After transmigrating,The Female Supporting Character Became Darling of The Five

Chapter 129: Master Gu's Sincere Intentions

The remaining expenses, including the workers' wages, would total about thirty taels by the time construction was completed.

The nearest auspicious day was five days away. Once the rooster and offerings were prepared, they could hold the groundbreaking ceremony.

Afterward, the land would need to be excavated. They planned to remove the original bamboo fence, dig the foundations for the new rooms and wall, which would take about ten days. By then, the bricks and tiles would have arrived. The old adobe houses would be given simple repairs: replacing the thatched roof with a blue stone tile roof and reapplying mud to the walls.

The Su family was making a big show of it, building three blue-brick rooms at once—a substantial undertaking indeed. Once completed, this new home would be the best in the village, apart from the home of Hunter Jiang.

In fact, Su Wan had also been thinking that, once Su Yun returned to Qinghe County and set up a restaurant, they could buy a small courtyard in town to facilitate business. As for the old family home, it would eventually need refurbishing. It couldn’t be left shabby if they wanted it to serve as their ancestral home in the years to come, a place they could return to and still live comfortably.

Su Wan had originally thought about selling the Shaqima recipe. Before she could make plans to spread the word, however, Master Gu arrived unexpectedly.

He visited while the Su family was busy with the foundation work. People were bustling about, with some helping and others cooking. No one anticipated that Master Gu would come.

Given the previous incident with Gu Yue, their reunion was understandably a little awkward.

Master Gu brought many gifts and came alone, specifically requesting a private meeting with Su Wan.

Su Wan recalled that Master Gu, a businessman, had a good reputation for both character and conduct. When she had lived at the Gu residence, he had treated her well, like a caring father.

Now, for such a prominent businessman to visit her, it was surely business-related.

Su Wan currently held two lucrative recipes. The Shaqima recipe aside, the goat milk soap recipe was truly the key to wealth. Once developed, its potential was immeasurable.

The Gu family wasn’t in the food business, so they probably wouldn’t be interested in Shaqima. Thus, it was likely that Master Gu had come for the goat milk soap, as Gu Yue knew she was the one who had created it.

Since construction work was ongoing, with dust flying everywhere, the Su courtyard was not a suitable place for entertaining guests. Instead, they set up a small table outside the yard, poured some tea, and Su Wan sat across from Master Gu.

Facing such a prominent businessman, Su Wan remained calm and composed, showing a confidence that surprised Master Gu.

Having treated her as his daughter for more than ten years, he knew her quite well. Though she was clever, he had never seen much business aptitude in her, unlike his biological daughter, Gu Yue, who seemed to have a natural talent for it.

Moreover, he wondered, if Su Wan had known the goat milk soap recipe all along, why hadn’t she shown it while living with the Gu family? Why did she only reveal this skill after returning to the Su family?

It was all rather strange, but she was undeniably still the same Su Wan.

"Master Gu, is there something specific you came here to discuss with me today? Please feel free to say it directly. As you can see, my family is busy with construction and I can’t spare much time,” Su Wan said, not bothering with excessive pleasantries and getting straight to the point.

Master Gu nodded, taking a careful look at Su Wan. She had indeed changed. Apart from her face, everything about her seemed different.

But perhaps this was for the best. He’d initially been worried that she wouldn’t adjust to rural life and would suffer for it. Looking at her now, he realized he’d been overly concerned.

"We’re planning to move the entire family to Yanzhou and won’t be in Qinghe County anymore. So, before leaving, I wanted to see you one last time." He referred to himself as her father, which made Su Wan smile.

“I wouldn’t dare claim that honor. The ties of father and daughter between us are over. If we were to refer to ourselves as such again, it would be rather inappropriate. Besides, Madam Gu was always opposed to it. If she found out, she’d likely accuse my family of trying to climb up the social ladder.”

Once Su Wan made a decision, she didn’t leave things half-done, and her words were resolute. This made Master Gu feel uncomfortable. He had always been a bit insincere; although he claimed to care for Su Wan, when the whole matter of the real and fake daughters surfaced, he had chosen to ignore it, not even bothering to speak a single word to her.

And now, to come back in the name of profit—wasn’t this rather inappropriate?

"Su Wan, I was busy with business at the time and couldn’t intervene in the matter. I spoke with your mother, asking her to let you stay, but she was determined…" Master Gu started to explain, but Su Wan cut him off.

"Master Gu! If you have other matters to discuss, please say them directly. If you came only to bid farewell, I understand, and you may go now."

She didn’t want to hear any of his pointless explanations—he was hypocritical to the core. Since they had chosen to cut ties, they might as well make a clean break so both sides could move on.

Seeing Su Wan’s impatience, Master Gu wasted no further words. He motioned for someone to bring over a box.

“Wan Wan, here’s the situation: last autumn, a product called goat milk soap suddenly became popular on the market, with a fantastic response. Those who used it praised it highly. Later, I learned that this goat milk soap was actually your creation. You know I’m a businessman, and I see the value in your goat milk soap. Out of consideration for our past ties, I’m willing to buy the recipe for a high price to help it reach greater success. Would you consider this?”

“Oh~ How high of a price are you willing to offer, Master Gu?” Su Wan asked, curious.

Master Gu held up a single finger, and Su Wan guessed, “A thousand taels?”

Unexpectedly, Master Gu chuckled and replied, “Wan Wan, if a thousand taels were enough, do you think I would have come to speak with you personally?”

That was true. The Gu family was wealthy—the richest family in Qinghe County. A thousand taels was just a few months' expenses for them, hardly worth Master Gu coming in person.

“So, that means ten thousand taels?” Su Wan asked casually.

For an ordinary person, this amount was astronomical, but she said it without batting an eye. Master Gu was pleased, thinking she still carried the poise of the girl he had once mentored.

“Yes, ten thousand taels, to buy the recipe for your goat milk soap. Tell me, if you relied on yourself to sell goat milk soap here in Qinghe County, or even expand to Xiangzhou, how long would it take to earn ten thousand taels?”

“If you agree to sell this recipe to the Gu family business, I’ll also give you a yearly dividend of ten percent. Additionally, I’m willing to offer you three shops in Qinghe County and a three-courtyard house. Your family could move to the county, and you could use the shops for other businesses. Does this seem sincere enough?”

Master Gu felt he had offered extremely generous terms. He was even including the shops and house as a gesture of support out of their former relationship.

However, Su Wan only covered her mouth and laughed softly, clearly unmoved by his offer.