Chapter 46 Chapter 46 You Don't Deserve Him
Forty-three days after entering the mountains, they finally returned to their home in Qingshui Village.
Pushing open the gate, Tian Ge happily turned around on the spot, took a deep breath, and felt that the air in the house was particularly fresh.
Home is still the best.
Qin Xiong pulled the cart into the yard, looked at Tian Ge's cheerful expression, and raised the corners of his mouth silently.
Everything in the house was in order, just as it was when we left.
It’s just that the willow tree in front of the door has grown longer branches and is green again.
Everyone took off their thick jackets and put on lighter cotton jackets, and the sun felt warm on their bodies.
Winter is really over, and it's a new year again.
They carried fresh venison and went to Tian's house first, where the family had a meal together.
We agreed to drive the ox cart to the county the next day and sell all the goods we had in stock first.
Fresh venison, live rabbits, and medicinal herbs picked from the mountains all sell well.
The things that hunters bring are all genuine mountain products, which are liked by rich people.
Half of the goods were sold before entering the market.
Finally, only the ginseng was left, and the price was twelve taels of silver.
Ordinary people can’t afford it, and those who want to buy it are too aggressive in bargaining.
They waited in front of the stall and decided to wait a little longer. If all else failed, they would go to the pharmacy and ask, as there would definitely be someone who would buy it.
Tian Ge sat on the backpack with a lot of money in his pocket. He wanted to count it, but he also knew that wealth should not be exposed. He was afraid that someone would come up and rob him, so he covered his pocket tightly.
"How about I buy you a new set of clothes later?" Qin Xiong asked while squatting beside him when he saw his husband's money-grubber look.
As expected.
Tian Ge immediately shook his head.
-----I only made two sets of clothes for the Chinese New Year last year. I can’t spend money if I have money.
"Then make me a new set of clothes." Qin Xiong said deliberately.
Qin Xiong had no shortage of clothes now, but Tian Ge hesitated for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
She couldn't buy fabric or clothes for herself, but she agreed to buy them for him.
Although it was within Qin Xiong's expectations, he still couldn't help but feel soft in his heart. He reached out and held Tian Ge's hand in his palm without saying anything else.
The young couple was talking quietly, not noticing a man in gorgeous clothes walking quickly towards them.
When he got closer, he slowed down his pace, as if he didn't dare to recognize the person in front of him.
The once glorious and glorious Master Qin is now dressed in plain clothes, squatting on the roadside with a piece of cloth in front of him, selling something...
Bai Qingquan felt a little jealous. If he hadn't argued with Qin Xiong, if he had been able to help Qin Xiong...
"Boss, I want this ginseng."
"Okay, twelve taels of silver." Qin Xiong looked up and said, and the moment their eyes met, they were both stunned.
"Why are you disfigured?"
"Qingquan, why are you here?"
The two spoke together.
.....
Private room on the second floor of the restaurant.
The waiter poured tea for the distinguished guests.
"Okay, you go out first." Bai Qingquan said.
"Yes, gentlemen, if you have any questions, just call me." The waiter said respectfully.
Tian Ge had never been served like this before, and had never been to such a large restaurant.
Everywhere you look, the decorations are elegant and gorgeous.
Even though Qin Xiong was sitting next to him, he felt a little awkward.
What's more, the man opposite him was always looking at him.
"I've already introduced you just now, Qingquan. This is my wife, Tian Ge. I'm two months older than you. Logically, you should call me sister-in-law." Qin Xiong put his arm around Tian Ge's shoulders and introduced her.
"Xiao Ge'er, this is my...old friend Bai Qingquan. He is the same age as me, but much older than you. You can call him Brother Bai."
Tian Ge understood what was going on, and smiled politely at Bai Qingquan and made a gesture.
He is a mute.
Bai Qingquan was slightly surprised, but he didn't show it on his face and politely returned the greeting.
As he was speaking, the door of the room was opened again, and a young man in a neat white suit walked in quickly.
The butterfly mark on his forehead was bright red, his face was rosy, and he was wearing gold and silver jewelry. At first glance, he was obviously a young man from a wealthy family.
"Qingya, don't be rude. Come and meet your brother Qin and sister-in-law." Bai Qingquan said with a serious voice.
I heard from Bai Qingzheng a long time ago that Qin Xiong is already married.
But Bai Qingya didn't believe it and insisted on following over to see it with her own eyes.
At first glance, he was obviously a country boy.
Why would Qin Xiong marry such a person?
"Brother Qin." Bai Qingya forced a smile and walked forward to greet him. However, when she met Tian Ge, she did not call anyone but just nodded.
Qin Xiong frowned slightly and said, "This is my wife. You should call her sister-in-law."
Bai Qingya was stunned. She never thought that after not seeing each other for so many years, Qin Xiong would be so cold to her. However, she still obediently called her sister-in-law and then sat down next to Bai Qingquan.
"Xiao Ge'er, this is Qing Quan's sister, Qing Ya. Do you still remember Bai Qing Zheng, whom we met at Rouge Shop that day?"
Tian Ge nodded. He actually noticed that this young man named Bai Qingya seemed to be hostile to him.
They had never met before, and if there was any hostility, it could only be because of Qin Xiong.
Qin Xiong held Tian Ge's shoulders and explained, "The three of them are siblings. Except for the youngest, Bai Qingzheng, these two are my good friends who grew up with me."
-----Hello.
Almost at the moment Tian Ge made the gesture, Bai Qingya's expression relaxed a lot.
Just a mute.
The fact that Tian Ge is mute is easy for others to discover and cannot be hidden.
"Qin Xiong, how have you been these years?" Bai Qingquan started the conversation first.
"I'm fine, how about you?"
"Just like I thought back then, I've become the head of the family and work myself to death every day." Bai Qingquan didn't beat around the bush. He took a sip of wine and spoke bluntly.
The food was served one after another, filling up the table. They were all the restaurant's specialties, and the wine was also the best.
I heard that it costs dozens of taels of silver to buy one kilogram, which is shockingly expensive. Tian Ge took a sip and found that it was indeed different from ordinary farm wine.
Qin Xiong worked hard in the mountains for more than a month, but the money he earned was only enough to buy a jar of wine for others, which might not even be enough.
Tian Ge knew that Qin Xiong used to come from a wealthy family.
But this was the first time he had truly felt such a huge gap.
If Qin Xiong's family had not fallen on hard times, they would never have met each other in their lifetime.
So what's the relationship between Bai Qingya and Qin Xiong? Childhood sweethearts? They grew up together, perhaps even engaged?
Tian Ge took another sip of wine, and every time he looked up, he would meet Bai Qingya's gaze.
That look was easy to understand; Bai Qingya didn't like him.
The look in Bai Qingya's eyes when she looked at Qin Xiong was easy to understand. It was admiration, and Qin Xiong would also look at him with such eyes.
There was a table full of delicacies from land and sea, but Tian Ge wanted to leave after taking just one bite, and inappropriately thought of their small courtyard in Qingshui Village.
"What's wrong?" Qin Xiong heard Tian Ge sigh softly.
Tian Ge smiled and shook his head, indicating that everything was fine.
"It's been many years since we last met, Qin Xiong. Are you still blaming me?"
"We are almost thirty years old, so we can't talk about these things anymore."
......
Ten years ago.
In the backyard of the Qin family's house.
Bai Qingquan, who was only sixteen years old, was so angry that he grabbed Qin Xiong's collar, glared at him, and shouted in a low voice.
"What time is it now? Hmm! You are so noble and capable, but can you come up with that money? I just asked you to sever ties with them and marry into my family, but is it so hard for you to accept? You are almost dead, what is the value of your pretense?!"
"Break! That's my biological father! You're the one who's fucking crazy?" Qin Xiong was also furious. The house was a mess, and his father was still imprisoned in the government dungeon. He hadn't slept for days, running around everywhere to take care of things. He pulled Bai Qingquan's hand away, turned his back and said, "Go away! Don't get involved in this mess anymore."
"Alright, get rid of me! Officials and businessmen colluded to seek huge personal gains. Regardless of whether it was your father who did it, it's a heinous crime punishable by the death of all nine generations of your family. Don't come begging me even if you die!"
"You still look down on my little brother? Look at you now, broke and embroiled in lawsuits. Are you worthy of my brother? If Qingya hadn't insisted on having you, do you think I was here to ask you to marry into my family?"
Bai Qingquan was very angry and wanted to save his friend's life, but the other party did not appreciate it.
"I don't think you take me seriously, let alone close friends. From today on, I, Bai Qingquan, no longer have you as my friend."
Bai Qingquan waved his sleeves and left, saying some angry words before leaving, but he didn't expect that this would be their last conversation in more than ten years.
No one knew what Qin Xiong did, but his family survived. However, they were punished severely and all their assets were confiscated. Several of his uncles were either imprisoned or beheaded.
Overnight, the Qin family fell into decline.
When Bai Qingquan came to look for someone again, he found the room in chaos and silence.
......
"I heard that you are planning to rent a shop to do business this time?" Bai Qingquan asked again.
Qin Xiong nodded. There was nothing to hide about this matter. "I have discussed it with Tian Ge and plan to open a shop."
"Hmph." Bai Qingquan snorted coldly. After the conversation, he was no longer as polite as at the beginning.
We all know each other well, so there is no need to pretend.
Bai Qingquan's words were filled with sarcasm. "Back then, I told you to settle down and take over the family business, but you chose to wander around and play around, letting your uncles turn the Qin family upside down. Now, even a small cloth seller can bully you. Do you regret it?"
After a little inquiry, we found out that Qin Xiong had his shop taken away by Mrs. Chen.
Do you regret it later?
Tian Ge also looked at Qin Xiong. He became more and more uneasy as he listened to this conversation.
He regretted coming to the county town today.
"I've never regretted it. This is already the best result." Qin Xiong said calmly.
Although my father died of illness early, my mother was heartbroken and passed away soon after.
Fortunately, his two younger brothers grew up healthy, and he and Tian Ge also started their own family. Although they were not as rich as others, they had enough food and clothing.
What else is there to regret?
"You're still the same, just as stubborn as you were back then." Bai Qingquan couldn't suppress the anger in his heart. "I've been waiting for you to speak. You should know that as long as you speak, I will definitely help you."
The Bai family is already a well-known name in the provincial capital, with countless properties, lands, and shops under their control.
Recently, it has taken over the largest port industry in the city, and merchants from all walks of life come and go in an endless stream, making a fortune every day.
The Bai family is at its peak, and the younger generations are even more talented. Several of them have made it onto the list at a young age and have successfully passed the imperial examinations. Their future momentum is foreseeable.
How many people are trying their best to cooperate with the Bai family and establish friendship with them.
There was only one Qin Xiong, who made Bai Qingquan come all the way here to help, but Qin Xiong didn't appreciate it.
If he were younger, Bai Qingquan would have just left, and he did so then, but he regretted it.
"Qingquan, actually I looked for you back then." Qin Xiong suddenly said.
"Impossible!" Bai Qingquan's eyes widened. "When?"
When Qin Xiong took his seriously injured father out of the government office, he was penniless and his house was sealed off.
My father's former good friends were afraid to help him for fear of being accused of a crime and beheaded together with him.
Qin Xiong came to Bai's house with his family.
He was really desperate.
At that time, the internal strife in the Bai family was not easy. Bai Qingquan was still young, and even though he was the nominal head of the family, he was almost just a hollow shell.
Before Qin Xiong even entered the Bai Mansion, he was kicked out by the servant.
At that time, he didn't care about his face anymore. Qin Xiong yelled that he wanted to see Bai Qingquan and rushed in. In the end, he was kicked and beaten and thrown out.
He didn't give up and waited at the door for another day and night, but no one showed up.
We didn't see each other again for ten years.
......
"When?" Bai Qingquan asked.
Qin Xiong just shook his head.
Bai Qingquan stood up and threw a punch at Qin Xiong, throwing away all the decorum and etiquette, and roared: "When the hell did this happen?!"
Qin Xiong easily caught the punch, but he was no match for Bai Qingquan's continuous attacks, and he was forced into a corner while defending.
The stools fell to the ground.
When another punch came, Qin Xiong didn't dodge, but took it head-on, then immediately punched back.
Of course, he was holding back. If he had really punched Bai Qingquan, he would have died on the spot.
"Xiao Ge, I'm fine! Stand away, or this unreasonable bastard will touch you." Qin Xiong said distractedly during the melee. He saw Tian Ge rushing to take sides, and when he couldn't, he kicked Bai Qingquan in the calf.
"Asshole? Who is the asshole? If you don't explain it to me clearly today, don't even think about leaving this door."
The two men started out by throwing punches at each other, but later it became a fight between children.
You trip me and I kick you back, pulling your collar, grabbing your hair, tickling your armpits, and I wish I could bite you to death.
"I'll call whoever is a bastard! If I don't want to break up with you, why would you ask me that?" Qin Xiong rarely cursed.
"Don't be ridiculous. When did you find me?!"
"No, who would dare to look for you, young master?"
"I told you to be stubborn, I'll beat you to death, you stubborn bastard."
.......
When they finally separated, both of them sat against the wall, panting from the fight.
"It seems like you've eaten a lot in the past ten years. Damn, you hit me so hard." Bai Qingquan wiped the corner of his mouth. The most serious blow was the first punch, which left a bruise on the corner of his mouth.
My teeth hit my lips and the saliva I spat out was stained with blood.
"Same here." Qin Xiong was not in a much better condition. The hair that Tian Ge had combed for him in the morning was all messed up, and his collar was torn into a mess.
----Are you okay?
Tian Ge stepped forward, knelt down and touched Qin Xiong's bruised face with heartache, then turned around and glared at Bai Qingquan fiercely.
"I'm fine. He can't beat me. Don't worry." Qin Xiong comforted Tian Ge. This farce must have scared Tian Ge.
"Are you still looking for trouble?" Bai Qingquan frowned. They finally met, but none of the words he heard were what he liked to hear.
-----Let’s go home.
This isn't a reunion of old friends, it's a Hongmen Banquet, Tian Ge thought angrily.
"It's okay, eat first before you leave." Qin Xiong winked at Tian Ge secretly, took Tian Ge's hand and stood up.
Bai Qingya helped her elder brother stand up, her eyes fell on the clasped hands, with a hint of gloom in her eyes.
Bai Qingquan straightened his clothes and looked at Qin Xiong enthusiastically picking up food for her husband as if nothing had happened, which made him furious.
"I bought that shop for you, take it or leave it." Bai Qingquan had nothing to do, so he took a couple of bites of the food, but found it unpalatable.
The shop being talked about is naturally the one that Mrs. Chen snatched away.
"No." Qin Xiong replied quickly and put the peeled shrimp into Tian Ge's bowl.
"You! You don't know what's good for you!" Bai Qingquan puffed his beard and glared. Although he was only 27 years old, he also grew a beard like those old men.
Qin Xiong just smiled. His nonchalant demeanor after teasing others was somewhat reminiscent of his youth. "Don't be angry. Save some room for food. Tell me how you've been these years."
They fought and almost blew up the private room, but the two of them actually regained a sense of familiarity.
-----Are you really okay?
Tian Ge looked at the two people opposite him, with many questions in his mind, and later realized that Qin Xiong had a good relationship with this man named Bai.
After all, Qin Xiong has always been stingy with words and expressions when it comes to outsiders, and it is even more impossible for him to tease others like this.
"It's okay. He and I grew up wearing open-crotch pants. Don't worry."
Tian Ge felt a little jealous because Qin Xiong rarely told him about the past.
I was a little nervous during the meal, worried that the two would fight again, but the second half was surprisingly harmonious, although they still started arguing after a few words.
"Little..." Bai Qingquan started to speak, then paused, and finally said: "Sister-in-law, what are you going to sell in the shop?"
Tian Ge looks too young, and her face looks very tender. She might be many years younger than the old man Qin Xiong.
But Qin Xiong has been different from them since he was a child.
I don't like playing with brothers and sisters, nor do I like playing with men.
He loved playing with wild animals in the mountains and kept a hunting dog with him all day long.
Or just ride a horse and run around.
When he was fifteen or sixteen years old and it was time for him to become more intelligent, Qin Xiong was still like this.
At that time he said that Qin Xiong was suitable to be a wandering monk, without desires and at peace with nature, and it would be more appropriate for him to be a savage in the woods.
Bai Qingquan knew that Qin Xiong was not a playboy. He cared so much for this mute boy and they were already married. Logically, he should call him that.
-----I want to sell mountain products. I will go to the village to collect the goods and make a profit from the difference in price. At the same time, I can also sell some breakfasts like buns and open a grocery store.
When it came to business, Tian Ge straightened up.
He also knew from previous conversations that Bai Qingquan was a remarkable businessman.
It would certainly be nice to be able to give a few pointers to a newbie like him who knows nothing.
Qin Xiong was responsible for helping Tian Ge to speak out her words. This action made Bai Qingya secretly clench the chopsticks in her hand, wishing she could break them on the spot.
"Hmm." Bai Qingquan said nothing. After thinking for a while, he asked, "How much is your cost?"
Tian Ge looked at Qin Xiong. He knew the family's money best, but he didn't know how much he should tell Bai Qingquan.
After all, Tian Ge still didn't quite believe this man. After all, he had just punched Qin Xiong in front of him, and now the bruises on the corners of Qin Xiong's mouth were even bigger.
"Less than one thousand taels." Qin Xiong secretly patted Tian Ge's hand to comfort him, took a sip of tea, and said casually.
"Bullshit, one tael of silver is less than a thousand taels."
Qin Xiong smiled and straightened his expression, "Fifty taels of silver."
When it comes to doing business, Qin Xiong is indeed no match for Bai Qingquan. This man has been interested in studying this industry since he was a child, which is why he has built his family business so big now.
"Qingquan, Xiaoge and I have discussed this before. I want to continue my old business as a traveling merchant, buying goods from other places and then selling them in the grocery store."
The Qin family made their fortune as traveling merchants, and when it comes to traveling, Qin Xiong is indeed very similar to his playful father.
"Yes, it's more profitable than going to the village to collect goods as my sister-in-law just said. If you only collect mountain products, there is no advantage in the county town. Others can do this, and it is difficult to set the price too high."
"But I haven't traveled far for more than ten years. I don't know what goods are popular now?" Qin Xiong asked.
The question hit the point: with a capital of fifty taels, what goods should be purchased to make the most profit, and who should they be sold to? Bai Qingquan already had several ideas in his mind.
but.....
"If you're asking me for help, it's not too much to call me brother, right?" Bai Qingquan said calmly.
"Brother." Qin Xiong called out without any burden, "Brother Bai."
Qin Xiong is two months older than Bai Qingquan. When they were young, he was always called his elder brother. Naturally, Bai Qingquan would never call him that. The two of them had many arguments about this when they were young.
Whenever he lost in horse racing or hunting, Bai Qingquan would always call Qin Xiong "brother" reluctantly and vowed to get him to call him back.
But now that he really shouted, Bai Qingquan still felt uncomfortable.
Ten years have passed.
It was getting late, and Qin Xiong and his friends still had to go see a shop, so they agreed to come back tomorrow to discuss the specific details.
Before parting, Bai Qingquan pulled Qin Xiong aside and said sternly, "You should know me. I say things without thinking when I'm angry. Those words back then..."
"I know." Qin Xiong interrupted him. Those were not good words, so there was no need to recall them over and over again.
"You..." Bai Qingquan wanted to ask.
He thought carefully and realized that he was not at home for two whole days that year. He accompanied the officials to drink and apologize, and to inquire whether there was any improvement in the Qin family's affairs.
He wanted to ask Qin Xiong if he had come to see him during those days.
But in the end I didn't ask.
It’s meaningless. Once you miss it, you miss it.
While they were talking, Bai Qingya finally found an opportunity to face Tian Ge alone.
"Brother Qin and I have been childhood sweethearts. We grew up together, met each other's parents, and got engaged early on." Bai Qingya said straight to the point.
Tian Ge's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface. He couldn't speak, and he didn't want to show his weakness.
"You know, we were almost married, and I was supposed to be his wife."
"I have been waiting for him until now, and I still like him. I have been looking for him all these years." Bai Qingya looked at the bustling street in front of her, her eyes a little empty, as if she was recalling the past.
When she turned to Tian Ge, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes immediately became sharp. Bai Qingya smiled, her tone gentle but merciless: "I'm not saying this to snatch him away from you, but I sincerely feel that you are not worthy of him."
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