Chapter 7

The development of the situation indeed turned out as Ye Yu had predicted. On that day, the ready-made clothing shop's method of measuring customers by eye, after being privately discussed by many people, transformed a small courtyard that was usually deserted into a gathering place for shop owners in the city.

In this era, since Zhu Xi had not yet risen to prominence, the famous Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism of later generations had not yet reached its peak. However, the Neo-Confucian thought that began with Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi had been slowly brewing.

Because of this, the moral constraints of "no physical contact between men and women" in the Southern Song Dynasty were stricter than in the Northern Song Dynasty, and became even more restrictive during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The spread and prevalence of this ideology made interactions between men and women more cautious.

Regardless of whether this ideology was right or wrong, for the tailoring industry, Ye Yu's ability to measure with his eyes was something they desperately needed. For ordinary people, having cloth cut and clothes made was one thing, but for the daughters of wealthy families, getting a proper fit required measurements. Although there were specialized female tailors, there were still many inconveniences.

However, if measurements could be taken without touching the body, this was something everyone greatly desired. Therefore, all the tailors in Qingliu County were determined to secure Ye Yu.

Many people were skeptical, as it was hard to believe without seeing it with their own eyes. Ye Yu could only resort to his old tricks to dispel their doubts.

After seeing Li Tong off, Ye Yu sat alone in his wheelchair, closing his eyes to rest. In recent days, his lips had been as busy as a train, dealing with one shop owner after another. At this moment, Qiulan came out of the kitchen with a teapot, quietly approaching.

"Poverty in a bustling market goes unnoticed, but wealth in a remote mountain attracts distant relatives..." Ye Yu squinted his eyes, rubbing his temples with his right hand.

"Hehe! Master, you really know how to joke. How can we be wealthy now?" Qiulan laughed as she poured tea for Ye Yu.

The corners of Ye Yu's mouth curled up slightly, and he said softly, "It will get better in the future..."

Putting down the teapot, Qiulan habitually stood behind Ye Yu and asked, somewhat puzzled, "Master, including the Li Shopkeeper who just left, this is the fourth one. Have you decided which one to agree to?"

"Which one?" Ye Yu slowly opened his eyes, straightened up, and picked up the teapot, blowing on the rising steam. "If they can't give me what I want, why should I choose them?"

"But the conditions offered by Li Shopkeeper were very generous. Why did you deliberately refuse them, Master?"

"He?" At the mention of Li Tong, Ye Yu couldn't help but give a cold laugh. "Narrow-minded, unable to tolerate others, he will never amount to much! Associating with him would be a risky venture!"

Recalling the incident at the ready-made clothing shop, Qiulan nodded in agreement.

Seeing Qiulan's hesitant expression, Ye Yu comforted her, "Don't worry, what's meant to come will come! Qiulan, your tea is getting better and better!"

"Really?" Qiulan smiled sweetly, delighted by Ye Yu's praise.

Just as they were talking, a light and orderly knocking came from the courtyard gate. Ye Yu gestured for Qiulan to open the door.

Qiulan opened the gate and found a woman standing there. The woman was not unfamiliar to Qiulan; she was Su Yueyun, whom she had met at the ready-made clothing shop that day.

"Miss Su, what brings you here?"

Su Yueyun smiled and said politely, "I came to visit Master Ye today!"

"Oh, Miss Su, please come in!"

Qiulan led Su Yueyun into the courtyard. Ye Yu, seeing this, was not surprised but greeted her with a bow, "It's an honor to have Miss Su visit my humble abode. I didn't expect this!"

"Master Ye, you're too kind. I came to visit on behalf of my father, to express our gratitude for your help that day," Su Yueyun replied with a bow and a gentle smile.

"Please sit down!"

"Thank you!"

"..."

After some polite conversation, Su Yueyun dismissed the maidservant who had accompanied her. Ye Yu, seeing this, knew it was time to get to the point. He gestured for Qiulan to step aside, leaving only the two of them to chat over tea.

"Your residence has been bustling with visitors lately. What are your thoughts, Master Ye?" Su Yueyun glanced at Ye Yu and then asked softly.

"Thoughts? Just eight words: 'busy and bustling, profit-driven'!"

These simple eight words revealed the true nature of people, something Su Yueyun had not expected. She hadn't thought Ye Yu would see things so clearly and thoroughly.

"It seems Master Ye has deep feelings about this. What are your plans?"

Ye Yu knew Su Yueyun was asking about his choice, so he feigned confusion and sighed, "To be honest, Miss Su, I am still at a loss!"

Hehe! Su Yueyun covered her mouth and laughed, "Master Ye, why can't you be frank with me?"

Hearing this, Ye Yu slowly raised his head and looked at Su Yueyun, asking seriously, "Why do you say that, Miss Su?"

Su Yueyun met Ye Yu's gaze and then quickly lowered her head, "Master Ye has not made a choice in these few days, which suggests that the conditions offered by these shops are not to your liking. Although my family is small and our business is modest, if Master Ye is willing, everything can be negotiated! Besides..."

"Besides what?"

"Besides, I believe Master Ye is also interested in my family, otherwise, you wouldn't have hesitated for so long..." Su Yueyun said confidently, her smile filled with assurance.

"Miss Su, it seems you came today with a purpose, to probe my intentions..." Ye Yu was surprised by Su Yueyun's insight into human nature, which was unexpected.

Although he admired Su Yueyun's judgment, being seen through was not a pleasant feeling. Seeing her confident smile, he continued, "However, Miss Su, you should know that people's hearts are the easiest to change!"

Su Yueyun, seeing Ye Yu's displeased expression, remained calm and composed, and then smiled, "People's hearts are fickle, and I understand that. But for the many merchants in the city, my family is weak and lacks the strength to compete, which is why we only came to visit today. I come with sincerity today!"

"Oh? How much?"

"My family is willing to cooperate with Master Ye, and you can take 40% of the monthly profits!"

"40%?!" Ye Yu was inwardly surprised by this number, thinking that the Su family was indeed generous.

However, such generous terms would not come easily, so Ye Yu, after calming down, asked seriously, "What are your conditions?"

Ye Yu's composure impressed Su Yueyun, who then responded, "There is only one condition: I hope Master Ye can teach me how to measure with the eye."

"You and their conditions are the same!" Thinking of the conditions from the previous groups, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly, "I would like to teach you, but it's not easy."

This involved solid geometry, proportional calculations... a series of advanced mathematical concepts from the future, which were far beyond the simple arithmetic of the Song Dynasty. To achieve this, he would need to introduce modern mathematical knowledge to the Song Dynasty.

Was this possible? Ye Yu didn't dare to think about it. With his current abilities, he couldn't even consider it. Otherwise, he would be labeled as a heretic, with unpredictable consequences.

Ye Yu's concerns and silence were interpreted by Su Yueyun as a reluctance to share his skills. The difficulty of learning this, she had anticipated. A once-in-a-century skill like measuring with the eye wouldn't be easy to learn; otherwise, it wouldn't be a miracle.

"Master Ye, rest assured, as long as you teach me sincerely, I will study diligently!"

"Very well! I agree!" Ye Yu wanted to explain to Su Yueyun, but the words stuck in his throat.

With the matter settled, Su Yueyun was eager to inform her father, Su Quanzhong, so she chatted for a few more minutes and then got up to leave. Ye Yu didn't try to retain her. After seeing her off, he found the tea had gone cold. He was about to call Qiulan to add more water when he saw her standing by a willow tree, her head down and pouting, picking leaves. In a short time, the ground was covered with them.

"Hey! Qiulan, you've turned my willow tree into a bald head..." Ye Yu looked at the stripped tree and felt a pang of regret.

His words only made Qiulan's hands move faster, and in no time, another layer of leaves fell to the ground. She muttered, "Bald is good, then he can become a monk and save the trouble of shaving his head!"

Although her voice was low, the courtyard was small, and Ye Yu heard her clearly. Qiulan's words made him laugh, and he said, "What's good about being a monk? Your master is far from being a pure person!"

"Does Master have a fancy for Miss Su?" Qiulan, her face darkening, turned and asked softly, throwing away the branch.

Huh...

This unexpected question left Ye Yu at a loss. Seeing Qiulan's sad expression, he finally understood. He pretended to be displeased and said, "Nonsense!"

"But she is very beautiful..."

"There is no 'but'!" Ye Yu interrupted Qiulan forcefully, then wheeled himself over to her and said sternly, "Qiulan, don't think too much about things you shouldn't!"

At these words, Qiulan's eyes welled up with tears, and she pouted, "I thought too much. It's none of my business who Master likes. I shouldn't have thought or dreamed!"

Click!

Ye Yu wondered what was going on. Why was it so hard to explain? Usually quiet and obedient, Qiulan's emotional outburst left him flustered. He thought to himself, why do women always read so many meanings into simple words?

However, this also made Ye Yu realize Qiulan's feelings. Seeing her about to leave in tears, he quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. Qiulan, startled, tried to break free, but Ye Yu held her tightly.

"Qiulan, listen to me! The first person I saw when I woke up was you, and I hope the last person I see when I die will also be you. I want you to push my wheelchair and walk with me until we are old together..."

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