younger brother in private, taking care of him when necessary and disciplining him when necessary.
Fortunately, Gao Zhan seemed to have a natural inclination to be controlled. The more Luo Cuiwei talked to him, the closer and more submissive he became to her.
"I sent you to oversee the construction of the house, but instead of focusing on it, you went next door to provoke Miss Fu Qi."
Hearing her scolding someone again, Gao Zhan lowered his eyes in grievance and shuffled over, sitting down at the table opposite her as if he knew the way well. "I really can't stand it anymore!"
The volume of the last three words suddenly soared, accompanied by an angry kicking motion.
His demeanor reminded Luo Cuiwei of Luo Fengming when they were children. When he was bullied by outsiders, he would complain to her in the same way and ask for her support.
So her heart softened, and she laughed, though she was annoyed. "You're supposed to be a 'great man' from now on. What will people say if they see you like this?"
“I’m not like this in front of other people,” Gao Zhan muttered dejectedly. “I’m very composed.”
"Steady? You're steady my foot..." Luo Cuiwei gritted her teeth and stared wide-eyed, really wanting to curse him out with the rudest language.
She couldn't bring herself to yell at him, so she just grabbed a few pieces of paper from the desk and threw them at his face.
"They're using their own money to build their own houses, and they can build them however they want. What business is it of yours?"
Gao Zhan's face immediately turned ashen, and he shook his head repeatedly, "It's too ugly! It's really too ugly! Just thinking that there is such an ugly house standing in this city where I personally drew the architectural plans makes me feel terrible from the bottom of my heart!"
Gao Zhan's feelings towards the newly emerging Linchuan New City were different from those of others.
After all, the blueprint for this city began with his pen and originated from his heart.
"Can't you offer some nice advice to them?" Luo Cuiwei sighed helplessly.
Gao Zhan snorted aggrievedly and pouted, "At first, I offered my suggestions in a kind and gentle manner, but who knew that Fu Ying had such a bad temper. Not only did she not appreciate it, but she also gave me a fierce and unfriendly look."
“Miss Fu Qi is young but already in charge of clan affairs. She is a decisive person and naturally wouldn’t like anyone telling her what to do.” Luo Cui smiled and sighed.
“You used to be in charge of the huge Luo family in Jingxi,” Gao Zhan muttered indignantly, “but you didn’t treat people like this.”
"Merchants believe in making money through harmony, which is quite different from the Fu family. Besides, it's only because you've never provoked me that I haven't seen me throw a tantrum," Luo Cuiwei glared at him, annoyed. "Look at that gray stain on your clothes, did you fight?"
I've heard that Miss Fu is skilled in both literature and martial arts, while Gao Zhan has been idle in his studies and unambitious in martial arts since childhood. It's obvious to anyone that he's destined to suffer.
You can't win an argument, and you can't win a fight.
To dare to challenge someone with such a huge disparity in strength is something only a person with a brain eaten by a dog would do.
"You can't accuse someone of this wrongly. I tripped over the blueprints with her," Gao Zhan explained awkwardly, then immediately blushed and gritted his teeth, "But she clearly saw it, yet instead of helping me up, she jumped up and dodged to the side!"
I hate it when I think about it.
Luo Cuiwei chuckled upon hearing this, and seeing his aggrieved glare, she quickly straightened her expression and spoke gently to comfort him.
“Back in the capital, you were pampered by everyone in the government and protected by your five older brothers. No matter how unruly or mischievous you were outside, people would always give you some leeway. But here, you are just Gao Zhan, and no one will let you act as you please for no reason.”
Gao Zhan raised his eyes listlessly, met her gaze, pursed his lips, and remained silent.
Luo Cuiwei rested her right elbow on the table, chuckled, and said, "I'm used to being the older sister at home, and I can't help but nag a bit when things happen. If you find it annoying..."
As she talked, she realized she had been meddling too much.
“It’s no trouble!” Gao Zhan suddenly sat up straight and interrupted, his eyes filled with anxious tenderness. “At home, my mother and brothers never said a bad word about me; although my father-in-law disciplined me, he only scolded and punished me… Actually, I really wish that someone could patiently explain to me, word by word, what I did wrong and what I should do.”
So from the very beginning, he was extremely envious of Luo Fengming.
Luo Fengming's older sister would scold him, but she would also teach him; she would play with him, but she would also stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
They stumbled and tried together, shared the consequences of their mistakes, and shared the joy of their successes.
They are siblings, and also companions. Neither of them looks down on the other, nor does the other despise the other.
Like two trees leaning on each other in the wind and rain, though different in size, they stand tall together.
He also longed for a sister like that, a companion like that.