Chapter 52 - 52 Chapter 52: Cirrus Loft Bookstore
52 Chapter 52: Cirrus Loft Bookstore
“Alright. Next, I have to sell straw sandals and buy some things. What are you going to do?” As Qin Xiaoyao spoke, she glanced at the two baskets of straw sandals she was carrying.
There were a total of 102 pairs of straw sandals, and it was a little too much to give all of them to her father.
She had to go to Cirrus Loft Bookstore to help her attractive husband ask for work. On the way, she would be passing by some grocery stores, and she could try to sell the sandals to them.
In addition, she might also be able to sell some of them off if she shouted along the way as she carried them on her shoulder.
“I… I want to visit my Daniu, then my parents. After that, I want to go to Uncle Qin’s place to get two catties of meat.”
She had not forgotten that her mother-in-law had indicated that she wanted to eat meat yesterday.
Hehe! She had earned a lot of money today. She couldn’t go back without buying anything, right?
“Okay! Then let’s split up. After we’re done, we’ll meet up at my father’s place,” Qin Xiaoyao said.
“Alright!” Big Girl Li quickly agreed.
The two of them then parted ways.
Qin Xiaoyao turned around and began shouting as she started to sell straw sandals along the way.
“Straw sandals for sale! High-quality straw sandals, only four copper coins per pair!” She was walking while peddling.
“Straw sandals of various sizes, four copper coins for one pair!”
Her voice was shrill, and her pronunciation was clear, so it was easy for her to attract the attention of passersby.
The passersby were surprised to see that the woman who shouted in that sweet voice was actually a fat woman.
Immediately after, they saw the two large wicker baskets of straw sandals on her shoulder. Those who lacked straw sandals at home or were preparing to change them became quite interested.
Very quickly, someone came forward to inquire.
Qin Xiaoyao stated her price happily, then put down her pole to let the customer choose.
“Regardless of size, they are all four copper coins per pair. Take a look. My family’s straw sandals are of the best quality and style!”
A middle-aged woman asked for the price.
After hearing Qin Xiaoyao’s words, she picked up a pair of straw sandals from Qin Xiaoyao’s basket and examined them.
She found that they were indeed high-quality straw sandals.
“It’s too expensive. Are you willing to sell it for three copper coins?” She then asked Qin Xiaoyao.
Qin Xiaoyao’s expression froze.
Three copper coins? This aunt was really good at bargaining. She only got three copper coins when she sold the sandals in bulk to the grocery stores.
“Er… look at the quality and this design, Aunt. How can three copper coins be enough?” Suppressing her anger, Qin Xiaoyao said with an aggrieved expression.
Qin Xiaoyao’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the woman’s expression change.
After swallowing down her anger, she lowered her voice and whispered into the woman’s ear, “How about this? If you really want to buy it, I’ll charge you seven copper coins for two pairs!”
“There’s really no more room for negotiation with this price. In the shop, a pair of straw sandals of this quality is worth five copper coins!”
The woman’s eyes wavered.
“Then give me two pairs.”
She immediately gave her the required feet sizes.
Qin Xiaoyao smiled and quickly fetched the straw sandals for the woman.
In the end, before she got paid, more people approached her.
Qin Xiaoyao responded loudly whenever she heard price inquiries.
“Four copper coins. All sizes are four copper coins per pair. What size do you want, Uncle?”
When the woman who was about to pay heard Qin Xiaoyao’s words, she was even more satisfied.
She quickly counted seven copper coins and handed them to Qin Xiaoyao. When she handed the money over, she deliberately concealed it so no one could see how much she paid.
Qin Xiaoyao took the payment and checked it. She then gave the woman a look that said ‘it’s our secret’ before she handed the straw sandals to her with a smile.
“Take care, Aunt!” she said, beaming happily.
The woman left with two pairs of straw sandals, feeling very satisfied.
On the other side, the uncle saw that the straw sandals were not bad and told her his required feet size.
Qin Xiaoyao sold another pair at the price of four copper coins.
After the transaction was completed, Qin Xiaoyao picked up her basket of straw sandals and continued to peddle along the street.
When she saw a grocery store on the side of the road, she went in to sell the sandals.
Some shops saw that her straw sandals were not bad and bought a few pairs. Some found her annoying and drove her away.
Qin Xiaoyao didn’t get angry and continued to do her business with a good temper.
Finally, she arrived at the Cirrus Loft Bookstore.
Seeing that the bookstore wasn’t big, Qin Xiaoyao thought for a while and placed the backpack and carrying pole somewhere near the side of the entrance.
Then, she went into the bookstore alone.
There weren’t many customers in the bookstore at the moment. One of the shop assistants saw Qin Xiaoyao and quickly came up to her.
“Ma’am, do you want to buy books?” He asked with a smile and even bowed to Qin Xiaoyao.
Qin Xiaoyao hurriedly returned the greeting.
“I’m not here to buy books. I just want to ask about your bookstore’s book-copying work.”
Seeing the shop assistant’s surprised expression, Qin Xiaoyao quickly added, “Oh, I’m asking on behalf of my husband.”
“My husband’s name is Song Que, and he’s been copying books for your esteemed bookstore. He injured his leg a few days ago so he couldn’t come.”
The shop assistant’s eyes lit up.
“So it’s Big Brother Song!” he then said in surprise.
Qin Xiaoyao was surprised.
Big… Brother Song?
Her attractive husband was on such familiar terms with this little brother?
Then, the shop assistant looked at Qin Xiaoyao with a strange expression.
It was rumored that Brother Song was being pestered by a demonic female shrew and he ended up having to marry her. Was she the one?
Although this person’s appearance…
However, she was quite polite and gentle when she spoke, so she couldn’t be considered a shrew.
Qin Xiaoyao didn’t get angry at the shop assistant’s stare. Instead, she maintained her smile.
“Little brother, do you know my husband?” she asked gently.
Although the other party was a little rude, she could not embarrass her attractive husband.
Only then did the shop assistant quickly come back to his senses and quickly looked away.
“Yes, yes, yes! I owe Big Brother Song a favor. It’s all thanks to Big Brother Song’s recommendation that I’m able to work in this bookstore.”
“The copying of books is arranged by our shop owner. Sister-in-law, please follow me. I’ll take you to the shop owner now!” The shop assistant said hurriedly.
“I’ll have to trouble you then.” Qin Xiaoyao thanked him.
She turned around to look at the things she had left at the entrance. After making sure that her belongings would not leave her line of sight, she followed the shop assistant to go to the shop owner, who was not far away.
“Don’t mention it, Sister-in-law!”
With just a few steps, the shop assistant led Qin Xiaoyao to the shop owner and explained the situation to him.
When the shop owner found out about Qin Xiaoyao’s identity, he also looked at her a few times with a strange expression.
Thereafter, he even asked Qin Xiaoyao about Song Que’s situation.
After learning that Song Que’s leg was injured and that it would take half a year for him to fully recover, the shop owner felt some sympathy.
“What a pity. Mr. Song is very talented. If he takes the examination this time, he will definitely pass the elementary scholar exam and achieve scholarly honor!”
He directly said ‘achieve scholarly honor’ and did not assume that Song Que would not pass, which showed how high his evaluation of Song Que was.
In fact, he was not the only one. Scholar Zhang from Cirrus Loft Academy next door also thought highly of Song Que.
Even though Song Que started lessons at the Academy late, he had studied a lot at home. Moreover, his talent was extraordinary, far beyond that of ordinary people.
Scholar Zhang had always regarded him as one of the key nurturing targets of the Academy.
If nothing had happened to the Song family, according to the original plan, Song Que would have passed the county examination and would be preparing to participate in the capital examination. However, now…
Once Father Song passed away, Song Que would have to observe mourning for three years. He would not be able to participate in the Imperial examinations for at least three years.
In addition, the Song family was in such a state that Song Que could not even afford to go to the Academy anymore. Even if he had the chance to take the exam again three years later, the situation would probably be different.
In addition…
The shop owner looked at Qin Xiaoyao again and sighed in his heart.