Chapter 80 Spicy Tofu Hot Pot

Chapter 80 Spicy Tofu Hot Pot

Xianjin smiled warmly and poured another glass of water for Qiao Hui as if to express her gratitude.

Qiao Hui looked at the crystal-clear water in the cup: "…"

Is expressing gratitude just about pouring water?

And he didn't even stay for a meal?

Qiao Hui took another sip of water, glanced at the sleeping girl out of the corner of his eye, put down the cup, and began to talk about the aftermath, "… Originally, I would have just scolded them and let it go. No one dares to do anything in front of me, but that little brat Du Junning…"

Qiao Hui crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back on the rocking chair, looking relaxed and content. He turned to Xianjin and asked, "Do you know Du Junning?"

Xianjin recalled that rainy night and the boy without an umbrella.

She nodded, "Yes, Aunt Du works in the dyeing workshop in the city. His father passed away. The red-drawing book Chen's sent to Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard included one for him."

Qiao Hui curled his lips, seemingly with a hint of admiration, "That little brat is young, but he has spirit. He led a few other boys of the same age and searched all night, then gave his senior who called you an eight-legged spider demon a good beating."

Xianjin was startled.

What? Really hit him?

Non-violent resistance?

Qiao Hui saw the girl's eyebrows shoot up and laughed, showing his bright white teeth, "How could they really hit him with a stick! We're scholars, not bandits—those little brats ambushed his senior on the way back to the dormitory at night. They strung a rope across the road. It was dark and windy, and the senior, being old and nearsighted, tripped and fell flat on his face."

Qiao Hui laughed maliciously, "They say his nose broke."

It would be a lie to say Xianjin wasn't pleased.

These pretentious scholars, how high and mighty you are!

Everyone else is just stepping stones for your reputation!

Can't others express their anger when you slander them?

Xianjin was a bit worried about the little brat, or rather, little Du Junning, and hesitated, "… Don't get into trouble?"

He was already allowed to study despite poverty; if he got expelled for helping her take revenge, it wouldn't be worth it!

Qiao Hui shook his head, "It was pitch black, and those little brats were hiding behind trees. After the senior tripped, they quickly removed the rope. Who would know?"

Xianjin restrained the urge to raise an eyebrow.

Then how did you know?

Seeing the unspoken question in Xianjin's twitching eyebrow, Qiao Hui said indignantly, "I just happened to pass by, pure coincidence! If you don't believe me, ask Bo'er!"

Xianjin: "…"

You and Zhang Wenbo, one loves causing trouble, the other enjoys watching the show. You two make quite a pair.

If you weren't the son of the schoolmaster and had such good grades, wouldn't everyone want to punch you for being so rebellious?

Speaking of punches.

Xianjin remembered Sun Shun, whose left eye socket Qiao Hui had bruised with a punch, and asked, "… My second brother said he came back, didn't he cause you any trouble?"

Qiao Hui sneered, "That pest hides from me whenever he sees me. What can he do?" Thinking of Sun Shun's return and his venomous gaze from the shadows.

He also recalled his father taking him to Huai'an Prefecture to visit Sun Shun's father, who ran a teahouse under the guise of a gambling den, forcing decent women to solicit business upstairs in revealing clothes. The whole family engaged in shady dealings and would eventually face consequences.

Qiao Hui curled his lips, "If he dares to play dirty, I'll send him back to Huai'an Prefecture sooner or later."

Xianjin scratched her head.

Alright, the world of these young masters is beyond her comprehension.

The nouveau riche, she understands better.

Qiao Hui continued talking about Zhang Wenbo bringing home six yards of xuan paper during the Dragon Boat Festival. Zhang's father hired a parade team to welcome him at the town entrance, "… The lead instrument was a suona, which drew the entire town to watch. Zhang Wenbo, being his father's son, was proud rather than ashamed, and reminisced about that day four or five times in the dormitory…"

Qiao Hui seemed to struggle to find the right word, "Spectacle."

Xianjin burst out laughing.

When the suona plays, no one can compete. Everyone present is just a junior.

The Zhang Wenbo father-son duo truly inherited the flair for exaggerated rituals.

Speaking of Zhang Wenbo, Xianjin remembered he was going to take the exams this year and casually asked about the specific dates.

Qiao Hui shrugged, "It's been over ten years since I last paid attention to the college entrance exams."

He became a scholar at the age of eight.

Xianjin scoffed, "Yes, yes, you're the only genius!"

Qiao Hui retracted his hand and laughed instead.

The two of them, one throwing topics, the other picking them up, one talking while the other laughed. For more than half an hour, the conversation never faltered.

Xianjin felt like she was back in college.

The people around her were not from the feudal era, but rather, aspiring officials who had crossed the single-plank bridge amidst thousands of soldiers and horses.

More like classmates, oh no, they could be considered good friends—able to joke and talk without any burden, able to communicate their worldviews and opinions without reservation or fear of being misunderstood.

As the sky grew darker, crows flew over the tiles.

Chen Jianfang turned the corner with her head down, seeing Song Kee's shop with its windows and door wide open, she reached out with one hand to lift the curtain.

The voices and laughter from inside became clearer.

Chen Jianfang's raised hand paused in mid-air as she listened intently, puzzled. Upon recognizing Qiao Hui's voice, she gently lifted the curtain and called out, "Baoyuan?"

Then she noticed that Qiao Baozhu and Xianjin's Suo'er were sound asleep on the rocking chair beside them.

Xianjin and Qiao Hui were seated side by side next to the rocking chair; one wore a lingering smile, while the other had a relaxed expression.

Chen Jianfang couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Qiao Hui looked up, nodded his chin, and greeted her with a smile, "Erlang."

His demeanor was very straightforward, exuding an air of grace and ease.

Chen Jianfang lowered her eyes slightly, pursed her lips lightly, and remained silent for a moment.

Xianjin glanced at Chen Jianfang, sensing that the atmosphere seemed, perhaps, to have become somewhat awkward?

But Qiao Baozhu rubbed her eyes groggily and exclaimed, "It's dark already!"

Seeing more people around her and noticing Suo'er still sleeping like a piglet, she pushed her awake impatiently, "You said you'd come to help, yet you slept like a log!"

Xianjin: "..."

You've only been awake for three seconds.

Qiao Hui stood up, patted Chen Jianfang's shoulder with a smile, and asked, "Are you here to help too?"

Chen Jianfang glanced at Qiao Hui, paused for a moment, and then smiled, "Third Uncle had Zhang Ma make spicy tofu hot pot today and fried two eggs. He waited for a long time but didn't see Jinjie, so he sent me to fetch her."

Spicy tofu hot pot!

All three girls lifted their heads simultaneously!

Qiao Baozhu reacted quickly, looking at Xianjin with bright, plaintive eyes, "I've been moving things all afternoon, I'm so tired and hungry—look at my hands!"

Xianjin looked down, expressionless, at the tender, plump hand stretched out before her.

Your hands are fine.

Just like your sleep.

Qiao Baozhu grabbed Xianjin's elbow again, "Why don't we go back and have dinner, then come back to move together?"

Xianjin twitched her mouth.

Miss, please don't omit the subject.

We'll go back and have dinner, and then she can come back to move alone.

That would be more accurate.