Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 42: Seeking a More Skilled Person

She wasn't being overly compassionate; on the contrary, she simply felt that if she helped them, they would work even harder for her in the future.

But if she didn't help, she would lose two capable assistants. Ji Meiqing was unwilling to give up on them so easily, so she would do her best to help whenever possible.

But yesterday... Just thinking about what Li had told her yesterday gave Ji Meiqing a headache. Even Li had told her not to get involved, but so suddenly... Could it be that she was afraid?

Brother Lu was also afraid, but it didn't quite make sense. He had a very clear understanding of life and death, so why... why did things suddenly change this time?

Ji Meiqing was a little confused. Looking at the scenery outside the window, she didn't quite understand why he had made such a decision.

Li Ming came looking for her, holding a form in his hand. Seeing her lost in thought, he smiled and walked over, "Sister Meiqing, why are you spacing out?"

"Is something the matter?" She smiled, her face terribly pale. Li Ming looked at her but said nothing.

"Uncle Wang needs some things, and he asked me to write up a list for you." The list was placed on the table, and Ji Meiqing glanced at it before taking it.

"I understand, you can go ahead now. I'll deliver these things tomorrow."

Li Ming glanced at her a few times, but ultimately left the room. Once outside, he immediately went to find Lu Yu, explained Ji Meiqing's condition, and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with Meiqing? Why is she suddenly so distracted?"

"I don't know." He was a little irritated, and his tone was a bit harsh when he answered Li Ming's question.

Li Ming was startled by the two of them and touched his nose. He thought back and realized that he hadn't done anything to offend them.

After thinking it through, I felt more confident.

"If you have anything to say, please talk it out face to face to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

“There’s no misunderstanding.” Lu Yu went back into the house. “Come with us tomorrow.”

"Huh?" Li Ming looked at the people in the room in surprise. He couldn't understand why they had to take him along when they went out. Was there something he needed to solve?

After thinking for a long time, Li Ming still couldn't think of anything that needed his help with. He felt a little resentful, realizing that he didn't know anything...

Ji Meiqing, knowing she would be going to the city the next day, went to bed early that night.

They didn't get up until late the next day. Lu Yu was already waiting for them outside. When he saw Ji Meiqing come out, Li Ming excitedly rushed over.

"You're finally awake. If you hadn't woken up, I would have gone to your room and bothered you." He sounded like he was being coquettish, and Ji Meiqing took a step back in disgust.

"Don't touch me."

Li Ming stopped in front of her.

Ji Meiqing looked him up and down as if he were a stranger before finally asking, "Have you been possessed by a monster these past few days? I still prefer the you who had autism before."

"Oh, Brother Lu is going to take me to the city, I just got excited."

"Try to act normal for now. This trip is for business," she reminded him, then walked past Lu Yu and sat down next to Li Ming, and the two of them began to discuss things.

Ji Meiqing wasn't in the mood for work. She glanced at Lu Yu several times along the way, but seeing that he didn't react, she felt even more depressed.

The three of them arrived together at the agreed-upon inn in the city and then went up the stairs. Li Ming followed behind her, seemingly a little carried away with his pride.

After entering the private room, Liu Yu came over.

"You've arrived, please have a seat." He walked over and, seeing the somewhat unfamiliar Li Ming, looked at Ji Meiqing with a puzzled expression. The latter simply smiled faintly and said, "He's a winemaker from my place. His skills are quite good; you can exchange ideas more often."

"If I have time, I would like to learn from you."

“No problem.” Li Ming readily agreed, and the group sat down, starting the conversation with Ji Meiqing. She clearly stated her requirements and future plans.

Liu Yu listened quietly, occasionally saying a few words, but otherwise seemed to be lost in thought.

Lu Yu was also on the side, silently watching the two bargain. He didn't know what they were talking about, but he could see an ambiguous look on their faces.

He felt very uncomfortable, but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

“If we could prepare a courtyard house and convert it into dormitories, everything would be much easier. That way, if we encounter skilled but homeless people in the future, we would have a way to keep them here.” She analyzed for a moment, and Liu Yu nodded in agreement after thinking for a while.

"But how are these costs calculated?"

“Two splits will do, but this house…” She hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’ve offended someone recently, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to rent one. I’ll have to trouble Mr. Liu to take care of the house.”

"It's nothing," Liu Yu said with a smile. "After all, we're cooperating, so we should both benefit."

"Yes..." she nodded modestly, "As for the dormitory renovation, I will give you a blueprint later, but it's best if the workshop isn't next to the dormitory, nor too far away. Once we find a workshop, we can come and take a look together."

"it is good."

Both sides reached a consensus, and lunch was successfully resolved. Throughout the entire conversation, Ji Meiqing did all the talking. The other two, one curious and the other with a sullen face, seemed to be sulking.

After finishing her meal, Ji Meiqing asked where the nearest carpenter was before heading over.

Before even entering, I could smell a rich, pleasant aroma of wood. It wasn't pungent; at most, it just made me feel a little suffocated.

"Master Jin, Master Jin, are you there? We have a customer."

Ji Meiqing stood at the door, and the person behind her glanced at her. Then he sighed a few times, which Ji Meiqing heard clearly, but she didn't say anything.

After a while, the person inside finally came out; he was over sixty years old and had several scars on his arms.

"I am Ji Meiqing, and I would like to do some business with you today."

"What can I do for you, Boss Ji?" the carpenter asked, looking at her. Although he wasn't very familiar with her name, he had at least heard of it.

She listed several in a row, but without blueprints, she couldn't make any of them, let alone make a promise from them.

"I need a double bed, I wonder if you can make one." She added at the end, "Preferably a bunk bed, I wonder if the craftsman can make one."

"Do you have the blueprints?" the blacksmith asked.

Ji Meiqing drew a simple diagram, and the blacksmith glanced at it and nodded: "I've almost got it."