The Strategy of Love

Cheng Chu arrived at Sihai Bookstore and discovered that his poetry collection had sold out.

He was instantly shocked, "No… no way?"

Sold out so quickly?

He felt his poetry, although well-written, wasn't that exceptional. Aside from a few pieces that he was particularly proud of, the rest were somewhat lackluster without meticulous and repeated polishing.

That was fifty thousand copies; he thought it would take at least half a year to sell them all.

The shopkeeper of Sihai Bookstore let out a hearty laugh, "Master Cheng, the poetry collections released by our Sihai Bookstore always sell quickly."

Cheng Chu didn't know whether to be happy or to cry, "Not even one copy left?"

"None!"

"Then… will there be a reprint?"

The shopkeeper shook his head, "No more! Rarity brings value!"

Now Cheng really wanted to cry, "I want to buy one, what should I do?"

"Uh." The shopkeeper looked at him, "Didn't you buy a thousand copies?"

"I gave them all away and forgot to keep one for myself."

The shopkeeper was speechless.

He gave Cheng Chu a suggestion, "Why don't you ask someone to give one back? If they don't cherish the collection, it's useless to them anyway."

As if awakening from a dream, Cheng Chu exclaimed, "Ah, I just remembered, thank you, I'll go find Yan Qing."

He had given Yan Qing ten copies!

Cheng Chu left a message and briskly exited Sihai Bookstore, rushing toward Marquis Duanjing's residence.

Yan Qing was teaching his phoenix-headed parrot to hum a tune, a tender and meandering Jiangnan-style ballad. The parrot seemed disheartened, drooping its head listlessly.

After Yan Qing finished humming, he pointed at the parrot and scolded, "Look at you, why are you so dense? I've been teaching you for half a year, and you still can't grasp the tune. What's the use of keeping you?"

The phoenix-headed parrot appeared ashamed, so flustered by the scolding that it wished it could bury itself in a hole.

Standing to the side, Duanyang couldn't bear it any longer and whispered, "Young Marquis, the tune is too difficult."

Yan Qing glanced at him, "Difficult? I learned it in half an hour."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Duanyang retorted, "That's because you're brilliant."

Yan Qing took over by saying, "So it proves the bird is stupid!"

Duanyang decided to close his mouth.

When Cheng Chu arrived, Yan Qing was still training the bird. Cheng burst in like a whirlwind and embraced Yan Qing tightly, "Brother Yan, save me!"

Yan Qing nearly toppled over from the impact, "Who's trying to kill you?"

Could it be that his wretched poetry collection had incited public outrage?

With eyes reddened by emotion, Cheng Chu said, "Nobody's after me, my poetry collection has sold out."

Oh, all sold out, that wretched collection sure sold quickly.

Cheng Chu was close to tears, "It was too fast."

Pushing him away, Yan Qing responded, "That's a cause for celebration, why the tears?"

Wiping his eyes, Cheng Chu said, "I gave away all the copies I bought and forgot to keep one for myself. I went to buy one today, only to find they were all gone. I don't have any left."

Yan Qing looked at him, guessing his intention, "So?"

Cheng Chu looked at him hopefully and ventured to ask, "Brother Yan, I gave everyone else one copy, but I gave you ten… could you… perhaps give me back… five copies?"

Yan Qing eyed him askance, "The things you give away, you want to take back?"

Cheng Chu's face turned red, "The shopkeeper at Sihai Bookstore said rarity brings value, and they won't be reprinting it. I don't have any left. It's a desperate situation. Others got one, but you have ten…"

With a sudden realization, Yan Qing said, "So because I have more, you've come to fleece me, the fat sheep?"

Cheng Chu coughed, "Brother Yan, it sounds so crude to say fleece."

Yan Qing snorted, "But that's the reality."

Cheng Chu had no comeback.

Yan Qing stared at him earnestly, "I don't think what you're doing is right. You shouldn't be asking for gifts back. I don't quite agree with your approach. Don't you think it's inconsistent?"

Cheng Chu nearly burst into tears, "Brother Yan…"

Yan Qing turned away, finding it hard to say, "I think your poetry collection is excellent, truly a collectible. Moreover, it sold out immediately upon release, just as the shopkeeper of Sihai Bookstore said—rarity brings value. I'm sure it will be very valuable in the future. You asking me to give it back, putting aside everything else, just doesn't make sense, does it?"

Immediately, Cheng Chu said, "It's my fault, I didn't foresee this. Brother Yan, please make a sacrifice for the sake of our brotherhood? I beg you."

Yan Qing was getting a headache, "Last time you asked me to make a sacrifice, I gave up my chance to admire the begonias on Qiyun Mountain for you. Now, you're asking again. Why is it always me who has to make the sacrifices?"

Ashamed, Cheng Chu felt he wasn't acting honorably; his face turned an even deeper shade of red.

Continuing, Yan Qing said, "Such a rare poetry collection, and you're asking for five copies straight away? Aren't you being too greedy?"

Losing no time, Cheng Chu changed his tune, "Not five, just… just one."

Raising an eyebrow, Yan Qing said, "Ten copies represent ten brothers. When they came to my house, they looked perfect all lined up in my study. It's quite a sight. But if you take one back, it's like losing a brother."

Cheng Chu was so embarrassed he could hardly lift his head, speechless for a moment, but still unwilling to say he didn't want it anymore.

Resigned, Yan Qing sighed, "What can I do, you're a brother after all." Then he instructed someone behind him, "Duanyang, go fetch one of those precious Begonia Poetry Collections for Brother Cheng."

With the corner of his mouth twitching, Duanyang acknowledged the order and left.

Cheng Chu was overwhelming with gratitude, weeping with joy, "Brother Yan, you are my saviors."

"No, no, being your brother is unlucky enough; don't curse me by making me your parent," Yan Qing waved his hand dismissively.

Filled with emotion, Cheng Chu immediately declared, "Brother Yan, you are too good. I'm willing to give you all fifty thousand taels of silver from the sale of my poetry collection."

Yan Qing was speechless.

Heh, there's the little white sheep!

Yan Qing threw Cheng Chu a look, annoyed, "A gentleman acquires wealth in an upright manner; stop insulting me. Is your one book worth fifty thousand taels? To me, it's priceless."

Feeling exceedingly flattered, Cheng Chu said, "But… I don't have any treasure to trade with Brother Yan."

Snorting, Yan Qing magnanimously said, "Overall, I can't be bothered to take your vulgar silver and gold. If you have a conscience, remember that today I didn't quibble with you. When I need you in the future, step up and don't shrink away like a cowardly turtle."

Cheng Chu was deeply touched, "Brother Yan's great kindness will not be forgotten. I thank you for your righteousness in not holding this against me. If you ever need me in the future, I'll go through fire and water without hesitation."

He was as solemn as if taking an oath.

Yan Qing was pleased and nodded lazily, "That's more like it."