Suburbs of Beijing.
Just like the previous two days, Qi Huaiyu came to Shan'an Hall with several scholars he was on good terms with.
"Brother Qi, how many more days should we stay?" one of the scholars asked before going in. "Although I am willing to do good deeds, I have been spending all my time here these past two days, and I have fallen behind in my studies. Perhaps we could find a few more colleagues and take turns coming."
The others remained silent, but their eyes revealed their agreement.
Qi Huaiyu smiled and said, "Brothers, don't worry, he won't be coming in two more days."
Another person had some doubts, "But you asked us to come and teach the children, how can this be finished in just one or two days?"
Qi Huaiyu sighed, "Although we scholars have a heart for the common good of the world, not everyone in this world knows the importance of studying. Let us help as much as we can. After that, we can only trouble the other people in Shan'an Hall."
The scholars exclaimed, "Brother Qi is truly kind-hearted."
As the group entered Shan'an Hall, they found that the children, who used to be quiet and blank when reading, were now all excited and lively.
With a warm smile, Qi Huaiyu quickly went over and picked up a little boy, seemingly not at all disgusted by the dirt on his hands and face.
"Little Stone, why are you so happy today?"
The little boy was caught off guard by being picked up, but he didn't seem to like it. He struggled to jump off Qi Huaiyu's arms and ran to the other side.
Qi Huaiyu shook his head helplessly, "He's a mischievous monkey."
When the two managers of Shan'an Hall saw them arrive, their smiles faded somewhat.
"Young Master Qi, you've come again."
"I also came to see the children today, thinking I'd teach them a few more words," Qi Huaiyu said with an air of elegance. "What's wrong? The children seem so happy to see you."
The two women in charge exchanged glances. The younger one, Miss Li, said, "You don't know this, but this morning the two young ladies of the Xin family sent over a huge box of silver, saying it was for making clothes and buying food for the children. This way, we can at least get through this winter."
Qi Huaiyu's smile froze. "The Xin family? Why are they suddenly sending money?"
“It’s nothing sudden. Miss Xin has been donating money to Shan An Tang all along,” Miss Li said. “It’s all thanks to her that Shan An Tang can keep operating. Miss Xin is a living bodhisattva.”
Qi Huaiyu forced a smile, "Eating is important, but don't let the children fall behind in their studies..."
“Young Master Qi, don’t worry.” Another steward interrupted him, his tone somewhat sarcastic, “If we survive, we will definitely not let the children fall behind in their studies.”
Qi Huaiyu had no desire to linger any longer and hurriedly left with the scholars.
After he left, the two stewards looked back at the children behind them and saw them happily sharing the fruit. They couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Luckily they didn't come to do anything today. I really hope they never come again."
Miss Li gently patted the steward, "Never mind, they meant well."
“Of course I know he meant well,” said the manager surnamed Liu. “But how much of that good intention is genuine, can you really say?”
Once he started speaking, he poured out everything he had been holding back for the past few days.
"Yes, studying is a great thing, but we at Shan'an Hall can't even afford to eat. Xiao Qiu has been so hungry on several nights that she has to go out and fetch water from the river to drink. It's hard enough to just survive, let alone study."
"Besides, we do have teachers who can teach us to read. Mr. Chen used to come every day, and what he taught was all useful. But after Mr. Qi and his group came for two days, they said that Mr. Chen's knowledge was not good enough, which made him leave in anger."
"What could they possibly teach? The children couldn't understand the classical Chinese texts. Nan Nan wanted to learn, so she took an old calligraphy copybook to ask Young Master Qi, but he said he had to go home because of some family business."
"To be honest, I really wish these wealthy and powerful people didn't come. Every time they come and hug the children, they are kind-hearted, but what about the children? They have been without parents since they were little. Once an adult hugs them, they cry and want to be hugged all the time. How can the two of us possibly hug them all?"
Miss Li sighed, "It's not bad. Fortunately, the two Miss Xins send donations every year, so we can manage."
“I think Miss Xin is truly kind-hearted,” said Steward Liu. “She only gives the children what they need and never does anything superficial. I remember once I heard her maid suggest that she take the children to a teahouse for a nice meal, but Miss Xin said that since they can’t eat there every day, she shouldn’t make them keep thinking about it. Later, she even added some money and asked me to prepare more noodles for the children.”
Miss Li smiled and made a gesture of worship towards the Xin residence, saying, "Miss Xin is a living Bodhisattva."
Manager Liu also remarked with emotion, "There are still kind-hearted people among the prominent families of Yingzhou City."
Inside Yingzhou City.
Qi Huaiyu originally intended to do some good deeds to make up for the reputation he lost at the Xin residence that day, but everything went wrong. He was already being bullied by those troublemakers at the vegetable market, but Xin Jiuwei snatched the opportunity for Shan'an Hall to gain a good reputation!
Feeling annoyed, he gave the scholar who was traveling with him a perfunctory reply and prepared to go home.
Before he even got home, he was stopped at the alley entrance.
"Are you Qi Huaiyu?"
Qi Huaiyu frowned, looking warily at the tall men approaching. "Who are you?"
The scarred man at the head of the group didn't answer, but instead asked, "Is Madam Feng your mother?"
Qi Huaiyu's expression changed slightly. He realized that his mother had probably incurred debts somewhere again, and he was thinking about how to deal with it.
The scarred man sneered, "Judging from this reaction, it seems to be you. Take him away!"
"What are you doing!" Qi Huaiyu exclaimed in shock, but he couldn't struggle and was pushed onto the oxcart next to him.
The men who arrived were thugs from the gambling den. They led Qi Huaiyu into the gambling den's main hall, where a lively atmosphere was in full swing, with the sounds of betting openings echoing continuously.
Sweat beaded on Feng's forehead as she huddled timidly beside the gambling table. Upon seeing Qi Huaiyu arrive, she immediately shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Here he comes! My son is here! My son has money! My son, please give it to me!"
Qi Huaiyu's face turned ugly, and he turned to leave.
The scarred man, as large as a small mountain, blocked his path.
"Young Master Qi is so famous, surely he wouldn't disown his mother?"
Qi Huaiyu forced a smile. "This brother may have misunderstood. I came from the Xin family, how could she be my mother?"
Madam Feng's eyes widened. "Qi Huaiyu, don't you care whether I live or die?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Huaiyu gave her a look. Feng Shi trembled, knowing that it was difficult to admit her identity, but if she didn't, she would die here today because she couldn't pay her gambling debts!
"I, I..." She stammered for a long time, then simply rolled her eyes and pretended to faint, but the gambling den's thugs quickly grabbed her by the back of her collar and made her stand up again, looking quite comical.
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