ebookslot Chapter 22 The Rich Man's House is a Place of Wine and Meat
Chapter 22 The Rich Man's House is a Place of Wine and Meat
An unexpected dinner took place right next to the Sotaki Well.
At first, Uncle Chen and the other two were a little reserved because of Jiang Qi's current status, but after a few drinks, they started talking.
The clear moonlight shone down, illuminating faces weathered by time.
"I have two kids, a son and a daughter." Brother Sun raised his glass to Jiang Qi, his eyes slightly red.
"If it weren't for Jiang Tou giving me a meal and letting me go back to Shuifang, I really don't know how I would have survived... This glass is a toast to Jiang Tou!"
He drank it all in one gulp.
Uncle Wang raised his glass, his voice a little hoarse: "My wife has been bedridden for ten years, and our son and daughter don't care about her... she's just relying on this old man of mine."
Jiang Tou is kind and righteous; he gave me a way to make a living and even gave me extra money... On behalf of my husband, thank you, Jiang Tou!
He tilted his head back and drank it down.
Uncle Chen didn't say much, but silently poured wine for Jiang Qi, his eyes filled with gratitude.
His two sons were conscripted for corvée labor and have not been heard from since.
If it weren't for his job at the water shop, he didn't know if he would have been able to wait for his son to come back.
Jiang Qi listened silently, his heart filled with emotion.
This Suolong Well is a well for him to obtain [Moonlight Water], but for the people in front of him, it is a guarantee of survival and the hope for their families.
Then look at the powerful clans within the city...
The saying goes, "Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the road, frozen corpses lie."
Is it because Brother Sun, Uncle Wang, and Uncle Chen are not diligent or hardworking enough?
He didn't think so.
Those struggling at the bottom of society often exert all their strength, yet barely manage to make ends meet.
Thinking of this, Jiang Qi stood up, went into the water room, fetched a pot of water, added [Moonlight Water], and then came out with the pot.
"Everyone, have some water to sober up." Jiang Qi poured a bowl for everyone.
"Thanks, boss!" The group quickly picked up their bowls.
Uncle Chen took a sip of water and sighed, "Old Sun, you were right to grit your teeth and send the kid to school. This world is getting more and more turbulent."
Studying and practicing martial arts are the only two paths that might lead to a future.
Someone like Jiang Tou, with his skills, has nothing to fear no matter where he goes.
Zhao Xiaoqi also took a big gulp and found the water to be exceptionally sweet, which seemed to relieve some of her fatigue from the past few days.
His eyes gleamed as he raised his wine glass, looked at Jiang Qi, and said with some excitement, "Brother Qi, I've made up my mind! I'm going to practice martial arts!"
Jiang Qi looked over with some surprise: "Have you thought it through?"
"I've made up my mind!" Zhao Xiaoqi nodded emphatically. "I want to keep up with Qi-ge'er!"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, and Brother Sun all smiled and said, "Practicing martial arts is good! Practicing martial arts is the right path!"
As they spoke, the three of them simultaneously reached into their pockets, pulled out coins wrapped in cloth, and were about to stuff them into Zhao Xiaoqi's hand.
"Here you go! You need money to practice martial arts!"
Zhao Xiaoqi's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly pushed the money back, saying, "Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, Brother Sun! You can't accept this! Your families are all struggling; I can't take this money!"
"I've saved enough money for martial arts training."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qi's eyes flickered slightly.
All the monthly wages from the water shop passed through his hands. Xiao Qi worked for two months and only earned a total of two taels of silver.
Entering the martial arts school requires an entrance fee of ten taels of silver.
Does Xiaoqi have that much money?
I guess they didn't want Uncle Chen and the others' money, so they said that on purpose.
Wait a minute, give Xiao Qi some silver.
He may lack money, but he doesn't lack Xiao Qi.
Sensing Jiang Qi's gaze, Zhao Xiaoqi lowered his left hand slightly under the table, his smile unchanged: "Brother Qi, I'll go to Zhenyuan Martial Arts School to register in a couple of days!"
Jiang Qi nodded: "Okay, let me know when you go."
As he said this, he added some soup mixed with moonlight to Xiaoqi's bowl.
Practicing martial arts requires not only money, but also natural talent and aptitude.
Moonflower water improves physical condition and nourishes bones. If you drink more of it, Xiaoqi should be able to enter the academy.
"Brother Jiang! Is Brother Jiang here?" Just then, a shout came from outside the water store.
Jiang Qi looked over upon hearing the sound.
Guo Meng strode in, paused for a moment when he saw so many people gathered in the courtyard, then waved to Jiang Qi: "Brother Jiang, come here for a moment, something's up."
Jiang Qi got up and went over: "Brother Guo, what's wrong?"
Guo Meng glanced at Zhao Xiaoqi and the others, then took a few steps to the side and lowered his voice, "Did you see the famous Lord Shen Yi, the City Patrol Envoy of the Demon Suppression Division, at the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School today?"
Jiang Qi nodded: "I saw him."
"You also got a Blood Nourishing Pill?" Guo Meng pressed, his eyes gleaming.
"Yes." Jiang Qi paused for a moment, then nodded.
He knew the news would spread, but he didn't expect it to reach Guo Meng's ears so quickly.
If Guo Meng knows, then the Ironclad Gang probably knows too.
Guo Meng took a deep breath, patted Jiang Qi on the shoulder, and said in a complicated tone, "To be able to seize the Blood Nourishing Pill from Envoy Shen Xun... Brother Jiang, you've really made a name for yourself this time!"
But then he changed the subject, his expression turning serious: "However, Brother Jiang, the Blood Nourishing Pill is too conspicuous. It could be an opportunity for you, but it could also be a source of trouble."
If you trust me, then don't keep it, eat it quickly.
Otherwise, if word gets out, it might attract some rabid, jealous people!
Jiang Qi remained calm: "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Guo. I already took it this afternoon at the martial arts gym."
Guo Meng was taken aback upon hearing this, a strange light flashing in his eyes before he quickly regained his composure and praised, "You've eaten? Good! It's good that you've eaten."
Then he smacked his lips, "That's a Blood Nourishing Pill... Now that you've reached the second stage of Qi and Blood, with the help of this powerful medicine, you'll probably be able to break through to the third stage of Qi and Blood in just a few days."
Even... someone at the mid-stage of the Blood Refining Realm might be able to attempt a breakthrough.
"If you can really overcome that hurdle and reach the mid-stage of the Blood Refining Realm... Brother Jiang, your status in the gang will be completely different from what it is now!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Guo." Jiang Qi cupped his hands in greeting, not wanting to dwell on the topic, and instead invited, "Brother Guo, why don't you join us for a bite to eat?"
"No, no," Guo Meng hurriedly waved his hand, his face darkening again. "Those bastards from the Qingshui Gang have gone mad lately, like they're possessed, causing trouble and resorting to underhanded tactics everywhere!"
"Half an hour ago, Brother Song and Brother Hai from Liefeng Hall came over to chase after those bastards, saying there were spies among them."
"Be careful when delivering water lately, especially to Master Qin's residence. Absolutely no mistakes can be made!"
"I understand, Brother Guo, don't worry," Jiang Qi replied.
"Alright, I still have to keep an eye on my place, I'll be going now." Guo Meng glanced at the water shop one last time before leaving.
Jiang Qi returned to the table and sat down.
Zhao Xiaoqi asked with concern, "Qi-ge'er, Master Guo is looking for you, are you alright?"
"It's nothing," Jiang Qi smiled, picked up his chopsticks, "I was just passing by, let's eat."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt relieved and picked up their chopsticks again.
Uncle Chen stared at the alley entrance, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face.
"Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, Brother Sun, come on, try this, my mom made it."
"Okay... thank you, Auntie..."
The moonlight, as clear as water, enveloped the waterside pavilion, temporarily isolating it from the disturbances of the outside world.
......
The night is getting darker.
After dinner, Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, and Brother Sun said goodbye to Jiang Qi and Zhao Xiaoqi and their son, and walked towards the alley entrance, supporting each other.
The moonlight cast a soft glow.
As Uncle Chen reached the old locust tree at the alley entrance, he suddenly stopped and slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory. My wife said she wanted to bring some needles and thread back home. The general store up ahead is probably still open."