Gentlemen's Friends

Chapter 53 Extra Story: The Doubter (1)
Qu Tongqiu is a warm-hearted man, whenever the stall friends who used to set up stalls together came to ask him for help, he would immediately agree.

When he was down and down, he was more or less helped by his neighbors.Now that I have the ability, it is not easy for people I know when I am in trouble, so I will help if I can.

So when Ami wanted a more stable job that didn't require getting up early and staying late, he decisively asked Ami to work in his shop without saying a word.

Anyway, as long as the work of the takeaway store is nimble, careful, conscientious, diligent and down-to-earth, then they are good employees who are very competent.

Ah Mei is familiar with him again, he knows everything about his temper, so he feels at ease.

Qu Tongqiu is very kind to the employees, especially to Amei.If there is anything left over from the food in the store, they will be packed for her and asked her to take it home, and often even drive her along the way.

Sometimes Amei would go to school to pick up her daughter and take her to the store, and then the mother and daughter would go home together after get off work.

Her daughter Beibei is a very cute little girl, sensible and obedient, with a baby voice, carrying a small schoolbag all day long, and generously breaking the only orange to everyone in the store.

After getting acquainted with everyone, Beibei often comes to the store on weekends, sits obediently in the corner and learns to write one stroke at a time, or moves a small stool to help peel broad beans.

Everyone liked her very much. As the boss, Qu Tongqiu would tease her when he had more time, take her outside and buy her candy, balloons, picture books and so on.

A Mei decided to move so that her daughter could have a cleaner and more airy place.Qu Tongqiu enthusiastically helped her find a house everywhere, and drove her to many places.

After finally finding a house with a suitable location and an acceptable price, the landlord has to pay the rent for a whole year at a time.This house is hard to come by. If you don't sign the contract and pay the money immediately, it will be gone as soon as you turn around.

A Mei didn't have that much money, and Qu Tongqiu helped to advance more than half of it.A Mei was very embarrassed and thankful. She was in a hurry to write an IOU and stamp her fingerprints, but Qu Tongqiu didn't want it either. She just said, "It's all right, I don't worry if you don't pay it back."

Afterwards, Qu Tongqiu was also helping with the move.It is inconvenient for a woman to take care of a child. As a man, he spontaneously has the enthusiasm to take care of women and children.

On this day, when Qu Tongqiu returned home, it was late at night again.Because he was worried about disturbing his daughter and Ren Ningyuan, he didn't even dare to turn on the light, and groped around on tiptoe, first going to the bathroom outside.

I tried my best to adjust the water flow to make no noise, swished off all the sweat and dirt on my body, and brushed my teeth to make sure I was refreshed, so that I would not disturb my cohabitants again, before I went back to the bedroom.

As soon as he entered the room, he heard Ren Ningyuan asking in the dark: "Are you back?"

"Ah, did I wake you up?"

"No," the other party was very gentle, "I just fell asleep."

Then the bedside lamp turned on considerately, Qu Tongqiu was a little embarrassed, he planned to enter the house in the dark and put on his pajamas again, so he was naked, and he couldn't help blocking it with his hands in front of Ren Ningyuan.

"Have you taken a shower?"

"Yeah. It's too dirty."

"Dirty?"

"Well, I helped Amei move things. I climbed the sixth floor several times, and I was sweating all over my body."

Ren Ningyuan looked at him and said "hmm".

Although maybe the other person is already familiar with his body, the feeling of facing him naked is still very shy, a subtle feeling of rapid heartbeat.

Qu Tongqiu concealedly went to open the closet and took out his nightgown.

"I've been moving for four or five days, haven't you finished moving?"

"Yeah, at first I thought I didn't have a lot of things. I didn't need to call the moving company. I just drove two times. After sorting it out, there were not enough bags to fit in the car. It's a pity to throw them away, so I divided them into several trips together." moved."

"Ah."

Qu Tongqiu babbled while putting on his clothes: "The bed board left by the landlord is broken, and it's not worth buying a new one. Tonight, I tore down an old stool and repaired it with that board."

Ren Ningyuan said: "Actually, these are not expensive things. I'll send some over and it's over. You don't have to be busy every day."

"That's inappropriate. I'll help move a little bit, repair a little bit, it's a small matter between friends. If you send furniture or something, Amei will feel that she owes a big favor that she can't pay back, and she will definitely save money to pay it back. It's hard."

Ren Ningyuan looked at him for a while and said, "Yes. You are very careful."

Qu Tongqiu climbed into bed: "By the way, the move should be finished tomorrow, and everything will be fine after tidying up. Amei invites you to have dinner together then."

"Ok?"

"It's a happy housewarming, let's get together and have fun. What do you think is more practical for me to give, a four-piece bed set? A floor fan?"

Qu Tongqiu was still thinking about what kind of gift would be the most suitable, when Ren Ningyuan suddenly said, "Go to sleep."

"Oh……"

Then turn off the lights.Qu Tongqiu was lying in the dark, suddenly at a loss.

After the things were moved, the next tidying time was longer than expected.It was originally planned to have dinner on the weekend, but because of a problem with the gas stove, Qu Tongqiu had to help to repair it, so it could only be changed to Monday.

This afternoon, Qu Tongqiu called back again: "Ren Ningyuan, I installed the bookshelves too late, so I won't go back for a visit. I'll give you the address, you and Xiao Ke can come directly."

Amei's newly rented house is not spacious, but it has been well organized, and every inch of space has been used reasonably. It looks like a rather comfortable and warm place to live.

Qu Tongqiu naturally contributed a lot to this.

A Mei was chopping vegetables and cooking, and Qu Tongqiu helped put snack plates on the living room table, calling her daughter and Ren Ningyuan to come and eat.

"Come, eat some dried plums, for appetizers. This fresh milk and plums are also delicious."

Ren Ningyuan picked up a prunes among the plates of snacks for guests, then looked at him and asked, "Where's your coat?"

"Oh," Qu Tongqiu looked down at the shirt on his body, "I splashed oil just now, Amei took it for me and washed it first."

A Mei asked in the kitchen, "Tong Qiu, where did you put that steaming rack yesterday?"

Qu Tongqiu responded, "It's in the cabinet."

"I didn't see it."

"Wait, I'll get it."

Ren Ningyuan said: "Do you want me and Xiaoke to help?"

"No, no, it's almost ready. You sit down and eat something first, and the meal will be served right away."

The two people who were busy in and out of the kitchen and living room were like the hostess and hostess of the house, and they cooperated with each other naturally.

Two guests, one big and one small, sat on the old sofa, looking at each other.

Someone was knocking on the door, Qu Tongqiu came out of the kitchen first, wiped his hands on the apron, and opened the door.Outside the door was a middle-aged man, leading a little boy and a little girl.

The little girl raised her head and hugged Qu Tongqiu's leg, Qu Tongqiu said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, please send Beibei back again."

The man even said: "No trouble, no trouble, the same school and the same building, just by the way."

"Fortunately, with your help, Amei has saved a lot of trouble these days. Amei finally moved house today, and I cooked a few dishes. I also brought my daughter and friends to join in the fun. Would you like to have a meal together?"

"Ah, I have to take Xiaomu to see his grandma tonight," the man said regretfully, "I can't change the appointment, let's get together another day. I'll buy beer."

Beibei came into the room with a small schoolbag on her back, and when she saw Ren Ningyuan and Qu Ke, she said hello in a childlike voice: "Hello sister, hello uncle."

She was wearing a children's cheongsam, with a round face, neat bangs, neatly cut off-shoulder hair, and a pair of black eyes. She looked obedient and cute, like a moving doll.

Qu Tongqiu took off her schoolbag for her, hugged her to sit on the sofa, and praised her daughter and Ren Ningyuan: "Look, Beibei is so cute."

Qu Ke didn't make a sound, but Ren Ningyuan smiled: "Yes."

A Mei also came out from the kitchen with the fried spicy chicken, and said, "Look, she won't take off the dress you bought for her. I just washed it and dried it yesterday, so I will make it today." Put it on again."

Qu Tongqiu was both satisfied and regretful: "Oh, my little Ke doesn't even like the clothes I'm choosing now, because I think my father has bad eyesight. Fortunately, Beibei is willing to wear them."

Qu Ke looked at him, then at Ren Ningyuan, then at Beibei, and remained silent.

"Come on, Xiaoke, let's play with Beibei."

Qu Ke said, "What are you playing?"

"Everything is fine, let's help her solve the puzzle together. Aren't you good at puzzles?"

"I don't like playing that anymore."

Qu Tongqiu was a little surprised, and couldn't help saying: "Hey...you child..."

A Mei also hurriedly said: "That child's thing is dusty. Xiao Ke, just watch TV, and we will have dinner later."

After a while, Ren Ningyuan received a call at home.

"Hello, Mansion Ren."

The woman's voice sounded hesitant: "Hi...I'm looking for Qu Tongqiu."

"He's not here now, is there anything you want me to convey?"

"Ah, there's no need." The other party paused, and then said helplessly, "When will he come back?"

"In a while."

"Then I'll call later, thank you."

When Qu Tongqiu, who was out shopping for groceries, came back, Ren Ningyuan told him, "Amei called you just now."

"Huh?" Qu Tongqiu touched his pocket, "Oh, I forgot to take my phone out. What is she looking for from me?"

"I don't know."

"Oh, let me ask."

Then the man went to get the mobile phone left in the room and made a call.

After talking a few words in the living room, the man's expression became a little subtle, then he got up and went to the balcony to continue the conversation.

Ren Ningyuan glanced at Qu Ke who was sitting opposite.

The girl whose body, description and appearance had long been out of the category of a little girl stood up, went back to her bedroom without saying a word, and closed the door with a "bang".

Ren Ningyuan sat for a while, and then turned a page of "National Geographic" on his lap.

A few days later, Ren Ningyuan received a visitor in the study.

"Mr. Ren. This is what you want."

In the paper bag on the table was a stack of photos. The man held a parasol for the woman to shield her from the scorching sun. He also took a towel and a mineral water bottle in one hand. He accompanied her to the hospital, called a car for her, and helped her carry heavy shopping bags...

"The woman you asked me to investigate is indeed pregnant."

Ren Ningyuan remained expressionless, and only said, "Go down."

Ren Ningyuan knocked on the door of the small study, then opened the door and entered.

Qu Ke was sitting at the table reading a book, and when she heard him come in, she didn't even look back.

During this period of time, this seemingly unreasonable cold war atmosphere spread between the two of them inexplicably.Qu Ke's subtle hatred for him seems to have returned.

"I think you should already know."

"..."

"Don't blame your father."

"..."

"I hope you can also be mentally prepared."

Qu Ke remained silent, flipping through her book.

"Maybe Tongqiu still wants a biological child."

"..."

"You know, in fact, you..."

Qu Ke turned her head and stared at him hard, her big eyes were already a little red: "Yes, I am not his own. But, whose fault do you think this is?!"

In a sense, he and Qu Ke may be regarded as rare good partners and good daughters.

However, in another sense, the relationship between them and that man is actually not close.Their goodness may not be what he wants.

That man has enough power at any time to abandon them easily.

Qu Tongqiu came home with two bags full of vegetables in his hand.

He knew that because he was busy taking care of his friends during this time, it was inevitable that he would be negligent at home.As soon as you have free time, you must quickly double your compensation.

But speaking of it, his daughter is already sensible and doesn't need him to take care of her like she did when she was a child.Ren's family has servants, drivers, gardeners, and tutors, so his role has become insignificant.

As for Ren Ningyuan, let alone, he has only seen others needing Ren Ningyuan and begging for Ren Ningyuan, but he has never seen anyone in need of Ren Ningyuan.

The big one and one small one are so capable, and gradually the family can no longer use him.However, he still felt dereliction of duty for awarding himself the title of parent.

Qu Ke was working with her notebook in the living room, and Ren Ningyuan was also reading a magazine. Seeing him, both of them were surprised. Qu Ke asked, "Dad, why is it so early today?"

Qu Tongqiu said with a smile, "Father will cook something delicious for you tonight."

He doesn't cook much at home now, and most of the three meals are given to the chef of Ren's family.Because it would be too late when he came back from the shop to prepare dinner, and besides, he didn't know as many dishes as others.

Today, if he has time to cook, he will try his best to make a fried chicken roll, cut the chicken breast into slices, mix it until it tastes good, then roll it with ham strips, dip it in egg batter, and put it in the oil pan Deep-fried; then beat the fish into a paste, add papaya and loofah, and make a refreshing papaya slippery fish.

Take these two dishes out first, and give the father and daughter a taste.

After that, there are steamed shad, beef dragon and phoenix slices, crispy fried crab claws, tangerine rock sugar lotus root, hand-peeled bamboo shoots...

Finally, a Wensi tofu soup was cooked.Cut the cooked bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, rapeseed, and tomato into shreds, stir-fry them with the cut shiifa vermicelli, boil them in high broth, and then put the hand-cut tofu into it.When the soup is boiled and sprinkled with sesame oil, it will become more beautiful in color, thick in juice and delicious in taste.

Qu Tongqiu was sweating all over, but he was still very satisfied.Taking out the soup, regardless of the sweat dripping from my face, I hurriedly greeted them: "Come, try it. It's fresher while it's hot."

He is too average in other aspects, at least he can't do anything for the father and daughter, so in the field within his ability, he doesn't hide his little bit of flattery with compensation.

Qu Ke made fake crab claws out of shrimp, dipped them in tomato sauce and ate them: "Wow, today is a special day for cooking so many dishes?"

Qu Tongqiu sat at the table and wiped his sweat with the tissue Qu Ke handed over: "No, it's just that Dad is free."

Qu Ke sucked her finger, and went to eat another dish, picking out all the small twists on the plate from the beef dragon and phoenix slices and eating them.Ren Ningyuan also picked up some tender bamboo shoots and drank some soup.

"It would be great if Dad could cook like this every day."

Hearing this, Qu Tongqiu couldn't help but sigh: "Well, there may not be time in the future."

The takeaway shop is going to grow, but Le Fei has gone back to China.He doesn't think he's a very smart person, and managing a store by himself is often a bit difficult.

Now I plan to sell the storefront next door to provide a better environment for the dine-in guests, and get through the renovation and so on. I guess I will have to get up early and work hard for a while.

Qu Ke stopped her chopsticks and looked at him with wide eyes: "Why don't you have time?"

Qu Tongqiu suddenly felt a little embarrassed.After all, the matter of selling the store has not yet been negotiated.He opened this shop, and it took him a lot of time to pay back the money. At that time, he was too afraid that the business would not be able to continue, and he had to worry about the daily calculation of the accounts, which made the two members of his family accompany him to have no peace.

Now thinking about expanding the business, I am not particularly sure in my heart.The horoscope has not been written yet, so it is a bit premature to talk about it.

"It's nothing, you'll know when the time comes."

"..."

Seeing that her daughter's expression was a bit subtle, Qu Tongqiu hurriedly added: "If it can be done, it will be a good thing."

Qu Ke suddenly put down her chopsticks, pushed the chair away and stood up without saying a word.Before Qu Tongqiu came back to her senses, she had already turned around and went upstairs.

Qu Tongqiu was stunned for a while, but it was Ren Ningyuan who spoke first: "Children are like this. Don't worry too much about it. Let's eat."

Qu Tongqiu gave a "hmm" and picked up his chopsticks.

After all, Qu Ke has also reached puberty.The first time she slammed the book impatiently and said "Dad, you are so long-winded", he was still hit hard and didn't sleep well all night.

Now I think about it too.

16 years old is the age of rebellion. Even a mediocre person like him, when he was young, would have a lot of strange thoughts, be inexplicably sentimental, and feel that he could not communicate with his parents.

So it's not that the daughter's temper has become bad, it's just a sensitive growing period.

The older Qu Ke grows up, the less he looks like him, and the more she looks like Ren Ningyuan.Beautiful, intelligent, reserved and proud, mature beyond her age.

Before he knew it, his daughter had grown into a big celebrity.

When he went to school to watch their rehearsal, someone would say, "This is Qu Ke's father."

Then many boys came up to flatter him, serving tea and water and moving chairs back and forth, which made him flattered and panicked.

Of course, most of the time, my daughter will still act like a baby, cute and caring, and she still likes to hang on his arm.

(End of this chapter)