CHAPTER 1342: CHAPTER 1320: DECEPTION (SEPTEMBER MONTHLY TICKET BONUS 4)

Bai Shan meticulously recounted to Chen Bo the destinations of Bai Erlang’s money, for example, "When he was in Yizhou City before, he spent money without any sense of restraint, and a lot of the savings were spent. Later, moving to the capital made it even worse. Did you see the little ponies we rode back yesterday? They were all bought at a high price from a stable in the capital. Plus, our clothes and accessories cost quite a bit too."

Chen Bo was stunned, "Didn’t they say that after you got into the Imperial Academy, uncle was very happy and promised there would be enough pocket money?"

Not just Bai Shan, even Bai Erlang had a look of indescribable difficulty.

Bai Shan was no longer guilty and boldly said, "Cousin Chen, have you seen how far the capital is from Qili Village? The allowance sent to the capital by our granduncle comes every three months, it’s all calculated. He said there’d be enough pocket money, but with just this amount given, don’t you have to make sure it lasts within that range?"

Chen Bo: ...

This was very similar to his maternal grandfather, and Chen Bo nodded in understanding towards Bai Erlang.

"Besides these expenses, there’s also hosting meals," Bai Shan sighed, "In the capital, we’re just country boys. To socialize, don’t we have to treat people to meals?"

Chen Bo nodded, indeed, he experienced the same when he was in Mianzhou, especially when seeking favors.

"So our money gets spent a bit quickly, and in fact, Erlang is more frugal than I am. Look at me, our manor’s earnings are split three ways, my grandmother gave me quite a bit of money too, yet I still had to borrow money from him to buy a horse, and I haven’t paid it back yet..." Bai Shan said sheepishly, "So Cousin Chen, he truly wants to lend you the full amount, but he can’t manage that..."

Bai Shan pushed Bai Erlang, "Hurry up and admit, were you bragging the night before last?"

Bai Erlang: "...Yes."

Chen Bo looked at Bai Erlang speechlessly.

Bai Shan cleared his throat and said, "He’s always been muddleheaded, he doesn’t even account for how much money he specifically has, only knowing that the manor’s earnings each year are quite substantial, plus he receives quite a bit from granduncle too. But yesterday noon after we parted with Cousin Chen, we counted the remaining money ourselves, and, uh, there wasn’t much left."

He glanced at Bai Erlang and said, "But he was too embarrassed to speak up, so..."

Chen Bo solemnly patted Bai Erlang on the shoulder, "Erlang, if you don’t have money, just tell me directly, we’re cousins. Do you think I’d blame you?"

Bai Shan quickly said, "Isn’t it just to avoid losing face in front of Cousin Chen? After all, it’s rare for you to ask him for help."

Bai Erlang hesitantly nodded.

Bai Shan, noticing this, discreetly glared at him and then sincerely grabbed Chen Bo, "But we’ve calculated it, he still has two hundred and forty-three taels of silver left. We’re planning to buy some things to honor our teacher during the New Year, which might cost some money. We’ll also entertain classmates and friends upon returning to the capital, which might mean initial expenses could be high, but keeping forty taels should be enough in the end. After all, granduncle has given some pocket money too, and if really needed, we can come up with a plan later. So, the remaining two hundred and three taels can be lent to Cousin Chen. Cousin Chen, would you mind that?"

Given the exact sum, Chen Bo certainly wouldn’t mind.

Although it was far from what he expected, he still reached out to pat Bai Erlang’s shoulder, expressing understanding and saying he only needed to borrow two hundred taels.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang both breathed a sigh of relief, and the three of them then sat together amicably and started chatting.

Bai Shan spoke casually, "Cousin Chen, I see many people out there start a business by renting a shop. This allows for quicker cash flow, and once the money is earned, they can change the shop as long as the brand remains unchanged and the reputation is good. Customers won’t be lost."

Bai Erlang nodded repeatedly and probed, "So cousin, have you thought about renting a shop?"

Chen Bo frowned in contemplation.

Bai Shan stopped there, pulling Bai Erlang to stand up, "Cousin Chen, regarding doing business, we don’t understand much about it. Since you’ve already made up your mind, you might as well ask a steward at home when there’s time, or you could consult granduncle. They have broad knowledge and connections, maybe they can help you."

Bai Erlang nodded, saying, "Then cousin, I’ll take out two hundred taels later for you to take when you leave?"

Chen Bo quickly snapped back to reality, slinging his arm around his shoulder, "No need, just give it to me now. By the way, does eldest cousin know you’re short of money?"

Bai Erlang glanced at Bai Shan from the corner of his eye and nodded, "He knows."

"Then can you borrow some money from eldest cousin to lend me?"

Bai Erlang didn’t even look at Bai Shan, immediately shaking his head, "I wouldn’t dare ask my brother to lend me money. When he found out I bragged about lending you eight hundred taels, he scolded me. Besides, he doesn’t have much money, though his expenses are lower than mine, he only gets pocket money from dad, so he can’t save up much."

Chen Bo sighed, "I didn’t expect eldest cousin to be even poorer than you. Uncle is being unfair, why did he give you a manor, but not give eldest cousin one?"

Bai Erlang: ...

Bai Shan looked at Chen Bo with a gaze as if he were an idiot.

Chen Bo realized he had said something foolish, so he immediately patted Bai Erlang’s shoulder and laughed heartily, trying to smooth things over, "Erlang, don’t mind me, cousin just blurted it out without knowing what he was saying."

Bai Erlang exhaled a breath and shook his head, "It’s fine."

He said, "Then I’ll go back to get the silver for you, wait here."

He and Bai Shan walked back to their courtyard, and when there were no servants nearby, Bai Erlang sighed in relief, rubbed his chest and said, "Strangely, I don’t feel guilty at all for deceiving him."

Bai Shan couldn’t help but smack him on the head, "What guilt? Hurry up and count the silver."

Counting money, especially someone else’s money, was something both Bai Shan and Manbao loved, so they rushed to his room to help him count the money.

Each ingot was ten taels of silver, and they needed to count out twenty ingots in total.

Since it was reducing from eighty ingots to twenty ingots, Bai Erlang didn’t feel too upset, counting rather briskly. Once done, he placed them on a piece of cloth, ready to wrap up and send to him later.

Then Bai Erlang reached out to Bai Shan, "What about the money you owe me?"

Bai Shan slapped his palm and said, "What’s the rush? I’ll pay you back once he leaves, otherwise if the household staff hears about it and the news reaches his nephew, it’ll be bad if your relationship sours, and it won’t be my fault."

"Okay, I’ll wait until he leaves for the repayment." Bai Erlang stared at the twenty ingots of silver and asked, "Do you think these twenty ingots will go down the drain?"

"They won’t," Bai Shan laughed, "Eighty ingots might be risky because that’s quite a sum, but with twenty ingots, your aunt would be able to cover it. Even if he loses it all, your maternal family’s household would make up for this amount. After all, they wouldn’t let the grandson swindle the maternal grandson, right?"

Bai Erlang felt reassured.