Those bright red ears, like blooming little roses, made the man reach out and rub them between his fingertips. He then scooped a spoonful of chicken soup and brought it to Qin Ge's lips: "Want to try?"
To be honest, Qin Ge was actually quite hungry, so he didn't refuse the food that was offered to him.
He took a slow, deliberate sip.
On the stove of Liulitai, a purple clay pot was simmering chicken soup over a low flame, bubbling and steaming, with wisps of white vapor rising from the pot, giving off a sense of tranquility and the warmth of everyday life.
Qin Ge felt that the chicken soup in her mouth had become more delicious.
After he finished drinking, he heard Huo Beiyuan ask, "How did it taste?"
It wasn't exactly top-notch, but for someone cooking for the first time, it was quite good. Qin Ge commented honestly, "Not bad."
"Then drink more later," Huo Beiyuan said gently, "to replenish your energy."
Qin Ge remained expressionless. "Then I really thank you, but you should drink it yourself."
"That's true."
"...Huo Beiyuan."
"Um?"
"Have some decency."
…
Later, Qin Ge heard many rumors about Jiang Xibai.
It wasn't that he was deliberately inquiring or enjoying watching losers make fools of themselves; rather, he had a close friend named Jiang Yanqing, who was a walking gossip machine.
Qin Ge always gets the latest gossip about Jiang Xibai from Jiang Yanqing.
For example, after being kicked out of the Jiang family, Jiang Xibai was taken into the Jiang family by Jiang Feng. However, Jiang Xibai was under the age of twenty and could not get a marriage certificate, so he did not get a marriage certificate with Jiang Feng. He just lived in the Jiang family as her fiancé.
I heard that Jiang Feng even had a fight with his parents over this.
When Jiang Xibai was still the beloved third young master of the Jiang family, Jiang Feng's parents were naturally willing for Jiang Xibai to become their daughter-in-law, but at that time, Jiang Xibai and his family were not good enough for them.
Now that Jiang Xibai has been kicked out of the Jiang family, he no longer has the Jiang family as his backing and is just an ordinary person.
Oh, even worse than the average person.
At least others don't have a biological mother like Jiang Xibai, who is in prison.
The Jiang family has always wanted to climb the social ladder and achieve a leap in social class. Jiang Feng's parents wanted to choose a powerful marriage partner for their son, so they were naturally dissatisfied with Jiang Xibai, who had nothing.
Perhaps youthful love and unrequited love are always as intense and unforgettable as moths drawn to a flame. Jiang Feng, this spoiled rich kid, actually withstood the pressure from his parents and fought to the bitter end for Jiang Xibai.
It's clearly true love.
Jiang Xibai had no desire to return to the dilapidated Qin family and live with Qin Jianguo and Qin Hao. So even though he was disgusted with Jiang Feng, he still acquiesced to moving into the Jiang family as her fiancé.
At least Jiang Feng can provide him with a comfortable life.
At first, Jiang Feng was indeed very good to Jiang Xibai, after all, she was the white moonlight that Jiang Feng had liked for many years, and he treated Jiang Xibai with great care.
However, familiarity breeds contempt, and once the initial novelty wears off, even the most beautiful moonlight becomes like rice stuck to the table, no longer a novelty.
Besides, Jiang Feng wasn't exactly a sentimental person to begin with.
When Jiang Feng still cherished Jiang Xibai, Jiang Xibai's indifference towards him was seen as something noble and unattainable. But as time went on, Jiang Feng couldn't stand Jiang Xibai's cold and unwilling demeanor in bed, as if being with him was a disservice to him.
The first time, Jiang Feng hit him.
Once it happens the first time, it will happen again, and again...
Jiang Feng became addicted to drugs, and his emotions were often unstable. When he went crazy, he forced Jiang Xibai to use drugs with him, and Jiang Xibai was forced to become addicted.
This rich kid has always been a big shot in the circle. His group of cronies have no moral bottom line and have a habit of exchanging and sharing male and female companions. They encouraged Jiang Feng to bring Jiang Xibai along, otherwise they wouldn't be brothers.
Jiang Feng hesitated for only a moment before readily agreeing.
Jiang Xibai's fate can be easily imagined.
In the original story, Jiang Xibai was delicate and frail, unable to withstand even the slightest bump or bruise. She would be hospitalized at the slightest provocation and even had her organs removed. Yet, she is still stubbornly alive now...
Qin Ge found it quite unbelievable.
Although Qin Ge disliked Jiang Xibai, it didn't stop her from thinking Jiang Feng was a jerk.
It hasn't been long, but Jiang Feng's scumbag nature has already been exposed.
Jiang Xibai's future days are definitely not going to be easy.
The Qin family wasn't much better off.
Wang Qiuxia went to prison, and the casino debt collector kept his promise, wiping out Qin Hao's huge debts. Qin Jianguo aged decades overnight and, looking weathered, took Qin Hao back to his hometown.
Don't think that the Qin family is off the hook just because the exorbitant gambling debts are gone. Qin Hao has become addicted to gambling and has had the legendary experience of making millions overnight. How could he be willing to return to an ordinary life? And gambling addiction is not so easy to break.
After returning to his hometown, Qin Hao did not turn over a new leaf, reform himself, or honestly find a job to support his family. Instead, he idled away his days, addicted to gambling. Qin Jianguo had to shoulder the burden of life, and his face aged beyond recognition.
Qin Hao had a strong gambling addiction, but unfortunately, he lacked luck and rarely won.
The only saving grace is that the gambling in this small town isn't as high-stakes as "Heaven on Earth," with stakes only a few hundred or a few thousand yuan.
Qin Hao lost and had no money, so those people went to the Qin family to collect the debt.
Qin Jianguo cursed Qin Hao as a spendthrift while simultaneously taking out money to clean up his messes; in short, they lived in abject poverty.
It's hard to say whether these two or Jiang Xibai is more miserable.
…
Qin Ge listened and then let it go, not paying too much attention to it. Neither the Qin family nor Jiang Xibai were worth his time.
For Qin Ge, this world was as simple and easy as a vacation. Under Jiang Yanqing's heartbroken gaze, he became a rising star painter.
Of course, the health clinics and beauty salons opened in cooperation with Huichuntang quickly gained a good reputation and became extremely popular among celebrities in Beijing thanks to the prescriptions provided by Qin Ge.
Even Jiang's mother came to visit, becoming a VIP customer at the flagship branch of Huichuntang, Hongyan Pavilion, and receiving regular beauty treatments.
After learning that Qin Ge was the major shareholder behind the popular beauty salon and health center in Beijing's elite circles, Jiang's mother felt an indescribable sense of regret and loss.
She was bewitched back then, favoring Jiang Xibai and ignoring her own flesh and blood. Yet, that child she despised and considered worthless grew up to be someone to be proud of, but that glory was no longer hers...
Jiang's mother sighed, but ultimately did not bother Qin Ge any further.
Knowing that Master Huo from Beicheng treated him well, she felt relieved.
Not disturbing her was the last bit of tenderness this incompetent mother could offer.
…
Qin Ge truly has no intention of reconciling with the Jiang family in this lifetime; he has no right to forgive these so-called relatives on behalf of the original owner.
He only occasionally returned to the Jiang family's old residence to visit the old lady while she was still alive. He would even make a special trip when no one from the Jiang family was home.
The old lady was broad-minded and generous, so she naturally wouldn't take advantage of her age to act as a peacemaker in front of Qin Ge and suggest that he ease the tension between Qin Ge and the Jiang family.
She likes to joke about when to bring her grandson-in-law home to meet her.
After the old lady mentioned it twice, Qin Ge brought Huo Beiyuan with him the next time he visited.
The old lady looked at it and kept nodding and saying, "A perfect couple, a match made in heaven."
His face was full of joy and satisfaction, and it was clear that he liked Huo Beiyuan very much.
Before leaving, Madam Jiang sighed, "I wonder if Grandma will be able to see your wedding, Xiaoge..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com