Chapter 130: A Little Trick

People had two lips and a tongue, and could twist words however they pleased. The most frightening thing in the world was the human mouth. It could destroy a person completely, or lift someone up as if they were a deity descended from heaven—what terror!

In the blink of an eye, Wang Erdao became the target of everyone’s criticism. One after another, people dug up all the rotten things Wang Erdao had done from childhood till now. They laid out every detail, big or small, recounting how at three he had spied on women bathing, and how at four he had forced women to watch him bathe.

Wang Erdao had wanted to argue and resist, but faced with such overwhelming condemnation, he could only bow his head and accept his fate. He had originally hoped to use public pressure to force Lao Hei into submission. Who could have guessed that the wind would change direction so quickly?

What’s more, since Lao Hei had already torn off all pretenses, revealed his true intentions, and gained everyone’s support, he decided to go all the way. Right in front of everyone, Lao Hei threw caution to the wind, knelt down with a thud before Miss Zhao, and startled the young lady into confusion. With tears streaming down his face, Lao Hei said, “Miss, I know you have a kind heart and are merciful. You’ve already given our little shop all the farm tools from Zhao Family Village to make, and even paid half the wages in advance. You’ve been very good to us. But please, Miss, show a little more mercy. Please pay another twenty percent of the wages. I will work day and night without sleep to finish the order as quickly as possible. I beg you, Miss…”

Lao Hei’s emotions were genuine, and he kowtowed like pounding garlic, making Zhao Jiabi, an innocent young girl, at a loss for what to do. However, under Liu Liwa’s watchful eyes, whether out of seriousness or defiance, she quickly calmed down and nodded. Someone—either Zhao Zhong or Zhao Cheng—immediately stepped forward to help Lao Hei up. Miss Zhao smiled slightly and said, “Lao Hei, your deep sense of loyalty and righteousness shows that I didn’t choose the wrong person.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her bodyguard immediately took out a heavy ingot of silver. Its weight felt suffocating. At the sight of the silver, Lao Hei was overjoyed. With trembling hands, he took it, kowtowed in thanks to Miss Zhao, and stood up. He looked at Wang Erdao, who was pretending to be foolish on the ground, and a flicker of pity appeared in his eyes. But it vanished quickly, replaced by resolve. He tossed the silver ingot onto Wang Erdao and turned his back, saying harshly, “This is the last time I help you. From now on, neither I nor this blacksmith shop will have anything to do with you. Take care of yourself!”

The ingot was fifty silver taels. Wang Erdao looked at the silver as if he were looking at his own father. He clutched it tightly in his hand. Still, he knew that this silver was only a temporary solution. If he wasted it, the blacksmith shop would be his lifelong burden. But Lao Hei had spoken with finality, and under everyone’s condemnation, Wang Erdao couldn’t bring himself to beg Lao Hei. For a moment, he was caught in a dilemma.

Just as he was trapped in uncertainty and didn’t know what to do, Liu Liwa made his move. He hadn’t expected such a drama to unfold so suddenly. It was as if the heavens were helping him—this would make his plan much easier and ensure its success.

He hooked his arm around the fatty Wang Laoer’s shoulder and deliberately said loudly, “Nothing more to see here, fatty. Let’s go drink. Is that tavern really as good as you say?”

Wang Laoer immediately replied, “Don’t worry, Brother Xiaoqi. The chef at that tavern trained in the Capital City. His skills are amazing. You could say it’s the best tavern in Linyu County. I guarantee you’ll eat well. But Brother Xiaoqi, the dishes there aren’t cheap!”

That was exactly what Liu Liwa was waiting for. He knew Wang Laoer would say that because, no matter how popular Liu Xiaoqi was, he was still just a brothel servant. Seizing the moment, Liu Liwa spoke even louder, sounding like a pompous nouveau riche: “Tsk, it’s just silver. I’ve got plenty…”

Liu Liwa put his arm around Wang Laoer, talking as they walked. They deliberately passed by Wang Erdao. Then, Liu Liwa lowered his voice just enough for both Wang Laoer and Wang Erdao to hear, pretending to be mysterious: “Fatty, let me tell you something, but don’t go spreading it around. Recently, the Intoxication Pavilion has been clearing out the older girls. One of them, named Miss Xiuzhu, has been at Intoxication Pavilion for over ten years. She usually keeps to herself, but who would’ve thought she saved over three thousand silver taels? She’s practically rich! Look, this is what she gave me.”

As he spoke, Liu Liwa pulled out a gold ingot from his pocket—the one he had gotten from Lord Zeng that morning. It gleamed brightly, catching everyone’s eye. Unaware of the scheme, Wang Laoer played along: “Brother Xiaoqi, why would Miss Xiuzhu give you silver?”

“Of course, it wasn’t for nothing!” Liu Liwa deliberately looked around cautiously, as if he hadn’t noticed Wang Erdao eavesdropping nearby. He whispered, “This Miss Xiuzhu has a hidden illness. Of course, it’s not a venereal disease. It’s a rare condition, like taking a slow-acting poison that gradually causes mistakes. Her illness is similar. She’s had it since she was little but never noticed. Now that she’s older, it’s becoming more obvious. The doctor said she only has three to five years left to live. But she still has three thousand silver taels! She can’t possibly spend it all in her remaining time. So yesterday, I pretended to be nice to her, taking care of her, pouring her tea, serving her dinner. And you see the result—she rewarded me with a gold ingot! Of course, that’s nothing compared to what Yang Xiaosi did. That scoundrel actually fetched foot-washing water for Miss Xiuzhu at night. He even said he was afraid she’d be cold and stayed overnight with her, tucking her in. Talk about being thorough and considerate! As a result, Yang Xiaosi got a full hundred silver taels… Ah, it’s a pity Miss Xiuzhu will be leaving Intoxication Pavilion in a couple of days. She’s already paid her redemption fee and deposited most of her silver at Fuxiang Bank. She made an agreement with the bank that the silver can only be withdrawn after her death. But it’s fine—she doesn’t have many years left anyway. Whoever takes good care of her for a few years, showing her love and concern, will surely get all three thousand silver taels after she dies. Three thousand silver taels! A few years of servitude in exchange for a lifetime of comfort—it’s worth it!”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right, Brother Xiaoqi. But looking at Miss Xiuzhu, she probably wouldn’t fancy someone like me. Let’s just go drink!” Wang Laoer said with self-awareness.

As the two walked along, chatting, they passed by Wang Erdao, having said everything they needed to say. At that moment, Wang Erdao’s gloom vanished. He sprang up, grabbed Wang Laoer, and said, “Wang Laoer…”

Wang Laoer had intended to slip past Wang Erdao while he was dazed, since Wang Erdao was destitute and anyone who got involved with him would suffer. But he hadn’t expected to be caught. He forced a bitter smile and said, “Erdao, stop gambling from now on. Make an honest living!”

“Save your lecture,” Wang Erdao snapped, having no patience for it. He glared and asked, “That Intoxication Pavilion and Xiuzhu you just mentioned—which Miss Xiuzhu are you talking about?”

“Which one else could it be?” Wang Laoer replied naturally. “The one with a mole on her chest and a birthmark on her upper thigh!”

“Oh? Really her? It’s actually her?” Wang Erdao was overjoyed.

Liu Liwa broke out in a cold sweat. What was all this about chests and upper thighs? Were the two of you close or something!