Bai Qingqing returned to her room and sat before the vanity. After carefully putting away the blue-covered novel, he pulled up his sleeve. His arm was a mess of bruises, with scratch marks that had drawn blood.
Not a single person from the Bai family had bothered to ask if he was injured.
When a man and a woman fight, how could the woman possibly be at a disadvantage?
Was a man's life worth so little?
Heh, that made sense. He was just merchandise to be exchanged for money.
At this moment, Bai Qingqing's desire to escape the Bai family was stronger than ever.
...
The Tong family.
"Cousin, I truly don't know where San Chi Bookshop found their novelist. Our Shanshui Bookshop's business has been declining sharply lately!"
Boss Xiong, his face contorted with displeasure, complained to the middle-aged man seated in the superior position.
The middle-aged man wore a dark purple brocade robe with exquisite dark patterns embroidered along the hem, clearly indicating he came from a wealthy family.
He didn't comment after hearing his cousin's complaint, but instead carefully flipped through the novel's content. After a long while, he finally said,
"Qing Lian Jushi. Interesting. If the novel can maintain this level of excitement going forward, it might become a classic."
Boss Xiong's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way. Although it's well-written, it's far from classic status, isn't it?"
The middle-aged man shook his head.
His cousin, despite her business acumen and shrewdness, was ultimately from a merchant background and had a rather myopic view.
"What is this Qing Lian Jushi's name? How old are they?"
Upon hearing the man's question, Boss Xiong immediately put on a fawning smile.
"This... I haven't found out yet. I'll have to rely on you, cousin, to help me investigate."
"Me? Heh, cousin is flattering me. I'm just a man who stays within the inner chambers. How could I have such great abilities?"
Boss Xiong persisted.
"Cousin, you're too humble. You are the Third Husband of the Tong family. Who in the vast Tong family doesn't address you as Master?"
The Third Husband of the Tong family frowned slightly and was about to say something when a figure suddenly burst in.
"Father!"
The boy who ran in wore a goose-yellow vest and a white, fluffy round hat. The moment he entered, his eyes lit up upon seeing the Third Husband of the Tong family seated in the main seat. He then rushed into the man's embrace.
"Xiao Ye, what kind of conduct is this?"
Facing the boy's intimate gesture, the man's reaction was somewhat cold. He subtly pushed the boy away and asked,
"What is it? Why the urgency?"
Tong Xiao Ye pouted, but dared not act presumptuously anymore. He honestly replied,
"Father, I want a white fox coat this year."
"If you want something, go ask the steward for it yourself," the Third Husband of the Tong family replied indifferently.
"But the steward said the family didn't receive any white fox pelts this year."
"If there are no white fox pelts, there must be other pelts. Just choose any you like."
Tong Xiao Ye lightly stomped his foot and pouted.
"But Third Brother already had a white fox coat last year..."
The Third Husband of the Tong family slowly picked up his teacup and gently blew into it, as if he hadn't heard the words opposite him.
Knowing the Third Husband of the Tong family's attitude, Tong Xiao Ye bit his lip, bowed respectfully, and then turned and ran away as if deeply wronged.
After Tong Xiao Ye left, Boss Xiong on the side expressed her dissatisfaction.
"What's wrong with this Tong Xiao Wu? Does he really think he's the legitimate young master of the Tong family? He was adopted from a concubine, and he compares himself to the Tong family's legitimate sons?!"
Saying this, she glanced at the Third Husband of the Tong family.
"Cousin, look how you've spoiled him! Before, when you fell while pregnant, maybe he was the one who pushed you!"
Hearing this, the Third Husband of the Tong family's expression finally changed. He lowered his head and stroked his flat stomach. His child had been growing inside him, and if born, would surely be cuter than anyone.
Seeing that the Third Husband of the Tong family was in low spirits, Boss Xiong immediately realized she had said the wrong thing. She stood up and took her leave.
"It's getting late today, so I won't disturb cousin's rest... However... if cousin finds out any news, please trouble cousin to send someone to inform me."
...
Nian Jiaojiao was unaware of the stir she had caused in Shanshui Town.
A couple of days ago, when she returned home with large bags and packages, and ostentatiously placed forty taels of silver on the table, it nearly blinded several people.
While Nan Qing was alone outside the courtyard, Nian Jiaojiao seized the opportunity to hand him the wooden hairpin she had bought.
"Here! For you! Catch!"
Nan Qing took the hairpin and gently caressed it with his hand. After determining it was a hairpin, he was momentarily taken aback, then asked,
"Wife Master, what is this for?"
Of course, it was to appease the future big shot!
So forget about the offense I caused you before!
Although Nian Jiaojiao thought this, she chuckled.
"I thought it suited you well when I saw it by the roadside, so I bought it casually. If you don't like it, just put it anywhere."
Nan Qing pondered for a moment before asking,
"Why didn't you give it to me earlier, but separately? You only bought it for me."
He stated the last sentence as a fact.
"Ah, yes... uh... I mean... I just happened to find something suitable for you, and I happened to have money on me, so I just bought it casually!"
Nian Jiaojiao gestured animatedly.
She both wanted Nan Qing to put aside his prejudice and not retaliate against her when he became successful, and she was afraid Nan Qing would misunderstand her affections.
Nan Qing smiled slightly, like a warming sun breaking through the ice, causing Nian Jiaojiao to freeze in place.
Nan Qing casually inserted the hairpin onto his head. Nian Jiaojiao immediately praised him obsequiously.
"Oh my, this hairpin looks like it grew right out of your head. It's so fitting!"
Nan Qing was amusedly exasperated.
"Heh heh, Wife Master truly knows how to praise someone."
Nian Jiaojiao waved her hand modestly.
"Just average, average."
When the two returned to the lively living room, Xing Yun saw his second brother enter and excitedly ran over.
"Second Brother! This moon-white fabric Wife Master bought is perfect for you. I'll start making clothes tonight... uh, I mean, after I make yours for Wife Master, I'll make one for you!"
Nan Qing smiled faintly without speaking. Xing Yun, however, seemed to have discovered a new continent. His eyes lit up, and he called out crisply towards Nan Qing's head.
"Huh? Second Brother! Why is there a hairpin on your head? I didn't see it before?"
His voice, though not loud, was clear enough for everyone in the room to hear.
The few men who were busy with their own tasks stopped, and with a "swish," all their gazes turned towards Nan Qing's head.
Indeed, everyone saw the ancient hairpin on Nan Qing's head.
And the fact that he had acquired something new between going out and returning, who sent it was self-evident.
Following that, everyone's gaze shifted to Nian Jiaojiao. These burning glances made Nian Jiaojiao feel as if she were being pierced through.
She awkwardly scratched her forehead and said,
"Haha, has everyone picked out the fabric they want for their clothes? For any leftover fabric, make bed sheets or something. Oh, and also, remember to use the cotton wadding I brought back to make quilts. The weather is getting colder, it's freezing to death!"
Saying this, Nian Jiaojiao hugged her arms and made a gesture of shivering from the cold.
However, the others didn't give Nian Jiaojiao any face. Knowing she was trying to change the subject, they unhesitatingly exposed her.