Chapter 25: A New Clerk and an Unwelcome Guest

“Seven hundred and twenty copper coins deposited, totaling three ingots and two taels of Imperial Silver,” a clerk announced, tapping his abacus. Mid-calculation, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind, prompting him to clear the beads and start anew. “Hmph—it should be three ingots and three taels of Imperial Silver. No, no, the silver price seems to have fluctuated recently. What was the ratio again?”

Having witnessed the clerk’s inefficiency from the other side of the counter, the boss couldn’t help but frown in skepticism. “Are you even capable, young man?” he demanded, his tone laced with impatience.

Just then, a voice rang out from a nearby counter: “Here’s your silver exchange note. We look forward to your next visit. Next!”

In less than half a day, He Junan had mastered the entire operational flow of the Exquisite Bank. Coupled with his extraordinary calculating and problem-solving abilities, he managed a multitude of clients in mere minutes.

“I’m not wasting my time here,” the boss declared, sweeping the Imperial Coins from the counter into his money pouch before eagerly joining the long queue.

Lu Yu observed the scene, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. “What a capable lad. The people of Donghua Kingdom are truly impressive…”

“Congratulations, Shopkeeper,” Hu Zhicheng praised effusively. “With such a formidable talent in our bank, we’ll never have to worry about being overwhelmed again.”

“It’s a mix of joy and worry. He’s a formidable talent, indeed, but he also stirs up quite a bit of trouble…”

“Do you mean Miss Lin might go home and bring reinforcements?”

“Not ‘might’,” Lu Yu affirmed with a slight smile, his voice resolute. “She definitely will.”

“This…”

As time slowly slipped away, the sun began its descent in the west. He Junan, having processed the last client’s transaction just before the Exquisite Bank closed for the day, stretched languidly in his seat. “Phew—what a busy first day…”

“Everyone else’s clients are queuing up for you. How could you not be busy?”

“Shopkeeper?”

Turning around, he found Lu Yu, hands clasped behind his back, strutting with the proud demeanor of a rooster.

“How do you feel after your first day of work?”

“Just busy and tired… but it’s fine. I’ll get used to it gradually.”

At that moment, a mature-looking man approached, grinning as he reported to Lu Yu: “Shopkeeper, today’s revenue is very impressive. The funds for building in the town’s east can now be approved.”

“Never mind that for now,” Lu Yu said, patting He Junan’s shoulder. “Come, let me introduce you. This is our new clerk, He Anquan.”

“My name is He Junan…”

“My apologies,” Lu Yu said, scratching the back of his head. “Let me introduce you properly. This is Fang Boda, our head accountant. He will be your direct superior from now on.”

“Hello, Manager Fang.”

“No, no, no,” Fang Boda quickly waved his hand. “Once you join the bank, we’re family. Just call me Old Fang from now on.”

“And this gentleman,” Lu Yu continued, gesturing to Hu Zhicheng, “is Hu Zhicheng, our security manager.”

Hu Zhicheng cupped his fist in greeting. “Brother, now that you’re with the bank, there’s no need for formalities. Just call me Ah Hu.”

“Hello, Ah Hu.”

No sooner had He Junan finished speaking than an unwelcome guest stormed across the threshold, bursting in with a menacing air. “Out of the way!” A hapless boss, just about to leave, was shoved to the ground before he could even react.

“How could you…”

The boss intended to argue, but upon seeing the newcomer’s face, he instantly paled, rendered speechless. Clutching his silver exchange note, he scurried out of the bank in a cowardly retreat.

“Who made my precious little sister cry?”

He Junan looked up, only to find it was Lin Shaodong himself!

In a panic, he hastily used an account book to shield his face, bending low and hiding behind the counter, terrified that Lin Shaodong would recognize him and cause Lu Yu further unnecessary trouble.

“Young Master Lin, what an unexpected visit. We apologize for not preparing a proper welcome.”

Lin Shaodong immediately pointed a finger at Lu Yu’s nose and roared, “Shopkeeper Lu, spare me your merchant’s theatrics!”

Just then, Ah Hu shot him a piercing glare that instantly deflated a third of Lin Shaodong’s bluster. “Young Master Lin, please compose yourself.”

“My sister, a person of rare good temper, came seeking someone, yet not only did you refuse her, but you also used foul language to provoke her until she left in tears. Is this true?”

The Lin family retainers he brought were all burly and stood in a menacing line, like a professional football team, completely blocking the bank’s entrance. From their posture, it was clear they wouldn’t let even a fly escape.

“It seems there was something to that effect…”

“My father dotes on Xiao’er the most. If he knew you made her cry, he’d surely bring men to raze your bank to the ground!”

“What do you mean, Young Master Lin?”

“Either you hand the person over willingly, or I’ll have my men take them by force. You choose!”

“Heh, isn’t that a bit out of line?”

“What do you mean?”

Lu Yu feigned dusting off his sleeve. “While our Exquisite Bank merely handles deposits and withdrawals, it’s still a reputable establishment with branches across the entire Huangxia region. For you to simply demand one of my staff be taken away—wouldn’t that make me, the head shopkeeper, lose face?”

“And is it ‘losing face’ for my sister to run out of your bank in tears?” Lin Shaodong clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous. “Lu, if you don’t give me an explanation, I guarantee your shoddy bank won’t last in Moxuan!”

“Young Master Lin, I merely made a casual remark about marrying her. Who would have thought she’d burst into tears?”

“My sister is an innocent, naive young lady, untainted by the world, with a delicate and charming appearance, refined manners, and conversation that rivals any noblewoman. In contrast, you, a vulgar merchant… possessing neither good looks nor refinement, publicly declaring your desire to marry her is clearly an act of intimidation.”

“I believe we are both respectable figures in Moxuan Town. While one can eat carelessly, one cannot speak carelessly. Regardless of what kind of person I, Lu Yu, am, do you truly have no idea what kind of woman your sister, Lin Zhixiao, is?”

“Of course I know!” Lin Shaodong retorted, his face flushed crimson, his voice amplifying severalfold as if he wanted the entire town to hear. “My sister is a celestial fairy descended to earth, and you are nothing but a blind toad hopping around, licking at every jump, attempting to lick your way to my sister!”

“You…”

“Is that not how it is?”

“I can’t listen to this anymore,” Hu Zhicheng interjected. “Have you ever seen such a wealthy toad?”

Lu Yu, hands on his hips, shot back, “Are you with them or with me?”

“My apologies, Shopkeeper. I spoke out of turn…”

“I’ll say it again,” Lin Shaodong shrugged. “Either you hand the person over willingly, or I’ll have my men take them by force.”

“And I say, that’s impossible.”

“You…”

“Since this person is my employee, I am responsible for his safety. The Exquisite Bank will never yield to a ruffian like you.”

“Good, very good, excellent… Guards—!!!” With negotiations failed, Lin Shaodong summoned his retainers, preparing to use brute force. “Find that boy for me!”

“Yes—”

As the Lin family retainers swarmed towards the counter, Lu Yu’s patience reached its limit. He dropped all pretense of cordiality with Lin Shaodong, his face hardening into an unusually stern expression. “Young Master Lin, if you continue to make trouble, do not blame me for resorting to extraordinary measures.”

“Extraordinary measures?” Lin Shaodong sneered. “I’d like to see what extraordinary measures you possess. Show them to me…”

Lu Yu offered no reply, merely clapped his hands twice with force. Moments later, the bank’s security guards swarmed in from all directions, encircling the counter and trapping Lin Shaodong and his retainers within the main hall. Simultaneously, two other guards blocked the main entrance, completely cornering them.

“Young Master, this, this, this…” The Lin family retainers were adept at bullying and fighting, but seeing such a formation, their confidence wavered considerably.

“Lu Yu, let’s talk this through. Why have you called so many people?”

Lu Yu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, chest puffed out, an air of arrogance about him. “If you show me a modicum of respect, I will naturally return it sevenfold. If not, there’s nothing more to say. We’ll fight this out for real, and we’ll see who walks out of this threshold alive.”

“Lu, you… it seems you are deliberately trying to oppose my Lin family, then?”

“Young Master Lin, I believe I’ve made myself quite clear. Though the Lu family may not be an illustrious clan, we will never be threatened.”

“Is it worth standing up so strongly for a mere servant?”

“Every one of them is someone’s child, born of a mother and father, not a plaything to be trifled with. Until you understand how to treat others, the Exquisite Bank does not welcome your presence. Please leave!”

“Lu, you truly have no shame!” Lin Shaodong, out of options—unable to win with words or fists—could only resort to the thirty-six stratagems and flee. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to hurl a final threat: “Just you wait!”

After Lin Shaodong had departed, Fang Boda, who had been hiding behind a vase, finally poked his head out, asking timidly, “Shopkeeper, have we just invited a pack of wolves and tigers upon ourselves…?”

“If we’ve provoked them, we’ve provoked them!” Hu Zhicheng declared, bristling with indignation. “At worst, we’ll report it to the authorities. Lord Lang, our town’s magistrate, is astute and will surely uphold justice for us!”

Lu Yu offered a thoughtful piece of advice: “Unless things are truly irreparable, it’s best to avoid involving officials…”

As he spoke, He Junan emerged from behind the counter, quickly joining the three men. “Shopkeeper Lu, thank you for earlier. If you hadn’t intervened on my behalf, I truly wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“It’s nothing,” Lu Yu said with a smile. “Since you’re my employee, it’s only right that I, as the head shopkeeper, protect you.”

At this point, Hu Zhicheng spoke up. “Brother, how did you get involved with someone like that?”

“Ah, well,” He Junan sighed. “It’s a long story. It happened the day before yesterday…” He then recounted the entire situation.

“Outrageous!” Hu Zhicheng clenched his fists. “This Lin Shaodong, to act so brazenly in broad daylight, completely disregarding law and order!”

Fang Boda whispered faintly, “That’s too much…”

Lu Yu remarked casually, “There’s nothing strange about it. Some people have no bottom line in their actions; eventually, someone will teach them a lesson. By the way, Anquan, I saw a four-legged camel-beast in the stable. You didn’t ride that to work, did you?”

He Junan scratched the back of his head, an embarrassed smile creeping onto his face. “I actually did ride it here… Wait, my name is He Junan, not He Anquan!”

“Don’t ride that slow, clumsy four-legged camel-beast anymore. Let Ah Hu take you to my stable to pick out a good horse. Riding a horse will be much more efficient for commuting.”

“‘Slow and clumsy…’ He recalled riding the four-legged camel-beast initially; it had moved at a snail’s pace. But after consuming the mushroom given by Wu Lingfeng, it had become like a creature powered by an elixir, running ceaselessly, transforming from a humble Wuling Hongguang into a Cadillac.”

“What’s wrong?”

He Junan shook his head. “No, nothing.”

“Ah Hu, take him to see the horses.”

“Yes—”

He Junan politely declined, “Shopkeeper Lu, I cannot accept such a grand gift without having earned it…”

“You’ll be very uncomfortable without a horse.”

“I don’t have a horse…”

“Exactly, you don’t have a horse.”

He Junan instinctively retorted, “You’re the one without a horse.”

Lu Yu furrowed his brow, explaining, “I have a horse. You don’t have a horse. I want to give you my horse.”

“‘I understand what you mean, I just don’t like the sound of it…'”

“Anquan, I’m delighted you’ve joined Exquisite Bank. From now on, we are family…”

“My name is He Junan.”

“Ahem,” Lu Yu deliberately cleared his throat. “From now on, we are family. Don’t hesitate to speak up if you need anything. If it’s within my power, I will definitely…”

Mid-sentence, he noticed two figures standing on the opposite rooftop. In the blink of an eye, they vanished, as if they had never been there at all.