"It's so delicious!" Hu Jinfei finished the last sip of soup, slammed the large bowl down on the table, and made a satisfying sound.
Lu Qiqi, the manager, was naturally pleased to receive praise from the diners.
"Jin Fei!"
Hu Jinfei heard someone calling him and looked in the direction of the sound.
Before he could get a good look, a fat man came running towards him.
Hu Jinfei's eyes widened, he stood up and looked at Liu Tong, exclaiming in surprise, "Brother Tong!"
Lu Qiqi stood aside and watched as Liu Tong and Hu Jinfei, two grown men, hugged each other, crying tears of joy. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
The two hugged for a while before realizing that many people were watching them, and quickly let go of each other.
The two grown men were somewhat shy and dared not look directly into the eyes of those around them.
Lu Qiqi asked Liu Tongdao, "Uncle Liu, do you know each other?"
Liu Tong grinned so wide his mouth almost reached his ears. He said, "I know him. This is my cousin Hu Jinfei. I originally wanted to take Zhuzi and Dunzi to Heshun Prefecture to seek refuge with him, but I never expected to run into him in Luzhou Prefecture."
"Look at my memory, Jin Fei, this is my shopkeeper, and also my savior, Lu Qiqi."
Hu Jinfei was surprised to find that Lu Qiqi was actually the savior of the two brothers. He laughed and said, "We know each other. Miss Lu saved me and my wife a few days ago. I never thought that the two brothers of us would meet such a benefactor."
Liu Tong never expected that Lu Qiqi had saved Hu Jinfei and his wife yesterday. Now Liu Tong felt that he would have to work for Lu Qiqi for two lifetimes to repay her.
Lu Qiqi wanted to give up her space so that Liu Tong and Hu Jinfei could catch up, but the two kept mentioning her, making it difficult for her to leave directly.
Liu Tong recounted to Hu Jinfei how he was rescued from the bandit mountain by Lu Qiqi and how he snatched his life back from the jaws of death.
Liu Tong laughed and said, "I didn't expect that it would cost fifty taels of silver to enter the city from Heshun Prefecture. I couldn't afford it, so I came to Luzhou Prefecture with Seventh Girl. Now we have built a wooden house in Old Soldier Village and will settle down here in the future."
Hu Jinfei never expected that Liu Tong's journey to safety would be so perilous. In comparison, he had only lost some silver, but had not suffered much hardship.
After listening to Hu Jinfei's account, Lu Qiqi learned that Hu Jinfei and his wife couldn't afford the prices in Heshun Prefecture, so they left their hometown and came to Luzhou Prefecture.
Liu Tong sighed after hearing this and said, "The officials in Heshun Prefecture are too greedy. One tael of silver for only five catties of rice is simply robbery!"
Liu Tong suddenly remembered something and asked, "You two are out, so where's my aunt? Why isn't she with you?"
"He's gone. He passed away about two weeks ago." Hu Jinfei lowered his eyes and said calmly, "He was old, and he passed away peacefully without experiencing any pain."
Lu Qiqi sighed deeply upon hearing of the old man's passing. If Heshun Prefecture hadn't charged such an exorbitant entrance fee, Liu Tong might have been able to see Hu Jinfei's mother one last time.
Liu Tong's face also showed some sorrow. He pursed his lips, patted Hu Jinfei's shoulder, and asked, "So what are your plans for the future?"
Hu Jinfei honestly answered Liu Tong, "My wife is pregnant. She fell seriously ill a few days ago, but was fortunately rescued by Miss Lu. She has woken up today."
"I want to stay here, do some small business, and then make further plans after the baby is born."
When Liu Tong heard Hu Jinfei say he wanted to stay, he smiled again and said, "Why don't you come with me to the veterans' village? You can buy a plot of land there for one or two taels of silver, and then you can cut down trees and build a wooden house yourself."
“My family and I built a wooden house. You can stay in my room for now. Zhu Zi, Dun Zi, and I live at the noodle shop and rarely go back. It’s perfect for you and your sister-in-law to stay here.”
Hu Jinfei was very tempted when Liu Tong told him that he could buy a house in the veterans' village for just one tael of silver.
However, Hu Jinfei hesitated to ask him and Huiniang to live with an unfamiliar family. He was afraid that Huiniang would not be used to it, and he was also afraid that Liu Tong and Lu Qiqi would cause trouble.
Furthermore, most families don't like to bring pregnant women into their homes, as they consider it unlucky.
Liu Tong and Hu Jinfei are cousins, so he naturally knows Hu Jinfei. He asked, "Do you have any concerns?"
Hu Jinfei looked at Lu Qiqi apologetically and said, "I'm afraid Hui Niang will cause you trouble."
Lu Qiqi thought Hu Jinfei was worried that his family would mind that Zeng was pregnant, so she smiled and said, "Don't worry, I brought a lot of people with me on my way to escape."
"Besides Uncle Liu and his two apprentices, there are also the six Zhou brothers and Grandma Zhou. As long as you don't mind the excitement."
Hu Jinfei couldn't refuse Lu Qiqi's suggestion, mainly because they hadn't had much money since leaving Heshun Prefecture. Staying in an inn for a long time was definitely out of the question, and buying a house in the city was just wishful thinking.
“Okay, I’ll go back and discuss it with Hui Niang,” Hu Jinfei said.
Liu Tong wanted Hu Jinfei to stay for dinner, as the cousins hadn't gotten together in a long time.
However, Hu Jinfei was worried about Zeng, a pregnant woman who had just recovered from a serious illness, being alone in the inn.
Liu Tong could no longer keep Hu Jinfei, since he was already in Luzhou Prefecture and there would be plenty of time for him in the future.
After seeing Hu Jinfei off, Liu Tong felt much better. How could he not have a drink with an old friend he met in a foreign land?
Liu Tong immediately gave Zhu Zi two large coins and told him to go and fetch a pot of wine.
Lu Qiqi was also happy for Liu Tong and personally cooked sour fish soup. Liu Tong felt that nothing could be happier than eating sour fish soup.
As soon as Hu Jinfei returned to the inn, he went straight to the room where Zeng was staying on the second floor.
Upon entering the room, Hu Jinfei didn't drink a drop of water. He went around the screen, moved a stool, and sat down beside Zeng's bed.
When Zeng saw Hu Jinfei return, she called out in a hoarse voice, "Jinfei."
Hu Jinfei asked Zeng Shi with concern, "Hui Niang, are you thirsty? Are you hungry?"
Zeng shook her head gently, said nothing, and looked at Hu Jinfei with a slight upturn of her lips.
Hu Jinfei felt a pang of pain in his heart when he saw Zeng Shi's pale face.
Hu Jinfei held Zeng's hand and told her about his encounter with Liu Tong that day.
Hu Jinfei asked, "Huiniang, do you want to go?"
Hui Niang nodded gently and said, "Why not go? Your family is there. Besides me and the child in your belly, your cousin Tong is your only family in this world."
Hu Jinfei was so moved that she wanted to cry. Her Huiniang was always like that, always thinking of others.
Hu Jinfei said, "I'm afraid I'll make you feel wronged!"
Mrs. Zeng found it amusing. "Who would wrong me? Who would mistreat me?"
Hu Jinfei shook his head.
Zeng then asked, "Or will it be our savior who makes things difficult for me?"
Hu Jinfei shook his head again.
Madam Zeng finally couldn't help but laugh, "That's incredible! This Lu family girl you're talking about, since she has the kind heart to save people, she wouldn't have the malicious intent to harm them. Otherwise, why would she go to all that trouble to save us?!"
"Don't worry about it. Since Miss Lu doesn't mind that I'm pregnant, she must be a very capable person. I really wish I could have seen what kind of beauty she has earlier."
Hu Jinfei was completely convinced by his wife and decided to tell Liu Tong the next day that they would go to the veterans' village with him.
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