Linxia

Chapter 100, The Curtain

After sending the people from the Song family, the Bai family, and the old Chen family to the inn, Fang Lin returned to West Lane Hutong. From afar, he saw the brother and sister Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu talking to Master Ou under the osmanthus tree. He didn't know what they were talking about, but Master Ou laughed so hard that his gray beard was shaking, shining in the twilight.

At this time, Grandma Man came back from work in the laundry shop.

When Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu saw this, they immediately spoke up, as if they were confirming with Master Ou whether this was Grandma Man. After getting a positive answer, the brother and sister held hands, turned around and ran away, leaving Master Ou completely confused.

"Oh no, Grandma Man is here, sister, hurry up!"

"Wow, it's Grandma Man, so scary!"

The brother and sister ran away muttering to themselves, ran into Fang's house, and stuck half of their heads out of the door, looking at Grandma Man through the cat's eyes.

Fang Lin saw this scene from afar, smiled, and had some guesses in his mind. He greeted Master Ou as he passed by, and then went back to ask the brother and sister: "What were you running for just now?"

"Brother Linzi, what you said in your letter is that the teacher is good and the neighbors here are bad."

"Yes, Brother Linzi, I read all your letters without missing a single one."

'Sure enough, that's why I sent the letter back.'

Fang Lin smiled again, shook his head, and said with a smile: "Is that so? Then you should also know that I saved Grandma Man, and then Grandma Man's family corrected a lot. Don't be like this in the future... Well, don't be so obvious."

Both brother and sister nodded.

Fang Chuanhui was like a little adult, thinking, "Brother Linzi, I understand. If we run away when we see Grandma Man, it will be too obvious and impolite. If we let them know what you wrote in the letter, it will be difficult for us to get along with each other in the future."

"Brother Linzi, I remember it too." Fang Yuyu nodded her little head, and the two buns on the back of her head began to lift up.

"So smart! So good!"

To be honest, Fang Lin liked this pair of siblings very much. After all, they were cousins ​​with similar blood, and their uncle and aunt had educated them very well. Fang Chuanhui was four or five years younger than him, and had the honesty of his uncle and the cleverness of his aunt; Fang Yuyu was six or seven years old, and her appearance was a combination of the advantages of her parents. She was cute and touched his desire to have a sister in both lives.

He led the brother and sister into the house, holding the brother's shoulders and holding the sister's hand.

At this time, Fang's mother and Tian Xuan had returned from buying groceries and were busy cooking in the kitchen.

Fang Lin pulled the brother and sister to sit down and chat with them. At this time, the table was full of things, including the wine bought by Fang's mother and Tian Xuan, and the large and small packages brought by the uncle, some of which had been opened, showing peanuts, dried radish, dried black fungus, etc.

'My aunt is still like this. She doesn't let anyone take advantage of her, and she doesn't take advantage of anyone. She prepares so many things for her husband and children to visit.'

Fang Lin thought about it and asked, "Uncle, Chuanhui and Yuyu are following us. It must be difficult on the road, right?"

"They insisted on following us. Fortunately, we followed the caravan on the road and rode in a ox cart, which is much easier than walking." Fang Boxian said.

"Because of Linzi's letter, we wanted to come to the capital after hearing it. Mom also said that it would be good to see more and see the world... My eldest brother wanted to come too, but Mom said that we had to leave a child at home, so he gave up his position to me and my sister."

"Well, Brother Linzi, I've been dreaming about the capital city since I heard your letter, and now I'm finally here. I couldn't sleep at night for two days before I left... My eldest brother wanted to come too, but he didn't make it, so he gave it to me and my second brother. I'll tell my eldest brother about it when I get back..."

In fact, there were some minor conflicts within the Fang family because of taking care of these two little guys.

Didn't Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang ask for travel expenses? Fang Boxian was taking care of two children, and the second and fourth wives were not feeling balanced.

Not wanting to make things difficult for Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang, nor wanting to give the second and fourth wives any cause for criticism, Aunt Fang Liu simply paid for the two children's travel expenses herself, just so that they could see the world. To be honest, this generosity, willingness to spend, and vision are extremely rare in a country woman.

Father Fang asked about the parents in Xiaohe Village, that is, Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang.

"Mom and Dad are both in good health. They are very happy every time you write to them and they are very proud of you..."

Fang Boxian was right, because of Fang Lin's letters, the reputation of the entire Fang family in Xiaohe Village has been rising steadily. Now, they have one of the best reputations in Xiaohe Village.

"Ahem!" Father Fang felt a little embarrassed after hearing this. What was going on in the letter? Others didn't know, but he did. It was all Fang Lin who made up stories through his mouth.

"Uncle, let's talk about our Xiaohe Village..." Fang Lin changed the subject at the right time and took some garlic to peel. Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu, brother and sister, came over to help tactfully.

When the brothers Fang Boxian and Fang's father met again, they talked about Xiaohe Village and the affairs of the provincial capital. Once they started talking, they couldn't stop, and they kept talking until dinner time.

Today, because I had to buy groceries and cooked more food, I didn’t start eating until it was dark.

For dinner, there were three dishes, two meat and one vegetable. There was a big pot full of an old hen stewed with potatoes and radishes, a big bowl of a large sea bass stewed with tofu, also a big bowl, and fried tofu with green onions.

Today we are all family, and there are no separate tables or anything, just sit around.

During the meal, it was once again clear that uncle and aunt had taught them well. Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu only started eating after Fang Lin's family picked up their chopsticks. Moreover, they only picked up side dishes such as radishes and potatoes.

"Chuanhui, Yuyu, you are not born in the year of the rabbit. Come on, eat meat!" Fang's mother picked up some food for the brother and sister.

Tian Xuan also smiled and took care of Fang Yuyu.

"Sanniang, Sister Xuanxuan, your cooking is really delicious. The soup and radish are both delicious."

"Yes, yes, Sanniang, Sister Xuanxuan, you guys should eat too, the food is so good, even better than our New Year's Eve!"

All I can say is that like parents raise like children. It is really hard to feel the slightest bit of dislike for a child like this.

"Among the other three branches of the Fang family, the eldest uncle's family is indeed the most kind."

Fang Lin nodded secretly and said, "Uncle, Chuanhui, Yuyu, tomorrow, let's go to the theater together, stroll around the city, and take a bath in Wengtang when we have time..."

"Just stroll around, watch a play, and take a bath in the Wengtang. It will cost a lot of money!" Fang Boxian waved his hand.

"It won't cost much! Your sister-in-law and Xiaoxuan can earn some money by doing some needlework. I'm also doing OK at the dock. Linzi has more money at the bookstore. You don't know that he is still..."

As Mr. Fang was talking, the feces business was right at his fingertips.

At this time, Fang's mother quietly pulled him under the table.

Mr. Fang reacted immediately, shut up and said nothing more.

The people in the first house are honest, so it's okay to let them know, they won't think of taking advantage. But if they let it slip and tell others, the second and fourth houses, as well as other villagers, might think of asking Fang Lin to arrange work for them... It's better to have less trouble than more.

In fact, Mr. Fang's time at the dock was not in vain. If it was in front of outsiders, he would never have done what he just did. He just let down his guard because he was in front of his brothers and he was still the respected eldest brother.

“It really doesn’t cost much.”

Fang Lin noticed this and continued, “Also, Uncle, Chuanhui, Yuyu, you finally came here once. If you really don’t try anything, when people ask you back, they will find out that you didn’t watch a play, didn’t go to the Weng Hall, and didn’t buy anything. They will think you are mistreating uncle and you are not welcome!”

"That's it. Let's go see a play tomorrow morning. I remember there's a show called 'Du Shiniang Sinks the Treasure Box in Anger'. This new play is very popular. In the afternoon, let's go around different places in the city..." The city's opera troupe had tasted success with the previous play 'Romance of the West Chamber', and now they have a new play, 'Du Shiniang Sinks the Treasure Box in Anger'. It has recently caused quite a stir in the city, and it's no exaggeration to say that it's being sought after by tens of thousands of people. Well, even Manager Liu said it was good after seeing it!

"Linzi, you are not in the bookstore...work is more important."

"It's okay. I'll talk to the shopkeeper and discuss with the other guys to swap their shifts together." Fang Lin said.

Last time, didn't Manager Liu beat up Chai Yiwei's stepmother Chai Heshi? Since then, Chai Heshi has been a little afraid of Chai Yiwei, and even his biological father seems to have some opinions about him. That family doesn't have a sense of home, and Chai Yiwei doesn't want to go back. In addition, because of Fang Lin's help, Chai Yiwei is very grateful, and he has been too polite to Fang Lin recently...

So, this time, he requested a rotation and achieved several goals at one stroke.

The food is fragrant, steaming, and filled with smoke, and the atmosphere during the meal is even more lively.

The two brothers, Fangfu and Fangboxian, drank some wine and recalled what happened in Xiaohe Village; Fang Lin told Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu about things in the provincial capital. Some small things seemed to have a different charm when they were told by him.

Infected by the lively atmosphere, everyone was happy and smiling, and the meal lasted for more than half an hour.

When a bright moon rises high outside the window and the alley becomes quiet, it's time to finish, tidy up and get ready for bed.

Uncle Fang Boxian, Fang Chuanhui and Fang Lin shared a room, while Fang Yuyu slept with Tian Xuan. The night passed like this, and everyone fell asleep with the aftertaste of the joy of the reunion and the anticipation for tomorrow.

……

Diners come to the inn.

On the Song family side, Song Guangcheng and Song Liu were talking about the Fang family.

"Linzi said he would send a letter to our son, but I don't know what's in it?"

"What else could it be? Most likely just some words of regret." Song Guangcheng snorted.

Having said that, Song Liu was still looking forward to it. She suppressed her feelings and diverted her attention, saying, "Today, you see Fang Lao San, who used to be so face-saving and easy to talk to, can actually say that kind of words?"

"This guy will change. He has been in the city for so long and has become the dock manager. How could he not have changed at all? But he is still not as good as his son!"

Song Guangcheng said, sighing: "Fang Laosan gave birth to a good son. In his family, Linzi is particularly smart. Without him, Fang Laosan's family would definitely not be what it is today. I told my son to learn from Linzi a long time ago. If he listened to me, he would not ask to be like Linzi, but just learn a few skills. How could he end up like this today?"

"Isn't it? Hey, head of the family, what do you think..." Song Liu suddenly sat up and said, "Since Linzi was able to send a message to our son, it means that our relationship is pretty good now. Can we ask him to help us visit him in prison, or even save our son..."

"You are so confused!" Song Guangcheng interrupted: "How dare you think that? This is a murder case. Even if it is the Fang family, what kind of connections can they find? Even if they can find connections, why would they find them for an outsider like us and get involved and get into trouble?"

Seeing his wife lower her head with red eyes, he softened his heart, knowing that his wife was just too much in love with her son, and his tone softened a little: "If you really want to visit the prison, we can find someone to spend some money ourselves, don't bother others to come to the child."

"You know what happened between our son and Linzi, don't you? To be honest, Linzi was able to help deliver the message, which was already a great favor. It was not easy. We don't have the face to look for him. Even if we do, haven't they made their words clear enough tonight? They will definitely not help. If we really insist on getting involved, we will just be asking them to slap us in the face!"

"Master, I understand. I just miss my son... Well, we have to find a way to see our son in the end."

……

At the Bai family, Old Lady Bai and Bai Feng were also talking.

"The Fang family is now quite prosperous. But I think they don't want to deal with us..."

"Isn't that what should be done?"

Old Lady Bai said, "As for the people from the Song family and the old Chen family, they are like stinking dog shit. It's right not to deal with them. We... our family is better, but how much better can it be?"

"Forget it. Mother came here this time just to see Baozi for the last time and collect his body. I don't have any other requests."

"Mom is right." Bai Feng thought. Along the way, although his mother and the Song family didn't talk, they also remained restrained. He thought that nothing bad would happen, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.

"It's getting late, go to bed!"

"Hey!"

Bai Feng fell asleep but did not notice that Old Lady Bai turned over, still with her eyes open, and touched her arms, which was a dagger wrapped in cloth.

……

Old Chen’s house.

Chen Guiyun, Mr. and Mrs. Chen Feng, and Widow Chen were also talking about the Fang family.

"I've inquired around, and this inn is pretty affordable. The third brother Fang's family didn't rip us off." Chen Fengshi closed the door and came in and said.

"However, they have made it clear that they don't want to deal with us!" said Chen Guiyun.

"Isn't this as it should be? This matter has nothing to do with the Fang family."

Widow Chen warned them: "It seems that Fang Lao San has changed today. He dares to tear his face off with others. Fang Linlinzi is not a good person. If we stick to him, we will not get any good results. Don't forget, the purpose of our coming here is Osmanthus, to eat her... to take back the things of our Chen family!"

"Yeah, there's no need to make enemies with the Fang family. Just keep an eye on Osmanthus."

"I think so too."

The three reached a consensus.

"Then let's discuss it and go find that bitch Guihua tomorrow to discuss the specific rules."

"I thought, if Guihua is not popular in the neighborhood and has no neighbors to help her, then we'll use force and just break in to take it. If she is popular and has neighbors to help her, and force doesn't work, then we'll block the door and make a scene. If she doesn't give us the money, then we'll ruin her reputation and make her unable to do anything..."

"I think it's a good idea. You two can play the good cop role and I'll play the bad cop role. We can use both soft and hard tactics on her." Widow Chen said with a turn of her eyes.

"That's fine. But we have to consider the worst case scenario. What if Guihua finds someone to back her up? If we use force, it won't work. She'll come to ask for a fight, and we may not be able to control her. At this time, we have to be soft, even if we have to hug her legs, wipe her snot and tears, and make her look disgusting, but we have to get some benefits out of her."

"Yes, if it doesn't work, let's try suing. Anyway, we can't come here in vain!" Chen Feng said viciously.

Under the flickering light of the oil lamp, three ferocious shadows were reflected.

……

Woo~woo~
The wind blew outside the window, blowing through the sycamore tree and straight up to the sky. Above the sky, wind and clouds gathered and surged. At a certain moment, the black clouds covering the sky suddenly began to dissipate, like a curtain slowly opening.

……

(End of this chapter)