Butcher Fulang’s Noodle Shop - Chapter 14
The little girl’s face beamed with joy, her almond-shaped eyes radiating happiness. She was aware that Song Shi’an and Xu Zhongyue were bringing meat to the family this time. Her father was bedridden, and her grandmother was suffering from a headache, unable to take more than a few steps.
So, her mother had offered her and her younger sister a generous portion of cakes to enjoy. Their taste was beyond words, causing their cheeks to puff out with delight.
The little girl was of short stature, allowing Song Shi’an clearly to see the top of her head. Her hair was thin and yellowish, and her hair part appeared unusually wide. He couldn’t bear to see the child in distress, making him feel uncomfortable watching.
Upon hearing the sound of the door, the old lady Gao called out. Aunt Liu, who was serving dinner to her and Gao Mingda, quickly glanced out the window and then rushed over to the courtyard door with great excitement.
Her son promptly followed and encountered the eldest sister blocking the door. He reached out to pull the little girl aside, saying, “Move out of the way! Everything in this house is mine!”
He believed that if there was anything delicious, he deserved to have it first.
Xu Zhongyue raised an eyebrow as he observed this audacious young boy for the second time. Since he hadn’t taken action the last time, the kid appeared never been taught.
Did this kid really think he wouldn’t punish him?
When the old lady Gao witnessed the big man lifting her grandson by the collar, effortlessly hoisting the chubby child off the ground, she anxiously cried out, “You ruthless brute, spare the child’s life! He means well. I’ll crawl to the government office to file a complaint and make you pay with your life!”
Aunt Liu, unable to bear the situation, offered advice, “The child doesn’t know any better, and he didn’t mean any harm…”
Xu Zhongyue cast a cold, star-like gaze in her direction, merely glancing from the courtyard. He plucked a branch, threw the child into the Gao family’s house, and bolted the door from the outside with a thick branch. The Gao family’s only male grandchild couldn’t budge the door, so he immediately sat down, crying on the ground.
“That’s my meat! I want to eat meat!”
“Mother…”
Aunt Liu glanced at her son, feeling a tinge of sympathy. Both daughters timidly huddled by her side. She sighed deeply, no longer concerned with her son.
This time, Xu Zhongyue and Song Shi’an were invited to sit in the side room.
Xu Zhongyue didn’t say much, as this was a family matter. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Song Shi’an, who understood his unspoken message.
After delivering everything in the basket to her aunt, and overcoming his embarrassment to discuss the wedding date with Xu Zhongyue.
Song Shi’an got straight to the point, “Aunt, I’m just a junior, and there are certain matters I shouldn’t interfere with, but the situation between my aunt and uncle is getting out of hand. If this continues, the two cousins may not have enough to eat and won’t have a promising future.”
Aunt Liu hesitated and replied, “That’s true, but what can I do?”
She was also worried, and based on the speculations of the Gao family, the old lady might sell her daughters when they grew older.
They might be sold to some unknown place; anywhere as long as they could be sold at higher place, then the money would be in the old lady Gao’s hands.
The second daughter was bewildered and didn’t fully comprehend, but she sensed the gravity of the situation. The eldest daughter was still a couple of years away from adulthood.
She quickly embraced her mother and said, “Mom, what my cousin says makes sense. Please take my sister and me away; we don’t want to stay in this family anymore. Even if we have to beg for food, it’s better than living here. Moreover, we won’t have to beg for food; we can earn a few pence by washing clothes each day. My sister and I can each earn four cents a day by washing pots, and with hard work, we can earn four cents a day. If we don’t spend money on grandma and daddy, it will be enough for us to eat.”
The eldest daughter discreetly pinched her younger sister, who held back tears and sniffled, saying, “Mom, take me and my elder sister away.”
Aunt Liu held her two daughters tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Finally breaking the silence, Song Shi’an looked at Xu Zhongyue with a hopeful expression and asked if there was any way he could rescue his aunt and cousin from their suffering.
Xu Zhongyue didn’t respond directly; instead, he turned to Aunt Liu and inquired, “If one day Gao Mingda changes his mind and divorces you, would you be saddened?”
Aunt Liu was taken aback by the question. Xu Zhongyue fixed her with dark, cold eyes, and she slowly shook her head, saying, “When we only just gotten married, and I still have feelings for him. I hope for a good life with him. After all these years, such a foolish idea is long gone.”
Her two daughters had given her the strength to endure. With Gao Mingda’s gambling habit, she had supported the family through needlework and laundry work, along with her two daughters.
Xu Zhongyue nodded, saying, “Alright.”
.
After leaving the Gao family, Xu Zhongyue escorted Song Shi’an home. Just as he was about to leave, Song Shi’an, wearing a puzzled expression, said, “Hey.”
Turning around, he found the shuanger, with his fair and clear eyes, gazing at him with curiosity. He stammered, “Do you have a way to completely deal with Gao Mingda? Please… don’t harm anyone’s life.”
Song Shi’an couldn’t discern whether his concern stemmed from a fear of causing trouble or whether he was more worried about Xu Zhongyue. Apart from Aunt Liu, he was the first person he had come to know well in this world.
Upon seeing Song Shi’an’s inquisitive, glistening eyes, Xu Zhongyue’s throat moved slightly. His expression was genuinely endearing.
“Leave it to me; don’t worry.”
.
After departing from Song Shi’an’s residence, Xu Zhongyue returned to Shui Mofang Alley, reopened his shop, and conducted business throughout the afternoon. He sold twenty to thirty kilograms of pork, cleared out the inventory, and retrieved the liver.
He meticulously cleaned his hands, changed into a fresh silk shirt, retrieved three silver ingots from his hidden money stash, and then made his way towards the southern part of the city.
Qingjiang Town wasn’t very large, and its bustling areas were conveniently close.
Three-quarters of an hour later, Xu Zhongyue arrived at Hongxing Restaurant, one of the liveliest establishments in the town. Due to his upscale attire, the waiter promptly ushered him inside.
He requested a private table on the second floor, ordered several signature dishes, and leaned against the railing to savor the breeze. From behind the screen displaying the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea painting, a man emerged. He was slightly shorter than Xu Zhongyue but had a robust and muscular physique. There was a faintly visible, colorful dragon soaring amid clouds and mist on his robe.
This individual was Zhuang Yan, the brother whom Xu Zhongyue had arranged to meet.
Zhuang Yan was a well-known figure from a modest background in the town. His ancestors had been quite affluent. Unfortunately, when he was around twelve or thirteen, both his parents passed away, and a lack of proper guidance led him astray.
Zhuang Yan was surrounded by sycophants seeking to take advantage of him. Consequently, he indulged in an extravagant lifestyle, spent nights gambling, and lost control.
Zhuang Yan possessed some gambling talent, so he didn’t lose everything. He had a strong inclination for swords, guns, and sticks. As he grew older, his fondness for mountain hunting increased.
Once, during a hunting expedition, he encountered a brown bear and recklessly charged at it. The bear struck him in the chest, tearing a chunk of flesh. He writhed in excruciating pain, unsure how long he could endure, but a barrage of arrows and crossbow bolts rained down from the trees, hitting the bear in its eyes, nose, and heart.
The person who saved his life was Xu Zhongyue.
Xu Zhongyue’s gallant act of saving Zhuang Yan’s life, combined with his impressive martial skills and good looks, strengthened the bond between them, turning them into close brothers.
Before the two could engage in conversation, the waiter arrived with yellow beef, roasted chicken, stewed duck, braised fish, and two jars of premium Jinhua wine.
Once the dishes were laid out, they were left alone, Zhuang Yan grinned and remarked, “This spread is quite lavish for a simple discussion. Brother Xu, you’re being too courteous.”
He handed Xu Zhongyue an aged marriage certificate. As Xu Zhongyue unfolded it and read, he noticed that the paper had been yellowed over time.
To clarify, Zhuang Yan added, “Don’t worry, Song Yuchun, who runs a restaurant, frequently needs to reconcile accounts with others. Obtaining his signature is a straightforward matter. Even if he were to examine his signature on the marriage certificate himself, he wouldn’t dare deny that he signed it.”
In the spirit of brotherhood, Xu Zhongyue didn’t express his gratitude but instead poured wine and offered three toasts to Zhuang Yan.
He then retrieved two snowflake silver ingots from his money pouch and placed them in front of Zhuang Yan. Raising an eyebrow, Zhuang Yan said, “You’re too generous. I told you it’s a simple task to help you with that old piece of paperwork. My business with the old dealer proceeds smoothly, and I didn’t take any money from him!”
However, Xu Zhongyue shook his head and responded, “Please accept it; I still need your assistance.”
Zhuang Yan toyed with the silver ingots as if they were walnuts, saying, “Alright, speak your mind.”
“Firstly, please keep an eye on the Song family, especially Song Yuchun, Wang Jiaojiao, and their son, Song Shijin. Pay particular attention to Song Shijin’s situation in the provincial capital. Just observe for now; no need to take any action.”
Xu Zhongyue shared Song Shi’an’s past with Zhuang Yan and expressed his long-standing sympathy for Song Shi’an. He had prepared these matters in advance, hoping that if the Song family stopped harassing him, he wouldn’t need to proceed further.
“Secondly, you have a wide network in gambling business. Help me with decorating arrangements and seek out a family named Gao in Huamei Alley. There’s a man named Gao Mingda who has a penchant for gambling and isn’t very fortunate. It shouldn’t be too challenging to get close to him.”
Xu Zhongyue left the details unsaid, but Zhuang Yan grasped his intentions.
“In this endeavor, it may require treating me to a feast and indulging in a few days of entertainment. The expenses will likely be substantial. I’ll provide you with these taels upfront, and if it falls short, don’t hesitate to inform me.”
Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows, chuckling, “In that case, I’ll enjoy the food and drink as directed, and the money will be welcomed with open arms!”
This brotherhood formed a special bond. Xu Zhongyue had a handsome appearance, but there was something innate in Zhuang Yan’s character that he couldn’t quite figure out.
Most men admired strength. The more formidable and unpredictable Xu Zhongyue was, the more Zhuang Yan respected him.
They indulged in wine until the moon ascended over the treetops, then parted ways. Zhuang Yan proceeded to Wenrou House for another drink, while Xu Zhongyue, though slightly inebriated with flushed cheeks and neck, chose to take a leisurely walk to sober up.
He meandered over to the tailor shop.
The tailor, who had taken over his order a few days ago, urgently prepared a set of bright red robes and a matching hair crown for the groom. When she spotted Xu Zhongyue passing by, she swiftly hailed him to try on the clothes.
As he gazed into the bronze mirror, Xu Zhongyue’s lips appeared rosy, his teeth white, and his expression radiated happiness. While examining the wedding attire, he visualized a grand red sedan chair. When he pushed aside the sedan’s curtain, Song Shi’an gazed at him with shyness from inside.
From the moment he met Song Shi’an, Xu Zhongyue had nurtured a dream of marrying this beautiful partner, living an ordinary and splendid life together.
The little shuanger had endured a difficult life in the past, but Xu Zhongyue was there to take care of him. His daily work as a butcher kept him busy, and if there were ever financial difficulties, he could return to his previous occupation, hunting in the mountains and forests to catch foxes and deer. They would even welcome a few more children into their lives.
A little tipsy, Xu Zhongyue walked steadily to his door. In the dim light, he thought he spotted a familiar figure beneath a tree, seemingly to be Song Shi’an. He was about to call out but then noticed a carriage parked in the open space across from his home. From it emerged a young woman, who, taking advantage of the night’s darkness, hastened toward him.
“Xu ge-ge, I heard you’re engaged. Is it true? Or has someone deceived me?”