Chapter 35
It is said that those involved in an incident have no idea what’s happening, while those watching from the sidelines understand everything clearly.
Heng Yi would occasionally glance at Han Qiao. Han Qiao could feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t think too much about it.
After dinner, since it was said that nights in Puyi County were very beautiful, Uncle Yao suggested taking Han Qiao out for a walk.
Heng Yi thought about it. He said he wanted to buy something, so they planned to go together.
“?”
“?”
Han Qiao and He Hong were puzzled.
What did a bachelor like him have to buy?
Uncle Yao turned his head away and endured their stares with some difficulty.
Zhao Huanniang, on the other hand, was panicking.
He Hong was no fool. He might have been oblivious to the first few subtle clues, but Heng Yi’s repeated odd behavior made him suspicious. “Brother, let me know what you want to buy. I’ll ask Bai Cha to buy it. We haven’t seen each other for a long time. Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Alright.”
Heng Yi casually said that he wanted to buy some golden sore medicine.
Bai Cha immediately agreed. He told Heng Yi that Jimintang’s golden sore medicine was the best.
After handing over the money at the counter, he happily followed Han Qiao and Uncle Yao out.
Bai Cha was amicable and very smart. He spoke with humor and had good taste.
He brought Han Qiao and Uncle Yao up to speed on the local customs of Puyi County. He also told them which shops were the best to do business with. Those few good shops were about to close and move locations.
Which shop had the cheapest and most durable cloth…?
Han Qiao felt that this Bai Cha was quite a useful guy.
Back at the Yihe Restaurant, He Hong invited Heng Yi into his study room to chat. Heng Yi could not read. His mind was blank as he looked at the books on the study’s walls.
“I wrote these books, each and every one of them. It’s a pity that you can’t read,” He Hong sighed.
He then asked Heng Yi, “Why did you come into town today? Is there something you need?”
“Yes, there is something.”
Heng Yi did not beat around the bush and said straightforwardly, “I came here to take my earnings from these past years. I plan to buy a small courtyard in the county capital as well as one in Ninghe Town. Then I will be getting married.”
He Hong was stunned at first, but then he became happy. “You’re in a relationship? Which young lady has caught your eye, Brother? When do you plan to propose? When the wedding date has been set, tell Bai Cha. I’ll take care of some things for you.”
Heng Yi’s usually cold expression gradually softened. He said somewhat shyly, “She still doesn’t about my feelings. For now, I’m not gonna tell her.”
“…”
He Hong looked at Heng Yi.
“Do you really like her that much?”
Heng Yi didn’t say anything.
He looked at He Hong silently.
He Hong asked softly, “It’s not that Miss Han Qiao, is it?”
Heng Yi’s face instantly flushed red.
He hummed shyly.
“…”
He Hong stood up in shock.
He walked a few rounds in the study.
“But she’s dressed like a married woman, she…”
“She and her husband have divorced, and she’s bringing her three daughters back to her mother’s house to live.”
Heng Yi didn’t mention that Han Qiao had just that day gotten a divorce. The other day’s incident had really got his heart spinning.
After that, he thought it over for two nights.
He only decided to escort Han Qiao to the county capital when he found out that Sun Yiming’s reason for going to Xishan Village was to settle the divorce.
“…”
He Hong stared at Heng Yi for a long while before sighing. “You don’t see that every day.”
Sitting next to Heng Yi, he said seriously, “These past three years, our business has been pretty good. Not counting the first year’s earnings, after deducting all the expenses from last year and the year before, the profit is more than 1,600 taels. According to our deal, each of us will get 800 taels of silver. Also, we bought the goods you sent in from the wilderness at a value lower than the market price. That comes to 150 taels of silver a year and 300 taels of silver in two years. This year’s profit hasn’t been calculated yet. I’ll give you a total of 1,100 taels of silver.”
“Just give me 1,000 taels. Set aside the other 100 taels for Cheng’er to buy a couple mu of land someday.
“Well, thank you, Brother.” He Hong didn’t stand on ceremony with Heng Yi.
When he had first bought this restaurant, Heng Yi had just killed two tigers in a row. He entered business so that he, who was completely penniless at the time, could have a place to stay.
His main responsibility was managing the restaurant. Heng Yi was in charge of bringing in meat, for which he was paid. After He Hong got married, he ate, drank and lived in the restaurant. Rather than having a monthly salary, he simply divided up the earnings at the end of each year.
This gave him a huge advantage.
“Brother, please wait a moment. I’ll go get the silver for you.”
“Alright.”
He Hong happily got up and returned to the main room.
When he entered, he found Zhao Huanniang fondling the child.
He opened the wardrobe and pulled out a drawer which held the key. He then went to open another wardrobe.
Zhao Huanniang hurriedly asked, “Boss, what are you doing?”
“I’m giving Heng Yi his silver.”
Zhao Huanniang stood up. “What? Why are you taking silver all of a sudden? How much are you giving him?”
“Naturally, it’s his earnings for the past two years. The earnings for the first year Brother Heng said he was giving to Cheng’er as a gift. For the last two years, his earnings come to a total of 1,100 taels. Though, he also said to set aside 100 taels so that Cheng’er can buy land some day, so he just needs to take 1,000 taels.”
He Hong opened the wardrobe and went to open the big box at the bottom.
Zhao Huanniang went forward and held his hand. “Boss, I, I…”
“?” He Hong frowned.
Suddenly, he asked, “Have you touched the silver in the box?”
“I, I, I just…” Zhao Huanniang anxiously wanted to explain.
He Hong opened her up and said coldly, “I told you not to touch the silver in this box. From the moment we got married, we derived all of our livelihood from this restaurant. We took advantage of that fact. Every year I give you every penny of the earnings, and yet I don’t see you buying any expensive items. We have no shortage of silver.”
“Furthermore, when we got married, I said that only half of this restaurant belongs to me. The other half belongs to Brother Heng. The building deed and land deed also belong to Brother Heng
“Brother Heng hasn’t needed much money these past few years. He trusts me and asked me to hold onto the money temporarily…”
“Fine, take out as much as you want. But don’t blame me if it ends up costing you any of your dignity.”
He Hong opened the box and took out a small brocade case.
One thousand taels of silver was a lot, so he decided to exchange it for silver notes.
The brocade case may have been light, but it was very valuable.
“I, I…” Zhao Huanniang could not even finish her words.
He Hong opened the brocade case, but it was empty.
“Where are the silver notes?” He Hong asked in a deep voice.
“I, I…”
“Pa!” He Hong gave Zhao Huanniang a hard slap.
Zhao Huanniang screamed and fell to the ground.
Tears streamed down her face, but she felt she shouldn’t panic.
“Zhao Huanniang, if you don’t bring back the banknotes today, then you can go straight back to the Zhao house. I will divorce you.”
They had been married for three years, and He Hong had been a very dutiful husband. Every year, after the earnings had been divided up, his share went straight to Zhao Huanniang.
She could spend it however she wanted.
However, she knew well that Heng Yi’s portion couldn’t be touched.
Zhao Huanniang was scared out of her wits.
“I, I took it back to my mother’s house.”
“Then go straight to the Zhao house and get it for me. Now. If you don’t, I’ll see you at the government office tomorrow. You…I just can’t stand you.” After He Hong said that, he stormed out of the room.
Standing under the eaves, his face was filled with shame.
He then saw Heng Yi standing at the entrance to the main courtyard. He rushed forward. “Brother Heng.”
“Brother Heng, I’ve let you down.”
“If you have something to say, say it properly. Don’t raise your fists to your wife. This isn’t something a man should do.” Heng Yi could hear the sound of weeping coming from the room.
His face showed his disapproval.
With eyes and ears as sharp as his, it wasn’t hard for him to overhear their argument.
“She took the silver to the Zhao family.” He Hong’s eyes were red.
“Then you can go to the Zhao family to get the silver back. But you shouldn’t have hit her.” Heng Yi patted He Hong’s shoulder.
“While you’re at it, take care of this year’s accounts as well.”
After saying that, he turned around and walked out.
He Hong stood where he was. His entire body felt as if he had fallen into a frozen cave.
He quickly turned around and returned to the house. He took out the key to open another wardrobe, then took out another brocade case. There were only a few pieces of silver inside.
“Ha!”
He Hong laughed.