They followed the same pattern, swaggering to various logging yards and talking to the stewards about purchasing timber.
After coming back, they even sat directly in front of the Yun family's house, munching on watermelons while chatting away about their harvest of the day.
It was very late before they dispersed.
"Will this work?" Yun Jianzhou asked after entering the house.
"We'll just have to see if Liu Kui will take the bait," Yun Que'er replied calmly.
"Keep a closer eye on Liu Kui's movements these days."
Yun Jianzhou did as Yun Que'er said and secretly monitored Liu Kui every day.
Sure enough, that mysterious man had been frequently visiting Liu Kui's house these days.
After that, the man started going to the logging yards they had found and talking business with the stewards, just like when they went to the logging yard in the county town.
When Yun Que'er heard the news, she smiled calmly.
"Just as I thought."
Yun Que'er looked at Yun Jianzhou. "Second brother, are you relieved now? Liu Kui really doesn't have the strength. He just wants to cause trouble for us."
"Damn it!" Yun Jianzhou clenched his fists angrily. "I think he just can't stay quiet for a single day!"
The angrier Yun Jianzhou thought about it, the more furious he became.
"His son is no good either! I almost ran into him the other day. Guess what I heard him saying in the yard?"
Yun Jianzhou tightened his fists.
That little bastard was actually scolding them.
He said that although the Yun family was doing well now, there would surely come a day when they'd be in for it.
"I can't take it anymore. I've got to beat him up when I get the chance!"
Yun Jianzhou got excited and was about to stand up.
Yun Que'er pulled him back with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You know Liu Yu is just good at mouthing off. Why bother arguing with him? Besides, he's two years younger than you. If you beat him up, people will say you're bullying a kid, and then Liu Kui will have even more to say."
Yun Jianzhou calmed down a bit.
Right, it wasn't a good time to pick a fight with others.
Thinking about it, Yun Jianzhou sat down angrily.
"Fine, fine. I won't argue with him. Anyway, those who are jealous know who they are!"
Yun Que'er smiled. Yun Jianzhou's temper had really improved a lot recently.
Now, Yun Jianzhou could cooperate with her in another big play.
The next day, the two of them went to the logging yard in the county town early in the morning.
Once they got there, Yun Que'er directly told the steward that she wanted to purchase timber.
But the steward looked embarrassed.
"Girl, I'm really sorry. All the discarded timber here has been bought by a boss. We promised him, so we can't go back on our word."
Yun Que'er pretended to be surprised. "All of it? Didn't you say last time that only four - fifths would be sold? Have you reached an agreement?"
"Not exactly," the steward said proudly. "It's another boss. He didn't waste any time. He came here, had a talk, and then immediately decided to buy all of it. And the price he offered is much higher than the previous boss. The contract has already been signed. He said he'll pay in full when he comes to pick up the goods in a few days."
A straightforward boss?
It seemed to be the man from Liu Kui's side.
Yun Que'er immediately put on a surprised look. "We came first. Last time we also said that as long as the deal was settled, we'd pay right away. How can you go back on your word and sell the goods to someone else?"
As she spoke, Yun Que'er's eyes filled with tears.
"Why is it so hard for our family to do business? We got cut off when we went to the village to buy timber, and now you're going back on your word here!"
The steward didn't expect Yun Que'er to act like this and was at a loss.
"Hey, don't cry. What are you doing? Of course we have to sell it if we can get a higher price. Besides, last time, the deal didn't go through because that boss wanted to take advantage. How am I going back on my word?"
Yun Que'er didn't listen at all. She fully demonstrated the characteristic of a naughty and unreasonable child.
"I don't care! Anyway, you're going back on your word! You're untrustworthy!"
Yun Que'er plopped down on the ground. "I can see it now. You just think I'm buying too little and don't want to sell to me. Fine, our family is poor. You can look down on me if you want, but how do you explain the previous boss?"
The steward was getting a headache from the noise. He hadn't thought about how to explain it in the first place.
Moreover, this matter didn't need his explanation at all.
He gave Yun Jianzhou a look. "You'd better persuade your little sister. It's so embarrassing for her to cry like this. It's as if I'm bullying her."
Yun Jianzhou quickly tried to pull Yun Que'er up. "Get up quickly. Why are you acting like a spoiled brat? If they don't want to sell, what can we do? Don't make me beat you!"
Yun Que'er didn't care. The more Yun Jianzhou scolded her, the louder she cried.
"I don't want to listen! I think you're just afraid of losing the big deal with the previous boss. You'd rather let him take advantage and deliberately made up another boss! You said you didn't care about money. It's all a lie!"
Yun Jianzhou scolded her. "You're being too unreasonable! Even if they are really like that, it's not for a little girl like you to talk nonsense! Go home with me right away. Don't make a fool of yourself!"
The brother and sister played the good - cop, bad - cop routine, confusing the steward. It took him a while to understand.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean? You're saying I'm lying? Do I have any reason to lie to you?"
Yun Que'er glared at him with red eyes. "Who knows if you're lying? Anyway, I have no evidence. You can say whatever you want!"
The steward was so angry that he was fuming. In all his years, he had never been so rebutted by a little girl.
"You're talking nonsense!" The steward was so angry that his face and neck turned red.
"Then show me the evidence!" Yun Que'er roared at him. "If you have the guts, let me see the contract. I'll only know if you're lying to me after I see it!"
Yun Jianzhou roared. "You're getting more and more unreasonable! Listen to what you're saying. Want to see the contract? Do you think the contract is something we can look at?"
Yun Que'er covered her ears. "Why aren't you on my side either, second brother? I don't care. I have to see it today. If you don't let me see it, I won't leave!"
Yun Que'er's cries were so loud that they had already attracted a crowd.
They were pointing and whispering from afar, making the steward feel very uncomfortable.
Why did it seem like he was bullying a child here?
As the argument got more and more intense, Yun Jianzhou had no choice but to look at the steward with a look of shame.
"My sister is really making a scene. I can't do anything about her. Could you do us a favor and let my sister see the contract? Then she'll give up and stop causing trouble for you. It looks like you've done something to us."
The steward's head was pounding. He had no other choice but to nod impatiently.
"Fine, fine, fine. I'll show it to you. Just get her to stop crying!"