Chapter 34

Actually, Heng Yi had no such thoughts.

Although he was a little taciturn, he wasn’t stupid. He would be able to protect his wife.

How could Han Qiao know what Uncle Yao and Heng Yi were thinking? She sat on the reins and calculated that when they arrived at the county town, she would have to go to the apothecary to take a look. What medicines were sold there? How were they supposed to be used?

If possible, she would bring her three daughters to live in this town.

She really didn’t want to go back to Ninghe Town.

When she arrived at Puyi County, the sun was almost setting.

Under the scorching sun, the entire Puyi County was covered in a layer of golden light.

After passing through the city gate, Han Qiao looked around.

Puyi County was much more prosperous than Ninghe Town. At that time of day, there were people carrying their own vegetables into the city. Along the way, they were shouting, “Vegetables! Get your vegetables!”

In addition, there were all kinds of people lugging things. They were rushing out of the city to return to their homes in the countryside.

There were also people driving horse carriages, ox carts, donkey carts and mule carts.

Heng Yi and Hong He’s restaurant was some distance away from the city gate. When they arrived, He Hong was very surprised to see them. His eyes filled with surprise as he smiled. “Brother Heng!”

Heng Yi gave a concise explanation for the purpose of his visit.

He Hong greeted Uncle Yao and Han Qiao, then went in to sit for a while and drink some tea.

He asked Bai Cha to bring the mountain goods to the kitchen and tidy them up first.

“Brother Heng, you should go wash up and change into clean clothes.”

Heng Yi glanced at himself. Indeed, his body was dirty and stained with the blood of wild boars.

“Okay.”

He Hong then ordered someone to prepare dinner, which was to be especially sumptuous that night.

He then sat down to treat Uncle Yao to tea.

“You’re too kind, Manager.”

He Hong smiled and sized up Han Qiao. She looked outstanding but had her hair combed into a bun, so he didn’t think much of her.

In addition, since her uncle had accompanied her into town, he really didn’t have much to say about her.

Heng Yi quickly washed and changed into a set of clean clothes.

It was said that a person depended on clothes just as a horse depended on a saddle. After he changed his clothes, his bearing was completely different.

There was an indescribable feeling to it.

Han Qiao glanced at him, then looked away. Her gaze was clear and gentle. She had no thoughts that were untoward.

In fact, she didn’t have any thoughts at all.

Bai Cha said that he had finished preparing the fish, so he asked Han Qiao to come over and give him some pointers on cooking.

Han Qiao got up and followed Bai Cha to the kitchen.

Heng Yi took the opportunity to serve tea. Secretly, he was watching Han Qiao from behind her back.

He hid himself well.

However, Uncle Yao, who had been watching him all along, knew what he was up to.

On the way to the kitchen, Han Qiao ran into He Hong’s wife, Zhao Huanniang. The old woman behind Zhao Huanniang was holding a baby in her arms.

When Zhao Huanniang saw Han Qiao, she frowned slightly and asked Bai Cha, “Who is this?”

Her eyes were full of vigilance. She kept her eyes glued to Han Qiao.

“Madam, this is Sister-in-law Han. She came with Mr. Heng to give some pointers to the chef on how to make fried fish.”

“Brother Heng is here?” Zhao Huanniang asked again.

“Yes.”

Zhao Huanniang waved her hand and told Bai Cha to take Han Qiao away.

She then went to the living room.

She was wondering why Heng Yi was here.

She had been married to Hong for three years. Now their child was almost one year old, but she had only seen Heng Yi twice.

The first time was when Heng Yi came to her and Hong’s wedding, and other time was the baby’s one-month-old birthday

Why had he suddenly come today?

Zhao Huanniang was puzzled. She took the child and asked the old woman to go to the kitchen to give some instructions. She would cook a few more good dishes and then go to the cellar to get a jar of good wine.

She carried the child into the little hall.

“Huanniang, you’re back. Come and greet Brother Heng. “He Hong stood up with a smile.

He took his chubby son He Cheng and bounced him around. The child laughed out loud.

Zhao Huanniang smiled and went forward to greet Heng Yi. “Greetings, Brother.”

“Sister-in-law, there’s no need to be so formal.”

After Heng Yi said that, he introduced Uncle Yao. “This is Uncle Han Yao.”

“Greetings, Uncle Han Yao.” Zhao Huanniang bowed again.

“There’s no need to be so formal.” Uncle Yao was a little embarrassed.

After all, he was a country bumpkin, while she was the wife of a wealthy city man.

Zhao Huanniang smiled and said, “Brother Heng, Uncle Han Yao, you two take a seat first. I’ll go to the kitchen to take care of the food.”

“You go. Let Cheng’er stay here with me,” He Hong said.

Zhao Huanniang agreed and left the room.

Heng Yi looked at the lively and active He Cheng and revealed a rare look of affection.

“Big Brother, do you want to hold Cheng’er? The child hasn’t seen you since his one-month-old birthday.”

“I don’t know how to hold children, so I won’t hold him. Otherwise, I’ll drop the child,” Heng Yi said, but he still squeezed He Cheng’s chubby little hand in a rare show of affection.

“If there’s someone you cherish, then hurry up and marry her. Have a child with her,” He Hong teased.

He forcefully stuffed the child into Heng Yi’s arms.

His body instantly stiffened. He hugged the child tightly, not daring to move.

“If you’re willing, I’ll help you find someone in town. Huanniang has a cousin, and she told me that her looks and temperament are very good. Brother, do you want me to…”

“There’s no need. I have no plans to get married for the time being,” Heng Yi rejected anxiously.

He returned the child to He Hong.

He was afraid that the child really would fall from his arms.

He Hong hugged the child and laughed.

He Cheng also laughed.

Heng Yi watched and felt envious. For the first time, he felt eager to get married and have a child.

His eyes moved with his heart. He tried to look to the door without showing it.

The doorway to the little hall was empty. There was nothing there.

Only a faint sound could be heard, but he was very keen to catch its familiar ring.

In the kitchen, Han Qiao was giving the chef a few casual pointers. The chef was learning very quickly.

Soon, a few small fish were fried.

The small fish were fried in pork oil. Since they were stream fish that grew up eating weeds without pollution, they were very delicious indeed.

Zhao Huanniang stood at the side and said to the waiter, “Go to the front and tell the customers that we are serving a plate of fried fish today.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The waiter immediately went out.

There were only eight crispy fried fish on the plate. It was definitely not enough for the customers who already had quite a bit of wine. They were going to want another plate along with some more wine. Although it looked like they had served a plate of fried fish, they had actually earned back the profits from other places.

She had only just met her, but Han Qiao could already tell that the owner’s wife was a clever, calculative person.

She never bossed around the chef, nor was she ever overbearing. She didn’t want the chef to think that she was trying to steal his cooking secrets, so after learning about fried fish, she left the kitchen.

Zhao Huanniang was very polite to Han Qiao.

“Let’s both go.”

“Alright.”

Han Qiao replied in a neither servile nor condescending manner.

“My husband’s surname is He, and my mother’s surname is Zhao, so I’m Zhao Huanniang. You can just call me Huanniang.”

“I just left my husband. My surname is Han and my name is Qiao.”

“…”

Zhao Huanniang’s heart skipped a beat.

The woman Heng Yi brought back here with him…has had a divorce…

She had only met Heng Yi twice. He was quiet and didn’t seem like a very warm-hearted person.

Now, he had brought people to the restaurant. No matter how she thought about it, something about this was not right.

However, Zhao Huanniang didn’t say a word, nor did she reveal anything.

“Since you seem to be older than me, if you don’t mind, is it alright if I call you Sister Qiao?”

“I would be honored.”

During the meal, Zhao Huanniang noticed something else. Heng Yi was the first to sit beside Han Qiao, separating her from her Uncle Yao.

“…” Zhao Huanniang’s heart sank.

Uncle Yao almost laughed out loud.

Han Qiao was the only one who hadn’t noticed. He Hong wholeheartedly welcomed Uncle Yao to drink and eat as much as he pleased. And, he personally poured wine for Uncle Yao and Heng Yi.

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