NOVEL NEXT Chapter 58: Love and Hate in an Instant
Chapter 58: Love and Hate in an Instant
“Manager Xu, please speak freely.”
Pei’s family head had a vague suspicion.
At this point, Xu Lian no longer hesitated. “I want Zhaoxi. I ask Uncle Pei to give Zhaoxi to me to be my wife.”
Such bold words… He had gradually adapted to the language of this world and had become quite skilled at using it.
Simple, direct and clear…
Pei’s family head fell into thought. Now that Zhaoxi had broken off her engagement to Fang Shaoze, he had plans to arrange a marriage for her with a family in the county seat. This way, the Pei family could expand into the county and no longer be confined to the remote Green Bamboo Town.
However, Xu Lian also wanted Zhaoxi, which put him in a difficult position.
If he agreed to Xu Lian, the Pei family’s plan to expand into the county would fall through.
If he refused Xu Lian, it might create bad blood, and the Pei family would lose access to the Quarry Patrol Inspector connection, which would be an immeasurable loss.
He was in a dilemma, not knowing how to respond to Xu Lian.
Pei Heng was surprised. “Brother Xu, my father mentioned earlier that he would give you some concubines. Didn’t you say that your health is not good? Besides, not long ago, you even asked me to hunt a tiger to make wine.”
Xu Lian explained, “Actually, after drinking the tiger bone wine, my health has improved. I just don’t want concubines, I just want Zhaoxi, that’s why I said that.”
“I see.”
Pei Heng understood immediately and then smiled. “At first, when Zhaoxi had a quarrel with you, I thought you two were at odds. I didn’t expect that you were also thinking about Zhaoxi. I didn’t notice it at all.”
Xu Lian said, “Actually, when you came to my mine for a drink a few days ago, I dropped a hint, but you didn’t pay much attention.”
Pei Heng laughed out loud. “At that time, Zhaoxi was still engaged to Fang Shaoze. Of course, I couldn’t try to match you two. But now that the engagement is over, I think you’re a much better match for Zhaoxi than Fang Shaoze. He’s too immature, as polite as a little puppy. How could he possibly tame my Zhaoxi? You, on the other hand, can be both gentle and strong. Zhaoxi is afraid of men like you.”
Pei Zhaoxi cast a cold glance at her brother. Although she didn’t want to admit it outwardly, she knew deep down that her brother was right. His analysis was spot on. When it came to Xu Lian, she truly felt both love and hate, respect and fear.
“What is the Pei family trying to say?”
The old town mayor, Su Qing, was very displeased. “Is my legitimate son not even worth as much as a mere mine manager?”
Xu Lian had tolerated him for a long time. Immediately, he coldly responded, “Your legitimate son doesn’t even compare to me. Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Su Qing was stunned. He hadn’t expected a mere mine manager to talk to him like that. Furious, he shouted, “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
Xu Lian sneered, “I know very well. Aren’t you the head of the Su family? The retired mayor of the old city? What else is there about you that I don’t know? Speak up and let me learn something.”
Xu Lian’s confident and fearless attitude made Su Qing’s anger disappear in an instant. It was like a bucket of cold water being thrown over him, and he quickly calmed down.
Xu Lian knew his identity and still dared to speak to him in this way. Was this Xu Lian foolish?
Of course, Xu Lian wasn’t stupid. This could only mean one thing: Xu Lian had some kind of support that Su Qing was unaware of!
When he thought of the respectful attitude the Pei father and son had toward Xu Lian, he realized that Xu Lian was likely more than just a mine manager.
In this remote Green Bamboo Town, what kind of support could make the Pei family treat him so politely and not even fear the town mayor?
As he pondered, a flash of white crossed his mind. Could it be… Upon thinking of this, Su Qing trembled slightly in his heart, his expression changing as he looked deeply at Xu Lian.
“I misspoke, please don’t take offense, Young Brother Xu.”
Su Qing cupped his hands in apology. Although he had a bad habit of showing off and looking down on others, he was not a fool; otherwise, he would not have been the town mayor for so many years.
The members of the Pei family were all stunned. They hadn’t expected the old mayor, who had been furious just a moment ago, to suddenly become softer.
“..”Xu Lian was also taken aback for a moment. People in this world truly had strange personalities… love and hate could change in an instant.
Xu Lian had no choice but to cup his hands in return. “Old Town Mayor, you’re too kind. I was a little impulsive earlier. Please don’t mind it.”
“Haha, Young Brother Xu is a person with a strong character. I like that!” Su Qing laughed heartily. “I heard that you and my nephew are friends. In that case, we are all family, so let’s talk freely.”
With that, Su Qing waved his hand and called Han Du, who had been standing quietly at the back, to come forward. He wore a stern expression and said, “Why are you always hiding, Han? Young Brother Xu is just here to chat.”
Xu Lian’s mind moved. It would be good to help Han Du a little. Han Du had treated him decently back at the mine, so he didn’t mind returning the favor.
He immediately followed the old town mayor’s lead, smiling and saying, “Brother Han often drinks with me, but today I don’t know what happened; he seems to be a bit reserved. Could it be that he’s feeling unwell? Old Town Mayor, as Brother Han’s brother-in-law, you should take better care of him.”
Su Qing knew that Xu Lian was hinting at him, so he quickly replied, “I’ve been preoccupied with the town’s affairs these past years and neglected things at home. I’ll definitely pay more attention to my family in the future.”
Han Du gave Xu Lian a grateful glance, understanding that Xu Lian was helping him by raising his status.
“Young Brother Xu, the next time you meet the Quarry Patrol Inspector, do send my regards.”
Su Qing clearly had an ulterior motive, trying to test the waters.
Xu Lian nodded and smiled. “Of course.”
Su Qing’s eyes flashed, and he became almost certain that Xu Lian indeed had some connection with the quarry patrol inspector. No wonder Xu Lian was so fearless and why the Pei family treated him so politely.
This made Su Qing cast an angry glance at Pei Zhaoxi’s father. His heart silently cursed, Old Fox…
The head of Pei’s family knew that Xu Lian had connections with the Quarry Patrol Inspector, but he hadn’t informed him earlier. He was now breaking out in a cold sweat. He had almost clashed with Xu Lian earlier. If Xu Lian had harbored any ill will, he could easily spread rumors to the Quarry Patrol Inspector, and no amount of lives would be enough to pay for it. It might even cost the entire Su family.
After all, someone like the Quarry Patrol Inspector from the Yi Sect could squash a wealthy family like the Su Family as easily as stepping on an ant.
“Since Young Brother Xu is discussing marriage matters with the Pei family, I won’t stay any longer. I’ll take my leave.”
Su Qing exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xu Lian before he took his leave, sensing the situation and leading the Su family down the mountain.
After Su Qing left, Pei’s family head, who had been hesitating, finally spoke up, “Manager Xu, may I ask, what exactly is your relationship with the quarry patrol inspector?”
Xu Lian knew exactly what Pei’s family head was thinking. It was a matter of interests-whether marrying Pei Zhaoxi off to a family in the county would bring greater benefits, or whether marrying her to Xu Lian would be more beneficial.
As far as they knew, Xu Lian’s relationship with the quarry patrol inspector was unclear. Pei’s family was unsure whether Xu Lian was pretending to be friendly with the Quarry Patrol Inspector or if they really had a close relationship.
Xu Lian thought for a moment, then reached into his robes and slowly pulled out a jade medallion. He didn’t use his own blue jade medallion, fearing that it might reveal that he was a disciple of the Yi Sect. Instead, he took out the purple jade medallion given to him by the White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector.
Upon seeing the jade medallion, Pei’s family head was stunned.
He hadn’t expected Xu Lian’s relationship with the Quarry Patrol Inspector to be so close that the Inspector would actually entrust him with a jade medallion!
What’s more, he hadn’t anticipated that the Quarry Patrol Inspector held such a high position within the Yi Sect!
Although he had heard that the quarry patrol inspector in Green Bamboo Town had a distinguished position not comparable to that of other town inspectors, he hadn’t imagined it to be at the purple level!
According to the hierarchy of the Yi Sect, with levels ranging from green, blue, red, black, white, purple, silver, and gold, the three major families possessing green jade medallions were considered low-ranking figures. So what did the purple level in the Yi Sect signify?
It was beyond the understanding of the head of the Pei family!
“This morning, before I left home, I checked the almanac. Today is an auspicious day for marriage!
The Pei family head made a decisive decision. “The wedding between you and Zhaoxi will take place tonight. You can take Zhaoxi home tonight.”
My family would provide a generous dowry, including thirty shops in town, thirty unused houses, three thousand acres of rice fields, five hundred cattle and horses, five thousand taels of gold, and thirty thousand taels of silver.
There would also be various servants, nurses, maids, and attendants as part of the dowry.”
“How does that sound for a son-in-law?”
How practical… Xu Lian didn’t know what to say. He could only cup his hands in thanks. “Thank you, father-in-law.”