The acquaintance was called Zhou Wen, because he had a round head and brain, with particularly long eyebrows, and had even passed the imperial examination as a child prodigy. Everyone called him Mr. Buddha-like, but Mo Zi didn't particularly like this seemingly kind-hearted guy. She thought that he should be called Zhou Pa Pi instead.

  No other reason. Looks very kind, but may not be truly kind. Looks very gentle, but may not smile genuinely. Moreover, they say they are familiar, but it's exactly the opposite, she has only interacted with him once. But that one time was enough to see through him. It's not that he's not cunning enough, but Mozi is even more cunning than him.

  That was the first time Mozi helped Qiu Sanniang run a boat to Yangcheng, where a guest introduced her to buy top-grade red coral at Zhu Yuji. Luozhou is not by the sea, and coral craftsmanship is extremely rare, making top-grade red coral a treasure that can't be bought even with money. Mozi thought it was worth doing, so she went. The storefront of Zhu Yuji was small and dim, but the items on display were shining brightly, and the prices were dazzlingly expensive, making Mozi suspect that they were selling fake goods as genuine ones. However, she also knew that private goods channels were originally hidden in complex ways, and the way to buy from large merchants with deep backgrounds was different. Qiu Sanniang's sellers were mainly nouveau riche who liked to show off their wealth and rich collectors, while her buyers were mostly people who had connections with officials and merchants. Moreover, private goods would not be put on display for sale, but that didn't mean they couldn't be sold. Only through introductions from trustworthy people could one get a good opportunity.

  When Mozi heard the name of the person who introduced her, Zhou Wen smiled and said it was his old friend, then took her to the back room of the shop to see a lot of red coral. Mozi couldn't tell whether the red coral was genuine or not, but she could identify wood. Facing a red coral jade screen worth 10,000 taels, listening to Zhou Wen's eloquent words that he could give it to her for 3,000 taels cheaper, but every line on her palm didn't resonate with the precious red wooden frame he was boasting about. The texture of the red wood was fine and smooth, solid and dense, not absorbing body heat, cool to the touch for a long time. The better the red wood, the more it felt like an ancient relic, through contact, one could hear its age if they listened carefully. But under her palm, it was clearly just ordinary elm wood with red lacquer and gold paint. Through this, Mozi knew that Zhou Wen was a thoroughgoing swindler.

  Her ability to identify wood by touch was just as mysterious and exceptional as her left hand's woodworking skills. Even with amnesia, it didn't affect her. As long as she saw or touched the wood, she could immediately tell what kind of wood it was, how old it was, its quality, and what it was suitable for making. She discovered this ability without knowing she could be a carpenter, and found it quite puzzling. She thought that if she were to use her skills for fortune-telling by feeling bones, it would be more practical and profitable. However, she didn't take it seriously and continued to keep it to herself, not mentioning it to anyone.

  At that time, Mozi didn't see through Zhou Wen. Since she had lost trust in him, continuing to talk would be futile. She made an excuse, saying that the silver was not enough, and no matter how much Zhou Wen recommended other "treasures", she bid farewell and wanted to leave. However, before leaving, Zhou Wen actively invited her into another room, probably thinking she was a connoisseur. Unfortunately, it was too late.

  "Like a Buddha, sir." Mozi cupped his hands and bowed. One could acknowledge that all businessmen in the world are scoundrels, but some scoundrels were more despicable than others. The man before her, Zhou Bopi, who looked like a Buddha, was one of them. However, unless necessary, there was no need to offend people. When out and about, it was best to sweep the dust from one's own feet and not bother with the flies buzzing around other people's heads.

  "I don't dare, I don't dare." Zhou Wen seemed to have forgotten how the two of them had met and was being overly enthusiastic like an old friend who hadn't seen each other in years. "Mò Gē (Ink Brother), it's rare for us brothers to meet up, you must come to my place and sit down." He wasn't just all talk, Pú Shàn stretched out his hand and pulled her elbow, leading her towards his territory.

  In a deep purple men's attire, beneath is a woman. What she dislikes the most is to go unprepared to a stranger's home and immediately turn around and leave, while politely declining with courtesy, "It seems Mr. has been too kind. I have important matters to attend to today and cannot visit. Another day I will personally deliver an invitation for you to drink wine. Farewell!"

  "It's better to seize the day than wait for a good day." Zhou Wen was a stout man with great strength, and Mo Zi, being slender and delicate, couldn't resist him when he pulled him in by half a foot. "I know you're busy, Brother Mo, just have one drink."

  A purple ink mixed with a circle of people selling private goods, how can they not understand the truth that flattery is not deceitful or thieving? Seeing guests being polite and speaking to him is useless, he immediately puts on a stern face, "Zhou Wen, you are so unreasonable, in broad daylight, you actually want me to cry out for help?"

  Zhou Wen was taken aback, hastily releasing his hand, but the stout body squeezed in the doorway of the shop didn't want to let Mo Zi slip away. "Brother Mo, this is really a misunderstanding. Look at my shop, there are customers and partners inside. Moreover, you have an eye for goods, so I'll give you a few more concessions this time. I wouldn't dare cheat you either. Last time it was my fault for not recognizing the good stuff, but you should trust the person who introduced you to me. I really have good things, and I'll sell them to you at the lowest price."

  It turned out that he wanted to do business with her again, and it was reasonable given his temperament. If one had a bit of brains, they would think carefully, even if the goods were obtained at a low cost or without any cost but couldn't be shown in public, there wouldn't be any buyers, and just leaving them to gather dust. One day, if the authorities found out, it would lead to trouble with the law, and his entire family's property would be ruined. The buyer of private goods wasn't just Qiuliu Nang alone, but under the circumstances where the two countries' borders were strictly patrolled for spies, Zhou Wen's choice at this time was only her.

  Although Mozi had told Ceng Er not to take in goods, seeing Zhou Wen's forehead beaded with sweat and his smile like a cry, his expression helpless yet fearful, he thought to himself, could it be that he has some unavoidable reason for rushing to sell? If so, perhaps it's worth taking a look.

  At this moment, she still put on a gloomy face and said with difficulty, "It's not that I don't give you face, it's just that this time I didn't plan to buy anything, and the silver coins I brought are not many..."

  Zhou Wen's face turned slick, and he heard the sound of a door. Immediately, he made a gesture with both hands, no longer pulling or dragging, "Moke, this matter can be discussed again, let's go inside to drink tea first."

  The purple ink saw that there were not a few guests in his shop, and it was empty for a moment. The inner hall was just one door away, making a noise, and the outside could hear it. So, he nodded and walked in.

  She arrived at the inner hall and found that the elm wood screen was gone. She smiled and said, "Boss Zhou, business is booming!" Who knows which idiot bought it?

  Zhou Wen smiled and personally poured tea for Mo Zi, "Mo Ge, I'll tell you the truth, these inferior goods are only suitable for rich country bumpkins who don't know how to spend their money. If I give them the real thing, they'll complain it's old or not flashy enough. But if I cheat them, they're happy and willing to throw away their silver. Why would I deliberately ruin a deal?"

  She raised an eyebrow, is this what they call a willing fighter and a willing victim? Zhou Wen's words seemed sincere today, but she didn't dare to let her guard down.

  "Boss Zhou, let's not talk about anything insignificant, shall we? I still have things to attend to." She cut straight to the point, avoiding his flowery language.

  "Mo Ge is a good judge of character. If I don't show my sincerity, I'm afraid you won't believe me either." Zhou Wen turned around and pushed the hundred-bird screen behind him.

  Kada

  The screen is false, the secret door is true.

  －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

  These two days PK soared, and rewards were plentiful, thank you everyone.

  Still 4 votes away from pink, and I can double update again.

  Come on, everyone! Let's work hard together with Lingzi!

  It's weekend, have fun.