Chapter 64: Zhang Bao and Zhang Zhong (Third Update)

  "It's all right, there's something going on, let's talk after seeing the master of the house. The master is still waiting for you in the study." Zhang Bo hurriedly said to Zhang Bao with a nod.

  "That little fly..." Zhang Bao knew he had already delayed for quite some time, but not seeing Zhao Fei, Zhang Bao still hesitated.

  Zhang Bao smiled and said, "What's wrong, are you afraid I'll bully that kid? Don't worry, go ahead, in a while you'll see a lively and spirited Little Zhao Fei."

  "Thank you, Housekeeper Zhang, thank you." Zhang Bao bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

  "All right, my big boss. If you continue to entrust it like this, the master will get angry. At that time, I won't dare guarantee Xiao Fei's safety." Zhang Bo intimidated.

  "Oh, okay! I'll go see the master right away." Zhang Bao nodded in response. Apparently related to Zhao Fei's matter, Zhang Bao was still very tense.

  Seeing Zhang Bao's departing back, Zhang Bao couldn't help but shake his head and smile. It's actually possible to make a calm and collected shopkeeper like me anxious like this. Zhao Fei, that little scamp, still has some charm, no wonder I'm worried sick about him. With that thought, he turned around and headed towards the place where Zhao Fei was being held.

  Now let's talk about Zhang Bao, who bid farewell to Zhang Bo and headed towards Zhang Zhong's study.

  Knock, knock, knock... The knocking sound from outside the door made Zhang Zhong put down his thoughts and rubbed his slightly swollen head. He looked up and said, "Is that Bao Ye outside?" Bao Ye was the courtesy name given to Zhang Bao by the previous generation's master of the Zhang family, meaning he hoped Zhang Bao could protect the family's property. Since childhood, Zhang Bao had been clever and quick-witted, highly regarded by the previous generation's master.

  "As for going home, Zhang Bao has just arrived." A respectful voice replied from outside the door.

  "What's the point of being so distant, you and I are brothers, can't we just get along?" Zhang Zhong said with a hum.

  Zhang Bao slowly pushed open the door, walked in with a slightly humble attitude, and replied: "The order of seniority and etiquette cannot be abandoned. Although the master of the house and I are nominal brothers, I am after all just a collateral branch, how dare I be mentioned together with you, the master?" It can be seen that although Zhang Bao is in a high position, he still feels inferior about his status as a collateral branch.

  Zhang Zhong waved his hand, "I just dislike your humble attitude. Think about it, more than half of the Zhang family's business is supported by you. These years, thanks to you, the Zhang family's fine wine has become famous far and wide. Your status is not a bit lower than mine."

  "The master's words are quite different. I think Zhang Bao is just a younger generation on the side, compared to the master's orthodoxy, it can be said that there is a difference between heaven and earth. Moreover......" Zhang Bao was about to continue speaking, but at this time Zhang Zhong was already impatient. He saw Zhang Zhong waving his hand, "Alright, every time it's the same rhetoric, not hundreds of times, dozens of times. You don't get tired of saying it, I'm tired of listening to it. This time you were called here not to discuss this matter."

  "What did the master of the house call me for?"

  Zhang Zhong stood up and slowly walked towards Zhang Bao, saying as he walked: "I called you here today to ask you about someone. You must tell me everything you know, without hiding anything."

  When he finished speaking, Zhang Bao listened with some astonishment. He thought that as the master of the Zhang family, who was considered to be all-powerful in Zhending, what person would he not know? With this question in his mind, Zhang Bao asked softly: "I don't know who the master is asking about. If it's someone I know, I will certainly tell you the truth."

  "I heard that your winery has hired a new partner named Zhao Fei?" Zhang Zhong squinted his eyes, staring at Zhang Bao.

  "Xiao Fei?" Hearing Zhao Fei's name, Zhang Bao was suddenly startled and blurted it out. Thinking back to Zhang Bo's words just now, Zhang Bao couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. "Could it be that Xiao Fei has offended the Zhang family? Otherwise, how could he have been caught by the Zhangs, or committed a heinous crime? Otherwise, why would the master personally investigate at this time? No, no matter what I say, I must protect Xiao Fei's life." Zhang Bao slowly fell into deep thought.

  Zhang Bao was lost in thought, and Zhang Zhong continued to ask: "Since you can call out the name of this person so intimately, doesn't that prove that the little guy named Zhao Fei is indeed a partner in your winery?"

  "I don't know how Little Fei offended the master, please spare his life and show mercy." Zhang Zhong's words interrupted Zhang Bao's thoughts, and Zhang Bao hastily pleaded for Zhao Fei.

  "Answer my question first." Zhang Zhong waved his hand and ignored Zhang Bao's plea.

  "What the host said is true, I indeed hired a new partner named Zhao Fei."

  "It seems that this little fellow has not deceived me after all." Zhang Zhong muttered softly, taking light steps. "I ask you, what is his character like?" Zhang Zhong continued to ask.

  "What's wrong with his character?" Zhang Bao looked at Zhang Zhong in confusion, unsure what he meant.

  "Right! It's about character. And this person's detailed situation, all told me by Zhang Zhong."

  "This child is of good character, although from a poor family background. He has been working in the shop for so long and has always been honest and hardworking. Moreover, he is very intelligent and knowledgeable about books and etiquette. What's more, he can even read and write, which is quite rare. Although he may not be able to express himself eloquently, his paintings also have a certain depth of meaning. Furthermore, he has unique insights into business and some ideas that even I find impressive. However, he lacks experience, but if he can be trained for a period of time, he will definitely become a great help to the Zhang family in the future. He may even lead the Zhang family to reach new heights that we have never reached before."

  "Is this child really so excellent?" Zhang Zhong narrowed his eyes and sank into thought, without showing any expression. It was unknown what he was thinking about.

  "In fact, I also wanted to introduce this child to the master of the house, but thinking that his experience is still shallow, he is not prepared. I don't know how Little Fei offended the master of the house, and I'm willing to take his punishment for him. I hope the master can spare his life." Seeing Zhang Zhong's expressionless face, Zhang Bao pleaded for Zhao Fei.

  "Hehe, who said he offended me?" Zhang Zhong's expression suddenly changed, and his narrowed eyes turned into crescent moons. Zhang Zhong smiled at Zhang Bao, "He can be considered a benefactor of my Zhang family."

  Zhang Zhong's sudden change left Zhang Bao, a seasoned businessman, stunned for a moment. Coming back to his senses, he asked weakly: "Master, what are you talking about? I'm really confused."

  "This is the situation." Zhang Zhong smiled warmly at Zhang Bao, looking very friendly. But in Zhang Bao's eyes, he looked quite strange. "Earlier, Xue'er went out to play and accidentally got lost with her maid, but it was Zhao Fei who brought my precious daughter back. You also know that I only have one precious daughter, so do you think he counts as a benefactor of the Zhang family? At first, I thought that little scoundrel had kidnapped my daughter, but then he mentioned your name, so I sent someone to invite you over and ask about it."

  "I see! Now I can rest assured." After hearing Zhang Zhong's words, Zhang Bao let out a deep breath and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Today was really a rollercoaster ride for him. First, he had to deal with the missing person, then it got entangled with the Zhang family, his heart had been hanging in his throat all along, now that heart finally returned to its normal place in his chest. But his body indeed felt a bit weak.

  "Alright, let's go take a look at that kid together."