Although Feng’Er’s hair was disheveled, she was young after all, and her appearance was alright. Her body was soft. Brother Xiong hadn’t had much sexual contact in the past two years, but now encountering this temptation, coupled with the martial artist’s blood and daily repression, he instantly felt aroused.
He closed the door, gently coaxed, sweet-talked, and deceitfully persuaded her. Then he peeled off Feng’Er’s clothes, took off her pants, pulled her onto the bed, and thoroughly enjoyed himself from afternoon until dusk before he settled down.
"You must not betray me again." Feng’Er lay in the man’s arms, and the deep resentment in her heart was temporarily suppressed, showing a glimmer in her eyes.
"I won’t, I won’t," Brother Xiong repeated, "Tomorrow we’ll move to Silver Creek. I’ve found out that as long as we donate some money and claim we’re going there to start a business, it can be done..."
"What kind of business are we going to start?" Feng’Er asked, confused.
Brother Xiong replied, "To be honest with you, my family’s big merchant wants to come here to open a business, so they’ve sent me ahead to scout... Business, well, a restaurant, yes, open a restaurant!"
"A restaurant..." Feng’Er murmured. Even though she hardly ever went out, she had heard of Hengwu Restaurant’s reputation. After all, there were still people in the village working for it occasionally, and Qian Si and Qian Wu regularly delivered wild game there.
Moreover, she used to queue outside Silver Creek Square to receive Hengwu Restaurant’s porridge.
Hengwu Restaurant is already the largest in Shanbao County; the former Yichan Residence cannot compare.
Almost every restaurant wanting alcohol would go to Hengwu Restaurant to buy in advance.
"Brother Xiong, if you want to open a restaurant, you can’t avoid Hengwu Restaurant.
Their establishment is reputable, their alcohol the best, their power the greatest...
Even a big merchant from outside would have to start with a small shop, and to get alcohol, they would have to get it from Hengwu Restaurant.
It’s just that alcohol from this place is highly sought after and likely unavailable..." Feng’Er began to consider and plan for the man.
Suddenly, Brother Xiong said, "I heard on the way back... Hengwu Restaurant is run by Elder Li’s second wife."
Feng’Er paused, understanding something, and turned away, saying, "I don’t have the face to meet Sister Yan. Even if I shamelessly went, Sister Yan wouldn’t see me."
Brother Xiong leaned close to Feng’Er’s ear, softly saying, "When I returned to the village, I heard people mention... Didn’t your Sister Yan give you a purse?"
Feng’Er coldly replied, "That was Sister Yan’s kindness. She gave me the purse, and from now on there is no relationship."
Brother Xiong’s eyes shifted, then he said, "Feng’Er, think about it yourself.
Really... no relationship anymore?
If there was no relationship anymore, why would she give the purse to you?
If she didn’t care about you, she wouldn’t have bothered with you, right?
She holds you in her heart, afraid you’ll die, so she gave you money."
Feng’Er said, "I can’t go find her, I have no face to see her. Moreover... I don’t deserve it."
After a while in silence, Brother Xiong suddenly burst into tears, saying repeatedly, "The great merchant has barely given him this opportunity, if he messes it up, then there’s nothing left in the future," "He still wants to marry Feng’Er here, establish a family, have children, and if they don’t have money, they’ll all live miserably, maybe even starve to death because times are getting worse year by year."...
Brother Xiong cried very sadly.
He cried all night...
...
...
As day broke, Feng’Er and Brother Xiong tidied up.
Feng’Er dressed and groomed herself at the mirror, smoothing the red paper, lightly pursing her lips, then applying dusted rouge to her cheeks, before changing into clean clothes, and spinning around in front of the mirror.
The two left Little Ink Workshop, reaching Silver Creek Square by noon.
Silver Creek Square was very lively, with long lines in front of five large porridge shops.
And today, it was a coincidence, Lady Yan was personally ladling out porridge at the shop, with one refugee after another receiving full bowls and murmuring thanks to "Yama Bodhisattva."
Lady Yan said, "Don’t call me that, I’m not a Bodhisattva."
A refugee nearby said, "Everyone has heard, you and Bodhisattva Xue took the lead in persuading Elder Li, which induced the big households to reduce the regular grain. If you’re not Bodhisattva, who is Bodhisattva?"
Lady Yan’s face reddened; it was the first time she heard such a title, thinking it didn’t suit her, saying while serving the porridge, "Don’t call me that..."
Meanwhile, Brother Xiong and Feng’Er, making their way into the square, stood quietly by the roadside.
Brother Xiong pinched Feng’Er’s hand, lowering his voice, "Elder Li manages Silver Creek, whether we can settle here depends on him... As long as you show any closeness to Yan Yu, we are bound to succeed."
Feng’Er looked at the beautiful woman far away, watched her smile as she served porridge to the refugees, and she suddenly felt like she was one of those refugees...
She walked up to Yan Yu, and Yan Yu served her porridge, smiling, "If it’s not enough, come back for more."
Feng’Er suddenly felt her body tremble, her soul returning.
She felt her heart melting, Yan Yu radiating warmth, while she... emanated darkness, evil, and contemptible foul stench...
Brother Xiong nudged her, pleading, "Go on, Feng’Er..."
Feng’Er lowered her head, gasping for breath, then quickened her pace, but didn’t go towards Yan Yu.
Brother Xiong was anxious. He humbly pleaded with this woman because he wanted a connection with Li Yuan to pursue an investigation. His future lay in this.
So he hurriedly stepped forward, grabbing Feng’Er’s hand.
Feng’Er shouted, "Let go of me."
Brother Xiong didn’t let go, suppressing his anger, saying, "We’ve come so far, go meet her, does she eat people?"
With that, Brother Xiong started to drag her towards Yan Yu.