You are unlucky and I am tough

Chapter 201: He Family

Taibai Tower had its own way of publicity, and the news that it would launch the top scholar porridge that night had already spread among scholars and students.

The next morning, a sign for the new dish "Zhuangyuan Jidi Congee" was hung at the entrance of Taibai Tower. When the scholars and students in the city heard that this porridge meant "success in the imperial examination", they came to taste it.

"I don't know what this top scholar porridge is made of."

"Who cares what it's made of? Let's go and try it, even if it's just for good luck!"

"Jidi Dengke, this porridge has a good name. Taibailou really knows how to run a business."

"What can you do with a bowl of porridge? It's top-ranking porridge. I want to try it."

It was noon when Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang arrived. The lobby of Taibai Tower was still full of guests, mostly scholars and students. Every table ordered the top scholar porridge, and they ate and chatted, with all kinds of praise floating into their ears.

"It tastes really good. I have to order some to take home for my family to try!"

"If we drink this porridge, maybe we can pass the imperial examination next year!"

“The ingredients are fresh and tender, and the rice porridge is mellow and warming. It is a treasure on the tip of your tongue.”

"This porridge is so rich and smooth. I've already eaten three bowls and I'm still craving more."

"Just for this porridge, I will be a regular customer of Taibai Tower from now on."

Xie Zhiyou stood on the second floor, looking at the lively scene downstairs, his face full of smiles.

Soon he saw Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang in the lobby, and immediately ordered his followers to invite them up.

There were four people coming up, and Wei Nanxing and Wei Xinyi also came along today.

Wei Qinglang introduced his younger brother and sister to Xie Zhiyou and said, "It seems that the porridge has received very good feedback. The restaurant is almost full at this hour."

Xie Zhiyou beamed. "It's more than good. It's been packed since morning. Almost every table orders this porridge. The kitchen is almost overwhelmed. I have to thank you very much."

Cheng Shuang smiled and said, "Thank you for your courtesy, Young Master. The reason this porridge is so popular is because Taibai Tower is so famous."

Xie Zhiyou gestured for an invitation. "I'll stop with the polite words. I've reserved a private room for you. Come in and have a cup of tea first. I'm treating you to lunch today, so you can't refuse."

After entering the private room, a waiter came in to serve tea, snacks, and the most popular dessert in the building, red bean pastry.

"Thank you, big brother." Wei Xinyi thanked him politely. After tasting the dessert, she praised it generously. "It's delicious! My brother said this whole building belongs to you, big brother. How impressive."

Xie Zhiyou looked at the cheerful and lively girl and thought of his daughter at home. Tenderness unconsciously appeared in his eyes and he whispered, "Xinyi, right? How old are you?"

"Nine years old." Wei Xinyi replied.

"I hope my daughter can be as lively and bright as you when she grows up."

"Master Xie has a child." Cheng Shuang, who was eating ancient ice cream, raised her head when she heard this.

But think about it, people in ancient times got married early, Xie Zhiyou should be in his twenties now, so it's normal for him to get married and have children.

Xie Zhiyou nodded, "Yes, he is already three years old this year."

Wei Qinglang also said, "Thank you, brother, for your good fortune and your daughter."

Xie Zhiyou sighed softly, "However, I've been busy with business and haven't had much time to spend with her. My mother has been taking care of her all along, and now the child has become a stranger to me."

Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang looked at each other and understood something. It seemed that the child had no mother by his side.

The two of them kept their mouths shut, fearing that asking too many questions would bring back bad memories for the other person.

"Then why can't you take her with you?" Wei Xinyi looked at him and asked.

Xie Zhiyou smiled helplessly, "My grandparents are old, my mother is sick, and my brother is useless. I'm needed for all the big and small business matters outside. I'm out running around all day and can't take care of her. She's still young and she won't be used to it."

"Then maybe she'd be willing to follow you?" Wei Xinyi tilted her head. "She's still young, so you can take her with you. If she were a grown-up, it would be inconvenient for a girl to take her with her.

When I was very young, my two older brothers had to work in the fields every day. They took me with them when they were tired. If I ran around, they would tie me to a tree with a rope. It was very hot outside, but I was still willing to follow them. As long as I could see my brothers, I felt at ease.

Xie Zhiyou seemed to be thinking about something. He raised his hand and touched the little girl's head. "You're right. I'll ask her another day."

Everyone at the table laughed, thinking that Xie Zhiyou was just coaxing a child.

As the people in the room were talking, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room. The attendant opened the door and walked in, saying respectfully, "Master, the He family has arrived."

Xie Zhiyou turned around and asked, "Didn't you send someone to deliver the letter yesterday? Why are you here so soon?"

"The young master of the He family has been in the city these days, so he came directly here."

"So that's how it is. Let someone treat me well first, I'll be there in a moment."

"He family?"

Wei Nanxing, who had been silent all this time, suddenly asked a question.

Seeing his confusion, Xie Zhiyou gently explained, "The He family in Donghuang City has access to the best jade. My good-for-nothing brother broke our heirloom jade pendant, and I'm afraid my grandmother would be upset if she found out, so I wanted to ask someone in the He family if they could find a similar piece of jade and carve a new one."

Wei Nanxing nodded and thought to himself, this is really Master’s house. I wonder who is coming. Could it be Master himself?

But the master said that he never managed the family business, so it shouldn’t be the case.

It has been several months, and he still doesn't know when the master will come to see him.

Wei Qinglang could see that Wei Nanxing was obviously worried, so he said, "Brother Xie, go and do what you want. We'll just sit here."

"Okay, I'll come back later." Xie Zhiyou noticed something but didn't say anything. He left the room with his entourage.

After the person left, Cheng Shuang tilted her head to look at Wei Nanxing.

"Nanxing, you looked strange just now. Is something wrong? Could the He family member Xie Zhiyou is going to meet be related to your master?"

Wei Qinglang also frowned and looked at him, "He Zhou?"

Seeing that they had guessed it, Wei Nanxing didn't want to hide it anymore. After all, everyone in the room was their own family and wouldn't go out and gossip.

He nodded and said, "My master is the eldest son of the He family, the imperial merchant family in the provincial capital. When he left at the end of the year, he said he would come to see me after we moved to Huanhua County. But now it's been over a month, and I have written him two letters, but there is no news at all."

Cheng Shuang suddenly realized. No wonder He Zhou looked so well-educated and had such a good temperament. He gave him such a fine sword when he accepted him as his disciple, and even gave him a BMW without any hesitation. It turned out that his family was a wealthy royal merchant.

She was a little confused. "So, Nanxing, are you worried that something happened to your master?"

Wei Nanxing nodded. "I can't go into details, but Master has a bad relationship with his family. His stepmother is mean, and his two younger brothers are always against him."

Cheng Shuang asked, "So what do you think? Should we continue to wait for him in the village?"

She and Wei Qinglang were too busy to think about this matter. They only knew that Wei Nanxing had written a letter and thought that there was contact between them as master and disciple.

Wei Nanxing probably didn't say anything because he saw that they were too busy.

Wei Nanxing looked at the two of them for help, "I've been thinking these past few days, should I go directly to the He family in Donghuang City to look for someone? Brother, sister-in-law, what do you think?"

He didn't understand the complicated grievances and entanglements between wealthy businessmen and gentry, but he felt a little uneasy in his heart, especially in the past few days, he became more and more uneasy, so he came to the city today.

Cheng Shuang looked at Wei Qinglang opposite him. After all, Wei Nanxing was only a fifteen-year-old boy. Although he had learned kung fu, he had never traveled far alone.

Wei Qinglang pondered for a moment. "It's indeed unusual not to receive a single reply. If you want to go, go ahead. But when you get to Donghuang City, don't go directly to their house. Find an inn nearby to stay and find out the situation first. You can start with the He family's servants. If nothing goes wrong, that's best. If there is something, have someone deliver a letter, or come back to discuss it with us directly. Don't act rashly."

Wei Nanxing stood up and said, "Then I'll go home and pack my things now. According to Black Moonlight's speed, we can reach the city gate before dark."

It would be fine if he didn't mention it, but once he did, he couldn't sit still for a moment.

Seeing that he was anxious, Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang did not stop him. They reminded him to be careful and not to act impulsively, and then let him go.

When Xie Zhiyou came back, half of the dishes in the private room had been served. He noticed that one person was missing and asked about it, but they made the excuse that they had something to do at home.