Chapter 9: Guo Hua Sends Money

As soon as Chen Fan spoke, everyone present turned to look at him.

"Chen Fan, don't joke around. Even the Master can't think of a solution, so what could a poor boy like you possibly come up with?" Wang Wei said, clearly dissatisfied. Ever since she saw Chen Fan wearing clothes covered in patches, she had felt aggrieved on her daughter's behalf and held an inexplicable resentment toward him. Hearing Chen Fan speak so boastfully only made her expression darken further.

"Mother, my husband is very clever; perhaps he really has thought of a good solution?"
"Exactly! Can't you just listen to what he has to say? You have no patience at all."

No sooner had Wang Wei finished speaking than Yingchun and Yingxia spoke up in defense of their husband. Seeing her usually obedient and sensible daughters scolding her for the sake of a poor boy, a surge of anger rose in Wang Wei’s heart, deepening her disdain for Chen Fan.

"Yingchun and Yingxia are right; young people often have unexpected ideas," Su Yi interjected before Wang Wei could speak again. "Chen Fan, tell us your plan."

Seeing her husband support him, Wang Wei was furious, but since Su Yi had already spoken, she could only hold her tongue, fixing a cold, icy glare on Chen Fan. She waited, ready to mock him the moment he failed to provide a viable solution.

Chen Fan set down the pig's trotter he was holding. "Actually, it can be done by..." He began to outline his plan.

When he finished, a flicker of pleasant surprise appeared in Su Yi's eyes. "Good. We shall do as you say. If you truly solve this problem for the Su family, I, Su Yi, will never treat you unfairly."

"I told you my husband would come up with a good way," the sisters said, smiling at their mother. "Mother, do you believe him now?"

Wang Wei’s expression only soured further. "Humph. Don't be so happy yet. This plan sounds simple, but it is not easy to carry out!"

After dinner, as night fell, Chen Fan walked home with the sisters. Seeing the road mostly deserted and the two beautiful, delicate women beside him, Chen Fan’s hands began to wander. However, as soon as he touched them, they shied away. Raised with strict notions of propriety, they felt that even though Chen Fan was their husband, he should not be overly intimate in public. This left Chen Fan feeling quite dissatisfied.

Looking at the pitch-black road, a mischievous idea struck him: he would tell them a ghost story. The sisters were terrified, pressing themselves tightly against him. Chen Fan took the opportunity to wrap his arms around their waists, his hands slowly moving, no longer satisfied with staying still. The sisters had never felt such excitement; they were terrified, yet they experienced an indescribable thrill that made them want to refuse, but the words died on their lips.

By the time they reached Donghua Village and their dilapidated house came into view, the sisters were panting, their hearts racing with anticipation.

"Chen Fan, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you all night!" A figure suddenly jumped out from the side of the road.

The three had been so preoccupied that they hadn't noticed someone waiting. The sudden appearance startled them all. "Ah! A ghost!" the sisters shrieked. Chen Fan immediately stepped in front of them, his gaze sharp as he stared at the intruder. He did not believe in ghosts.

"I'm not a ghost, I'm a person!" the figure complained. Chen Fan looked closer and found the man familiar. "Chen Fan, don't you recognize me? It’s me, Guo Hua the storyteller!"

The sisters emerged from behind Chen Fan. "It really is Master Guo Hua." They had heard him tell stories before and recognized him. Guo Hua looked smug at being recognized.

"Do you have business here? If not, move aside and don't block our way home," Chen Fan said with a cold laugh.

Guo Hua’s arrogance vanished instantly. "Chen Fan, hurry and tell me the rest of the story! If I don't have the next part for tomorrow, the audience will probably beat me to death!" he said anxiously.

Chen Fan smiled and gestured for the sisters to go inside. "Where is today's money?" he asked once they were gone.

Guo Hua reached into his robes and produced a bag of silver. Chen Fan took a rough glance; there was over 150 taels, about the same as the day before.

"This amount isn't quite right, is it?" Chen Fan said with a cold smirk. Guo Hua’s eyes darted away, his face betraying his nervousness. "What... what's wrong with it? There are only so many people who listen to stories each day, so naturally, the money is about the same. Besides, over a hundred taels is not a small sum. Don't be too greedy."

Chen Fan’s smile only deepened. He knew that after yesterday’s performance, the legend of Sun Wukong must have spread throughout the county. The more people who knew, the more who would pay to hear it. The tips should have been far higher than yesterday's, not less.

"I’m sure you aren't the only storyteller in the Great Xia Dynasty. I believe others would be quite interested in my story," Chen Fan said, turning to head inside. "Since you aren't being honest, I’ll just find someone else to work with. Goodbye."

Guo Hua panicked, knowing he would lose his golden goose if Chen Fan left. "Wait!" he cried, grabbing Chen Fan. "Take it all!" He reached into his robes again and pulled out another pouch. Chen Fan saw it contained another two hundred taels.

Chen Fan glared at him. "I earned six hundred taels today. I really gave you your full share! If I held back even a single copper, may I drop dead!" Guo Hua swore, seeing Chen Fan’s skeptical look.

"I was just joking with you. I won't take this bag of money this time, but you need to do me a favor." Chen Fan pushed the pouch back.

Seeing his silver returned, Guo Hua tucked it away immediately, fearing Chen Fan would change his mind. "Whatever the favor, even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a vat of boiling oil, I will do it!" Guo Hua promised, patting his chest.

Chen Fan leaned in and began to whisper into Guo Hua’s ear.