Chapter 24: Architectural Blueprints Stun Chang Wei

The heavy gate creaked open. A young boy looked at Chu Chen, then at the items in his hands.

"My father says he isn't home," the boy said coldly. "You should leave."

Good grief, to think that Chang Wei had raised such a blockhead.

"Then why don't you go ask your father when he will be back?" Chu Chen said with a smile.

The boy turned around impatiently to head back inside. The truth was that ever since Chang Wei had gained fame, people came by daily asking him to build houses. He usually kept the door closed to visitors—partly because he didn't care for the meager pay, and partly because he was getting older and felt it was time to rest.

The boy returned shortly after and said, "My father says he doesn't know when he'll be back, either. Please, be on your way."

God, I must not be too smart, or I’ll end up with a dim-witted son like this.

"Hey, listen here, you little... ahem, my young friend," Chu Chen said smoothly, handing him a sheet of paper and a small piece of silver. "Give this to your father, and he will surely see me."

The boy looked at Chu Chen with annoyance, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw the silver. He nodded and took the items back into the house.

It seemed the boy wasn't entirely foolish; he at least knew the value of money. He was probably just a bit slow-witted. Chu Chen chuckled to himself, standing at the door and shaking his head.

Just as he was wondering how he would persuade Chang Wei, the gate opened once more.

"Young Master, my father says he has returned. Please, come in."

With the incentive of the silver, the boy was noticeably more enthusiastic than before.

"Thank you, little brother. Lead the way."

As they walked, Chu Chen didn't forget to slip a lollipop into the boy's hand. The boy, having never seen such a thing, looked at Chu Chen with a puzzled expression. Chu Chen promptly popped the lollipop into the boy's mouth, and the boy let out a surprised, muffled sound. It was incredibly sweet—undoubtedly the sweetest thing he had ever tasted in his life.

"I am Chu Chen. It is an honor to meet you, Master Chang," Chu Chen said to a man in his fifties standing in the main room.

The man didn't acknowledge him, his eyes fixed intently on the piece of paper in his hands, silent.

"Come, young man, tell me, where did you get this?" Chang Wei asked, never once looking up from the drawing.

"Master Chang, I drew it myself," Chu Chen replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"What? You drew this?" Chang Wei looked up, surprised, studying the well-dressed young man before him.

In truth, Chu Chen had drawn it himself. To avoid causing a stir, he couldn't reveal the colorful books from his inventory, so he had simply found a pencil and a ruler and copied the designs onto an A3 sheet of paper.

"May I ask whose successor you are, to be able to design such a novel and practical house?" Chang Wei asked, immediately assuming the youth was an apprentice to some legendary master architect.

"Er, my master is a humble man who prefers to remain unknown to the world. It’s best we don't disturb his peace," Chu Chen lied without batting an eye.

"Quite right, quite right. Forgive my rudeness, young master. Only a true recluse could design such a structure. Now, tell me, why have you come to my humble abode?" Chang Wei apologized.

*Young master?* Well, if he insisted, Chu Chen would just have to accept it.

"Master Chang, you are too kind. I could never call myself a master in your presence. Please, just call me Chu Chen. I have come to ask if you would be willing to build a house like this for me."

Chu Chen got straight to the point.

"Oh? To build this? Judging by the blueprint, the cost will be significant. Young Master Chu, which area of Qingyun City are you planning to build in?" Chang Wei asked seriously.

"Actually, it is to be built in Mashan Village of Qingniu Town. I hope you can do me this favor, Master Chang."

*Building such a fine house in a village?* This kid must have more money than sense.

The design was for a two-and-a-half-story villa, though Chu Chen had modified the structure between the first and second floors to be made of wood. The main structure would be brick and tile; there was no cement in this world, and after searching his inventory, the best he could manage was supplies from a hardware store. Still, it was enough to solve the issues of indoor plumbing and water pipes.

"Young Master Chu, for the sake of this design alone, I will take the job." Chang Wei paused, then added, "But I have one question: why does this design place the latrine inside the house? Please, enlighten me."

*Enlighten him?* How was he supposed to do that?

Chu Chen improvised, "Er, the latrine is inside simply for the convenience of using the restroom. I possess specially crafted toilets and basins from my master, along with the necessary piping, so there is no need to worry about any unpleasant odors."

Chang Wei was now eager to go to Mashan Village immediately just to see these "toilets" that could supposedly isolate the smell of a latrine.

"And what of the cost, Young Master Chu?"

"Master Chang, I was thinking you could draw up a budget for me. I am unfamiliar with the local prices in Qingyun City, so I would like to leave the entire project in your capable hands. I will simply provide the funds."

Chang Wei nodded; this was indeed the most convenient way to proceed. "Very well. Since you trust me, come back tomorrow, and I will have a full breakdown of the expenses for you."

With that, he returned to studying the blueprints.

Outside, Tiger handed the mutton and rice to Chang Wei's son before leaving the house. As he departed, he slipped the boy a dozen more lollipops. The boy beamed, his attitude toward Chu Chen now bordering on reverent.

"Sigh, children are so simple. Whoever gives them candy is their best friend," Chu Chen muttered. Tiger, looking confused, just scratched his head and drove the mule cart back toward the center of Qingyun City.

In front of a high-end restaurant in the West District of Qingyun City, Chu Chen turned to Tiger. "Brother Tiger, what would you like to eat?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Tiger replied, "Meat buns. Twenty of them."

Chu Chen shook his head. It seemed the habits of poverty were hard to break, but there was no rush. He led Tiger into the restaurant without further comment.

He ordered a table full of hearty dishes, a large pot of rice, and the ten meat buns Tiger had insisted upon. The two men sat at the table, worlds apart. Chu Chen sipped his tea and tasted the dishes, while Tiger devoured his food like a starving ghost, his face smeared with grease. It seemed as though the entire world had faded away, leaving only the feast before him.

Watching Tiger eat, Chu Chen was reminded of his own days delivering food. Hadn't he been exactly the same, finally treating himself to a proper meal at a restaurant, eating without a care for his image? After all, where was there any room for refinement in the life of an ordinary man?