NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Human Relationships and Social Etiquette
Chapter 25: Human Relationships and Social Etiquette
Xu Lian got up, washed up, and reheated the leftovers from the previous night for breakfast. Don’t underestimate leftovers; in this world, being able to afford breakfast was a sign of wealth. Ordinary families didn’t have the luxury of eating breakfast.
It wasn’t that Sister Xiya was lazy and didn’t prepare breakfast for him; she was the main force and was truly exhausted.
Chan’er was even less capable; she was already in a state of recovery and was defeated in one strike.
After breakfast, he mounted his horse and headed to the mine.
Arriving at the mine, he saw that Pu Ling had everything well organized and the miners were already at work.
Except for Zhang Yuan’s slight dissatisfaction with Pu Ling, everyone else was convinced of Pu Ling’s abilities.
Zhang Yuan’s jealousy was clear to Xu Lian, but he didn’t say anything. It was also good to have someone keep an eye on Pu Ling.
Xu Lian made a simple tour of the mine and then went to the stone house reserved for the manager, where he drank tea and reviewed the accounts.
“Everything is running smoothly at the mine, and Pu Ling is taking care of it. My main task is to find a way to get tiger bones to improve my own strength.”
Xu Lian clearly distinguished between public and private matters… of course, his personal affairs were more important.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the stone house, followed by Han Du’s laughter. “Brother Xu, how are you adjusting to running the mine on your own?”
Xu Lian went out to greet them and saw that the eldest son of the Pei family had also come. He greeted them, “Brother Han, Young Master Pei.”
Han Du and Pei Heng stayed on their horses without dismounting. Han Du asked, “What are you doing?”
Xu Lian replied, “I’ve just finished inspecting the mine and looking at the account books.”
Han Du smiled. “Since you are free, let’s listen to some music.”
Xu Lian thought it was a good opportunity to ask Han Du about tiger bones and to frequently interact with Chuntao at the Lichun Brothel to cultivate affection.
He immediately had someone bring his horse, mounted it, and galloped toward the town with Han Du and Pei Heng.
“Brother Han, Young Master Pei, do you know where I can find tiger bones?”
Xu Lian asked on the way.
Pei Heng was confused. “What do you need tiger bones for?”
Han Du was also surprised. “Last time, you wanted python tendons to make a bow. Now you want tiger bones for what?”
Xu Lian casually found an excuse. “It’s not that the women at home are clingy, but I want to use tiger bones to make wine to replenish my body.”
Pei Heng and Han Du exchanged glances and laughed. The men understood.
Pei Heng laughed. “Brother Xu, is your body not good? You’re so young and already need tonic wine. I have tiger bone wine and tiger penis wine at home. I can give you two glasses.”
Xu Lian didn’t just want one or two jars of tiger bone and tiger penis wine; he needed a whole tiger skeleton. “I’ve heard that wine made from a whole tiger skeleton has the best effect.”
Pei Heng frowned. “Who did you hear that from? Is there such a thing?”
Xu Lian said, “A traveling doctor mentioned it. It’s said to be quite effective. Anyway, it’s worth a try.”
Pei Heng pondered. “I don’t have a whole tiger skeleton at home, but if Brother Xu needs it, I can send some people to hunt one in the mountains.”
Xu Lian knew that this was selling him a favor, which he would have to repay sooner or later. Who knew what price he would have to pay then, and whether he could afford it?
He didn’t want to owe these wealthy young masters any favors. “I have heard that the mountains are very dangerous, with wild beasts and unclean things. Only those who are truly desperate would risk going into the mountains to hunt game. Out of ten, only three or four might return. How could I ask the people under Young Master Pei to take such risks? I’ll think of another way.”
Pei Heng’s expression darkened. “Brother Xu, are you treating me like an outsider? The people under my command are meant to be used. Losing a few is nothing.”
Han Du seemed to see through Xu Lian’s reluctance to owe favors. “It’s just a tiger skeleton. For Young Master Pei, it’s a trivial matter. Brother Xu, don’t overthink it.”
With these words, Xu Lian couldn’t refuse any more. “Alright, then I’ll bother Young Master Pei.”
“That’s more like it. What’s the point of being so polite among the three of us?”
Pei Heng smiled and whipped his horse to a gallop.
Xu Lian and Han Du had to speed up to keep up.
When they arrived in the city, they went to the Lichun Brothel.
Aunt Fang clung to Pei Heng, then to Han Du, and then to Xu Lian. “Young Master Pei, Manager Han, Manager Xu, please come upstairs.”
“If you touch me again next time, I’ll burn this place down,” Pei Heng said, pushing her away with a piece of silver.
Xu Lian also kept his distance, blocking her approach.
Aunt Fang had no choice but to cling to Han Du alone. Han Du didn’t seem to mind, and they occasionally exchanged glances that hinted at a past relationship.
“Call all the singers and dancers who can perform,” Aunt Fang knew that the three of them were here to pass the time.
She asked Xu Lian if he wanted to call Chuntao, but Xu Lian waved his hand slightly. He would talk to Chuntao about life and ideals later; there was no need for it now.
Aunt Fang didn’t disturb them any further and left with a sway of her hips.
The three of them drank, listened to music, and chatted merrily.
The topics were mostly about women and some amusing events in the city.
Nothing related to the Yi Sect or the Night Patrol could be mentioned; that was taboo.
“I heard that Brother Xu lives in the old street with a mother and daughter?”
Pei Heng asked casually.
This was no secret and Xu Lian had nothing to hide. He nodded. “I grew up alone and was taken in by the neighbor’s sister. I live with her family.”
Pei Heng said, “The old street is full of old houses, narrow and cramped. It’s damp and dark, especially during the rainy season. Brother Xu’s health problems might be related to this living environment.”
Xu Lian smiled. “I’m used to it since my childhood.”
“Now that you run an entire mine by yourself and are a respected figure in the city, living in a modest house on the old road is a bit undignified. I have many unused mansions at home. I’ll give you one to live in.”
Pei Heng took out a deed from his sleeve and placed it on the table, pushing it towards Xu Lian.
Xu Lian’s eyes narrowed. It seemed like Pei Heng and Han Du had something to ask him today.
He even suspected that their first meeting was deliberately arranged by Han Du, not a coincidence!
He really didn’t want to accept this gift. If he wanted to buy a house, he could afford it by saving his salary for a few months and skimming a bit from the mine’s expenses.
However, since he had already agreed to accept the tiger bones, refusing the house and favor now would be impolite and might strain their relationship.
What could the eldest son of one of the three major families in Green Bamboo Town ask of him?
He was just a mine manager with some power within the mine. The only possibility was something related to the quarry patrol inspector.
In that instant, he thought of many things and understood the situation.
Xu Lian probed, “Young Master Pei, if you have something to ask, please speak directly.”
Han Du just drank and watched as the two of them talked without saying a word.
Pei Heng smiled. “Brother Xu is straightforward, I won’t beat around the bush. There is actually something I’d like to ask you.”
Xu Lian remained silent, slowly picking up the deed and looking at it. He knew it was a house in the best location on the main street, but Green Bamboo Town was a remote place, and even the best location wasn’t worth much.
A tiger skeleton and a house – if the task wasn’t difficult, it could be considered, but if it required asking the quarry patrol inspector, it might not be worth it… more money was needed.
Seeing his thoughts, Pei Heng bowed his head. “Brother Xu, rest assured. There will be a substantial reward after the task is completed!”
Xu Lian put the deed back on the table. “Young Master Pei, please tell me first. If I can do it, I will try my best. If it’s beyond my capabilities, then I can’t help you.”