An Jing, Mei Qian, and Su Tang rushed back in a hurry.
Since the child who was beaten had a relationship with Ping An's family, others felt relieved and, after each pretending to criticize Su Tang, they returned home.
On the sofa, Mei Qian, as the son-in-law of the house, diligently offered cigarettes and tea to Brother Ale. An Jing was tidying up the room in the guest bedroom on the first floor where Mei Qian used to live.
Group chat 563743675
"Sister An Jing, you don't need to trouble yourself too much. A bed and a table and chair are enough. I have to go back in a few days, and I'll leave the child to you and Ping An." Ale seemed indifferent to his son being beaten. He praised the doll-like Su Tang multiple times for being "beautiful," which made Su Tang very embarrassed. Zhang Xiao Ao was also beaten badly, but he grinned at Su Tang like a傻小子.
Could he have been beaten silly? Su Tang shivered all over.
"Brother, the bedding is all what my brother used before. You can make do for now, and I'll get you new ones tomorrow. The wardrobe has also been tidied up. The computer on the desk was used by Mei Qian before, and it's still working well. Let the child use it as he pleases. This weekend, I'll take the children to buy some new clothes," An Jing's voice came from the room.
Ale felt no discomfort with An Jing's arrangements, or rather, his mind wasn't on An Jing at all. He was staring at Su Tang. Tsk tsk, this girl is so beautiful and has a good figure. If his foolish son could marry someone like her, he would be willing to give Ping An's family fifty yaks and a hundred sheep...
Su Tang naturally didn't know that in someone's eyes, she had already been exchanged for cows and sheep. Seeing the father and son opposite staring at her and smiling foolishly without any embarrassment, she thought, perhaps she should apologize first?
"Zhang Xiao Ao, I went too far today. I'm sorry." Su Tang suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to the father and son.
Good figure, good for childbirth—Ale squinted and looked at Su Tang carefully, thinking.
Courageous, good brother—Zhang Xiao Ao's eyes widened and he looked at Su Tang seriously, thinking.
She had apologized, but the father and son opposite still didn't say anything. If they didn't speak, would she have to stay bent over like this? Su Tang thought helplessly.
"Hahaha, it's just the children playing. Why are you apologizing? The rules of the grassland are that the winner is king, and the loser is a bandit! My son admires your daughter very much, so there's no need to apologize." Ale, who finally reacted, raised his hand slightly to signal Su Tang to sit down. Then he patted his foolish son's head heavily and said to the bewildered Su Tang, "You beat him, you can ask for something from him as spoils of war!"
Ta. Read Novel App more high-quality free novels, ad-free online free reading!
What? She beat your child, and not only does she not get punished, she also gets something? What kind of logic is this? Su Tang was a little stunned and looked at her uncle for help.
"This won't do. After all, Su Tang was in the wrong first. How can she take something?" Mei Qian politely brushed it off, "Even if she takes something, Xiao Ao should be the one taking it, haha."
"That's fine too. Kid, go take something from Su Tang, and then let Su Tang take something from you. That way, you two will be friends!" The straightforward Ale didn't stutter at all. He took Mei Qian's politeness literally.
This also works? Mei Qian and Su Tang were stunned. Zhang Xiao Ao immediately followed his father's instructions, nodding and saying "yes." He reached out, snatched the sandalwood bracelet from Su Tang's hand, then opened his satchel, took out a small curved knife with a sheath, and solemnly placed it in Su Tang's hand.
"Uh, I actually..." Su Tang watched helplessly as her prized bracelet was roughly put on by Zhang Xiao Ao, and she didn't know what to say.
The atmosphere seemed a bit awkward. Zhang Xiao Ao had successfully exchanged gifts, which meant the other person would be his sworn brother from now on. This situation called for a drink.
"Aunt An Jing, do we have any wine at home? I want to drink three cups with my Anda, pour three cups, and clink glasses three times!" Zhang Xiao Ao said enthusiastically, "I, and you, from now on, dear, brothers!"
An Jing came out, finally ending the awkward scene.
"Brother Ale, the room is ready. Let's go out for something to eat later, what do you think?" An Jing greeted enthusiastically.
"No need. We ate steamed buns at the hospital and aren't hungry. However, I feel a bit embarrassed about fighting with your daughter today. Fortunately, they've made up, right?" Ale said with a smile at Su Tang.
Ta-read Novel App more high-quality free novels, ad-free online free reading!
You're right, you're completely right, your whole family is right! Su Tang quickly nodded in agreement, thinking inwardly, let's end this quickly, I'm going crazy.
"No, Su Tang hit someone first, and the apology she owes is still necessary." An Jing glanced at Su Tang and said sternly that it wouldn't do.
"They've already exchanged gifts and become Anda," Ale said with satisfaction.
"That's according to your grassland rules, but according to our family's rules, Su Tang needs to seriously reflect on herself." An Jing sat on the sofa, stared at Su Tang for a long time, and then said, "How about this, from now on, Su Tang will be responsible for tutoring Xiao Ao. This was originally the school's intention. When my brother returns, Su Tang will move back, and they will live together, and he will have a helper with his studies."
"Haha, as long as you don't hit the children, you can say anything. Oh my, to say that this girl is so much like her master." Ale lit a cigarette without regard for the pregnant An Jing, and was about to reminisce about the past—
One winter, Ping Fan, who hadn't had an accident yet, brought Ping An to the grassland to help Ale's family trade furs. Ping An, who was only eight years old at the time, and Ale, who was sixteen, played together every day. Ale, from the bottom of his heart, liked this resilient little brother and taught Ping An wrestling. Perhaps Ale's movements were a bit too large. After throwing Ping An down several times, the petty-minded Ping An held a grudge. But he couldn't beat him, so what could he do? Ping An was full of tricks. While Ale was taking a nap, he dug a two-meter-deep pit outside Ale's tent, covered it with dry grass, and then shouted loudly at Ale, successfully leading Ale into the ditch.
"Seeing me fall into the pit, Ping An was quite proud, laughing loudly, and asked if I surrendered. Although I fell, I didn't hurt. The pit was full of dry grass, which was soft," Ale said. "Of course, I wouldn't surrender. Ping An threatened me by saying he wouldn't give me a ladder and wouldn't let me climb up. At that time, I thought, if I don't climb up, I don't climb up. It was not windy in the pit, so it was a good time for a nap, and I fell asleep."
Thus, Ping An, who was outside the cave, was worried about Ale's safety, but also unwilling to admit defeat. He stubbornly guarded the cave entrance. At that time, the cold wind on the grassland in December was unbearable even in a fur coat. Ping An guarded there for three hours.
"Finally, when my father found us, Ping An was so cold he couldn't speak and was completely frozen. Even so, he mumbled and asked if I surrendered. I felt guilty and said yes. This was good. As soon as Ping An heard me surrender, he fell asleep in his father's arms." Ale recalled, "Alas, for this matter, my father whipped me more than ten times. Even my loving mother didn't speak for me. Later, I learned that Ping An was sent to the hospital in the banner and was given an IV infusion to recover. An Jing should know that Ping An is most afraid of the cold now, and it's a shadow left from that time."
The story was finished, and the friendship was recounted. Mei Qian, afraid of his wife being harmed by the smoke, kept giving Su Tang meaningful glances. But today was different from the past. Su Tang herself didn't know what storms were still to come and could only tuck her tail between her legs and focus on herself.
Original text from Ta. Read Novel App, more free good books please download Ta. Read Novel App.
"Brother Ale, my brother is in the hospital for the next few days. My intention is not to let them know about the child's matter for now. When he is discharged, our family will host a banquet for your son, Xiao Ao. What do you think?" An Jing, going around in circles, was still trying to plead for Su Tang.
"How is your mother? She still doesn't want to see me?" Ale asked, taking a few puffs of his cigarette.
"She's recuperating abroad. She left before the New Year and we don't know when she'll be back," An Jing replied.
"Because of your father's incident, I slapped your mother. Looking back now, it was my fault. For more than ten years, I've wanted to find an opportunity to apologize." Ale said with a guilty expression, "I know that your mother has been buying our furs at a high price every year all these years. She has taken care of us a lot. This kindness must be repaid."
"Brother, let's not talk about this. My mother has never minded," An Jing comforted him.
Everything that needed to be said was said, and all apologies were made. An Jing, Mei Qian, and Su Tang finally left.
"I didn't know you guys had a connection with the grassland?" Mei Qian asked curiously on the way back.
"It's a friendship spanning several generations. The year my father was born, our family had nothing to eat or drink. Brother Ale's family walked for days and nights to bring us food and meat. These friendships can't be explained in a day or two," An Jing sighed. "My brother isn't even home, yet he let Brother Ale's family move in. This is friendship."
"Oh, in that case, has Su Tang's matter been settled?" Mei Qian asked deliberately.
"They might have settled it, but we haven't. Su Tang went too far this time and must be punished." An Jing said this, then turned to Su Tang and said, "I'll give you a choice. Do you want to listen to me or your master?"
ID-563743675
Faced with his aunt's multiple-choice question, even a fool knew that his aunt was better. If it were his master, he would use this opportunity to close down the detective agency.
"I'll listen to my aunt. I'll never dare to do it again," Su Tang said obediently.
"You! You learn everything from your master except what you should learn. When will you become a refined lady for me?" An Jing sighed and said, "When your master returns home, you will move back and live there, understand?"
"Ah? I don't want to live with Zhang Xiao Ao! It's inconvenient!" Su Tang was anxious when she heard this.
"Yes, let's have him live at our house from now on. It's always inconvenient to have an extra boy in the house," Mei Qian didn't really like Ale's family, who smoked his wife out.
"No, you promised to tutor him, so you have to do it. I know your little thoughts. I'm telling you, Xiao Ao looks like a very serious person. With him pestering you every day, I'll be at ease, and your master will also be at ease," An Jing said in an unnegotiable tone, completely dashing Su Tang's hopes.
"Alas, it's not that serious. Zhang Xiao Ao just needs a place to live. Isn't your company near the school? Arranging a high-level dormitory for him, like a corporate apartment, would be great. That kid is eighteen, it's really not appropriate," Mei Qian said. "If that doesn't work, just rent him a place. It won't cost much. He can come over for dinner on Sunday, wouldn't that be nice?"
"Alas, if it were that simple, my brother would have arranged it long ago. You don't know, Brother Ale has a purpose for sending his son to study in Hechuan this time," An Jing said. "Zhang Xiao Ao is a shooting athlete, but he doesn't have much talent in shooting. His current achievements are all due to his hard work and practice. And you know my brother's shooting level. So, a very important purpose for Brother Ale staying at our house this time is to hope that Ping An will take Xiao Ao as a disciple out of respect for generations of friendship, and teach him the Ping family's hereditary shooting techniques."
"What? That kid wants to snatch my master too?" Su Tang almost exploded when she heard this.
"It was agreed long ago. My brother has already agreed. Otherwise, why would we let that child live in our house?" An Jing said.
Original text from Ta. Read Novel App, more free good books please download Ta. Read Novel App.
"How come I didn't know?" Su Tang said with a crying face.
"You're busy and aren't home all day, so it's no wonder you know. Let me tell you, letting you tutor Zhang Xiao Ao was originally your master's idea. Don't think we don't know. You opened some broken restaurant on Hua Street. If I hadn't stopped your master, he would have smashed it for you, saying you were neglecting your business. That's why tutoring was arranged," An Jing said, turning back and pinching Su Tang's nose, "You just have to accept your fate, understand! Especially in front of your master, act well. He might still pity you and care about you, hmm?"
Eating at the same table, living together, and now being fellow disciples! How much bad luck did I have to encounter such a person? If this person were that handsome guy who bumped into me on the street that day, it would be bearable. But such a wooden stake, my heavens, should I listen to Grandma An and study abroad as soon as possible?
The storm of a fight temporarily subsided. On the way home, An Jing really wanted to call her brother. She felt it wasn't appropriate not to inform Ping An about this matter immediately. But seeing that it was almost 11 o'clock, and thinking that Ping An was probably asleep, after much hesitation, she gave up the idea of calling.
Of course, if An Jing knew that while she was hesitating whether to call, Ping An was experiencing a life-and-death situation, she would definitely have made the call non-stop.
Putting aside Su Tang's fight, this was supposed to be a boring day. When Zhang Xiao Ao was sent to the hospital and the school urgently notified Ale, who was 300 kilometers away, Ping An was leisurely watching television. Three and a half hours later, Ale arrived in Hechuan and immediately called Ping An. For various reasons, he did not mention the news of his son being beaten. Ping An, unable to go out due to hospitalization, entrusted his old friend Qiao Xixi with the key to his house and notified An Jing, giving her some instructions.
It was 8:30 that night. While Ale was telling the story of Ping An being frozen when he was young, four people wearing masks quietly entered the hospital...
In the internal medicine ward corridor, two police officers were responsible for looking after Ping An, yawning boredly. After a busy day of cases and a meal, they didn't have time to rest and had to stay on duty at the hospital.
"Be content. This is because the dark team took care of us being older. You sleep first, and I'll sleep at two o'clock," one policeman said to the other, pointing to the folding bed outside the ward.
"Internal medicine, receiving patient!" In the corridor, a male doctor and a female nurse pushed a hospital bed slowly from the elevator.
"Okay, okay, the leaders said this ward is booked. Please keep your voices down and don't disturb the patient next door," said the ward nurse.
A moment later, the male doctor pushed the hospital bed out of the ward. Without even looking at the two policemen, he hurriedly took the elevator and left.
"I'm sorry, this is our hospital's mistake. Fortunately, that patient wasn't woken up. Really, this is our hospital's responsibility. Can you two brothers not report it? I just got assigned here..." The little nurse said apologetically.
One of the policemen opened the ward door and took a look inside. He saw Ping An sleeping soundly with his back to him, then quietly closed the door.
"Alright, it's not a big deal. Everyone has a hard time at work," the other policeman said kindly.
"Thank you, brothers. Oh, I'll treat you to milk tea. Wait here, I made it myself. It's very sweet." The little nurse, after all, was still a young girl. She happily returned to the duty room and soon came back with two cups of vanilla milk tea.
"Haha, how can we accept this? Thank you." The two policemen, happy to have milk tea while on duty, took it with smiles.
"Slap!"
A slap echoed in a sealed room.
Ping An, who was sitting in a chair, felt a burning pain on his face.
Original text from Ta. Read Novel App, more free good books please download Ta. Read Novel App.