Chapter 59 - What A Bad Girl! (1/2)

Zhong Gang and Li Fang didn't hesitate to put their plan into work. The next morning, as soon as Mister Zhong exited his room, his cousin hurried over, a small package in his hands and a big smile on his face.

”Ah Gang, you're awake! Come, come, I've got something for you!” He ushered him back into the room, put the package on the table and unwrapped it himself, presenting a set of new clothes to him.

Mister Zhong scratched his head. ”What's this?”

Zhong Gang smiled satisfied. His cousin didn't grow angry, so his plan should have a chance of working. ”It's like this: I want to show you and your family the teahouse today. Since it's under our family's name, I thought it might be good to directly show the people of the capital, that you are part of the family. After all, nobody knows you yet, so they might think it is just an establishment I gave my name for. I discussed long with Li Fang about this and she suggested, that we might wear matching clothes, so that people will notice better how similar we look. Isn't that a great idea?”

Mister Zhong scratched his head again and smiled embarrassed. ”Sure, that sounds good, but … isn't that a little too much?” He grabbed the edge of the clothes and rubbed the fabric between his fingers. He had never seen something like this in the village! Even Mister Pi, who liked to dress smartly — as he called it — didn't own something like this. ”I'm afraid, I can't accept this.”

”Hogwash!” Zhong Gang slapped his shoulder, causing Mister Zhong to stumble to the side. ”You're helping me with this. You know: Just giving my name will not be as effective as having someone from my family run the business. I've manage to make a good reputation for myself in the capital. People would trust someone from my family, but they need to see, that you're really part of my family. So, please, do me the favor, yes?”

Mister Zhong looked still a little unwilling, but he finally nodded. ”I don't understand about business. If it's really this important, then of course I'll comply.”

”Yes, yes, it is!” Zhong Gang grinned sheepishly. Indeed! This was mighty important! After all, this might decide whether he got his preferred son-in-law or not. Ah Lei, please don't blame me. I'm sure, if you knew, you'd also want for your Jing Yi to marry my Guanyu!

Mister Zhong nodded and took the clothes, but still hesitated a bit.

”Go on, just try them!” His cousin urged him.

Mister Zhong finally complied and changed his clothes. His cousin laughed happily, seeing him like this. The clothes fit him alright, though he did look uncomfortable in them. He just wasn't accustomed to wearing something like that.

Zhong Gang nodded. ”Great! Really great! You should go and see your wife. Li Fang prepared clothes for her and your son, too. If you take the two of them with you, people will know with one glance, that you're a family!”

”Is that … really alright?” Mister Zhong questioned again. He was the one working for his cousin. His family maybe shouldn't be involved?

”Ah, no need to fret. It will be quite hectic in the first few days. If they can help you, it would be great. You can just let your wife sit at the entrance and get some of the more important guests orders. They'll love, that the owner's wife is personally tending to them!”

”What owner's wife?” Mister Zhong wanted to argue, but Zhong Gang didn't want to hear anything.

”Ah, don't, don't, don't! Just go and tell your wife. I'll send Li Fang with the other clothes over.”