Early the next morning.
Ye Qing carried the dandelion noodle stall out of Pinglefang and returned to Qifengfang, the most run-down area in Huaiyang City.
After walking through the narrow alleys, Ye Qing arrived in front of the private school in Qifengfang.
"Brother Ye, you are here."
The tiger-headed child Huzi wiped his nose with the sleeve of his cotton-padded coat that had been washed until it turned white, and grinned.
Ye Qing put down the table, dug out an orange that he had not eaten last night and handed it over. He stretched out his hand to rub Huzi's messy hair and asked softly:
"Have you finished reviewing your homework last night?"
"Thank you, Brother Ye. I carried it for a long time last night. I will not let Mr. slap my palm today."
Huzi happily held the orange and swallowed saliva.
Ye Qing smiled and walked into the private school with Hu Zi.
A middle-aged man wearing a blue cotton coat with an elegant aura was sitting on a wooden couch in the courtyard, holding a book in his hand and looking at it carefully.
"I've seen Mr. Zhang. I wonder what you called me here to do?"
Ye Qing asked Huzi to enter the study hall, then walked to the wooden couch and asked with a smile.
Private school teacher Zhang Jing put down his books with a smile and looked up at that rare handsome face.
"Have you ever thought about what I told you before? Have you ever changed your mind?"
Ye Qing's expression suddenly froze and he refused decisively: "Sir, don't mention it again."
"The boy's limbs are sound and he can support himself. Even if the Song family is rich, he will definitely not become the son-in-law."
Zhang Jing, who knew this would be the answer, sighed regretfully:
"Member Song is generous and kind, but he has no children. If you marry the Song family's daughter, you should be treated as one of your own. You will be able to get rid of your lowly status and gain fame."
A man from a lowly family can intermarry with a woman from a good citizen and become a good person by marrying into a wife. Their children and grandchildren will bear their mother's surname, and future generations can completely escape the tragic situation of hereditary lowly family.
But in this feudal era, there were only a handful of people who wanted to take a son-in-law, and as a son-in-law, there was no dignity at all, and even people with low status looked down upon.
Even if he obtains the honors, he will be ostracized and despised everywhere and unable to be promoted.
Furthermore, it is said, "A good-looking skin only lasts for three to one night, and an interesting soul weighs three hundred pounds."
But it's not good-looking or interesting. He just giggles and drools. He rides people like horses all day long and weighs more than three hundred pounds. He doesn't want this kind of fame.
What's more, Ye Qing, a tall, seven-foot tall man, would never give up for five buckets of rice.
Otherwise, he would have long been a gunman for some dandy, or a supported staff member, and he would not stay in this slum and seek freedom.
Ye Qing shook his head. He took out three taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Jing respectfully.
"Sir, this is Amei's spring tuition. Please worry about it."
Zhang Jing, who had not accepted the money, looked at Ye Qing with complicated eyes, revealed the cover of the book in his hand, and asked thoughtfully:
"Ye Qing, have you read this book "Detective Detective Di"?"
Ye Qing nodded and said, "Sir, I have seen it."
"What can be learned?" Zhang Jing put down his book and sat upright.
Ye Qing pondered for a moment and replied: "A gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall, but there are things a gentleman does and things he does not do."
"The most evil thing in the world is not ghosts, but the human heart."
Why!
Zhang Jing, whose eyes were full of admiration, sighed deeply and said regretfully: "It would be great if you were not a lowly person."
The emotion he heard countless times did not bring any fluctuation to Ye Qing.
He just put the money on the table of the wooden couch and prepared to leave.
The moment Zhang Jing turned around, he thought for a moment and reminded:
"Qing Xiaolang, Qi Yuanwai is looking for a child bride for his son these days, so be careful."
Suddenly, Ye Qing's steps stopped, and there was cruelty in his usually gentle eyes.
The dragon has reverse scales, which will kill you if you touch it.
Ye Qing took a deep breath, turned around and saluted Zhang Jing, then strode away.
The tall figure quickly disappeared into the private school.
Zhang Jing picked up the book again, but after reading for a long time, he didn't read a single word.
He looked up at the clear sky and said with a bitter smile:
“The hemp rope is only broken at the thinnest part, and bad luck only seeks out the miserable!”
…
Ye Qing calmly returned to his small but clean and warm home.
He washed his face with water from the well, and took advantage of the coldness to relieve some of his fatigue, and then quickly chopped wood to make a fire for cooking.
After simply frying two green vegetables and cooking a large pot of noodles.
Ye Qing carried the food to the dilapidated yard next door, smiled gently, and shouted into the house:
"Zhang Weng, we're going out to eat."
Ahem!
A weak cough came from the room that smelled of herbs.
"Qing Xiaolang, didn't you tell me not to worry about us after a busy night and just rest?"
"Even if you are young, your body and bones cannot withstand such torture."
The old man, who was as skinny as a stick and with a sallow complexion, walked slowly out of the house with a hunched body.
Ye Qing looked at Ye Qing with dim eyes filled with pity and guilt.
Ye Qing did not answer, but placed the food on the moth-eaten wooden table in the courtyard, then quickly stepped forward and helped Zhang Weng to sit down at the table.
"Where's Granny Zhang? Why haven't you seen her?"
Hearing this question, a smile appeared on Zhang Weng's face.
"Qi Yuanwai is looking for a handyman over there, and the salary is quite good. She thought she could help lighten some of your burden. She left last night and won't be back until noon."
Outside all members?
Ye Qing paused for a moment and his expression became tense.
The withered hand held Ye Qing's rough hand and patted it gently. Zhang Weng explained:
"We have really burdened you over the years. Even if you, Mrs. Zhang, are idle, the work is not tiring. One hundred pennies in three days is really rich, so don't worry."
Ye Qing nodded, waited for Zhang Weng to finish his meal, and then went to cook medicine nearby.
Zhang Weng basked in the warm sun and looked at the remaining package of herbs. He pursed his lips and once again mentioned what Ye Qing didn't want to hear.
"Qingxiao Lang, I have lived fifty-seven years old, so please don't waste your money on me."
"You are nineteen years old. You have to save money to get a wife and have children. You also need to prepare a dowry for your sister so that she can marry into a good family."
"The money you have spent on us over the years, regardless of what kind of wife you marry, is enough for your sister to marry a good man and escape our suffering."
Bang!
Ye Qing took out fifteen taels of silver ingots from his arms and said with an unhappy expression:
"Zhang Weng, I really don't want to mention this again."
"If the boy can make money, you can take medicine and treat his illness with peace of mind. We are still waiting for you to watch the boy marry and have children, and watch my sister get married in glory."
Tears flowed from Zhang Weng's eyes, and he choked:
"Qing Xiaolang...how do you want to persuade our old man? Do you really have to watch the old man hang himself in front of you before you listen to your advice..."
Seeing Zhang Weng stand up tremblingly, Ye Qing looked panicked. He quickly stepped forward to hold his withered hand and said sternly:
"You and grandma took my brother and sister together for thirteen years and raised us up."
"If it weren't for you, we, brother and sister, would have died of cold and starvation."
"I have only served you for two years. If I can repay my kindness to a certain extent, I still have eleven years left before I can repay my kindness."
"You can accept my service with peace of mind and treat me as your own grandson. I will take care of you until you die."
Zhang Weng burst into tears, covering his face and bowing down, "Okay, okay, we have a grandson like you, old man, I will die without regrets."
Danglanglang~
The sound of the bells is clear and sweet, from far to near.
A lively and lovely voice reached the ears of the two of them.
"Zhang Weng, Zhang Po, brother, look what I found!"
