Escort Zhang knew that as a woman, Mrs. Zhang thought about issues much more comprehensively and diligently.
“Darling, why don’t you write to Appraiser Lin of Maple City to request his aid?” Mrs. Zhang asked after some thought.
Escort Zhang was dumbfounded. “Why? Well, it’s because the Qiaos aren’t willing to do it, so there’s no reason for me to request his help.”
Mrs. Zhang smiled. “The Qiao family doesn’t believe you but I do. I too believe that Appraiser Lin is a wonderful person It’ll be great if you could become better acquainted with him. The way I see it, it’s a good thing that the Qiao family is refusing to write to him. I want you to explain to him the predicament the Qiaos are currently stuck in. Ignoring the possibility that he doesn’t show up, we won’t suffer any real detriment in posting that letter, do we? If he does indeed come, then he’ll definitely keep you in his mind. Knowing an expert like him is a good thing, no?”
Escort Zhang thought about his wife’s suggestion, which seemed to make perfect sense.
To think his wife was such a competent strategist. Compared to her, his mind was too one-tracked.
It didn’t take much for him to realize that indeed, there were not setbacks in writing this letter. Quite the contrary in fact. If he was lucky, he would gain a significant amount of credit for helping out the situation.
If the Qiao family’s problem was only minor and easy to resolve, even if Appraiser Lin showed up, the Qiao family could witness his phenomenal skills. It would clear up all the suspicion they had toward Escort Zhang. He also stood a chance to be praised and rewarded. What’s more, being able to meet Appraiser Lin again would undoubtedly bring them closer.
And if the Qiao family’s issue was grave, Appraiser Lin’s presence would prove to be effective.
At least, in Escort Zhang’s opinion, there weren’t issues Appraiser Lin couldn’t solve.
Although he had only met Appraiser Lin once, Escort Zhang had that much confidence in him.
Though, there was another possibility he had to consider.
That Appraiser Lin may have been a conman. His letter may be lost in the sea without him ever receiving a response.
The effort needed on Escort Zhang’s end was just to write and post a letter. This hardly counted as a disadvantage. But if either of the two former possibilities happened, the rewards were substantial.
What a great idea.
After thinking it through, Escort Zhang wasted no time in writing the letter, describing the situation here. Then, he went to the relay station in Reed City to have it posted out.
The man at the relay station informed him that the letter would arrive as quickly as two days at Maple City should there be no mishaps.
Lin Jin obviously had no idea what was going on in Reed City.
After handing the logistics department over to Jia Qian, Lin Jin also instructed her and Lu Xiaoyun to straighten up the association. Of course, he made sure to stipulate expressly the powers he would delegate to them in advance.
Lin Jin assumed that the association must have other problems so he intended to reform the organization starting from the larger departments. That way, their operation could improve gradually, without causing undue pressure on any specific section.
Meanwhile, he continued to research beast appraising methods and practice the phenomenal skills he had learned.
By nighttime, it just happened to be the reopening day of the Visitation Hall. Zombie Cthulhu had undergone substantial recovery. Although he wasn’t fully recovered, they had already made it past most hurdles. He just had to recuperate for now.
Lin Jin planned to let Madam Ghost Child inform Coffin Man to come and take Zombie Cthulhu away.
In the afternoon, Shi Wenjun came over.
Her unannounced visit surprised Lin Jin, but since they were friends, Shi Wenjun might have her own reason for dropping by his place.
Lin Jin invited her into the guest hall and instructed someone to prepare tea.
Since the last time he saw her, Shi Wenjun’s complexion had improved greatly. Her family’s business had been revived. Although they were nowhere near their past achievement, they were definitely doing better than when the Chen family was competing against them.
“Chief Lin, I should have hosted a banquet to celebrate your promotion to chief of the association, but I figured that you must be pretty busy since your return from the royal capital. I didn’t really want to disturb your progress,” Shi Wenjun said with a smile. Her behavior and overall etiquette made Lin Jin feel comfortable in her presence.
Lin Jin shook his head. “Lady Shi, there’s no need to be so courteous. We’re good friends and now that I’m also a stakeholder in your family business, I am technically a part of your family.”
A glint flashed in Shi Wenjun’s eyes, evidently delighted to hear him say that.
“Chief Lin, since we’re family, why didn’t you tell me that you’re looking for a bigger mansion?” Shi Wenjun’s next statement struck Lin Jin dumb.
After a thought, Lin Jin figured it must be that loud-mouthed Lu Yunhe who let word get out.
After all, he had only told Lu Yunhe about this.
Bright as she was, Shi Wenjun immediately knew what Lin Jin was thinking judging by his expression. She chuckled and explained, “Chief Lin, please don’t misunderstand Lu Yunhe. He wasn’t the one who told me about it.”
At this, Lin Jin knew he had just wrongfully pinned the blame on Lu Yunhe.
Lu Yunhe had really kept his lips sealed about this matter. He was fairly earnest in looking for a new place for Lin Jin. Though, that was what ended up working against him as one of the properties he inquired about just happened to belong to the Shi family.
Given how intelligent Shi Wenjun was, she pretty much figured out who was behind Lu Yunhe’s property hunt.
Shi Wenjun already knew about Lin Jin’s living conditions. She also agreed that his tiny house was too small of a place to live in.
Thus, when she caught wind of this, Shi Wenjun wasted no time in visiting Lin Jin.
After all, even if Lin Jin wouldn’t seek her out, she had to offer her help not only because Lin Jin was a worthy friend, but also because the Shi family simply owed him too much.
Without Lin Jin, their family never would have walked away alive from the war with the Chen family.
Hearing this, Lin Jin chuckled as well. “I’ve been too ignorant. It’s true, real estate isn’t Lu Yunhe’s forte. On the other hand, I’m aware that the Shi family excels in such matters. I’ll be troubling Lady Shi in regards to this matter then.”
“Chief Lin, I’ve already picked one out for you.”
That was quick.
Stunned, it didn’t take long for Lin Jin to realize that it was probably the reason why she had come to him in the first place.
“Chief Lin, this north-facing mansion is smack right in the middle of the city. It’s not too far from where you’re currently living but it’s much bigger. There are three entrances and three exits with a garden, eight houses, one study, one guest hall, two beast pens…” Shi Wenjun began listing out the amenities as she pointed to the mansion’s outline on the back of the property deed.
She was standing so close to Lin Jin that he could smell the faint fragrance wafting off her body.
He didn’t think too much about it. Instead, he was more focused on the outline. He felt a sense of uncertainty. It was a great residence but the place was obviously too big and luxurious. He probably couldn’t afford living there.
Although Lin Jin had some money, frankly speaking, it wasn’t enough to buy this house.
His budget was around two to three thousand silvers but Shi Wenjun’s recommended residence must cost at least tens of thousands.
The gap was too huge.
Lin Jin gave a gentle cough. “This mansion isn’t suitable.”
Shi Wenjun smiled. “Why not?”