CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: MY DAUGHTER WAS HELD AS A HOSTAGE

"Sister-in-law, you’ve had a hard day." Qi Yun greeted warmly with a gentle smile on his face.

Li Cuixia grinned, revealing a mouthful of big white teeth: "Brother Qi, what are you saying? It’s not hard at all. I’m more than happy to have you come over for a meal."

As she spoke, she turned and glared at Liu Meng: "What are you standing there for? Quickly bring Brother Qi into the house. Are you just going to let him stand here?"

Liu Meng scratched his head and chuckled: "I’m so forgetful. Brother, come on in." With that, he led Qi Yun into the house.

The house was the same as last time, just with some added festive red decorations.

The bungalow courtyard didn’t have floor heating, so every household burns a stove in winter.

Liu Meng washed his hands in a basin, then pushed the dried fruits on the stove in front of Qi Yun: "Have some first to settle your stomach, the meal will be ready soon."

Qi Yun nodded, took out a cigarette to offer to Liu Meng, and asked while looking around: "Where’s your daughter?"

Liu Meng hurriedly took out a lighter to light Qi Yun’s cigarette, but Qi Yun raised his hand to refuse.

"I’ll do it myself."

Liu Meng didn’t insist, lit a cigarette himself, took a puff, and replied: "She’s at her grandpa’s house, won’t be back until tomorrow."

Hearing this, Qi Yun smiled inwardly.

He’s gone to his father-in-law’s to steal fish, and the daughter was held as a hostage.

Li Cuixia was also a capable woman, in a few swift moves, she cleaned the fish in the yard and soon set them on the stove.

There was also a pot of clear stewed lamb, and the table was filled with chicken, duck, and more.

Looking at these sumptuous dishes, Qi Yun felt somewhat guilty.

During the New Year, he didn’t want to disturb them, but he did tell Liu Meng he’d be coming. Not showing up might make this straightforward guy misunderstand.

Just the cost of this table of dishes must be several hundred yuan.

"Sister-in-law, you’ve made too much; just the three of us can’t finish it all."

Li Cuixia continued placing dishes on the table, laughing as she said: "Brother Qi, it’s rare for you to visit; I must treat you well."

Liu Meng picked up a bowl, served Qi Yun some lamb soup, and chimed in: "Exactly, exactly. Last time when you sold me goods you said you’d come back for a drink.

Not sure what you like, so I had sister-in-law make some random things. If it doesn’t suit your taste, just let us know."

Qi Yun took the lamb soup, feeling somewhat touched. In today’s deceptive society, there aren’t many genuine folks like Liu Meng and his wife.

He lightly blew on the soup’s surface and took a sip, the delicious taste spreading in his mouth.

"Mm! This lamb soup is really fragrant, sister-in-law’s cooking is excellent."

Li Cuixia, delighted by the praise, beamed: "Brother Qi, as long as you like it. Eat more, have plenty."

She said while placing more food into Qi Yun’s bowl.

Liu Meng stood up, took out a plastic bag from the cupboard containing two bottles of Jian Nan Chun, clearly newly bought judging by the fresh plastic bag.

Qi Yun used to love this wine as well, not cheap at over 400 yuan a bottle.

This made Qi Yun even more embarrassed.

Liu Meng, smiling, put the bottles on the table, patted Qi Yun on the shoulder: "Brother, what do you say we drink this today?"

Qi Yun quickly waved his hand, apologetically explained: "Meng, let’s not drink today, let’s just eat. The daughter’s at the neighbor’s house, I’ll worry if I’m late in picking her up.

Next time, next time come to mine, and we’ll drink well together, alright?"

Liu Meng, hearing Qi Yun’s words, showed a brief flash of disappointment but soon smiled again, "Alright, since you’re concerned about your daughter, I won’t bother you.

Today we won’t drink, just eat well. Next time at your place, we won’t stop until we’re drunk."

Li Cuixia added: "Right, right, the child is important. If you’re worried, finish your meal early and go pick up your daughter."

Qi Yun gratefully glanced at the couple: "Okay, thank you for understanding."

Liu Meng laughed, waved: "What are you saying? Between brothers such talk is distant. Come on, eat up." With that, he placed a chicken leg in Qi Yun’s bowl.

The three of them ate and chatted about family matters.

Then, the sound of the big iron gate being pushed open came from the yard, followed by a young man with a buzz-cut, looking quite honest, walked in.

"Brother-in-law started eating, not calling me, and there’s a guest too?"

Liu Meng glanced at the young man, jokingly scolded: "I didn’t call you over, grab your own chopsticks."

Then he turned to Qi Yun and explained: "My brother-in-law."

Once the young man picked up chopsticks and sat down, Liu Meng introduced: "This is your Brother Qi."

The young man immediately flashed a smile and warmly greeted: "Brother Qi, hello, hello, I’m Li Jie."

Qi Yun smiled and nodded in response.

Li Cuixia served her brother a bowl of lamb, asked: "Weren’t you on duty today? Why did you come back?"

Li Jie chuckled: "Today there were few people at the agricultural market; everyone packed up early, what duty would I have?"

"Moreover, I specifically came to discuss something with you."

Li Cuixia raised her eyebrows: "What’s it about? Couldn’t you tell me over the phone?"

Li Jie glanced at Qi Yun, laughed: "Let’s eat first, talk later."

Liu Meng noticed his expression, snorted: "Just say what you have to, your Brother Qi is no outsider."

Having made a fool of himself, Li Jie finally placed down his chopsticks, seriously said: "I heard from our manager today, the agricultural market’s stalls are about to raise the rents! I thought I’d borrow some money from you to take over a couple of stalls myself, and later sublease them."

Upon hearing this, Li Cuixia’s brow furrowed: "How could such a good deal reach your turn?"

Li Jie, seeing Li Cuixia say this, looked anxious and quickly explained: "Sister, I’ve thoroughly checked, this rent increase is due to infrastructure renovations in the market, hence the higher rent.

By then, the market environment will improve, and stalls will be more desirable. Moreover, I have a good relationship with the manager, he told me in advance before the news was released, said if I act quickly, I’ll have the chance to secure a stall."

Upon hearing this, Liu Meng also furrowed his brows: "He passed this information to you? Did he himself take a stall?"

Li Jie, hearing the question, showed a slight hint of awkwardness: "I didn’t ask, but with such a great opportunity, surely he’s also taken one."

Li Cuixia looked at her brother, her face turning serious: "You should thoroughly check this matter, we’re just ordinary folks, can’t afford risks.

Your brother-in-law and I haven’t made much money from working all these years, just enough to cover family expenses, and your niece is about to enter high school, needing even more money; the family cannot bear any mishap."

Li Jie’s eyes showed a brief hesitation, lowered his head in contemplation, then raised his head and sincerely said: "Sister, I understand your and brother-in-law’s difficulties, I’m not trying to make things hard for you.

But this is really a rare opportunity, I don’t want to miss it. Plus, I’ve transferred 40,000 yuan I saved from working over the past two years to him, but I still need another 60,000."

Liu Meng looked at Li Jie, sighed, and said: "Kid, it’s not that your brother-in-law doesn’t support you, but this deal sounds too easy.

I always feel like such easy money wouldn’t come to us ordinary folks."

Seeing his wife’s expression, he continued: "But since it’s your first time asking your brother-in-law, if you’re resolved, go find out more details. Your brother-in-law can lend you 60,000."

Qi Yun had been quietly listening from the side, already having a clear understanding of the situation.