214: Chapter 12 Do You Really Think I’ve Never Seen the World Before 214: Chapter 12 Do You Really Think I’ve Never Seen the World Before The Ming Country’s people have a particular way of modest expression, which is to never let others discern their wealth when they are truly affluent.
However, among peers of the wealthy, it is important not to appear too understated or poor-looking.
The same applies to girls; a truly cultured lady of a grand household would not dress as flamboyantly as an oiran from the brothel, vying for attention with brightly colored, ornate attire.
She must wear a hairpin and adorn her wrists with jade bracelets.
If she can walk and sit without her hairpin shaking or her bracelets tinkling, even those who do not understand these customs can distinguish her from the more vulgar and cheap women out there.
The next morning, Li Mumu had arranged to meet with the intermediary who the bank manager had recommended, at a café.
In those days, proper matters were usually discussed in teahouses, but due to their popularity, it wasn’t quite appropriate for young ladies to show themselves in such places.
Choosing a quieter café was more suitable for the new generation of women.
The intermediary, Mr.
Tong, was a middle-aged man with an elegant and scholarly demeanor, dressed appropriately and extremely polite, and he conducted business with utmost professionalism.
“From our previous phone conversation, I understand that the two young ladies have just returned from overseas and are looking to hire a personal maid?”
Mr.
Tong earnestly advised, “In front of you both, Yours Truly Tong won’t beat around the bush.
If you are simply looking for a bright and diligent young girl, that’s quite easy.
Finding a literate one isn’t much harder, but finding one who understands English is truly difficult.
To be blunt, in this day and age, women who have the means to learn English would hardly deign to serve as a concubine in a respectable family, let alone work as a maid.”
“If it were something simple, we wouldn’t have needed to invite you here in the first place.”
Li Mumu was all too familiar with this technique of lowering expectations before the pitch.
There really aren’t any?
Then why bother talking?
It’s just a ploy to drive up the price.
“You may be misunderstanding us; we’re not looking to hire just one maid.”
Li Mumu gestured towards Wendy sitting beside her, “My friend here is a descendant of European nobility, pampered from a young age and always accustomed to personal care.
Other things aside, her main issue is that she doesn’t understand Chinese.
Ever since arriving here, even going out has been a hassle.
Our language and culture are so profound and extensive that even if we hired a teacher, it’s not something that can be learned in a matter of days or weeks.”
“I understand the difficulty you’re speaking of, which is finding a woman who understands English and is willing to do household chores, but that’s not a problem.
We can hire a cook, a housekeeper, and a personal interpreter separately.
They must all be young, with the most important trait being a clean and honest family background.”
Mr.
Tong straightened up immediately, his face breaking into a friendly smile, “If that’s the case, then it certainly is much simpler.
I don’t know what kind of cuisine you prefer; if it’s Western, it might be harder to find, but anything else is no problem.
It’s easiest to find a maid for menial tasks; I happen to have brought some pictures today.
Whichever one you have an affinity for, I’ll bring her to you later.
As for the translator…
I’ve brought a girl with me today.
She comes from a decent family, is gentle and well-behaved, and has been educated.
She’s currently in her first year of junior high and has had about half a year of English lessons at school, able to speak a bit.”
Li Mumu smiled without a word, waiting for his inevitable “however.”
“However, she is quite young and incapable of hard labor.
Moreover, she has just arrived under my care and hasn’t yet been trained in proper etiquette.
I’m afraid her youth and inexperience might cause a commotion that would disturb distinguished guests.”
“Where is she?
Bring her over for us to meet.”
Seeing that Li Mumu was finally showing interest, Mr.
Tong became less urgent, sipped his coffee delicately, and said with a smile, “Actually, this child is quite talented and well-behaved.
I’m as fond of her as if she were my own daughter, and I intended to keep her by my side to teach her for a few years before finding her a good opportunity.
I wonder, Miss Li, are you planning to use her temporarily for a few years, or are you considering to purchase her outright?”
Li Mumu asked with a smile, “What do you mean ‘use her for a few years’?
And what does ‘purchasing her outright’ entail?”
Mr.
Tong smiled, “What I mean is, if you’re currently short-handed and just need a girl for chores, then we’ll sign a short-term labor contract.
Once the girl gets older, it will be harder for her to marry and delaying her years could affect her entire life.
However, if you take a liking to her and want to keep her by your side, providing for her for life, then that would be a different contract.”
Li Mumu expressed surprise, “Are selling contracts still a thing these days?”
“Of course not, please don’t think that way.
We now have a new government and society, human trafficking is banned, and signing a selling contract is illegal.”
Mr.
Tong smirked with feigned profundity, “If you truly have this intention, naturally, I also have a way to make the child follow you willingly and ensure she does not develop any other ideas in the future.
However, as for the cost, I’m afraid…”
“How much?”
“One thousand US dollars.”
Li Mumu laughed.
They really dare to ask for the moon, one thousand US dollars…
I can send a telegram to Saifu now to hire a professional team that handles dirty jobs, have them come over by ship, train you well, and throw you into a brothel to receive clients, and it wouldn’t even cost this much.
“Mr.
Tong, I’m very disappointed in you, you do not respect me.”
After saying this, she stopped looking at Mr.
Tong and turned to Wendy, speaking in English, “This man is a fraud, and it seems that the manager at Xingguo Bank isn’t decent either.
Let’s go back and file a complaint against him.”
Wendy nodded, “I’ll have my dad call their bank president.
This is outrageous, and it’s wasted so much of our time.”
Mr.
Tong, who was sitting opposite and evidently understood English, showed a slight change in his expression.
People in business love to get the better end of a deal, especially with the likes of uninformed, money-discarding heirs like these.
Not taking advantage of them would be a detriment to their own conscience.
But who would have thought they’d kick an iron plate this time?
“Wait a moment, Miss Li, you may be misunderstanding something.”
Mr.
Tong’s smile did not fade, as he hurriedly attempted to rectify the situation, “The price I quoted you is a package deal, not solely for the child’s price but also includes the cook and the rough maid you were looking to hire just now.”
Li Mumu smiled and shook her head, “Mr.
Tong, let us end our discussion here for today.
We have other matters to attend to…”
Hearing her say this, Mr.
Tong suddenly became anxious, “At least take a look at the child I’ve brought with me.”
“…Fine, have her come over.”
Watching Mr.
Tong hurry out of the café, Wendy whispered to Li Mumu, “Your house can’t accommodate so many people.”
“I know.”
Li Mumu grinned wryly, “He isn’t sincerely trying to recommend a cook to me.
From the beginning to the end, the only thing he’s been wanting to sell is the child he brought.
But I always feel there’s something off about his attitude, does he look at the two of us in a strange way?”
Wendy nodded, “If you think there is something off about him, then there must be something off.”
Similar words were said by her the last time Li Mumu took action to take down Arthur.
Although she didn’t agree with Li Mumu’s impulsive, thoughtless actions, she never doubted Li Mumu’s instincts.
Instincts, for a descendant of a witch lineage, are a talent almost akin to prophecy.