"Xinlan, it's not that I don't want to, it's just that Tao Wanniang is too evil," Liang Laifu said weakly. "Didn't your uncle also get a hard time?"
Zhang Xinlan snorted. Before, when Liang Laifu got the job at the escort agency, he became much more assertive. But after he got injured after the New Year and was bedridden for a month, the escort agency job was gone. Now he has to rely on her for everything he eats and uses!
"I don't care about all that, Liang Laifu. You're a grown man, and you're using all my food and supplies. How can you be so shameless?" Zhang Xinlan was in much better spirits than before, and the children were mostly being cared for by Qiao Mazi. Perhaps realizing that she was the pillar of the family, her former confidence had returned.
Liang Laifu endured it. He had saved the chief镖头's life at the镖局 (镖局 is a type of security escort agency), but after he was injured, they still subtly persuaded him to leave.
The debt of gratitude for saving his life was settled in the end with one hundred taels of silver. Liang Laifu wanted to throw it back, but considering his own lack of money, he accepted it with anger and resentment.
The security company also revealed that he had offended someone he shouldn't have, so they couldn't keep him.
Who did he offend? It was Tao Wanniang. He wants to take back his child and the money he gave away. So what?
“Xinlan, I’m feeling better now, so I brought you to this restaurant. It’s the biggest restaurant in the capital. Xinlan, although we are powerless now, you have to believe me. I will definitely make sure you and the child have a good life.”
"The food is served! The food is served!" Yang Song shouted outside the private room, carrying dishes.
After tasting the dishes, Zhang Xinlan's complexion improved. She nodded and said, "This grand restaurant in the capital is quite sophisticated. These dishes suit my taste."
Liang Laifu looked at the table full of dishes, estimating the total cost, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew Zhang Xinlan was a pampered young lady, accustomed to a life of luxury since childhood. She used to be the daughter of a prefect, and her food, clothing, and daily necessities were always top-notch. After the misfortune she suffered, her temper flared up, and after giving birth, she became even more irritable. But where was he now to offer her that kind of life?
The food was delicious, but Liang Laifu felt a pang of heartache as he ate it all – it cost so much money!
Liu Song overheard the conversation at the door, served a dish at the opportune moment, and witnessed Liang Laifu trying to please Zhang Xinlan.
This meal cost thirty taels of silver, which pained Liang Laifu greatly. As he left, he looked around the entire Zhaixing Tower. If he owned such a restaurant, wouldn't he be making a fortune every day?
After getting into the carriage with Zhang Xinlan, Liang Laifu was still somewhat reluctant to leave and lifted the carriage curtain to look at the Zhaixing Tower.
Just then, he saw Xiao Qiao'er.
"Who is that woman?" Liang Laifu exclaimed in a low voice. He saw Xiao Qiao'er, accompanied by a gentle and quiet woman and the man he had fought with, enter the Star-Picking Tower.
"Who did you see?" Zhang Xinlan asked immediately.
“My daughter, she went into the Star-Picking Tower with someone. She’s only eleven years old, where would she get the money to go to a restaurant?” Liang Laifu muttered. “Could it be that Tao Wanniang gave Xiao Qiao’er so much silver?”
Zhang Xinlan glanced at it and said indignantly, "Back when my father was still alive, at her age, I already had a hundred taels of silver in pocket money, not to mention all kinds of clothes and jewelry!"
“Xinlan, that’s all in the past.” Liang Laifu was also indignant. He dared to say that if it weren’t for the five hundred he had given her back then, Tao Wanniang’s family might not have been able to put food on the table in Shanhai Prefecture!
"That's all in the past, Liang Laifu. Can't you do something right? Your daughter can come and go from restaurant to restaurant as if nothing's wrong. What about our son? Can you make our son live the same kind of life?"
“Xinlan, Bao’er is still young!” Liang Laifu said with a frown.
"Yes, Miss, the young master is still so young. He will definitely amount to something in the future," Aunt Qiao also chimed in, advising that it's most important to enjoy the present moment.
“My darling, we couldn’t even have a proper celebration for your 100th day. Can’t we at least do something decent for your first birthday celebration?” Zhang Xinlan said with disgust. “Liang Laifu, let me make this clear first: if you don’t bring back five hundred taels of silver, I won’t give you a single coin.”
Why did Zhang Xinlan become so unhappy during a perfectly normal meal?
Liang Laifu was a little annoyed, but he still glanced at the bustling scene at Zhaixing Tower. Had Xiao Qiao'er become so extravagant? She was his daughter. How could a father suffer while his daughter enjoyed the good life?
After Liang Laifu got this idea, he started staking out the Tao family's house for the next few days.
Tao Wanniang's family would go out at Chenshi (7-9 AM). When he followed them, he discovered that they had actually gone to Zhaixing Tower. Remembering that Tao Wanniang used to run a restaurant, Liang Laifu had specifically asked around and learned that there was a manager named Tao at Zhaixing Tower. This made Liang Laifu feel even more resentful.
The Star-Picking Tower makes so much money! No wonder they can raise Xiao Qiao'er so beautifully. If I take Xiao Qiao'er away, and if Tao Wan's mother really feels sorry for the child, she'll definitely pay to ransom her. If she refuses… Liang Laifu thought for a moment. An eleven-year-old girl like her can do some work to help support the family!
With this thought in mind, Liang Laifu became even more diligent in keeping an eye on her, believing that Xiao Qiao'er would inevitably find herself alone at some point.
Liang Laifu was a yamen runner, and he managed to keep the surveillance a secret. That day, Chen Lian, accompanied by Xiao Qiao'er and Zhang Liang, went to the moat to take a boat ride.
While boating on the moat, Chen Lian could recite poems while looking at the shimmering ripples, and she encouraged Xiao Qiao'er to do the same.
"Teacher, I...I can't figure it out," Little Qiao'er said with a worried face. "Teacher, am I very stupid?"
"You're not stupid. It's really difficult for you. It's alright, learn slowly. Your mother insists that you become a great talent, but she just hopes that you will know more in the future," Chen Lian said gently.
"Master, my mother is actually very capable. She is the daughter of a scholar. She can compose poems and write calligraphy very well." Xiao Qiao'er said admiringly, "My mother can cook. I have learned to cook, although I am not very good at it, I can cook, but the taste is much worse."
"Chief Tao is indeed very capable." Shen Lian had heard Xiao Qiao'er talk about their journey of fleeing famine many times, and she admired Tao Wan's mother, who led everyone to a better life.
Most importantly, although Tao Wanniang came from a poor mountain village, she had a very high standard of vision and was very generous in educating her children. Not to mention, Xiao Qiao'er was not Tao Wanniang's biological child.
Just as Shen Lian was about to offer her praise, the boat suddenly began to rock.
Zhang Liang, who was sitting at one end of the boat with the boatman, immediately tried to come over to protect Chen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er, but the boat was rocking violently and taking on water.
"The boat is going to capsize!" With the boatman's panicked cry, there were two splashes as Chen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er fell into the river together.
Zhang Liang immediately jumped down to save her. Just as he managed to hold onto Chen Lian, he saw Xiao Qiao'er disappear into the water.
"Don't worry about me, I can swim, hurry and save Qiao'er!" Chen Lian pushed Zhang Liang away and anxiously looked in the direction where little Qiao'er had sunk.
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