Chapter 24: Jincai Money Shop
"Yeah, something came up this morning and delayed me! Here, this is your mirror!" Ye Xing took the money and handed the mirror to the woman.
The marketplace was bustling with people coming and going in an endless stream. A large crowd gathered before Ye Xing’s stall, and business was booming.
"Big Brother!" A clear, childish voice suddenly called out from nearby.
Ye Xing couldn’t help but look up. He saw a little girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, with her hair in two pigtails and wearing a simple coarse-cloth dress. She was pushing through the crowded throng, running toward him with immense joy. Her little cheeks were flushed, making her look utterly adorable. It was none other than the young Qiao Qiao.
"Qiao’Er, you’re here!" Ye Xing smiled. "How is your mother’s condition now?"
"She’s much better. She can even get out of bed and walk around a little. The doctor said she’ll make a full recovery after another three to five days of rest." The little girl was very happy. "By the way, Big Brother, why didn’t you set up your stall this morning? I waited for you for a long time. I heard from Aunt Zhang and the others that you usually set up your stall in the morning."
"Haha, I just had something to take care of this morning." A glint appeared in Ye Xing’s eyes. "Qiao’Er, are you free right now? Could you help Big Brother watch the stall?"
"Okay!" the little girl said joyfully. "But you have to tell me the prices of everything!"
"Mhm. The roller-wheel lighters sell for one Silver Coin each, and the push-button ones sell for two Silver Coins. As for the mirrors, the small ones are worth one Gold Coin, and the large ones are worth two Gold Coins. The nail clippers sell for five Silver Coins, and this small knife and sewing kit sells for..."
There were more than ten different kinds of products in total, and Ye Xing had expected to have to repeat himself a few times. To his pleasant surprise, however, the little girl was extremely smart. He only had to explain once for her to remember all the prices.
The law and order within Phoenix Town was very good. Besides, the little girl was a local, and many of the customers were neighbors from the same street. Ye Xing wasn’t worried about any mishaps. He left the stall in the young Qiao Qiao’s care and departed with a dozen or so calculators.
Walking down the street and weaving through the bustling crowds, Ye Xing soon arrived in front of a large building. It was a single-story structure with luxurious, classical decorations. A plaque above the entrance was emblazoned with the name ’Jincai Money Shop’ in four large, gilded characters that seemed to be genuinely carved from gold.
Many people were coming and going. Among them were wealthy families in fine clothes, as well as Martial Artists carrying Great Sabers on their backs or longswords at their hips.
’Jincai Money Shop, the biggest money shop in town. It’s definitely loaded with cash. Heh heh, I guess it’s my turn to play salesman!’ A smile touched the corners of Ye Xing’s lips as he strode through the doors of the Jincai Money Shop.
Inside the money shop were several counters, each with an accountant. All of them were busy, their fingers flying across their abacuses.
"Good day, Sir! Are you here to make a deposit or a withdrawal?" asked the accountant at counter number two, his hands still moving over his abacus.
"Neither!" Ye Xing replied.
"Eh? If you’re not here to make a deposit or a withdrawal, then what business do you have at a money shop?" the accountant asked, puzzled.
"I’m here to challenge the accountants of your esteemed money shop in a contest of arithmetic!" Ye Xing announced loudly. His voice caused many people nearby to turn and look.
"A contest of arithmetic?" The accountant’s brow furrowed.
"What’s going on? What’s happening at counter number two? Why are you just standing there dazed?" a voice suddenly boomed as a large, fat man dressed in silks and satins emerged from the back.
"Shopkeeper, this gentleman isn’t here to deposit money. He wants to challenge our money shop’s accountants to a contest of arithmetic," the accountant from counter number two replied to the Jincai Money Shop’s Shopkeeper, pointing at Ye Xing.
The Jincai Money Shop was, after all, the largest money shop in the area. It wasn’t uncommon for outside accountants to come and issue challenges. If they won, they would almost always be hired by the Jincai Money Shop for a high salary. However, the challengers were typically old accountants in their forties or fifties with superb arithmetic skills; it was rare to see a young man like Ye Xing.
The Shopkeeper of the Jincai Money Shop gave Ye Xing a disdainful once-over and scoffed, "So young. You’ve balanced a few books, have you? Heh, and you think you understand the art of calculation?"