Yang Shaoquan's family was easy to find; the largest house in the village belonged to him. Although Yang Shaoquan had faced considerable hardship in his city business ventures, even a lean camel is larger than a horse, so he still maintained the image of a wealthy man in the eyes of the locals.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, a woman sat in the yard, wearing a floral padded jacket and leisurely cracking melon seeds.
"Who are you?" the woman asked, tilting her head. "Eh? Yuxin? You..."
Then, she began to shout at the top of her lungs, "Dad, Old Dad, Yuxin is back."
This woman was called Yue Gu, Yang Shaoquan's daughter. Hu Jia and Ouyang Wen had played hide-and-seek with her when they were children. Perhaps their appearances had changed too much, or perhaps the woman's attention was entirely focused on Luo Yuxin, she failed to recognize these two men.
At this moment, she was only talking to Luo Yuxin, chiding her for running away from home.
*Clang.*
The sound of a door opening, and an old man rushed out from the house. The anxiety on his face quickly turned into a frown. "You still remember to come back, huh?"
As he spoke, the old man pulled Luo Yuxin and examined her from head to toe. "You wouldn't even know if you were sold off somewhere."
Luo Yuxin's eyes welled up with tears. She knew her uncle's affection for her. Seeing her uncle so anxious, and nearly tripping over the doorframe, made her feel sad.
After a brief exchange, Hu Jia and Ouyang Wen stepped forward.
"Uncle Yang," the two young men said. Their words not only drew Yang Shaoquan's gaze but also that of Yue Gu, who was still cracking melon seeds.
"You? You!" Yang Shaoquan was first confused, then shocked.
"Brother Jia, Brother Wen!" Finally, Yue Gu recognized the two brothers. With her exclamation, Yang Shaoquan finally confirmed their identities.
"Why are you here?" After speaking, Yang Shaoquan seemed to recall something. "Yuxin went to look for you?"
Saying this, he glared fiercely at Luo Yuxin. Yuxin felt very embarrassed because her uncle had strictly forbidden them from seeking out the Hu brothers.
She naturally didn't know the reason, but she guessed it was related to the previous argument.
"Brother Jia, Brother Wen, I'm Yue Gu, do you remember me?" Yue Gu was also excited to see the two brothers. However, perhaps because she was already married, she maintained a slight distance from them.
Lu Qingqing watched the scene unfold and felt a sense of emotion.
It was most touching for old acquaintances to meet again.
"Uncle Yang, this is my fiancée, Lu Qingqing." After some pleasantries, Hu Jia introduced Lu Qingqing to Yang Shaoquan.
"Hello, Uncle Yang. Hu Jia often mentioned you. It's been many years, and this is my first time meeting you, yet I feel so familiar." Lu Qingqing stepped forward to greet him, which made Yang Shaoquan nod repeatedly in approval.
After chatting with Lu Qingqing for a moment, Yang Shaoquan turned his gaze to Tong Meng and Li Han.
Seeing this, Hu Jia pointed. "Those two are colleagues!" He didn't even mention their names.
Li Han was annoyed, but Tong Meng remained very gracious and took the initiative to greet him. "Uncle Yang, my name is Tong Meng. I am Hu Jia's good friend."
Lu Qingqing's lips twitched. If it weren't for fear of ruining the atmosphere, she would have retorted.
Yang Shaoquan was stunned. As a businessman of many years, how could he not see through such a small trick? Hu Jia hadn't even properly introduced him, and she called herself a "good friend"?
Yang Shaoquan gave a perfunctory response and then ignored them.
Having not seen each other for many years, there were endless stories to share. Although Hu Jia was eager to ask about past events, the two sisters clung to the brothers, talking incessantly. With Tong Meng also present, he deliberately suppressed his desire.
If you like to follow along, I won't ask, leaving you anxious.
As the conversation meandered, it eventually turned to Yuxin's marriage. Yang Shaoquan knew that the Hu brothers would surely discuss this topic. However, he did not evade it, stating frankly that he wanted his niece to have a better life.
"That Cao Changming is an honest and upright child, but he only knows how to study. Studying is fine; it's a clear path for the future. But he learned the skills without learning how to conduct himself. In the past, there were imperial examinations, but now there aren't. He can't even find a job. He's too honest. Now he's getting older, with no achievements and no savings. Tell me, how can I be at ease marrying Yuxin to him?"
Indeed, listening to Yang Shaoquan, Cao Changming did not seem to be a suitable match. After all, he was no longer a young man in his twenties with a future to strive for. At over thirty years old, he was still living a meager existence. What parents would be willing to marry their daughter to him?
"However, marriage is a lifelong matter. One should marry the person they love. As long as Yuxin feels happy and good about this kind of life, then we can give her a chance." Lu Qingqing's words were very tactful.
"Alas, young lady, where are there so many good matches? Money is king." Yue Gu disagreed with Lu Qingqing's statement. "Look at me, I have no worries about food or clothing. My life is too comfortable."
From her interaction with Yue Gu, Lu Qingqing had gained some understanding of her situation.
Speaking of her, she was somewhat pitiable. A few years ago, Yue Gu married the pawnshop owner in town and lived a good life. Although not extremely wealthy, they were considered a well-to-do family.
However, within two years, the pawnshop owner contracted consumption and passed away. Initially, Yue Gu was very sad, but after some time, she adapted to widowhood. She then sold the pawnshop, bought a small house with a private courtyard, and lived a comfortable life with the money her husband left behind.
Therefore, it was no wonder Yue Gu had such an outlook.
Lu Qingqing could not comment on this, nor would she. Everyone had the right to make their own choices in life.
The topic was dropped there. Lu Qingqing believed that Hu Jia would be able to explain things to Yang Shaoquan.
Tong Meng and the others sat there all day, listening to family gossip and childhood anecdotes. They heard no substantive news, but they were fed a mouthful of dog food.
As evening approached, Yue Gu had to return to town to stay. Everyone saw her to the door.
After a night of interaction, Yue Gu had also become familiar with everyone. Before leaving, she bid farewell to everyone. Li Han, in particular, seemed to have thrown him a flirtatious glance, if Lu Qingqing hadn't misjudged.
Ugh. Lu Qingqing's expression went dark.
It seems that after being a widow for too long, her heart had become a little restless.
In the evening, Lu Qingqing very proactively requested to share a room with Tong Meng. Although she disliked her, keeping an eye on this woman was the priority.
This infuriated Tong Meng. "I want to stay alone."
"There are no more rooms," Lu Qingqing retorted, rolling her eyes. "Do you think I want to share a room with you?"
"Then you can sleep with Liu Yuxin."
"She's the host; how can I crowd in with the host?"
Tong Meng tried every way to refuse, while Lu Qingqing pressed forward relentlessly.
The implication was clear: I am going to sleep with you tonight.
Tong Meng, helpless, passed a signal to Li Han. She wouldn't be able to eavesdrop on Hu Jia and the others' conversation tonight; the task would fall to him.
But how could her little plan succeed?
Ouyang Wen stepped forward and looked at Li Han. "The two of us men can just squeeze in together."
Uh...
Li Han's face contorted. "Captain Wen..."
"Heh heh, there's no choice. There are few beds, so Hu Jia will have to sleep with Uncle Yang tonight." Ouyang Wen feigned helplessness.