BXBX NOVEL Chapter 098: Kiss on The Tree
Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli looked at each other with sudden realization. The reason their parents didn’t want to divide up the family was so the family would not scatter, and the other reason was money.
Qin Mian reminded, “Of course, the worst case is that Father and Mother are unwilling to divide up. If so, you can strive for financial independence first. Henceforth, your income belongs to your own. But every month, you take out some to give Father and Mother. In other words, each time you make money, you hand it in at a certain proportion. For example, if you earn 100 Wen from a job, you can give 10 Wen and 8 Wen to Father and Mother.”
Both Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli were capable and diligent people. If they worked alone, their monthly income should not be less. Imagine that when the third son and the fourth son gave money to Du Shi and Lei Daqiang every month while the lazy second son didn’t even give a coin, could Du Shi and Lei Daqiang not be angry with him? Haha. By then, Du Shi and Lei Daqiang would look very much embarrassed. Thinking of that good scene, Qin Mian couldn’t help laughing.
“Wife, the sun is high,” Lei Tie spoke in time.
“En, let’s go.” Qin Mian raised his whip and urged his horse forward. He had said it all, so the rest depended on Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli.
After galloping far away, Lei Tie looked at his wife’s face, “Wife, it’s been hard on you.” How could he not know that his wife helped Third Brother and Fourth Brother for his sake?
Qin Mian spread out his hand and sighed helplessly, but his lips hung with a smile, “Uh, who make me a good man?”
Lei Tie gently raised his lips.
The two raised their whips together, and the horses galloped like a blast, even the sound of the horse’s hooves was light and quick.
Once arrived at Double Xiang House, Qin Mian let Manager Sun take up the vegetables that Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli delivered according to the market price. This batch of vegetables costed a total of 165 Wen. In tacit agreement, Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli each withdrawn 20 Wen from it. Besides, they also prepared 20 Wen for Lei Xiangren. They could do nothing about this. Lei Xiangren knew about their private savings, and it was Lei Xiangren who first proposed it.
After seeing off Lei Xiangren and Lei Xiangyi, Qin Mian said to Manager Sun, “Afterward, collect all vegetables according to the rules.” A few Wen was a small matter, but breaking the rules was troublesome. He could not let a tear open.
Manager Sun said, “Rest assured, Little Young master. I understand.”
Lei Tie said to Qin Mian, “Wife, I’ll see the guards.”
“Alright.”
Lei Tie was not good at business. He was responsible for the security and sanitation of the wine house, and Qin Mian was in charge of the rest.
It was still early. There were only a dozen customers in the lobby before lunch hour.
“How’s the business recently?” Qin Mian asked.
As soon as he asked, Manager Sun’s face began to smile. “Although it’s unlike the first few days of opening, it’s much better than before. Almost every day, there are customers from afar who had heard of our Double Xiang House. Besides, quite a lot of traveling merchants that passed through Running Water Town are willing to stay in our Rugui Building for a night. The ordinary rooms are clean and tidy, quiet, and inexpensive. Very much well-liked. Have you seen the customers in the lobby? They are traveling merchants. They checked in last night and ordered a lot of things for breakfast. They also asked the waiters to pack a lot of it. Moreover, two distinguished guests lived in luxurious suites for five consecutive days. They ordered a large table of dishes for each meal.”
Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, “I think these two are perhaps…”
Qin Mian waved his hand, “It’s fine. As long as they don’t use any despicable means, treat them well. Our Double Xiang House is not an ordinary wine house. On the premise of not harming our interests, we should act more magnanimous.”
Little Young Master was not too old, but he looked at an issue to such a high degree. Manager Sun had even more confidence in him, “Yes.”
After taking a look at the account books, he went around Binzhi Building and Rugui Building before going to the lounge to wait for Lei Tie.
As he was drinking tea, Lei Tie pushed the door and entered.
“Wife.”
“How is it?” Qin Mian gave way to let him sit.
Lei Tie fell beside him. “The business is good, but there are too few guards.”
“Hire four more guards.” It took so much money to build a wine house. Qin Mian was not reluctant to spend money on small things.
“En, let Manager Sun handle it.”
Qin Mian got up. “It’s been a long time since I went to our restaurant. Let’s go and have a look.”
Eating Savory Restaurant hadn’t opened yet, but it was busy inside.
Yue Dong was counting accounts, and upon seeing Qin Mian and Lei Tie, he quickly stood up and greeted, “Greetings, Big Boss and Little Boss.”
Qin Mian nodded and opened the account book.
Lei Tie went to the kitchen to check the hygiene.
The accounts were as detailed as ever that one could see Yue Dong was still so serious about his work. Qin Mian cast an appreciative look at Yue Dong, “You have done well. Our business will be bigger and bigger in the future, and you won’t always be the manager of a small restaurant. So, Yue Dong, don’t let me and Big Boss down.”
Yue Dong was delighted. He cupped his hands in salute and seriously said, “Yue Dong will never fail to live up to the trust and teaching of the two bosses.”
“En.” Qin Mian continued to look at the account books.
As soon as he closed the account book, Yue Dong said, “Little Boss, the weather is getting hotter now. Hot spicy soup, hot pot, and barbecue business are not as good as when it is cold. A lot of customers come back to eat only once in a while.”
Qin Mian nodded without showing a worried look. “I had expected this situation for a long time. I was too busy some time ago, so I didn’t pay attention to this side. You put the news out that after another five days of selling hot pot, hot spicy soup, and barbecue, Eating Savory Restaurant will change to selling convenient products such as steamed stuffed buns, pancakes, noodles, and so on. Those who want to eat them can seize the opportunity to eat it.”
Yue Dong hesitated, “As far as I know, there are more than a dozen noodle shops in the town.”
Qin Mian said with a smile, “Things in our business are naturally different from others. Just let the news out. I’ll send you something tomorrow. You’ll know when you see it.”
“Yes.”
Qin Mian looked at Lei Tie inquisitively.
Lei Tie nodded. The shop’s hygiene was also up to standard.
When it was nearly noon, they went home after having lunch in Double Xiang House. In passing, Uncle Fu and Lei-Qin Le bought the daily necessities that Lei-Qin Zhong’s group of people needed.
On either side of the village road, the villagers bent over while planting paddy seedlings and heard the sound of horses’ hooves. They took a chance to glance at Qin Mian and Lei Tie, who leisurely rode on horses and let their horses run at ease. Some were envious, and some were jealous.
Zhou Erhao Family’s paddy field was next to the village road. He and his wife were planting paddy seedlings. Their mood felt very complicated when they watched the retreating back of Qin Mian and Lei Tie. Before Leisurely Farm Residence was built, their house and Lei Tie’s house were only a few steps away. Now, a perimeter wall separated the two houses, and it took half a walk around the village to reach the gate of Leisurely Farm Residence. They both regretted not making a good relationship with them at the first opportunity. Lei Tie Family was so wealthy that with just a dip of a finger, it was enough for them to eat a few meals of meat!
All the way through, Qin Mian felt needle-like eyes on his back. He could not help looking back and saw Zhou Erhao’s grudging eyes.
Zhao Sifa swung his hands. When he directly bumped into Qin Mian, he stared at him with an unknown meaning for a long time before looking away.
Qin Mian frowned slightly.
Lei Tie’s voice rang in his ear, “Don’t worry.”
Qin Mian nodded his head.
It was not yet time to deal with some things.
Aunt Fu was in charge of the gate when Lei-Qin Le and Uncle Fu were away. Lei-Qin Zhong’s group of people had just arrived, and because they were young, Aunt Fu was not reassured to let them guard the gate.
Upon seeing Uncle Fu and Lei-Qin Le came back with Little Young Master and Eldest Young Master, Aunt Fu was relieved. She picked up the dirty laundry and went to the river to wash.
By the river, several village women chatted while washing their clothes.
Zhou Cuihua first saw Aunt Fu with her sharp eyes and warmly called out, “Aunt Fu has come. There is a spot at my side.”
With a smile, Aunt Fu walked over.
“Aunt Fu comes to do the laundry, too?” Several other village women also greeted her kindly. Although Aunt Fu was only a servant, she had a close relationship with Lei Tie Family, so they dared not offend her.
Women always had a lot of topics. They talked and laughed, very lively.
After a while, Fang Hongliu said in a clear voice, “By the way, Aunt Fu, I heard that Old Three and Old Four of Second Lei Family1 sent a lot of vegetables to the town today. Was it delivered to Double Xiang House?”
Aunt Fu shook her head, “I don’t know about other people’s business.”
“Why not?” Zhou Cuihua said with a smile, “This morning, many people saw three carts carrying fresh vegetables out of the village.”
“Yes,” said another woman, “Old Three and Old Four of Second Uncle Lei Family harvested vegetables in their garden early in the morning.”
Aunt Fu only lowered her head to wash the clothes and did not speak.
Fang Hongliu got frustrated. Lei-Qin Le talked a lot, but he could make people confused. Uncle Fu was also slippery. In contrast, Aunt Fu shook her head in answer to all questions. Why is it so difficult to deal with the servants of the Lei Tie Family?
Without any better option, she spoke directly, “Double Xiang House uses up a lot of vegetables every day, right? Our vegetables are also very fresh. Do you accept it or not?”
“Little Sister truly makes things hard for me.” Aunt Fu said apologetically, “Whatever the two young masters are going to do, why should they tell us, the servants? If you want to know, you may as well ask the two young masters.”
“I…” Fang Hongliu had nothing to say. She didn’t even dare to look at Lei Tie. Qin Mian was young, but he had tricks. She didn’t dare to provoke any of them.
Qin Mian was so thirsty that as soon he entered the gate, he rode directly home.
“Return the cart. There’s a bag of snacks. Take it along.” Lei Tie instructed Uncle Fu. Being with his wife for a long time, he also learned to experience social exchanges. In this way, he could share the worries with his wife.
“Yes.”
“Teach the newcomers what they should know. Don’t let Little Young Master worry about.”
“Yes.” Uncle Fu said, “Eldest Young Master, I’ve been thinking. When they are not training, they should take turns weeding, harvesting vegetables, carrying water, cutting firewood, herding, and so on. In any case, we should let them do all kinds of manual work at home.”
“It’s up to you.” Lei Tie said, “Afterward, you are the steward of Leisurely Farm Residence.”
“Yes!” Uncle Fu was a little excited. “I will live up to the trust of the two young masters!”
Lei Tie urged his horse and immediately disappeared in the distance.
Qin Mian poured cooled water from the well and looked out of the hedge. He beckoned Lei Tie, “What did you do? What took you so long?”
The horse stopped outside the hedge. Lei Tie jumped straight from the horseback to him.
Qin Mian put down his cup, put his arms around the man’s neck, and looked at him with a smile, “Fly again, brother?”
Lei Tie bowed his head and pecked on his lips, “Lift your legs.”
Qin Mian immediately lifted his legs and clamped them around the man’s waist.
As soon as Lei Tie moved, they flew up.
“Hahaha…” Qin Mian began to laugh joyously. Even if you take a plane, you can’t enjoy flying yourself!
Lei Tie landed on the maple tree. Then he bent a little lower and flew up again before landing steadily on the taller ginkgo tree.
Qin Mian looked down curiously. Looking at Leisurely Farm Residence from a different height, it appeared more three-dimensional, more vivid, and wider. It made him want to laugh heartily.
He looked back at Lei Tie. Lei Tie gazed fixedly at him with a silent deep love look.
He cocked up the corner of his mouth, took a bite on the man’s lip, and gently licked it. His tongue boldly poked into the man’s mouth to seek the man’s tongue.
Lei Tie turned and pressed him on the tree trunk before kissing him deeply.
Lei-Qin Le came to lead the horses and said in a loud voice outside the hedge, “Eldest Young Master and Little Young Master, I come to ask if you want vegetables?”
Not receiving an answer, he scratched his head as he said, “Not here?”
A green leaf fell from the tree and landed on his shoulder. He patted it away and led the horses to the stable.
Note:
Footnotes
- Lei Daqiang is the second son, so the villagers called him Second Lei or Second Uncle Lei