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Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 194: Miss Gu, why didn’t you come to - 98?
Chapter 194: Miss Gu, why didn’t you come to Chapter 98?
"Let’s go to Liuyan Villa, more than twenty li outside the eastern suburb. It takes about an hour to get there. There are mountains and a lake, and the scenery is very tranquil! By the way, the crabs you ate a few days ago were caught from the lake there!"
Shi Fengju said to Sang Wan with a smile.
Sang Wan nodded lightly and "oh" in acknowledgment, then suddenly turned her head and asked with a smile, "Liuyan Villa? Does our family own this manor? How come I have no impression of it?" Sang Wan inwardly chided herself in embarrassment because when Shi Fengju had someone send the crabs, she only had them received and rewarded without asking which manor they came from.
Shi Fengju lightly smiled, "It’s right that you have no impression of it, this manor isn’t owned by the family, it was privately acquired by me."
So it was a private estate! Sang Wan’s expression stiffened as she thought to herself that she was being meddlesome by inquiring about someone else’s "private funds." She simply said "oh" and did not continue the conversation. She thought to herself no wonder he is so generous, not even blinking when spending on his sister’s Xiu Garden, probably he has a considerable amount of private estates!
However, Shi Fengju took the initiative to say, "Apart from this one, there are two other private manors and five shops, which bring in an annual income of fifty to sixty thousand taels. Actually, besides uncle who serves as an official in another region and has no private properties, my other uncle and aunt also have real estate and commercial properties outside, and sometimes they also ask me to help take care of some matters! As long as it doesn’t shake the foundation of the Shi family, these things are actually not a big deal!" He laughed heartily and added, "Even mother, who hates trouble and dislikes meddling, owns a three-compartment residence in the southern part of the city and two silk shops in the center of the market district!"
Those two silk shops of mother are always on the brink of losing money! If it weren’t for his secret interventions, they would probably have ceased operations long ago, Shi Fengju thought to himself.
The Shi family is really wealthy! Sang Wan sighed inwardly, yet her heart couldn’t help but be moved; she thought if she also purchased some lands and established a property, she would have something to rely on no matter what. Unfortunately, she had lots of jewelry, antiques, jade items, calligraphy, paintings, silk, and satin, but hardly any cash—those things were only good for use, not for raising money!
Sang Wan couldn’t help feeling frustrated, pondering over how to save some money. Although the monthly allowance of twenty taels seemed plentiful, the expenses were even greater with occasional rewards dispensed, hardly leaving much behind. Really need to figure out a way to save every single penny. The money saved would be her own dependable support. She couldn’t merely rely on his lordship’s charity on the day she leaves. In case of any mishap, if his lordship is displeased and refuses to provide, she would have nowhere to cry.
Shi Fengju saw the sudden change in her expression and didn’t know if she heard his words or not, nor did she show the keen interest he anticipated or express a desire to own private property. Shi Fengju couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed. He thought to himself: Speak up, just say it! If you say it, I’ll give you all the manors and shops under my name!
Sang Wan had no idea about his thoughts; even if she had ten times the courage, she wouldn’t dare to venture into such considerations.
Suddenly sensing Shi Fengju falling silent, the atmosphere in the carriage became somewhat oppressive, making her slightly uncomfortable; presumably, he felt the same way.
After some thought, Sang Wan then said with a smile, "I wonder if there are still big crabs in that manor? Although we had quite a lot that day, unfortunately, I was too busy attending to mother, my aunt, and elder sister to enjoy even two. If there’s still some, you must treat me today!"
Shi Fengju brightened up again, laughing, "Originally, I planned to take you there just for the crabs, plenty of them! There’s a lake beside the manor, also my property. Every year, the lake produces tens of thousands of jin of crabs! The water there is good, and so are the crabs raised there. Every year, I ask Uncle Cui and Aunt Cui to keep most of them either to eat themselves or to give away."
"Really?" Sang Wan couldn’t help but smile, "Looks like I’m in for a treat!"
"You can have as much as you want! Uncle Cui and Aunt Cui, knowing that we are visiting, should have caught and kept crabs in the manor waiting for us yesterday," Shi Fengju laughed, seeing her laughing with curved eyebrows and shining eyes, revealing pearl-like white teeth, so lively and charming, his heart softened, and he watched her somewhat absent-mindedly.
The two of them chatted idly, not realising the carriage had turned into a quiet mountain path. The overlapping green mountains and chirping birds, along with the rustling sound of wind through the trees, filled the air with a refreshing scent.
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