Zhang Fang nodded and pulled out a manuscript from his pocket, handing it to the other party. “This is the new content I wrote in the past two days. I’m unsure if the readers will be satisfied. Therefore, I want to take it to the teahouse and have Mr. Cai help narrate it to everyone.”
Shopkeeper Wu smiled as he quickly read through the manuscript. Upon encountering an exciting plot, he suddenly grew anxious and asked Zhang Fang, “What happens next?”
“I haven’t planned the continuation yet. That’s why I wanted to hear how the audience discusses it.”
Zhang Fang’s reasoning did not raise any suspicions for Shopkeeper Wu. Wu only felt anxious, eager to continue the story! Unfortunately, Zhang Fang had only written this much!
“Sigh! Zhang genius!” Shopkeeper Wu sighed. He really wanted to urge more writing. But how could he? He had just assured Zhang Fang that he wouldn’t rush him for more content. If he asked for more now, it would be slapping his own face!
“I wonder when Mr. Cai will arrive?” Zhang Fang turned to look downstairs.
Shopkeeper Wu also found it frustrating that Mr. Cai was dawdling. He told Zhang Fang to stay here for tea and snacks while he sent someone downstairs to hurry Mr. Cai along. He also arranged for someone to invite several doctors to come here.
“Fourth son, mother’s eyes are bad. Don’t waste your money on me!” Old Lady Zhang hadn’t expected that her son had brought her to the city today to treat her eyes. She felt touched, and her eyes grew moist. While Shopkeeper Wu was present, she kept her head down, fearing to lose her son’s face.
Zhang Fang handed her a piece of pastry and said gently, “Mother, if it can be treated, we will treat it. If not, then we’ll leave it as it is. Try this snack.”
Old Man Zhang touched the fabric of his clothing and reminded Zhang Fang sternly, “Fourth son! Although publishing a book can lead to success, it can never compare to passing the imperial examination! Father supports you writing, but you must not let it interfere with your studies!”
“I understand. Father, you should try the snack too,” Zhang Fang said as he handed a piece of pastry to Old Man Zhang.
Old Man Zhang and Old Lady Zhang took the pastries but hesitated to taste them. Such good pastries! They unconsciously wanted to save them.
After a moment of hesitation, Old Lady Zhang cautiously asked Zhang Fang, “Fourth son, can we take this snack home? When you want to eat it later, we can give it to you then. This wouldn’t embarrass you, would it?”
“Mother, you all eat it. In the future, there will be no shortage of such snacks at home.” Zhang Fang, seeing them not eating, took another pastry, broke it in half, and shoved one half towards Old Lady Zhang’s mouth and the other half towards Old Man Zhang’s.
The elderly couple could only open their mouths to eat. What a sweet pastry! Even sweeter was the filial piety of their son.
When Old Cai heard that Zhang Fang had arrived, he rushed to the teahouse. Upon seeing him, Shopkeeper Wu quietly said a few words, making Old Cai treat Zhang Fang politely.
Even without Shopkeeper Wu’s instruction, Old Cai already respected Zhang Fang as an author! After all, a person capable of writing such a great story deserves respect!
Once they got upstairs, Old Cai first smiled and apologized, “Sorry to have kept you waiting, Zhang genius!”
Zhang Fang smiled and shook his head, inviting them to sit down while he handed the manuscript to Old Cai to review.
Before taking the manuscript, Old Cai wiped his hands on his clothing—a gesture of formality, even though his hands weren’t dirty. After all, this manuscript was too precious! Zhang Fang didn’t ask for anything in return and simply handed it over for Old Cai to read for free! How generous!
After finishing the content, Old Cai’s eyes lit up as he stared at Zhang Fang, excitedly asking, “Why did you stop here?”
If he read it to the audience, wouldn’t they get so frustrated at this point that they’d curse? Even Old Cai, as a reader, felt uncomfortable upon reaching the end of the content.
“I want to see everyone’s reactions. That will help me arrange the next part of the plot.” Zhang Fang’s explanation sounded reasonable.
Old Cai promised to read Zhang Fang’s manuscript to the guests in the afternoon.
Shopkeeper Wu had a calculating expression and suddenly said, “Since Zhang genius wants to know what the audience thinks of this content, if the discussions are only a few, it might affect your analysis. Naturally, the more people there are, the more discussions there will be. I’ll send someone to the streets to invite more people to the teahouse to listen to the story. How does that sound?”
This was just what Zhang Fang wanted, and he smiled, nodding, “If so, then I must trouble Shopkeeper Wu!”
“Zhang genius must be joking! What is troublesome about this!” Making money is hardly a hassle! Even if they couldn’t sign Zhang Fang to grant the teahouse exclusive rights to the manuscript, Shopkeeper Wu thought it was fine to seize this opportunity! The more people that came, the more money the teahouse would earn! Plus, in the eyes of outsiders, their teahouse had a good relationship with Zhang Fang! When Zhang Fang became famous or passed the imperial exams in the future, the teahouse would also benefit!
Immediately, Shopkeeper Wu rushed to organize things, instructing all the staff to go out and promote. The seating in the hall was cleared away and converted into standing tickets!
Anyone wanting to come in to listen to the story would have to pay 20 wen for tea! Each person would receive just a cup of tea! The elegant seats on the second floor would be increased to accommodate, charging 100 wen for a seat, and each person would get a pot of tea!
Zhang Fang saw Shopkeeper Wu directing from downstairs but did not say anything. He planned to take Old Lady Zhang to find a doctor to have her eyes checked first.
When Shopkeeper Wu saw them coming down, he stepped forward to block their path, asking, “Where is Zhang genius going?”
After showing the manuscript to Shopkeeper Wu and Old Cai, Zhang Fang put it away. Now that Shopkeeper Wu had just sent the news out, if Zhang Fang ran off with the manuscript, wouldn’t that be digging a big pit for himself?
Zhang Fang explained, “I see the teahouse doesn’t have any customers right now, so I thought I’d take my mother to see a doctor first.”
Shopkeeper Wu took Zhang Fang’s hand and told him, “Zhang genius just needs to wait here! I’ve already sent someone to invite the doctor!”
“Thank you so much, Shopkeeper Wu. Then I am grateful!” Zhang Fang helplessly cupped his hands and, along with Old Man Zhang and Old Lady Zhang, returned upstairs to continue waiting.
Old Lady Zhang nervously clasped her hands together, her heart in turmoil. She both hoped her eyes could be treated and restored to normal while also worrying that the treatment would be too expensive and reluctant to spend the money.
“Fourth son, mother doesn’t want to see the doctor; let’s go home?” Old Lady Zhang had grown accustomed to shrinking all day in Zhang’s old home. Staying in the bright teahouse was ultimately uncomfortable. Moreover, she also hesitated to spend money on treating her eyes.