The world of film and television begins with the God of Medicine.

Chapter 1610 The Lively Scene at the Qiao Family Residence
In November, the temperature in Nanjing remains between 8 or 9 degrees Celsius and 17 or 18 degrees Celsius, which is quite pleasant. If it gets cold, you can simply wear an extra jacket. If it gets hot, you can simply take the jacket off.

On Sundays, children run and play in the streets, while men gather to play chess, cards, and chat. Women talk about everyday life. Unlike the lazy men who gather to smoke and chat, the women are either knitting sweaters or sewing shoe soles; most of them have some kind of work to do.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Wang Yan, carrying a bag, found the Qiao family's house according to the house number.

"Hey, who are you looking for?" a woman asked, peeking out as she fiddled with chicken gizzards.

Wang Yan recognized the woman; she was Qiao's neighbor, whom Yi Cheng and the others called Aunt Wu. She was a nice person, tough on the outside but soft on the inside. When Qiao's mother went to the hospital to give birth, Aunt Wu kindly took her there, stayed with her while she waited, and helped look after the baby. Er Qiang and the others stole food from her house, and although they spoke harshly, they weren't too outrageous. Later, although they were sarcastic, it was just normal human behavior.

She's not a bad person, and she even helps others; she's just a gossip.

Wang Yan replied with a smile, "Qiao Erqiang's house."

"Who are you? I've never seen you before." It's a classic approach: ask first, then give directions.

“I’m Sanli’s classmate, and I get along really well with Erqiang. I live in the first house at the west end of the road, number 128.”

"Oh, that explains why I've never seen this before." Aunt Wu nodded, then pointed to a house in front of Wang Yan, "This is the Qiao family, you can go now."

"Thank you, Auntie." Wang Yan nodded with a smile and carried the things into the yard.

He had actually seen the number plate on the door frame long ago...

"The first house at the western crossroads... why does that sound so familiar?" Aunt Wu frowned, trying to recall what she was thinking, but she couldn't remember anything.

Even if she had discussed it with others, even if she knew about Wang Yan, it was still hard to make any connection when he suddenly appeared right in front of her...

As soon as Wang Yan stepped inside, he saw the four beauties running out.

"Brother Yan~" The four beauties welcomed him warmly.

"You're here, why did you bring anything?" Qiao Yicheng frowned at Wang Yan, thinking that Wang Yan was being too polite. At the age of thirteen, she shouldn't be thinking about such things.

"Brother Yicheng, hello, hello. I also brought some food." Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile. "A salted duck, a piece of braised beef, and two smoked fish. I have a big appetite and eat a lot. I just wanted to eat these things, so I added two more dishes."

"Hey, kid, let me tell you, if you have money, you should spend it. Come on, let me try the braised beef and see if it tastes good." Qiao Zuwang walked out, his back slightly hunched.

"dad!"

Even Sanli, who rarely caused trouble for her father, glared at him.

Qiao Zuwang coughed twice, smacked his lips, and was about to turn around and go back into the house.

Wang Yan chuckled and said, "It's nothing, it's just food. Here, Uncle Qiao, have a drink first."

He was once Wang Yan's father-in-law, and although he's not exactly a good person now, he still enjoys eating and drinking to his heart's content.

"Hey, take a look." Qiao Zuwang chuckled as he took the things, turned to go inside, then turned back. "I heard you're a pretty good cook?"

"Dad!" This time it was Qiao Yicheng who looked at Qiao Zuwang. If looks could kill, Qiao Zuwang would have been torn to pieces by his own son.

"Well, he did a good job, so let me try it. What's the big deal? You're glaring at me. Who's the boss here? Who's the boss? You're trying to tell me what to do?" Qiao Zuwang said, his voice sharp but his tone weak.

Wang Yan nodded with a smile: "It's alright, Brother Yicheng, you haven't tried it yet, so let's try it together."

"You don't need to cook. We're guests, there's no reason for someone to come and cook for us." Qiao Yicheng waved his hand. "You sit and drink some water, I'll cook."

"You're too kind, Brother Yicheng. I know Brother Qiang, Sanli, and Simei very well; we're all good friends. There's no need for such formalities. I'll cook two dishes for Brother Yicheng and Uncle Qiao to try. I'm not bragging; with my skills, I could open a restaurant and make a fortune."

Sanli laughed and said, "How can you talk about yourself like that?"

"Haven't you seen it now?"

Wang Yan laughed heartily, washed his hands, stewed a fish, and then joined the Qiao siblings in preparing the dishes.

"Is your matter over?" Qiao Yicheng asked.

“That’s the end for me.” Wang Yan picked at the chives. “They said they would give me some compensation for forgiveness, and they gave me a few hundred yuan. That’s it. The rest of them are either executed or in jail.”

"You've made a fortune fighting these two battles," Qiao Zuwang said at the entrance of the main hall. "I work hard for a year and don't earn as much as you do from just one fight."

"They shouldn't have reconciled! They should all be shot!" Qiao Yicheng said to Wang Yan without even looking at his father. "Otherwise, these people will be a problem when they come out."

"I'm not afraid of trouble, and I'm never afraid of them. But reconciliation isn't something I can decide; after all, I'm only thirteen."

Qiao Yicheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed and slapped his forehead: "Look at me, I forgot that you are still young."

It was only then that Qiao Yicheng realized that Wang Yan didn't seem to possess the childlike innocence expected of someone his age. This was unavoidable; even though Wang Yan had tried his best to relax, it couldn't change the fact that he was an old man.

"So who is your guardian now?" Qiao Yicheng asked curiously.

"Nobody. If I had to name one, the neighborhood committee, the street office, and my dad's factory could all be considered my guardians. Anyway, I don't have the final say. This matter was handled by the street office and the neighborhood committee. But for now, it's best for me to take the money."

Besides, those I can get money from are the ones who won't be executed. You know the current environment; my forgiveness doesn't really matter. For those who deserve execution, my forgiveness is useless; for those who don't deserve it, my forgiveness won't kill them anyway.

What kind of environment is it now? It's one of precision, ruthlessness, and speed; it's one where crimes are compounded. So when these mindless thugs came to Wang Yan armed with weapons, their fate was already sealed.

Qiao Erqiang nodded: "Wang Yan is right, brother. It's more practical to ask for money. He can eat better. Look how tall he is at only thirteen. He'll definitely grow taller in the future."

Wang Yan chatted with the four siblings, mainly with Qiao Yicheng. Occasionally, the four beauties would make some noise to amuse everyone, and occasionally, Qiao Zuwang, who had already started drinking, would chime in with a few words and banter with Qiao Yicheng.

Qiao Yicheng really doesn't tolerate his father's bad habits. Qiao Zuwang was right when he said that Qiao Yicheng really did become too independent after going to university.

He received government subsidies for his schooling, so he didn't have to spend money. He could also earn money through part-time jobs. Now, he has absolutely no need for his biological father, Qiao Zuwang.

However, Qiao Yicheng didn't actually go too far; it was just a matter of bickering and getting angry with his father. It was only after Qiao Yicheng got older that he started to use emotional abuse on Qiao Zuwang, which was what really upset Qiao Zuwang.

Erqiang and Sanli mostly just went through the motions with their father, offering him little real interaction. Only Simei, the child who was almost sent away, didn't resort to emotional abuse and could even communicate with him. However, later on, because Qiao Zuwang wanted to be with the nanny, Simei moved out and stopped caring for the old man. He died alone in the dead of night. What was he thinking that night...?

Wang Yan said he would cook two dishes, but in the end, he cooked all the dishes. "Mmm..."

Qiao Zuwang smacked his lips and nodded repeatedly, "I must say, you're a really good cook. You could really make money running your own restaurant. How many meals have you cooked at your age? How can you cook them so deliciously?"

"Maybe this is talent," Wang Yan said with a smile. "Eat as much as you like, Uncle Qiao."

"Come to my house often from now on, treat it like your own home." Qiao Zuwang waved his hand magnanimously, and his words sounded very human.

"Well, I wasn't being polite, was I?"

Si Mei held a chicken leg in her hand, her mouth stuffed with food, and muttered, "You made all these dishes, Brother Yan. My older brother said that guests shouldn't be asked to cook, which means you're not a guest, but family."

"Wow!" Qiao Yicheng looked at the four beauties as if he had discovered a new continent. "Four beauties, I am truly impressed by you."

"I never expected that Si Mei could say such nice things." Er Qiang nodded repeatedly.

Sanli laughed and said, "Big brother, look at him. Do you think we four beauties usually speak so harshly?"

"That's right, you stinky second brother!" Si Mei muttered irritably.

Everyone burst into laughter, even Qiao Zuwang laughed like a father. It was the joy of seeing his child grow up and become sensible, the contentment of a happy life.

However, this was merely a feeling, and for Qiao Zuwang, it was fleeting...

Wang Yan ate, drank, chatted, and laughed with the Qiao family, and it seemed to be going quite well. Eating with many people is certainly lively, but only Qiao Zuwang, Qiao Simei, and Wang Yan were actively grabbing food; the rest—Yi Cheng, Er Qiang, and San Li—ate rather reservedly. However, given how much Wang Yan and the other two were enjoying their meal, their reserve was only relative. The meal was finished completely, not a single dish was left.

However, only Wang Yan found it exciting. If he were really a child that age and had experienced something like that, he certainly wouldn't find it exciting...

Wang Yan strolled home, and Sanli said to Qiao Yicheng, "Big brother, Wang Yan is a pretty good guy, isn't he?"

Yi Cheng nodded, about to speak, when Qiao Zuwang, who was drinking tea beside him, chimed in: "He seems pretty good to me. If I didn't know he broke someone's bones, I wouldn't have guessed this kid was so ruthless. And his cooking is really delicious too."

"He's got money, and he's a good cook. Look how generous he was last time he came – salted duck and braised beef! I wouldn't dare eat like that. You should invite him over more often, let him cook more, so your father can also enjoy some good food."

"Dad..." Qiao Erqiang was helpless.

Qiao Yicheng glared at his father: "He's only thirteen years old! How can you, a grown man, say such things and take advantage of him?"

"He's just a kid, with a thousand or so yuan in his hand! A thousand or so yuan! Doesn't he spend it all anyway? Si Mei said he eats and drinks like crazy every day. How can he afford to eat and drink like that? He'll squander all that money sooner or later. At times like this, he has to get a piece of the action..."

Qiao Yicheng was furious at his father's shameless face, but what could he say? After all, if it were easy to explain, his father would have changed long ago.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down and looked at Qiao Simei: "You're not allowed to go to Wang Yan's house to freeload anymore. If I find out, you'll see what I do to you."

"What does this have to do with me? Brother Yan didn't say anything..." Si Mei's eyes welled up with tears.

Qiao Yicheng didn't care what the four beauties thought, nor did he care that Wang Yan was genuinely generous; he was determined not to let the four beauties go to Wang Yan for free meals and drinks...

"Is that all?"

Opposite Wang Yan, the four beauties gave a tearful "hmm".

She cried her eyes out and snot bubbled from her nose, but that didn't stop her from enjoying her delicious pilaf, as if it were her last farewell meal here.

Wang Yan said with a laugh, "Why don't you just not say anything?"

“If I can’t eat when I get home, my second brother, my sister, and my dad can all tell.”

"Even if you deny it to the death, they won't tell your older brother."

"My dad might not be so sure; he's still eyeing your money." Si Mei started complaining about her father, revealing everything he had said.

“Your dad is right, I am indeed a spendthrift. This money is only enough to eat for a year.” Wang Yan shook his head. “This money goes too quickly.”

"If only I could make money, even become a 'ten-thousand-yuan household,' then I could eat meat every day, every meal, and drink soda too..."

Qiao Simei's face was covered in smears from eating, but as she ate, she imagined a wonderful life, which only made her appetite even better, and she ate with even more relish.

Finally, she looked at Wang Yan and said, "Brother Yan, I believe you will definitely make a lot of money in the future!"

Wang Yan smiled and said, "Are you dreaming so much for me? I thought you were going to make a fortune and take me out to live a life of luxury."

"Don't worry, Brother Yan. If I ever get rich, I'll definitely not forget you. Then we can eat whatever we want, however we want."

"Then you'd better get rich quickly."

"I have to grow up first. Brother Yan, since my older brother won't let me freeload here, all the meat I eat here is a loan to you. I'll pay you back double later."

After saying this, she paused for a moment, her eyes shining, "Hey, that's it, that's it, Brother Yan, I'll pay off my own debts from now on, my brother won't have anything to say, right?"

"Absolutely no doubt about it!" Wang Yan chimed in, playing the straight man.

So Qiao Simei stopped crying, ate heartily, and all her worries disappeared...

As for the consequences, Erqiang and Sanli were taking care of Simei, not disciplining her, and they couldn't discipline her anyway. Qiao Zuwang, her biological father, only interfered when he was unhappy, and even then, it wasn't really discipline, but rather scolding and venting his emotions. He wouldn't seriously manage his children. As for Simei's affairs, let alone disciplining her, if he didn't still have some sense of shame, he himself would have liked to come to Wang Yan's house to freeload.

Only Qiao Yicheng would take care of things, so of course the matter couldn't be kept secret. Just like Si Mei said, after eating at Wang Yan's place, she couldn't eat when she got home. She felt unwell for one day and had a headache for two days. She couldn't come every few days; she needed a place to eat.

So, unsurprisingly, Si Mei got a beating from Yi Cheng. Before the beating, Si Mei was terrified; afterward, she didn't care anymore…

After all, they couldn't really beat someone to death or cause serious injury; a few light taps were enough. The four beauties quickly weighed the pros and cons: taking a few light taps versus eating until their mouths were greasy was not a choice between them...

Qiao Yicheng was so angry he almost laughed...

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