Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 136

Chapter 136

 

The person in front of them was Zhou Qiao, the second young master of the Zhou family, who had been previously betrothed to Zhang Qiulan.

 

Before the engagement was called off, they had met once, and Zhou Qiao had spoken in a very rude manner, which led to an unpleasant parting.

 

Later, Zhou Qiao had a violent fight at Tianxiang Tower over a prostitute and paid a large sum to redeem her, taking her home as a concubine. He became the laughingstock of Pingzhou City.

 

Zhang Qiulan would never marry such a scoundrel, so he had asked his father to call off the engagement. His father, seeing that Zhou Qiao was not a good match, had readily agreed to annul the marriage.

 

The two of them were no longer related, but unexpectedly, they ran into each other today. Zhang Qiulan couldn’t be bothered with him and dragged Xiao Chun directly past him.

 

However, Zhou Qiao, clearly looking for trouble, deliberately blocked their path to stop them from leaving.

 

“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. It’s been a while since old lovers met, let’s chat for a bit.”

 

“Mind your language! Who is your old lover?”

 

“Ah, I misspoke. I should have said, your former fiancé.”

 

Xiao Chun, who was behind, was so angry that he scolded, “Qiulan is now my fiancé! If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t be polite!”

 

“Oh my, what do you mean by ‘won’t be polite’, little guy?” Zhou Qiao said with a lecherous look on his face as he rubbed his chin. “With your small build, can you handle such a big carriage? If you can’t, just give it to me. I’ll give you a few taels…”

 

“Damn you!” Xiao Chun shoved Zhang Qiulan aside and kicked Zhou Qiao right in the crotch. The kick hit him squarely, causing him to bend over, clutching his stomach and howling in pain.

 

Several of his friends rushed forward to help, but before they could act, Zhao Beichuan arrived. “Who’s causing trouble in my restaurant!”

 

Zhou Qiao, still holding his stomach, angrily shouted, “Your restaurant’s servant hit me! Pay me five thousand taels of silver, or this matter won’t be settled!”

 

“Pay your mother’s egg!” Zhao Beichuan grabbed his collar and threw him out, sending him flying several meters before he rolled on the ground a few times.

 

The others were scared and quickly ran off, pulling Zhou Qiao up and leaving in a hurry.

 

Zhang Qiulan, with a dark expression, cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Brother Beichuan.”

 

Zhao Beichuan waved his hand dismissively, “People like him shouldn’t be indulged. If he spouts nonsense again, just beat him up.”

 

Zhang Qiulan’s mood lightened a little, and he pulled Xiao Chun to the carriage. He reached out and pinched Xiao Chun’s cheek. “Don’t be angry. Leave this matter to me. If he dares to insult me in front of so many people, I won’t let him off easily.”

 

Xiao Chun, looking gloomy, said, “I… am I useless?”

 

“Who said that?”

 

“I can only cook… I can’t do anything else… I’m not as tall as you, and I’m not even good-looking…” Xiao Chun’s eyes reddened, and tears were almost falling.

 

Among their four siblings, he was the only one who had been adopted. He looked different from his older brother and younger brother, and he was short. He had always been a little insecure.

 

But when people pointed it out, it still hurt, and he couldn’t help but feel that he wasn’t worthy of Zhang Qiulan. After all, Zhang Qiulan was so good-looking and capable, just like the people said, he was just a cook.

 

When Zhang Qiulan saw him starting to cry, he felt a burning sensation in his stomach. He lifted Xiao Chun’s chin and wiped away the tears from his cheek with his thumb. “I like you just like this.”

 

If it weren’t for the bustling street, he would have hugged him tightly and comforted him.

 

“Don’t care about what others say. Remember, the one I like is you, understand?”

 

Xiao Chun’s ears were almost burning from the gentle touch, and he nodded with a red face. “I understand.”

 

“Good, now let’s go inside.”

 

Zhang Qiulan got into the carriage, and it wasn’t until the carriage had gone far that Xiao Chun reluctantly turned around and entered the restaurant.

 

This incident quickly reached Lu Yao’s ears. The Zhou family was a well-known merchant family in Pingzhou, and their ancestors had made their fortune selling pottery. They had two kilns, and even the wine shop had business dealings with them, with most of the wine jars bought from their family.

 

The trouble caused by this incident greatly displeased Lu Yao. He directly informed Lu Shili that from now on, they would no longer purchase pottery from the Zhou family, and even the pottery used in the restaurant was replaced with goods from elsewhere.

 

Naturally, the Zhang family also heard about this matter. Zhang Qiulan’s father was furious and ordered the severing of all business relations with the Zhou family. The two families had once been close friends, and if it hadn’t been for Zhou Qiao’s reckless behavior, they would have become in-laws. Now, they had become enemies instead.

 

Not only that, due to Zhang Yu’s connections, the Liang family also stopped doing business with them.

 

This was no small matter. It was a clear attempt to draw a line between them and the Zhou family and to stop all future dealings.

 

All three families were large merchants, and there were many other businesspeople who had good relations with them. As a result of this series of actions, the Zhou family’s business was nearly cut in half.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Qiao was still unaware of the mess he had caused and planned to find a chance to teach the young servant at the Lu family’s restaurant a lesson. That boy had nearly kicked his manhood off, and if he didn’t get revenge, how could he swallow this anger!

 

But the next day, he was called to the study by his older brother.

 

“Zhou Qiao, what trouble have you caused now!”

 

“What trouble could I have caused?” Zhou Qiao’s father had passed away a few years ago, and the family’s responsibilities had fallen to his older brother, Zhou Lang. Zhou Qiao had been spoiled by his parents since he was young and didn’t take his older brother seriously.

 

“You useless brat! Did you cause trouble with the Lu family and the Zhang family the other day?”

 

Zhou Qiao, impatient, scratched his ear. “I just saw Zhang Qiulan and that young servant and couldn’t hold back from saying a few words. What’s the big deal?”

 

“The big deal? Do you know that our family’s business is almost ruined because of this?”

 

Zhou Qiao thought his brother was just trying to scare him. “Oh, come on, how much harm can a young servant do? He kicked me once, but once I catch him, I’ll…”

 

“Slap!” Zhou Lang angrily slapped him across the face. “You haven’t learned a thing. It’s one thing to cause trouble, but now you’ve offended the Zhang family and the Lu family! Do you know Zhang Qiulan’s aunt is the wife of Liang Duwai, and the Lu family is supported by the Prince of North? Are you trying to get us killed?”

 

Zhou Qiao covered his face, feeling a chill in his heart. He hadn’t thought of that before, but after hearing his brother, he began to worry.

 

“So what should we do now? I’ve already said everything, and it was me who got beaten.”

 

Right now, Zhou Lang had no other choice. “Tomorrow, you’ll go with me to the Zhang family to apologize. If they don’t forgive you, you’ll kneel at the door!”

 

“I… I’m not going. It’ll be too embarrassing if people see.”

 

Zhou Lang sneered. “You care about your face now? Fine, don’t go. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the government office to divide the family assets, and we’ll go our separate ways. You can offend anyone you want, but don’t drag me down with you!”

 

At this, Zhou Qiao was completely panicked. “Brother, don’t be angry. I’ll go, okay?” He knew he had no ability to manage the family. If they split the family, he would soon squander everything. In a few years, he would be begging for food at the city gates. He needed to hold onto his brother’s leg to live comfortably.

 

The next day, Zhou Lang took his younger brother with a generous gift to the Zhang family, only to find they couldn’t even get in the door.

 

The servant directly turned them away. “Our master is out today and isn’t home. The eldest young master is also not here. Please go back.”

 

Unable to see anyone, Zhou Lang then took his brother to the Lu family’s restaurant. Both Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan were there. When they saw the two brothers come to apologize, Lu Yao put on a forced smile and said, “Your younger brother is no longer a child. Doesn’t he know what can and cannot be said?”

 

“Yes, yes, this time Zhou Qiao was in the wrong, so I specially brought him to apologize. I hope you’ll let this go, considering our past business dealings. I’ll make sure to discipline him when we go back!”

 

Zhou Qiao, quietly sneaking a glance at Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan, remembered being thrown out the other day. He was so frightened that he shrank his neck and quickly lowered his head.

 

“Zhou, Master Zhou, you’re being too kind. The one most hurt in this matter is Zhang Qiulan. Instead of coming to apologize to me, you should go to them. I have something else to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

 

“Lu, Master Lu, please help mediate, please! It’s better to resolve grievances than to let them fester…” But Lu Yao had already passed him and was walking outside. Zhao Beichuan blocked Zhou Lang’s path. “Watch your younger brother. If he dares to come to our restaurant again, don’t blame me for being rude!”

 

Zhou Lang was forced to stay where he was. When the two of them left, Zhou Qiao wanted to say something, but his brother walked away without a word, and he followed him home in defeat.

 

Over the next year or two, the Zhou family’s business grew worse and worse, and they were eventually forced to leave Pingzhou.

 

This was all later on, but from this incident, it was clear that the current boss of the Lu family, Lu Yao, was no longer the humble person who used to bow and let others walk all over him.

 

—

 

On the sixth day of November, Zhao Beichuan arrived at the Zhang family with three hundred taels of gold to formally propose to Zhang Qiulan.

 

Zhang Qiulan’s father was overjoyed, holding Zhao Beichuan’s hand and constantly praising Lu Yao for helping out. Originally, he had feared that Zhao Fengchun would mind this marriage and break off the engagement, but to his surprise, the other party not only didn’t mind but had already confirmed the engagement.

 

“Soon we’ll be one family. Naturally, I couldn’t let my brother-in-law be humiliated.”

 

Zhang’s father smiled. “Good, very good! My sister’s judgment was indeed right!”

 

When Zhang Yu first mentioned this marriage, he hadn’t been in favor, thinking that Zhao Fengchun, being an adopted child, wasn’t worthy of his son. But after a few meetings, his son had taken a liking to him, so he agreed. After all, he was getting older and couldn’t afford to delay any longer.

 

They looked at Xiao Chun and Qiulan, who were standing not far away. Both were dressed in celebratory colors today, and standing together, they looked very well-matched.

 

Zhang Qiulan was three years older than Zhao Fengchun. After spending many years managing business with his father, he was very skilled in handling matters. He took great care of his young husband and made sure to pamper him.

 

The engagement banquet was held at the Lu family’s restaurant. It was a simple meal with just their own family, Zhang Qiulan’s father and stepmother, Liang Chong and Zhang Yu, and Zhao Beichuan, Lu Yao, and a few others.

 

At first, the atmosphere was quite harmonious. They discussed how to arrange the wedding, where the couple would live after marriage, and other such matters. Eventually, they started talking about family business.

 

The Zhang family was also a business family with six or seven shops. Zhang’s father had originally planned to give two shops as part of Zhang Qiulan’s dowry.

 

However, Mrs. Zhang didn’t agree. She had three other children, and if Zhang Qiulan took two of the shops, how would the sons be distributed their share? Moreover, once a daughter was married, she was no longer part of the family. Traditionally, sons inherited the family business, and it was unthinkable for Qiulan to take the family business with him.

 

“I think once Qiulan is married, he shouldn’t be running around so much. Business matters should be handled by the men. You should stay at home and serve your husband, have children soon, or else when you get older, it will be harder to conceive.”

 

This remark caused an immediate stir, deeply offending both Lu Yao and Zhang Yu. Both of them were in business themselves, and Lu Yao… well, he hadn’t announced his pregnancy yet.

 

It was practically the same as cursing in public.

 

Zhang’s father’s face immediately darkened. “Shut up! If you can’t speak properly, then don’t say anything!”

 

“I didn’t say anything wrong. Besides, look at other families. How many girls get so many shops as part of their dowry? Just give him more silver!”

 

Zhang Qiulan shot her a look, silently thinking she was a fool, fearing others would notice what he was thinking.

 

“Shut up! Say another word and get back home! No, sorry, my wife came from a humble family and has no experience, Beichuan, Lu Yao, please don’t mind.”

 

Madam Zhang, shouted at like that, felt embarrassed, realizing her husband was truly angry, and she stopped speaking.

 

Lu Yao didn’t take it to heart; he had already learned most of the Zhang family’s situation from Zhang Yu. Xiaochun married Qiulan, not his stepmother.

 

Moreover, the shops sent as a dowry from the Zhang family wouldn’t make much money; at most, a few thousand taels of silver per year, which he didn’t care about. However, he had to keep up his stance today, to prevent his younger brother from being belittled.

 

Lu Yao picked up his teacup, just about to take a sip, but Zhao Beichuan took it from him and replaced it with a small bowl of pork tripe soup.

 

“Madam Zhang, don’t worry, our family doesn’t have that many rules. Whether man or woman, young or old, anyone can be in the spotlight. Also, Qiulan has capability, and I value him highly.”

 

Zhang Qiulan looked at Lu Yao, gently pressing his lips together.

 

Lu Yao sighed. This child was really good-looking. He watched for a while, thinking that maybe if he had a child, it could be just as good-looking.

 

“As for the dowry shops, don’t worry about them too much. After the New Year, I’ll take them to the capital to open a wine house. Afterward, the business in the capital might be handed over to Xiaochun and Qiulan. They probably won’t have time to return here.”

 

Zhao Fengchun and Zhang Qiulan were both stunned, as they hadn’t heard of this plan. Lu Yao had never mentioned it to them.

 

Madam Zhang smiled awkwardly, “Mr. Lu is really impressive. We can’t compare to you…”

 

Lu Yao forced a smile, thinking that if you know you can’t compare, then don’t try to. I never took you seriously anyway.

 

Zhang Yu quickly smoothed things over, “Lu Yao, you’re going to the capital to open a wine house? When are you going?”

 

“Depends on the situation, maybe before the New Year, maybe after. Mainly depends on how things are with the baby.”

 

“If I had someone to help me, I would’ve gone to the capital to take a look!”

 

Liang Zhong coughed, “Aren’t I helping you?”

 

“You helping is more of a hindrance.”

 

Zhao Beichuan patted Liang Zhong on the shoulder, “It’s fine, we’re both the same.”

 

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

 

In the end, the meal was a happy one, with only Madam Zhang feeling slighted.

 

After the meal, when they left Lu’s wine house, Zhang father’s face darkened, and as soon as he got on the carriage, he slapped his wife.

 

The woman, holding her face, was stunned, “Lord, why are you doing this?”

 

“Stop with your little schemes. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll give all the shops in Pingzhou as a dowry to Qiulan!”

 

The woman’s eyes reddened, “Qiulan is your child. Did I not give birth to your children? He’s a ge’er, always out there making a name for himself, and you won’t even let your own sons run businesses. How is a father this biased?”

 

Zhang father, furious, laughed bitterly, “Didn’t I take Qiuguang and Qiuyao out? What are their characters? Don’t you, as their mother, know that? I gave them money to run businesses, and one of them dared to visit prostitutes at a young age, while the other was lured to a gambling house and almost lost his finger. Do I dare expect anything from them?”

 

The woman was silenced and didn’t speak anymore.

 

“If you really cared about your sons, you would treat Qiulan well. He’s marrying into the Zhao family and will follow Lu Yao in business. His future is limitless. If you make him happy, your useless sons will benefit from his success. Hmph, otherwise, when I’m gone, you’ll be begging for food.”

 

Madam Zhang clenched her clothes, her eyes filled with hatred. After a long while, she finally softly agreed.