As she had expected, when she finally showed up at the mansion gate, she ran into them just as they were setting off. To her surprise, Mrs. Liu was indeed wearing a string of pearl necklaces. It was truly magnificent, yet also laughable.
She suppressed her laughter and stepped forward to pay respects to Father Cheng, whose face looked a bit grim. "Father, you should drink less alcohol during this trip. Alcohol is like a poison that goes through the intestines. Drinking too much will harm your health."
Father Cheng gave her a disdainful look. Knowing she was out of place, Cheng Xiran was about to leave when she was called back. "Where are you going so early? The newspaper office? You're really dedicated these days. I can already imagine that many people will ask me about you at today's banquet."
Cheng Xiran looked obedient. "It all depends on what you think of me, Father. I don't care about others' opinions. And I'm not going to the newspaper office now. Grandmother said she's tired of the breakfast in the mansion, so I'm going to buy some fresh ones on the street."
Father Cheng was a bit dull and didn't know what to say for a moment.
One had to admit that Cheng Xiran was really eloquent. This speech was for herself and didn't disrespect Father Cheng's face either.
Seeing him standing there in a daze, Cheng Xiran immediately turned around and left without giving them any room to react.
On this side, she had just bought wontons, fried dough sticks for Grandmother and glutinous rice cakes that Zhuque liked. When she was about to return to the mansion, she saw the shopkeeper staggering towards her in a hurry, looking as if he had encountered something big.
Cheng Xiran was surprised that he could find her. Then she saw the shopkeeper looking sad. "Miss, have you read the newspaper of that newspaper office on West Street today? They copied the new story you compiled and even made a new follow - up on their own. It seems that their newspapers are selling like hotcakes now. I don't know if we should sell our own... Please give me some advice."
Cheng Xiran took a satisfying bite of the fried dough stick, nodded slightly, and said calmly, "Sell them. Why not?"
"But aren't you afraid that people will say we're plagiarizing?"
The shopkeeper remained unchanged in expression, but Cheng Xiran let out a soft laugh. "Don't worry. We started this story, and I can assure you that our follow - up is what the audience wants to see. If you don't believe it, just wait and see..."
Seeing that the shopkeeper was following her all the way, Cheng Xiran directly sent him back to the newspaper office. "You go and keep an eye on the newspaper office. I'll come over after I send breakfast to Grandmother."
The shopkeeper didn't dare to ask more and had to do as she said and go back first.
Back at the mansion, Cheng Xiran was worried that the shopkeeper would panic. After sending the breakfast to the old lady's room, she left. Before leaving, Grandmother called her, but she didn't know what was said. Since she was walking away, she didn't hear it clearly and didn't take it seriously.
As soon as she arrived at the newspaper office, she saw Xue Lianyu pacing anxiously outside. Cheng Xiran thought it was boring but still stepped forward and called him.
Xue Lianyu rushed up like he had seen a life - saving straw. "What's going on with that newspaper office on West Street? I heard from my subordinates that you deliberately left a manuscript for them yesterday. Aren't you just looking for trouble?"
Cheng Xiran invited him in politely, poured him a cup of tea, and explained the whole thing to him and the shopkeeper in detail. Only then did they seem to relax.
The shopkeeper suddenly realized. "That's right. I was wondering why no one has come to complain yet. And I heard from the newspaper boys that our newspapers are still selling well and are not losing to the ones on West Street."
Cheng Xiran picked up a piece of crispy cake from the plate and ate it while speaking her mind.