In ancient times, I just wanted to be a salted fish

Chapter 11 The Poor Man

Chen Ruotong had planned to visit Qiao Zien in the afternoon, but the weather was not good and it started to drizzle. The weather in early spring was chilly, so she put on a coat and stood in front of the porch to watch the rain. The sky, stained with ink, was misty and hazy. The fine and dense rain threads were weaving diagonally, nourishing everything. The fruit trees in the yard were becoming more and more vibrant, with bean-sized flower buds jumping on the branches, about to bloom; a row of willows outside the wall had soft branches dancing in the wind, and goose yellow buds were spreading wantonly in the rain. The quaint courtyard was shrouded in rain and fog, and she couldn't help feeling unreal, "Is this world real? Why am I here? Is there any arrangement in the dark?"

The drizzle in early spring is often like this, gentle and lingering, and it lasts all day. Unable to go out, after watching the rain, she stayed in bed thinking: Next, she had to go to Anyang Prefecture to find out the original owner's life experience, just like traveling. She didn't know what would happen on the way, so she had to be fully prepared.

So she locked the door, entered the space, went to the outdoor equipment area, picked out the tent ropes and other outdoor equipment, and went to the pharmacy to get some common medicines, which she placed on the counter for easy access. Then she went to sleep in the space, because it was still drizzling at night and the weather was cold, she was afraid of catching a cold, so she didn't dare to sleep in the room.

In the morning after the rain, the air was fresh and filled with the fragrance of the earth. Chen Ruotong came to the courtyard and took a deep breath. The cool air was refreshing. A night of light rain washed the whole world, making it clear and bright.

Chen Ruotong was in a very good mood and strolled to the backyard. Smoke was coming out of the kitchen chimney. Sun was busy in the kitchen. The clanging sounds of pots and pans played a morning symphony.

Chen Ruotong stepped into the kitchen: "What's for breakfast?"

"Hey, sir, why are you in the kitchen? We're having rice porridge and meat buns!" Sun answered readily.

"Okay, make more. Tiedan is still young and growing. He can eat. Don't let him go hungry. By the way, did you have enough for dinner yesterday?"

"Sir, that's enough. We have eaten very well. The hot water for washing your face is ready. I will bring it to you in a while." Sun smiled happily.

"Uh, okay!"

Chen Ruotong had washed up in the space. It felt so good to be served. She was a little uncomfortable with it. Haha, was she too Versailles? Hahaha…

After breakfast, she hired a carriage to go to Renjitang to see Qiao Zien.

I haven't seen Qiao Zien for three days. His injuries have almost healed. The bruises have basically disappeared, and the scar on his chin seems to have become smaller. The young boy looks more handsome, with fair skin, an oval face, thick eyebrows slightly raised upwards, a pair of peach blossom eyes under long and slightly curled eyelashes, cold and pure, a straight nose, rose petal-like pink lips, and a slight smile, very charming.

Even Chen Ruotong was stunned. This young man was so handsome, even prettier than her, a girl who thought she was good-looking. What a monster! How many girls will he torture in the future? Tsk tsk!

Qiao Zien was wearing the scholar's gown she had given her, with a peach wood hairpin on her head, and she was standing upright in front of the door with a cane, looking elegant and heroic.

"Brother Guchuan, I haven't seen you for three days. How are you?" His voice trembled slightly and he was a little excited.

"It seems that Brother Zien has recovered well. I've been a bit busy these days. Haha!"

At this time, an old man in his sixties came out of the house and bowed deeply to Chen Ruotong: "Old man, thank you, Master Chen, for saving my son. Master Chen, please come in!"

"Who is this?"

“This is Job.”

The three of them entered the room, Qiao Bo poured tea for them, and then left the room. It was obvious that Qiao Bo was Qiao Zien's servant.

The two of them sat opposite each other at the octagonal table, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward.

"Thank you, Brother Guchuan, for not abandoning me and taking care of me and paying my medical bills. I am writing a storybook and will slowly pay you back with the money I earn. The doctor said I can go home to recuperate. I will go home with Uncle Qiao tomorrow, so I look forward to seeing Brother Guchuan again and saying goodbye in person." Qiao Zien said sincerely.

"Is your leg okay? The carriage has been bumpy all the way, don't make the injury worse. How about this, you go to my house to recuperate. It's close to the clinic, and it's much more convenient to get medicine and check up." Chen Ruotong said politely.

"That's fine too, thank you Brother Guchuan." Qiao Zien raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

Uh... She was just being polite, why did he agree? Isn't he too honest? He doesn't look like a deadbeat. He is asking for trouble, isn't he? I really want to slap this trouble-making mouth. If he is a grateful person, it's fine. But if he is an ungrateful person, isn't that inviting a wolf into the house?

"Ahem, Brother Zien, I'm going to buy some things, and then we'll go to my house together." Chen Ruotong smiled awkwardly, then shook her head and went to buy things.

Qiao Zien smiled and watched Chen Ruotong leave, shook her head, and sighed: "My benefactor, I, Qiao Zien, will repay a favor. How could I leave if you are in danger?"

In the afternoon, Chen Ruotong hired a carriage to pick up Qiao Zien. "Brother Zien, your luggage and supplies have been bought and are in the carriage. Let's get on the carriage and go home." Chen Ruotong and Qiao Bo helped Qiao Zien into the carriage and joked, "Brother Zien, now you owe me more and more. How about selling yourself to me and working like a slave?"

"Brother Guchuan, if you don't mind me being a burden, I'm willing to do it." Qiao Zien said with a smile.

"Don't be hypocritical. Why don't you call yourself "Xiaosheng" now instead of "Xiaosheng"? "

"I don't think we need to be so formal with Brother Furukawa."

Haha, there’s no need to be so polite, as you’re all going to take over my place.

The two chatted and laughed along the way, became closer, and soon arrived home.

Old Man Zhao took his things into the east wing and cleared out two rooms for Uncle Zhao and Qiao Zien to live in.

With two more people, the yard seemed much more lively. Chen Ruotong felt it was okay as she had someone to chat with and she wasn't lonely anymore.

The dinner was very sumptuous, with six dishes and one soup. Both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal very much, and the taste of home was even stronger.

After dinner, the two sat in the main hall drinking tea and chatting.

Qiao Zien said sternly, "Brother Guchuan, why don't you ask about my family background before taking me home? Aren't you afraid that I will repay you with hatred?"

"Haha, if you want to tell me, you will tell me on your own initiative. If you don't want to tell me, you won't tell me even if I ask you." Chen Ruotong glanced at him sideways, "Besides, you are injured, why should I be afraid of you?"

Qiao Zien smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Guchuan, I was deliberately beaten. I am the eldest grandson of the loyal and brave marquis of Beijing. My grandfather, the loyal and brave marquis, guarded the border in the northern border. My father held an idle position in the court. My mother died of my dystocia. Three months after my mother died, my father married my stepmother Tian, ​​who gave birth to my younger brother five months later. My stepmother didn't like me, but she kept me by her side and often beat and scolded me, which made me timid and cowardly since I was a child. When I was five years old, my stepmother gave birth to my third brother. My third brother would cry when he saw me, and my stepmother hated me even more, so she found an excuse to send me back to my hometown. When I was ten years old, I took the exam. I passed the exam and thought my life would be better. But my stepmother cut off my money after she found out and didn’t let me go to school. I wrote storybooks to earn money and studied at home. A few days ago, I sent my storybooks to the bookstore. But my stepmother sent someone to spy on me. She thought I was going to take the college entrance examination in the city, so she attacked me. Her purpose was to cripple me, take away my money, and prevent me from taking the college entrance examination. In fact, I didn’t plan to take the college entrance examination. First, I didn’t have the opportunity to study in the academy, and without the guidance of a famous teacher, I felt that I didn’t learn enough; second, I was young and worried that my body couldn’t bear it. ”

Chen Ruotong sighed after hearing this. This poor child, his story can be written into a novel!