𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲
Jiang Chu left the divination stall and inadvertently spotted a talisman store on his way to the carriage.
Talismans, due to their convenience and multifunctionality in daily life and combat, have always been adored by many. But their high prices have discouraged many from frequent use, except for those with some family wealth.
However, some basic talismans are quite affordable, like the refreshment talisman that keeps you awake for a night, the hunger-suppressing talisman that allows you to go three days without food, or the dust-avoidance talisman used when it’s inconvenient to bathe while traveling. . . . . .
Ordinary people might grit their teeth, but they could still afford to buy a few every month.
“Liu Feng’s new talisman arrived today, limited quantities of each, hurry if you want to buy!” a not-so-old shopkeeper called out loudly as he took the talismans from the store and began to place them on the outdoor display table.
Talismans are generally sold to the rich, particularly bounty hunters who use them often when outside. Ordinary people buy them less frequently. Now nearing the end of the month, the shop’s sales quota was not quite met.
Besides the basic cost, there’s a substantial expense for the talisman-maker’s labor fee, which is even higher than the store’s net profit.
As the month was drawing to a close, the time to settle with the talisman maker was nearing, but the shop’s sales were low. So, in order to generate revenue, the shopkeeper had been offering discounts these past few days.
Before, talismans were displayed inside the store, but since yesterday, they were being sold on the street, where passersby could see them, perhaps enticing them to buy one or two.
This method was quite effective; yesterday’s sales equaled that of the previous five days, so he planned to do the same today.
Although it seemed a bit low-class, for the sake of revenue, it had to be done temporarily.
As Jiang Chu passed by, he saw the shopkeeper laying out the talismans on the table, clearly visible.
But then. . . . . .
Jiang Chu stopped, “Shopkeeper, are you planning to sell them like this today?”
“Yes, this way everyone can see them as they pass by. I sold them this way yesterday, Miss, you must have missed it,” the shopkeeper, not recognizing Jiang Chu, replied with a gentle smile, “Take a look, if you’re the first to buy today, I’ll give you an opening price!”
“When did you sell them like this yesterday?” Jiang Chu asked.
This question seemed a bit strange. The shopkeeper hesitated, then looked at Jiang Chu, “Until nearly evening, around three o’clock.”
All day?
Jiang Chu glanced at the shopkeeper, “Maybe I’m meddling, but there will be a strong wind today. If it suddenly starts, these talismans might. . . . . .Well, Shopkeeper, you can decide how to handle this, goodbye.”
With that, Jiang Chu left without delay, heading down the alley to the carriage ahead.
The shopkeeper stood stunned, watching Jiang Chu’s departing figure.
A strong wind?
He looked at the talismans on his table.
These weren’t few; there were at least two or three hundred, ranging from 2 silver pieces to a hundred or more.
If a strong wind were to scatter these all over the street, he wouldn’t be able to gather them in time, and someone might even steal them in the chaos!
That would be a severe consequence.
But, the shopkeeper looked up at the sky.
Clear and windless, even the leaves on the trees were still.
“Heh, what am I thinking, caring about a young girl’s words? Even if the weather changes, I can gather these charms at the first sign of trouble. How could there be any loss?” he thought and suddenly laughed.
The sales effect was too good; just two more days, and this month’s quota would be met.
Though discounted, the price cut wasn’t large, and the profit was still good.
Tasting success, the shopkeeper quickly forgot Jiang Chu’s warning.
“Come one, come all, don’t miss out! Liu Feng’s new charms arrived today, limited quantities, hurry if you want to buy!” he called out again.
After the journey, Jiang Chu and his companions finally arrived at Summer Sun City in the afternoon.
Because the thought that rushed into her mind was only a fragment, Jiang Chu also didn’t know what Mrs. Hao looked like, what her status was, or where she lived, so finding her would take some effort.
“Miss, shall we split up to look for her?” the coachman suggested.
“No need, you find an inn to settle the carriage, and I’ll go ask around with Wu Yu. It shouldn’t be a problem,” Jiang Chu said.
The coachman agreed, “If you need anything, you can find me at the inn.”
“Okay.”
After getting off the carriage, Jiang Chu started asking around the city with Wu Yu.
“Is there an Mrs. Hao in the city who has lost her daughter?”
Jiang Chu didn’t ask random passersby; she asked shopkeepers by the road or those peddlers on the streets pushing carts and selling miscellaneous goods.
Generally, these people are well-informed.
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“I don’t know.”
“You ask someone else.”
After asking three or five people in a row, the answers were not very promising.
Jiang Chu didn’t lose heart.
If the merchants here don’t know, it’s likely that Mrs. Hao doesn’t live in this area.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Chu found some beggars and, with a couple of silver pieces, successfully got information—
“You must be asking about Mrs. Hao in Qingshan Alley, right? She was looking for her daughter outside yesterday, but I haven’t seen her today. You can go there to look for her.”
After asking the location of Qingshan Alley, Jiang Chu walked over with Wu Yu.
The reason for walking was to get some understanding of Summer Sun City, and perhaps find some clues along the way.
While walking, Wu Yu looked at Jiang Chu several times—
She didn’t know what Jiang Chu was going to do.
Clearly, Miss had never been to Summer Sun City before, but now she was suddenly here, looking for an Mrs. Hao whom she obviously didn’t know.
This was something Wu Yu didn’t quite understand, but being deaf and mute for many years, she had long lost her curiosity. She didn’t ask, didn’t listen much, and didn’t meddle.
If there were instructions, she did as instructed. Without instructions, she acted like a shadow, keeping quiet.
In fact, this was also the reason why Jiang Chu was willing to bring Wu Yu along.
Some things are inexplicable, and having someone around who doesn’t ask questions or interfere is very convenient.
She liked Wu Yu!
After walking for nearly half an hour, Jiang Chu came to a dirty and old alley—
Qingshan Alley.
(End of Chapter)
