Chapter 24: Methods of Making Money

"Surpass the Su family within a year? What kind of nonsense are you spouting? It would be impossible even in a hundred or a thousand years."

"As expected, the poor love to brag."

No sooner had Chen Fan finished speaking than Wang Wei responded with immediate disdain.

"Chen Fan, it’s a fine goal to have, but one must keep their feet on the ground. Remember, don’t be overly ambitious!" Su Yi added, his brow furrowed in dissatisfaction.

Although Su Yi considered Chen Fan to be clever, the notion of surpassing the Su family within a year without their assistance was, in his eyes, an absolute impossibility. Su Yi began to feel a sense of resentment toward Chen Fan, dismissing him as a boastful man.

Su Wenqi also looked at Chen Fan with eyes full of disbelief. While his words just now had sounded bold and imposing, how could surpassing the Su family in a single year ever be possible?

"Husband, we believe you can definitely do it."

At that moment, the two sisters spoke in unison. They offered Chen Fan their unconditional support.

Chen Fan smiled and nodded at the sisters, choosing not to explain himself in the face of Su Yi and Wang Wei’s skepticism. He knew that no matter what he said, they would never believe him. It was better to remain silent and simply slap them in the face with reality a year later. Already, various plans for making money were taking shape in his mind.

The meal ended on a sour note.

"Master, look at this Chen Fan—not only is he poor, but he also loves to brag. Just think of how much our daughters will suffer following him!"

"With a personality like his, I’m afraid he’ll drag our Su family down with him eventually!"

As soon as Chen Fan left, Wang Wei expressed her indignation. Su Yi’s brow remained tightly knitted; Chen Fan’s recent behavior had caused his impression of the young man to plummet.

"Do you think Young Master Zhao is still interested in our daughters?" Su Yi asked, lost in thought.

Upon hearing this, a smile immediately spread across Wang Wei’s face. "That’s right, why don't we..."

Meanwhile, Su Wenqi walked out of the Su family courtyard with Lanlan, Chen Fan, and the others.

"Yingchun, Yingxia, since your mother has this idea in mind, she won't give up easily. You two must be careful!" Su Wenqi warned. She knew her sister-in-law well—she would not stop until she achieved her goal.

"Chen Fan, I heard Zhao Hongwei is returning. You should be careful, too. After all, Zhao Hongwei is not to be trifled with." Su Wenqi looked at Chen Fan, her eyes filled with worry.

Chen Fan, however, appeared entirely unconcerned. "If anyone dares to have designs on my wives, they had better not blame my fists for not recognizing them," he said, waving his fist with an air of dominance.

Hearing this, the two sisters leaned against Chen Fan, looking incredibly happy. Watching them, the look of envy in Su Wenqi’s eyes deepened.

After returning home, Chen Fan prepared his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began to write furiously.

...

"Husband, what are you doing?" the sisters asked, watching him with curiosity. Usually, the first thing Chen Fan did upon returning home was to chat with them about life and ideals. Today, however, he hadn't touched them at all, which the sisters found quite strange.

"Of course, I’m preparing to make money. Since I’ve already made the boast, I don't want my parents-in-law to think I’m just a son-in-law who only knows how to talk big," Chen Fan said with a smile.

"Husband, are you planning to sell stories again?" Yingxia looked at what Chen Fan had written and asked excitedly.

Chen Fan nodded. "Clever girl."

Soon, Guo Hua came to Chen Fan looking for more stories. After Chen Fan told him the story, he handed over the pages he had just written. Guo Hua took them, puzzled. As he read the content, his confusion only grew. These were the very stories Chen Fan had already told him—why write them down? He had already recited these!

Guo Hua looked at Chen Fan, completely bewildered.

"Have these printed and sell them in the city tomorrow. I take ninety percent of the profits, and you get ten," Chen Fan said.

Guo Hua realized what Chen Fan was up to, but his confusion remained. "I’ve already told these stories! No one will want to read them. Printing them is a waste; no one will buy them," he argued.

Chen Fan, however, remained unfazed. "Do not underestimate the charm of the written word. Even though you’ve told these stories, I am certain many people will still buy them." Chen Fan spoke with absolute confidence. He believed that the written word possessed a unique allure that oral storytelling could never replicate—much like how movies or television shows adapted from novels can never quite capture the essence of the original, because every reader brings their own imagination to the pages.

"Is this profit-sharing ratio a bit off?" Guo Hua asked. Though he didn't believe the books would sell, what if they did?

"That is the deal. If you don't want to do it, I’ll find someone else, and don't bother coming to me for stories again," Chen Fan threatened.

"I’ll do it! Ninety-ten it is. It’s not like these books will sell anyway," Guo Hua quickly agreed.

Once Guo Hua left, Chen Fan hurried back to his room, eager to resume discussing life and ideals with Yingchun and Yingxia. Soon, the sounds of intimacy began to drift from the room.

...

The next day, a long line formed in front of the teahouse where Guo Hua worked. They weren't there to listen to his storytelling; they were queuing to buy books.

"I want three copies!"
"Don't push! Save one for me!"
"Give me ten!"

Watching the scrambling crowd, Guo Hua was even more baffled. Wasn't it better to listen to his oral storytelling? Why buy the books?

Confusion aside, Guo Hua quickly spotted the business opportunity. "Hurry, print another thousand copies… no, three thousand!" he shouted to his attendants. He hadn't expected anyone to buy the books, so he had printed very few, fearing a waste. He never imagined the response would be so enthusiastic.

What shocked Guo Hua even more was that as news spread, the crowd grew even larger in the afternoon, with several times more people arriving than in the morning. People even came from neighboring counties to join the queue.

Guo Hua immediately ordered more prints, regretting that he hadn't bargained for a better share of the profits the night before.

Chen Fan arrived in the county town and, seeing the long line, a smile spread across his face. He spotted Su Wenqi approaching, and she saw him as well.

"Are you here to buy a book?" Chen Fan asked with a hint of embarrassment.

Su Wenqi nodded immediately. "I heard this story at the teahouse before, and Lanlan loves it very much. I intend to buy the book so I can tell it to her." She looked at Chen Fan with curiosity. "What about you? Are you here to buy one too? Can you even read?" She had inquired about Chen Fan’s background and knew he had never received an education as a child.

"I can't talk now; I must hurry and get in line, or they'll be sold out today," Su Wenqi said, looking at the ever-lengthening queue. She started to walk away, but Chen Fan caught her.

"No need to wait in line. Take this as a gift for Lanlan," Chen Fan said, pulling a book from his robe.

"You bought—wait, this is a manuscript! How did you get this?" Su Wenqi asked, looking at Chen Fan in astonishment.