Chapter 24
"!"
Ji Yangzong widened his eyes. He took a deep breath - so it's true, so it's true!
As a man, how could he not understand the thoughts in another man’s heart? He had sensed something off about this fellow, but his wife and child refused to believe him.
With just a few words exchanged, who would’ve thought this brat would actually dare to admit it!
Not caring whether Huo Shu would take offense, Ji Yangzong immediately said, "No!"
"Why not?"
Ji Yangzong replied, "It just won’t do."
"If the village head has any objections, state them. Anything can be negotiated."
Ji Yangzong knew Huo Shu was a man of few words. For him to press the matter like this, it was clear this was no jest, he truly meant it.
Considering how Huo Shu had looked after Ji Taoyu multiple times, Ji Yangzong suppressed his temper and said, "Forgive me if my words sound harsh."
"My wife and I have been unlucky in life, we haven't been blessed with many children, just one ger, Xiao Taozi, and even his health is frail. Finding him a good family is the greatest consideration we can make for his future. I know you’re capable, but you’re still an outsider. Who’s to say you won’t suddenly take off for some other place one day? Xiao Taozi’s mother would never bear to see him go far away."
Ji Yangzong had phrased it tactfully, avoiding mention of Huo Shu’s lack of property or livelihood in the area.
But Huo Shu understood.
"I have money. If land and a home are needed, it can be arranged."
Ji Yangzong said, "He’s clumsy and his health is poor, he can’t manage much housework. I fear he’d only be a burden to you."
"No burden. If the village head is uneasy, he can continue living at home."
Ji Yangzong retorted irritably, "If he’s married, yet stays at home, does that mean you’re marrying into our family?"
"If that’s what he wants, then yes."
Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened again at Huo Shu’s dead-serious expression. Struck speechless, he couldn’t find a rebuttal.
After a long pause, he exhaled sharply through his nose. "Nonsense."
With that, he turned and strode ahead, hands clasped behind his back.
"Village head, I’m not one to make empty promises. What I vow, I will fulfill."
"I’ll respect his wishes. If he’s unwilling, I won’t pester or trouble him. But if he agrees, my words stand, anything the Ji family wants can be negotiated."
Ji Yangzong’s brow furrowed as he walked away. He stopped. "Does Xiao Taozi know of your intentions?"
"Not yet."
Ji Yangzong sighed. "Fine. I won’t stop you from seeing him. But remember your words, if he refuses, don’t interfere."
"Agreed."
____
Mingxun Village had more than one butcher, but the most skilled was the one surnamed Qiao.
This line of work carried heavy karma, yet it paid well. A butcher like Qiao, known throughout the surrounding villages, was naturally among the wealthiest in the area.
[Karma refers to the spiritual belief that actions (good/bad) create consequences, and butchery is seen as 'heavy karma' because it accumulates negative spiritual debt from taking lives (killing animals)]
Yet the Qiao family’s house was hardly better than the Zhao family’s.
The current Qiao butcher was of Ji Yangzong’s generation. The previous generation of the Qiao family had been gamblers, squandering all their land and property before being accidentally beaten to death by debt collectors, leaving behind a widow and her son.
The gambling den compensated the mother and son with a small sum, but it wasn’t enough to buy back their land. With no other choice, they sent the young Butcher Qiao to learn a trade.
Needing to support his family, Butcher Qiao hardened his heart and developed the temperament for butchery, advancing further and further in this path.
Now, he had earned plenty, owning a shop in the city. For convenience, he had also bought a residence there, leaving the village house unrenovated - still its old, shabby self, hardly looking like the home of a wealthy man.
When Ji Yangzong and Huo Shu arrived at the Qiao residence, they spotted several unfamiliar men standing in the yard from a distance.
Ji Yangzong didn’t recognize them, likely outsiders.
"Lao Qiao, busy?"
Just as they reached the outer wall, Ji Yangzong poked his head in and called out.
"Village head."
A middle-aged man stood by the stone trough in the yard. He wasn’t particularly tall, but his burly frame was unmistakable.
At the moment, he was sharpening a knife. Hearing the call, he lifted his head and jerked his chin. "You’re here. Come on in."
With that, Butcher Qiao set down the knife and strode forward to greet them, his steps wide.
"Quite the crowd."
Ji Yangzong glanced at the men of varying ages in the yard before turning to the broad-faced butcher with a chuckle. "You’ve got quite the reputation. Look, I’ve brought you another one, pick a good apprentice."
"Huo Shu, this is Qiao Liye, our village butcher. He’s famous far and wide for his skill."
"Always with the flattery."
Butcher Qiao laughed, then turned to the unfamiliar man who nodded in greeting.
"This must be the adopted son of Lao Zhao’s family, right? I’ve been away from the village lately, first time meeting him."
"That’s right. He’s settled here now. Since he’s looking for a proper trade, I thought of you, didn’t you say you wanted to take on an apprentice?"
Huo Shu was as broad-shouldered as the butcher, but his tall, upright posture made him appear especially imposing.
In contrast, the butcher’s shorter stature and stocky build gave him a bear-like solidity.
Butcher Qiao had to tilt his head slightly to meet the eyes of the tall man approaching. When he suddenly locked gazes with Huo Shu’s cold, pale eyes, his heart skipped a beat.
He had started learning the butchery at fifteen, and now, nearly twenty years later, he had lost count of the livestock he’d slaughtered. People said he carried the aura of a man long steeped in killing.
He admitted he was fiercer than most, but never had he expected to meet a man a decade younger whose icy demeanor and piercing gaze could unsettle him.
Ah hell no, father Ji don't be a hater 🙄
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!