If you manage them well, I’ll let you manage more.”
Excited, Han Ren Xu tucked the property and shop deeds into his chest, picked up the account books, and told Yu Yi: “Mother, please be assured, Han Ren will do his best.”
Yu Yi smiled: “You start working, and if you don’t understand anything, ask Han Xiao. I’ll have Han Xiao guide you.”
Mother Yin sat in the hall, waiting nervously for Han Ren Xu to return. Seeing him walk in with a radiant expression, she asked: “What did the Madam tell you?”
Han Ren Xu handed her the account books and contracts: “The Madam said these two shops are now mine.”
Although this was what Mother Yin had long hoped for, she feared it might be a trap. After thinking for a while, she said: “The Madam just scolded me for your days away from home, so how is she suddenly giving you shops? Han Ren, you must check the accounts carefully to ensure you’re not inheriting any debts.”
Han Ren Xu nodded: “Han Ren will review the accounts today and go to the shops early tomorrow to verify.”
The next morning, Han Ren Xu went to the western shops. After checking the accounts, everything balanced. Neither the silk shop nor the clothing store had any outstanding debts, and they were even performing well.
At the shop, seeing the shopkeeper and workers were diligent, he finally felt relieved.
That day, Han Ren Xu stayed at the silk shop and returned to the Xu residence in the evening, going to Han Xiao’s courtyard.
Xu Hanxiao saw him coming over and did not show a surprised expression, because his mother had previously mentioned to him to give more guidance to Hanren. Yesterday, he had requested the batch of silk fabrics from Hanchong because of his mother’s intervention, so he could not refuse her. After all, he was his third brother, and he would give some guidance, but whether Hanren could learn was up to him.
Xu Hanxiao thought this way and raised his eyebrows to ask: “What a rare visitor. What brings Hanren to see his second brother today?”
Xu Hanren knew that Hanxiao was implying he would not come without a reason, and his face slightly reddened before saying: “Hanren was playful before and spent little time at home…”
