hotmtlnovel Chapter 1465 Showing Off
Chapter 1465 Showing Off
On the morning of New Year's Eve, while Beijing was still shrouded in a thin mist, the sound of firecrackers echoed throughout Jiudaowan Hutong. The crackling sounds reverberated in the winter air, mingling with the laughter of children, creating a truly festive atmosphere.
Snowflakes were still falling, a thin layer covering the tiled roofs and stone paths. But this did nothing to dampen the children's excitement; dressed in brand-new cotton-padded jackets and trousers, they frolicked and played in the snow. Red lanterns hung in front of every house, their colors standing out vividly against the white snow.
When Qin Hao yawned and crawled out of bed, it was already past nine in the morning. Sunlight streamed through the newspaper-covered glass window, casting dappled shadows on the concrete floor. He stretched, feeling his bones cracking all over.
The past year has been incredibly demanding, shuttling between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. As his business has grown, so have the worries. Last night, he got home and chatted with his mother until midnight, then fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
"Xiao Hao's awake? Go wash up, Mom will make you some noodles."
Li Yuxiang's voice came from the courtyard. Qin Hao put on his clothes, opened the door, and a gust of cold wind mixed with the aroma of the kitchen wafted in.
The courtyard was bustling with activity. Housewives from each household were busy in the communal kitchen, preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner. There was only one kitchen, with several coal stoves burning simultaneously. Steam rose from the windows, carrying the aroma of stewed meat and fried meatballs that filled the courtyard.
"Oh, Qin, you're up?" Aunt Zhao from next door was carrying a bowl of kneaded dough out of the kitchen. When she saw Qin Hao, she greeted him with a smile.
"Happy New Year, Aunt Zhao." Qin Hao rubbed his face and replied with a smile.
"Brother Hao! Happy New Year!"
"Brother Hao, you're finally back! I've missed you so much!"
Hearing the commotion, a group of children immediately gathered around. When Qin Hao returned last year, he brought them a lot of candy and snacks. These little guys were all very clever; they knew that pleasing Qin Hao would get them treats, and their mouths were as sweet as honey.
The leader was a little boy of seven or eight years old, wearing a brand-new blue cotton-padded jacket. His face was red from the cold, but his eyes were bright as he stared at Qin Hao.
Qin Hao smiled and patted his head: "Little Tiger, you've grown taller."
"Brother Hao, I've grown taller too!" Another slightly shorter boy stood on tiptoe and raised his hand.
"And me! And me!"
The children scrambled to get close to Qin Hao. But not all the children were so sweet-talking. A little girl, about ten years old, with two braids, pouted and said disdainfully:
"Brother Hao, you're so lazy. You didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky."
This girl's name is Xiao Juan, and she is Aunt Zhao's daughter. She was wearing a red floral cotton-padded jacket and a white scarf. She had a round face and raised her eyebrows when she spoke, looking like a little adult.
Qin Hao laughed, bent down and picked her up in his arms:
"Oh, Xiao Juan's gotten quite bold, daring to talk about your brother like that now, huh?"
Xiao Juan was suddenly picked up, and at first she let out an "Ah!", then she started giggling, kicking her little legs wildly in the air.
"Who told you to get up so late! Aunt Li has been busy all day!"
"What nonsense is this child spouting!" Aunt Zhao put down the basin in her hand and glared at her daughter. "Your brother Hao is busy outside all year round. He finally comes back to rest for a few days. What's wrong with him getting up a little late?"
Xiao Juan made a face at her mother, knowing that it was New Year's Eve and she had an "immunity buff" so she wouldn't really get beaten.
"A little bit!"
Aunt Zhao was both annoyed and amused: "Fine, I'll remember this beating for now. Wait until after the New Year and see how I deal with you!"
"Huh?" Xiao Juan was dumbfounded, and the smug look on her face instantly froze.
Seeing the little girl's sullen expression, Qin Hao gloated:
"Serves you right for being so cocky, you're going to get a beating now, aren't you?"
"Hmph, it's all your fault!" Xiao Juan pouted and said aggrievedly.
"Alright, come down here quickly and let Xiao Hao wash up. He hasn't eaten yet." Li Yuxiang poked her head out of the kitchen, holding a rolling pin in her hand.
"Okay," Xiao Juan replied obediently.
Qin Hao put her down, and the little girl ran to her mother's side in a flash, tugging at Aunt Zhao's clothes and whispering, "Mom, am I really going to get a beating?"
"What do you think?" Aunt Zhao asked sternly.
Xiao Juan's eyes darted around, and she immediately put on a fawning smile: "Mom, I was wrong. I'll never say Hao-ge is lazy again. He's the most hardworking person in the world!"
"Smooth-talking." Aunt Zhao poked her forehead and finally couldn't help but laugh.
Qin Hao smiled and shook his head, then carried the enamel basin to the tap in the yard to wash up.
When he finished washing up and returned to the room, Li Yuxiang had already cooked the noodles. The steaming hot scallion oil and shredded pork noodles were made with hand-rolled noodles that were very chewy. A thick layer of shredded pork was placed on top, and scallions and cilantro were sprinkled on top. The aroma immediately filled the entire room.
Qin Hao had just sat down at the table and hadn't even picked up his chopsticks when several children in the yard were already peering out the window, staring longingly at the noodles in their bowls, their mouths watering.
Little Tiger, in particular, had eyes that practically popped into the bowl.
Qin Hao chuckled, put down his chopsticks, got up, rummaged through his bag, pulled out a pack of White Rabbit milk candy, walked to the door, and handed it to Xiao Juan:
"How can I eat if you're all staring at me like that? Just take it and share it."
The shredded pork noodles were delicious, but nothing could compare to the allure of White Rabbit milk candy. The children cheered immediately, standing on tiptoe around Xiao Juan, eagerly waiting to receive their share of the candy.
Xiao Juan was quite pleased with herself, puffing out her chest and striking a pose like a big sister:
"Everyone line up! No one who doesn't line up gets anything!"
The children immediately lined up obediently. Xiao Juan carefully unwrapped the wrappers and divided the pieces into two for each child. When it was Xiao Hu's turn, she gave him an extra one.
"Here, have three. You gave me some candied hawthorns yesterday."
Xiao Hu grinned from ear to ear: "Thank you, Sister Juan!"
Aunt Zhao looked at her daughter's precocious manner and felt both annoyed and amused:
"I don't know who this child took after; she's wild beyond belief. Climbing trees to raid bird nests, wading into the river to catch fish—there's nothing she wouldn't dare to do. Look around this alley, which little girl is like her?"
Li Yuxiang said with a smile as she kneaded the meatballs:
"It's a girl, and besides, this is a good personality for a girl. It will save her from being taken advantage of when she marries into her husband's family."
Aunt Zhao pouted:
"With her tomboyish personality, I'm afraid she'll never be able to get married."
"If you can't get married, marry into our family." Another neighbor, Aunt Zhang, who was picking vegetables, chimed in: "Our Tiger loves to follow your Xiao Juan around."
Xiao Juan, with her sharp ears, immediately turned around with her hands on her hips upon hearing this:
"I don't want to marry him! He can't even beat me, how will he protect me in the future?"
The adults in the courtyard were taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.
"Haha, Xiaojuan is right!"
"Tiger, did you hear that? You need to practice!"
Laughter echoed in the courtyard, seemingly dispelling much of the winter chill. Qin Hao ate his noodles while watching the lively scene, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
Having witnessed countless cutthroat competition and scheming in the business world, returning to this familiar courtyard and listening to the neighbors' simple laughter and conversation allowed me to relax after a year of tension.
Not long after finishing his noodles, the courtyard suddenly fell silent for a moment. Qin Hao looked up and saw a chubby face peeking out from the courtyard gate. After looking left and right and seeing that Qin Hao was home, the face carefully walked in carrying a net bag of canned fruit.
Niu Tinggui was wearing a half-new cotton-padded jacket today, his hair was slicked back and shiny, and a fawning smile was plastered on his face. He was carrying three cans of fruit very high in his hands, as if afraid that no one would see them.
"Old Qin, I heard you're back, so I came to see you." Niu Tinggui said with a smile as he walked up to Qin Hao.
Qin Hao put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and glanced at him:
"Niu Tinggui, what's going on here?"
"Old Qin, what are you saying?" Niu Tinggui chuckled twice. "We've been friends since we were sent to the countryside together. I just came to visit my old classmate."
"No, please." Qin Hao waved his hand. "You really messed with me back when we were sent to the countryside. We're not that close, so you don't need to pull this stunt. Just say what you have to say."
Niu Tinggui's smile froze on his face, but he quickly recovered:
"Old Qin, I was young and ignorant back then. Please forgive me and let's just let this go, okay?"
"Alright, let's turn the page." Qin Hao nodded. "Leave your things here, you can go."
Niu Tinggui instinctively withdrew his hand from the can of fruit. He had pulled a lot of strings and spent a considerable amount of money to get it. Giving it away for nothing like this would make him feel bad for a week or two.
Qin Hao rolled his eyes at his reluctant expression:
"Alright, take your things back. Just say what's on your mind. Don't do this again; it's really annoying."
Niu Tinggui sneered:
"Well... I'll get straight to the point. Lao Qin, do you think they need any help in Guangzhou? I can do anything, running errands, moving goods, anything."
Qin Hao looked at him for a few seconds, then shook his head:
"We don't need any more people. Besides, I can't afford to hire your giant Buddha statue; it would just ruin my business."
"No, Lao Qin!" Niu Tinggui exclaimed anxiously, "I promise, I'll do whatever you ask me to do from now on! We're classmates, you can't just take Xie Laozhuan to get rich while I starve to death!"
Qin Hao understood immediately. It must be that Old Xie came back to brag, making Niu Tinggui extremely envious.
"Whether you're poor or not has nothing to do with me," Qin Hao's tone turned cold. "Don't make trouble for yourself during the New Year. If you want to make money, go make it yourself. A train ticket to Guangzhou is only a dozen yuan, it's not like you can't afford it. Stop arguing with me, I don't have time for that."
Although Xie Laozhuan has his flaws, he has one redeeming quality: he's not greedy, he's righteous, and he knows how to repay kindness. But what kind of person is Niu Tinggui? He's incredibly jealous and likes to scheme behind people's backs—Yang Shumao failed to register for university because Niu Tinggui wrote a letter reporting him. Qin Hao doesn't want a ticking time bomb by his side.
Seeing Qin Hao's resolute attitude, Niu Tinggui's smile finally vanished, and he decided to break off all pretense of civility.
"Fine! Qin Hao, listen up! Don't think you're the only one who can make money! Next year I'll quit my job and go to Guangzhou. Once I'm rich, don't come begging me!"
"Take care, don't bother seeing me out." Qin Hao didn't even bother to look at him again, and picked up his bowl to continue eating his noodles.
Do you really think anyone can get rich by going to Guangzhou? Without some skills and brains, it's all for nothing.
Niu Tinggui was so angry that his face turned white. He grabbed the canned fruit on the table and turned to leave.
After he left, Li Yuxiang came out of the kitchen, her face showing some worry:
"Xiao Hao, you two are classmates after all. Even if you want to reject someone, there's no need to make things so awkward, is there?"
Qin Hao put down his bowl and patiently explained:
"Mom, if I agree to Niu Tinggui's offer today, do you think all those people in this alley will want me to take them to Guangzhou to make a fortune?"
Li Yuxiang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized:
"Did you do this on purpose to show them?"
Qin Hao nodded:
"Zhao Yajing is absolutely right: business is business, and relationships are relationships. We can give gifts or even money to those we have a good relationship with or those who have helped our family in the past, but we should try not to get involved in business matters. Otherwise, not only will they not be grateful, but it will also damage our relationship. What do you think?"
Li Yuxiang gazed at her son's increasingly mature face, her eyes filled with complex emotions. After a long while, she finally sighed.
"Xiao Hao, you've really grown up. Mom will listen to you; I won't get involved in your business matters."
Actually, Qin Hao overheard some neighbors talking to Li Yuxiang about this last night while he was sleeping. The reason he lingered with Niu Tinggui for so long today was to show them—if the relationship isn't close enough, don't bother asking. He doesn't help just anyone.
Not long after Niu Tinggui left, footsteps sounded again outside the courtyard gate. This time, it was two familiar voices.
"Silly Mao, hurry up! What are you dawdling for?"
"I'm not nervous at all..."
Qin Hao looked up and saw Xie Laozhuan and Yang Shumo walk in one after the other. Xie Laozhuan still had that carefree attitude, wearing a newly bought leather jacket and his hair was slicked back. Yang Shumo, on the other hand, seemed a little awkward, his hands empty, and when he saw Qin Hao, his eyes darted away.
"You two are really something, coming empty-handed like this?" Qin Hao teased as he welcomed them into the house.
Yang Shumo blushed, stammering and unable to speak. Old Xie, however, was already used to it, and casually sat down on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), even pouring himself a cup of hot tea.
"What else? Do I need to go through all the proper matchmaking and betrothal rituals to get into your house?"
"And all the traditional betrothal and marriage arrangements." Qin Hao sat down next to him. "What, you're planning to marry your sister to me? Let me make it clear first, your sister shouldn't be too ugly, or I won't be interested."
"Get lost!" Old Xie laughed and scolded, "My sister is only ten years old. Girls change a lot as they grow up, you know? Don't regret it later."
The two exchanged a few jokes, which lightened the atmosphere considerably. Yang Shumo then relaxed, rubbing his hands together, and said:
"Old Qin, to be honest, I want to work for you."
Qin Hao poured him a cup of tea and said seriously:
"Have you thought it through? If you quit your job, will your parents agree?"
Yang Shumo smiled wryly:
"To be honest, I went to Guangzhou to get away from my parents. I've figured it out: if I stay at home, they can't tell me to go east or west. If I can't afford to offend them, I can at least avoid them."
Qin Hao didn't agree immediately. He knew Yang Shumo all too well—don't be fooled by his tough words now, when it comes to his parents' crying,闹事, and threats of suicide, he'll immediately surrender.
"I can take you to Guangzhou." Qin Hao pondered for a moment. "Your salary and benefits won't be bad, just like Xie Lao's. But let me make this clear beforehand, you have to follow my arrangements and not cause trouble every now and then because of family matters. If you delay important matters, don't blame me for getting angry."
Upon hearing this, Yang Shumo immediately patted his chest and guaranteed:
"Don't worry, I'll absolutely follow your orders! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west!"
"Alright then." Qin Hao nodded. "Take care of things at home these next few days, and we'll set off after the New Year."
He patted Yang Shumo on the shoulder. It has to be said, Yang Shumo was indeed a promising businessman—hardworking and quick-witted. After the New Year, once the business in Shenzhen was up and running, they needed a reliable person to oversee it. Yang Shumo was the best choice.
"See? I told you Old Qin was a good friend, he was just worrying for no reason." Old Xie punched Yang Shumao on the shoulder.
Yang Shuma scratched his head sheepishly:
"I'm just afraid he won't include me in his games."
"With him like this, won't he have to drink a penalty shot later?" Qin Hao said with a laugh.
“Absolutely, at least three cups!” Old Xie immediately agreed.
"Hey, Xie Laozhuan, I'm finding you're increasingly showing the potential to be a lackey," Yang Shumo retorted.
"You dare to insult me? Six cups! If you don't punish yourself with six cups later, I won't drink with you!"
The three looked at each other and smiled, as if they had returned to the days when they were sent to the countryside, crammed together in a drafty rammed earth house, eating roasted sweet potatoes by the light of a kerosene lamp.
Watching her son chatting and laughing with his friends, Li Yuxiang smiled with satisfaction. She quietly slipped out to continue preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.
At noon, Qin Hao invited Xie Laozhuan and Yang Shumao to his home for lunch. They ate a few simple dishes, and the three chatted and drank in a lively atmosphere.
Yang Shumao wasn't a big drinker, and after a few drinks he got a little tipsy and started talking more. He talked about the frustrations he'd suffered at home over the years, his parents' strict discipline, and his uncertainty and hopes for the future. His eyes welled up with tears as he spoke.
Qin Hao and Xie Lao listened silently, occasionally interjecting a few words. They both knew that Yang Shumao was finally letting out what he had been holding back for a long time.
"Thanks, Lao Qin," Yang Shumo said solemnly, raising his glass.
"I've given you the opportunity." Qin Hao clinked glasses with him. "But whether you can seize it or not is up to you."
"I understand. Don't worry, I, Yang Shumo, may not be able to say anything else, but I am absolutely loyal. I will definitely do a good job of handling the things you ask me to do, and I will definitely not hold you back." Yang Shumo drank it all in one gulp.
The meal didn't end until after 2 PM. Yang Shumo was already quite drunk and was staggering as he walked. Old Xie helped him up, said goodbye to Qin Hao, and the two of them walked unsteadily towards Yang Shumo's house.
……
The courtyard house where Yang Shumao lives is filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. Yang's father, wearing the woolen overcoat he had taken from Yang Shumao last year, sits on a stool by the door, smoking and watching the children in the yard set off firecrackers. Yang's mother is busy in the kitchen preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.
Seeing his son being helped back by Old Xie, Mr. Yang frowned:
"You eat and drink extravagantly outside, but you don't even bring anything back for me and your mother."
"Alright, stop nagging." Yang's mother came out of the kitchen, glared at her husband, and then said softly to her son, "Mao'er, how did your chat with Xiao Qin go?"
Yang Shumo let out a hiccup, his eyes almost closing completely:
"We had such a great chat... and the wine was excellent, the wine Lao Qin brought back was just the best..."
"I didn't ask you that!" Mother Yang said impatiently. "I'm asking you about serious matters! Did Xiao Qin agree to take you to Guangzhou to make a fortune?"
In her eyes, as long as she went to Guangzhou with Qin Hao, she could make a fortune—after all, even someone like Xie Laozhuan came back after a year there, all swaggering around, wearing new clothes and watches, and speaking with more confidence than before.
Yang Shumo waved his hand and said, his words slightly slurred:
"I agreed... Lao Qin told me to settle things at home these few days, and we'll go to Guangzhou together after the New Year..."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Upon hearing this, Yang's mother beamed with joy, slapping her thigh and saying, "I knew Xiao Qin wasn't the kind of person who would turn his back on his family after making money!"
Mr. Yang also smiled and stood up, unusually speaking in a gentle tone as he gave his instructions:
"You better not cause any trouble when you get there, just listen to what they say. If you get kicked out and lose your job, your mother and I won't let you off the hook."
"I understand..." Yang Shumo mumbled in response, wanting nothing more than to lie down and go to sleep as soon as possible.
At this moment, Yang Shumo's two older brothers also came out of the house. The eldest brother, Yang Shusen, was wearing a slightly worn Zhongshan suit, while the second brother, Yang Shulin, was wearing blue work clothes. The two brothers surrounded their younger brother, their faces beaming with ingratiating smiles.
"Sha Mao, don't forget us now that you've made your fortune in Guangzhou. We're brothers." Yang Shusen said, patting his younger brother on the shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, if you come across any good connections, remember to give your brothers a hand," Yang Shulin chimed in.
Yang Shumo felt dizzy from being shaken around, and his stomach churned. He covered his mouth and mumbled:
"I...I feel like throwing up..."
"Oh dear, don't throw up at home, it'll smell terrible!" Yang's mother quickly said.
"Open the door quickly, this smell won't dissipate for at least an hour!" Yang's father shouted.
But it's too late.
"vomit--"
Yang Shumo finally couldn't hold it in and vomited in the yard. A sour, foul smell instantly filled the air.
"Oh my goodness!" Yang's mother covered her nose. "Quickly, help him inside!"
Old Xie helped Yang Shumao into the house, and just as they came out, Yang's father called out to them.
"Little Xie, tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Don't forget to come and wish us a Happy New Year."
Old Xie had also drunk quite a bit, and replied in a daze, "Don't worry, Uncle, I'll definitely come."
Yang's mother was still worried: "Don't come empty-handed. You've made a lot of money with Xiao Qin this year, haven't you? Don't try to fob us off with some cheap pastries."
"Oh dear, Mom and Dad, what are you saying? Are you going to let Mao'er date anyone in the future?" The eldest sister, Yang Shuzhi, couldn't help but remind her parents, seeing how unseemly they were eating.
Yang's mother glared at her: "What's the big deal? It's just about exchanging gifts during the New Year."
The three Yang sisters rolled their eyes. They said that the idea of reciprocity sounded nice, but they expected the other party to give them all their wealth, and then they would give them a box of pastries in return, calling it "a small gift with a big meaning".
"By the way, Xiao Qin should be coming tomorrow, right?"
Mr. Yang's eyes lit up: "Don't touch Xiao Qin's gift, your mother and I will keep it for a very useful purpose!"
Yang Shuying couldn't stand it anymore: "Dad, Mom, are you out of your minds? We're the ones begging them to help Sha Mao get rich. We're already being lenient by not giving them gifts, and you expect them to give us gifts too?"
"That's just silly Mao begging someone, what does that have to do with me and your dad?"
“That’s right, the favor is for Sha Mao, and Sha Mao can pay it back later. Your mother and I are the elders, so it’s only right for the younger generation to pay New Year’s respects to the elders.” Yang’s father argued vehemently.
The three Yang sisters were utterly speechless, and could only lament in their hearts: how could they have been born with such parents? (End of Chapter)