Chapter 218: Inquiring

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Inquiring

Previously, during their exile, Hua Buwan had strolled through the city streets with Ling Qianjun. Back then, she had been blown away by the bustling sights—it had truly been an eye-opening experience. However, upon stepping into this town in Lingnan, she realized the architecture here was completely different from anything she had seen before.

Stone houses dominated the area, while wooden structures were exceedingly rare. Sweeping her gaze across them, she found that these stone buildings possessed a unique charm. They were all single-story structures, and even the floors were meticulously paved with stone slabs, creating a seamless, unified aesthetic. Interestingly enough, despite the widespread use of stone for the main buildings, the shop signboards were uniformly carved from wood.

Furthermore, vibrantly colored flags were planted by the doors of every shop, each bearing concise slogans to advertise their wares. For instance, the flag fluttering outside a wonton shop proudly proclaimed, "Fresh Meat Wontons: Thin Wrappers and Generous Fillings." Not to be outdone, the steamed bun shop next door boasted its own specialty: "White Flour Buns: Savory Meat Juices, Delicious!"

Before long, the group merged into the bustling crowds of the market street. The avenue was lined with an overwhelming array of businesses: food stalls radiating mouthwatering aromas, jewelry shops displaying dazzling trinkets, and boutiques filled with exquisite fabrics and ready-to-wear garments.

Of course, shops featuring Lingnan’s unique local flavor were plentiful as well. There were rows of fishing tackle stores packed with all kinds of rods, hooks, and nets, along with seafood markets where the air was thick with a pungent, fishy scent. Because these shops dealt in goods that inevitably carried an odor, and their storefronts were difficult to keep clean and dry, most were relegated to the deepest end of the street.

As for Hua Buwan and her group, they naturally made a beeline for those seafood shops without hesitation. After all, they had just brought in a bountiful haul of seafood. If they didn’t sell it off quickly, it would be difficult to keep the catch alive for much longer. Besides, once they successfully sold these fish, the burden on their shoulders would lighten considerably.

It was worth noting that for the Ling family, this was their very first time coming out to sell their catch. To say they weren’t the least bit nervous would be a lie. Yet, despite their anxiety, every single one of them deeply understood that if they wanted to change their current circumstances, they had to bravely take this crucial step. So, no matter how apprehensive they felt, none of them chose to back down.

Ling Qianjun stood tall and straight at the very front of the group, with Xu Panqing standing just as upright beside him. Behind them, Ling Yunge wore a gentle, refined smile, while Ling Qianfan looked every bit the handsome, valiant youth.

At that moment, Hua Buwan flitted ahead like a nimble butterfly, stepping into a shop ahead of the rest. Looking completely at ease, she walked over to the water buckets, pointed at the various items, and scrutinized them. Pretending to be an ordinary customer, she began asking the boss about the prices of his goods.

Hua Buwan visited several shops in succession, earnestly inquiring about the selling prices of various seafood products at each stop. She smoothly navigated conversations with different owners, occasionally feigning curiosity and sometimes putting on a display of hesitation.