Chapter 22: The Rival of Old Willow

  The newcomer, Liu Yitiao, didn't recognize him, but judging from the way he was addressed and Old Liu's reaction, it seemed that he had come to find Liu Laoshi. Moreover, Liu Laoshi didn't seem very welcoming of him.

  All are guests when passing through the door. Liu Yitiao didn't dare to be slow, and as soon as he went out, he loudly called out: "Wait a moment, I'll be right back."

  He quickly walked out to open the door for the guest. It wasn't until he approached that he realized this fat man had actually arrived by carriage. Liu Yitiao took a closer look and saw that although they were only two inferior horses, with unimpressive hooves and coat colors, in this era where transportation was underdeveloped, having horses to use was a symbol of social status. Ordinary people couldn't afford horses, let alone carriages.

  Liu Yitiao opened the door and bowed his hands: "Gentlemen have been waiting for a long time, I don't know who you are?"

  "Are you a virtuous nephew?" The stout old man, who was the first to speak, put his hands behind his back and said with a gentle expression: "I am Liu Sanwu, and my virtuous nephew came to my mansion yesterday afternoon. You should still remember, shouldn't you?"

  "Oh, it's Uncle Gong!" Liu Yitiao suddenly realized and bowed apologetically: "I didn't get to meet you last time, I'm really sorry. Please come in quickly, my parents are all inside."

  "Ah, okay, okay." Liu Sanwu smiled and nodded, then turned to the two people behind him and instructed: "You guys bring the stuff in, just wait outside for now."

  "Yes, sir!" The two servants replied respectfully.

  "Uncle, it's cold outside, let them come in and sit down." Now that it's the coldest winter month, the wind is blowing fiercely outside, if someone stands out there for too long, they'll catch a chill.

  "Never mind, one virtuous nephew doesn't need to bother with them. They're all used to it. Let's just hurry inside, this journey has frozen me half to death." Liu Sanwu didn't take it seriously, since ancient times, there have been distinctions between superiors and inferiors, and subordinates should behave like subordinates, how could they disrupt the order? As he spoke, he pulled Liu Yitiao's hand and headed straight for the main house. This made Liu Yitiao feel very uncomfortable in his heart. He thought to himself, no wonder Old Liu didn't like this Liu Sanwu, people like him who think they're superior and are extremely self-centered, not many people would like them.

  As he entered the house, he saw Liu Laoshi sitting in the main hall. Liu Sanwu walked over with a smile and said: "Feng Kai, my old brother, it's been over ten years since we last met, but you still look as spirited and vigorous as ever!"

  "Fengkai?" Liu Yitiao cast his gaze at Liu Laoshi, so this was Liu Laoshi's real name? Liu Fengkai, what a great name! Why hadn't he heard of it before?

  Liu Laoshi sat there without moving, and rudely swept a glance at Liu Sanwu, saying: "What brings you here? Our old Liu family is poor and humble, I'm afraid we can't afford to entertain a great Buddha like you, so please leave!"

  "Fengkai brothers, what kind of talk is this? Your family may be poor, but it's not to the point where you can't afford to entertain guests, right? Besides, our two families are relatives, how can you refuse me like this? " Liu Sanwu stretched his head and looked inside, saying: "Why haven't I seen Fangmei, isn't she here today?"

  "Shut up!" Liu Lao Shi yelled loudly, as if his tail had been stepped on: "Ah Fang has long been a member of the Liu family and has nothing to do with you. From now on, please call her Mrs. Liu. If you still dare to call her Ah Fang, don't blame me for kicking you out!"

  "Ah Fang? Could it be my mother?" Liu Yitiao looked at Old Liu's red face and thick neck, and suddenly felt a wave of old vinegar flavor spreading out. No need to guess, this Liu Sanwu must have been Old Liu's love rival in the past.

  "Uncle, please take a seat." Liu Yitiao stepped forward and had Liu Sanwu, who was still standing, sit down in the main seat next to Liu Laoshi, then sat down in the second seat.

  Liu Sanwu looked at Liu Yitiao with satisfaction and said to Liu Laoshi: "So many years have passed, now even the children are grown up like this, how can you still not let go? We are brothers, I am your elder brother, will I rob your wife? You say it yourself, in all these years since Ah Fang married into your family, have I ever come to disturb you?"

  "This time I came, apart from wanting to see you two elders, there is another main purpose which is to thank my wise nephew. Yesterday morning, if it wasn't for that wise nephew of mine, our whole family might have been in a precarious situation."

  "Oh?" Lao Liu looked at Yitiao and said: "Is there such a thing? Why didn't Yitiao mention it before?"

  "Dad, the assassin sent by Wang Kui was caught at Uncle Gong's mansion." Liu Yitiao reminded in a low voice. He hadn't told Liu Laoshi and others about these things in detail, first because he was afraid they would worry, second because he was afraid that Old Liu wouldn't be happy, after all, he didn't know what kind of grudge there was between Old Liu and Liu Sanwu that couldn't be resolved.

  "Oh, I see." Old Liu's face looked a bit better. Having a capable son was a great pride booster, especially in front of his former rival, and it made Old Liu feel infinitely proud.

  "Come on! Bring the things in!" Liu Sanwu saw that Liu Laoshi's expression had eased, so he instructed his servants to bring in the gifts. "Feng Kai brothers, with the New Year approaching, these are some goods I've purchased for your household as a gift. There aren't many things, but they represent my heartfelt intentions. Consider it a token of gratitude from me to you, my virtuous nephews, for saving our family."

  Liu Sanwu waved his hand, and the people below removed the red cloth covering the gift box.

  Inside the gift box were two pieces of fine silk and a row of dazzling new coins.

  It's really a practical thing, giving gifts directly in silver money, and only a wealthy and rough landlord like Liu Sanwu can do such a thing. However, it's also hard to say whether he's intentionally trying to annoy Liu Laoshi.

  "Uncle, you're too kind. Our two families are relatives after all, and it's only right that we help each other in times of need. Besides, the last time was also because of me, and I've already wronged your family members, how can I still accept such a heavy gift?" Liu Yitiao spoke up before Liu Laoshi could say anything: "We appreciate the thought, but please take these things back with you, Uncle."

  Liu Lao said with a gloomy face: "One thing you said is right, take your things back, our humble household can't afford it. Moreover, the food in our house is coarse and plain, we can't entertain your refined taste, so we won't keep you for dinner today, please leave! Yitiao, see him off!"

  After finishing speaking, Liu Laoshi got up and entered the inner room, leaving behind a embarrassed-looking Liu Sanwu.

  "Fengkai, after all these years, you still have this stinky temper. I, Liu Sanwu, may be a bit arrogant in my daily life, but when did I ever look down on your poor family and small business? Every time wasn't it you who looked down on yourself?" Liu Sanwu stood up and loudly said to the small door inside: "Since you're not welcome, I'll take my leave now. But the things I brought will stay here, do whatever you want with them. What reason does Liu Sanwu have to take back what he has given away?"

  Liu Sanwu turned to leave, but was stopped by Liu Yitiao. Liu Yitiao apologized in a low voice: "Uncle, please don't take offense, my father is just like that. He'll be fine in two days, don't mind him. I'm apologizing for him here. However, please take these things back with you, otherwise, according to my father's temper, he will definitely throw them onto the street after you leave. This is all your hard-earned money, don't let it go to waste."

  "Alas! Never mind, I'm familiar with your father's temper. I'll just take these things back for now and come to thank him another day." Liu Sanwu sighed and ordered his men to carry the goods out.

  Then he pulled Liu Yitiao out of the hall, looked around and saw no one, and asked in a somewhat awkward and low voice: "Yitiao Xiangnian, that... your mother, is she all right?"