Chapter 20: Wu Dalang's Dream

  Ximen Qing never expected that the robust young man in front of him would be... Wu Song? The Wu Song, the pilgrim from Water Margin, the Tiger-fighting Wu Song?

  The heavenly injury star Wu Song, fierce as a hunting tiger, proud like a mad dragon, is one of the first-rate heroes in Water Margin. In his previous life, Ximen Qing admired and respected him the most. But who would have thought that his former idol was now standing in front of him, and he had even become his benefactor?

  Ximen Qing's face was filled with excitement as he thought about it. Then, he looked at the young boy standing next to Wu Song, who was extremely short and ugly. Was this really the legendary Wu Dalang? The strongest cuckold in Water Margin?

  Then Ximen Qing glanced at the beautiful girl in front of the young woman and thought to himself: Is this the legendary Pan Jinlian? The one who is famous both domestically and internationally as a female hero? However, it seems that Wu Song called that young woman "aunt", which doesn't seem quite right!

  "It's really like putting flowers on cow dung!" Ximen Qing couldn't understand it, but still sighed in admiration.

  Wu Song saw Ximen Qing's worried look and asked: "What's wrong, benefactor? Have you seen me?"

  Ximen Qing shook his head and said: "Hehe, no, I've just heard of your name. Ah, Wu Song, big brother, I see that you have excellent martial arts skills, who did you learn from?"

  Wu Song burst out laughing, and a hint of foolishness flashed across his stern face. "I was a lay disciple at Shaolin Temple, and I just returned to Qinghe County a few days ago. As soon as I got back, I found that scoundrel Sun Erniang trying to take advantage of my aunt! If it weren't for you, my benefactor, I would have committed a bloody crime by now! By the way, people say my martial arts skills are impressive, but they're nothing compared to yours. You took me down with just two or three moves - that's what I call impressive!"

  At this time, Wu Dalang on the side also said repeatedly: "Yes, I only knew that my second brother was fierce before, and I didn't expect that the benefactor would be even more fierce. If it weren't for the benefactor's help, I, Erlang, Auntie, and sister would all be in danger! Ah, right, I haven't introduced myself yet. Benefactor, my name is Wu Dalang, this is my aunt and my sister Wu Ying, they are the relatives of my late uncle. Alas, after my uncle passed away, that Sun Baozi wanted to take over my aunt's property, but now it's all settled, and from now on, my aunt will serve in the Ximen government office, please take care of her, benefactor!"

  "Your uncle's daughter?" Ximen Qing said, secretly thinking to himself, so it wasn't Pan Jinlian after all? It seems I was mistaken, and thought this aunt and pretty little sister were Jinlian and her mother. Now Pan Jinlian should still be in Yanggu County, that's right. Fortunately, this flower hasn't been tainted.

  Ximen Qing smiled slyly in his heart, then laughed and said: "Don't worry, Brother Wu, I will take care of Auntie and Sister Ying!"

  "Thank you, young master!" Wu Shi hastily nodded and said gratefully.

  Wu Ying looked at Ximen Qing with a pair of bright eyes, her eyes filled with gratitude and emotion, making Ximen Qing feel somewhat embarrassed.

  ········

  In the elegant room on the second floor of the聚贤居, Ximen Qing was drinking freely with Wu Song and Wu Dalang. Ximen Qing had always been known for his incredible capacity for wine, which seemed to have no limits. Now that he had met Wu Song, another lover of wine, the two naturally hit it off. Bottle after bottle of white wine flowed down their throats, but instead of getting drunk, they became more and more cheerful, and before long, they were addressing each other as brothers. In contrast, Wu Dalang seemed rather effeminate. He sipped his wine from a small cup, and when he drank too much, he would grit his teeth and make faces, unable to handle the spiciness, which made Ximen Qing feel quite helpless. How could two brothers be so different?

  "From now on, I entrust my aunt and sister to you! From now on, Wu Song's life is yours, you can dispose of it as you wish!" Wu Song raised his cup to toast Ximen Qing.

  In ancient times, people were like this. As long as they had received their kindness, they would repay it with their lives. Yan Qing was like this, and Wu Song was also like this. Seeing how much importance they attached to loyalty, Ximen Qing's heart was truly delighted.

  Ximen Qing hastily stood up and pressed Wu Song back down, saying: "Second Brother Wu, didn't we just say that we would address each other as brothers? This 'master' business must never be mentioned again. If it is brought up again, that means Second Brother Wu looks down on me. In that case, I'll leave, and absolutely won't sully the eyes of Erlang!"

  "Alright... little brother, don't be like that. Wu Er will obey orders, haha..." Wu Song was also a straightforward person, seeing Ximen Qing being so generous, he felt very happy in his heart.

  Ximen Qing asked: "Right, Wu Erge, what are your plans for the future? Will you stay in Qinghe County or return to Shaolin Temple?"

  Wu Song smiled foolishly and said, "Originally I thought my skills were accomplished, so I wanted to come out and make a name for myself. But now that I've seen your martial arts, brother, I realize there's more to the world than what I know! So I think I'll head back to Shaolin Temple to train some more, and leave in a few days!"

  Wu Dalang frowned and said: "Second Brother, why are you in such a hurry? With you leaving like this, who knows when we two brothers will meet again?"

  Wu Song felt a pang of sadness, patted his big brother's shoulder and said: "Big brother, after I leave, you must take good care of yourself, don't let anyone bully you. If someone bullies you, don't fight back hard, wait for Er Lang to come back and help you take revenge. Auntie and sister have Ximen Old Brother to help them, so you can rest assured, from now on you must take good care of yourself!"

  Seeing Wu Song and Wu Dalang being affectionate, Ximen Qing's heart was exceptionally moved. After all, they were brothers who relied on each other for life, and no matter how big the gap between them was, it couldn't block the connection of kinship.

  Ximen Qing asked, "Alright, Dalang, what are your plans for the future? Do you want to help out at my Aguienciu? My Aguienciu is short of a deputy manager, why don't you just stay here and help me out, how about it?"

  Is Dezheng Tang short of a deputy store manager? Don't be ridiculous, how is that possible. It's just Ximen Qing speaking like this to take care of Wu Dalang!

  However, Wu Dalang's response made Ximen Qing somewhat frantic, almost spitting out wine: "Deputy manager? Hehe, forget it. I'm currently working as an apprentice at Lao Ji's pancake shop in Yanggu County and will soon be able to sell pancakes myself. I've dreamed of selling pancakes since childhood, then opening my own shop in Tokyo. Ha ha, pancakes are so fragrant! Being able to sell them is my childhood dream, and now I'm about to achieve it. Even being made emperor wouldn't make me willing to give it up. So, deputy manager is not needed, let's leave it for my second brother Er Lang instead!"

  Wu Erlang is indeed a representative of the peasant class. Let him be the deputy manager and become a member of the bourgeoisie, but he is unwilling to do so and still aspires to sell pancakes. It's really magnificent! There are 360 professions, and every profession produces its own champion. At this moment, Ximen Qing was also moved, and he couldn't help but want to write a book titled "Wu Dalang's Life Ideal of Removing the Green Hat". If it were written, it would definitely be a bestseller!

  Seeing Wu Dalang's determined expression, Ximen Qing was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said: "Alright, since you're so determined, I won't force it. But I'll keep this manager position for you!"

  "Thanks, Brother Ximen!" Wu Song and Wu Dalang thanked in unison.

  ······

  The next day, after waking up from his drunkenness, Ximen Qing suddenly woke up and immediately tensed up, using his internal energy to shake off the quilt on his body. He then jumped up and directly seized the stranger who had walked to the bedside!

  Everyone in the Ximen household knew that Ximen Qing's bedroom was off-limits, not even Ximen Chui Xue and Zhang Shi were allowed to enter! Because Ximen Qing practiced his skills in the bedroom, he was afraid of being disturbed and disrupting his training. Therefore, anyone who wanted to come in had to knock on the door and announce their presence. Now, someone had entered without knocking and had even reached the bedside, how could Ximen Qing not be alarmed?

  Ximen Qing struck down the newcomer and immediately heard the person groan and say: "Ah..."

  The voice was crisp, with three parts surprise, three parts unexpectedness, and one part shyness.

  At this time, Ximen Qing also just saw clearly that the person he had captured was who. This person was not someone else, but precisely Wu Ying, who had just arrived at the Ximen residence yesterday!

  Although Ximen Qing had grasped Wu Yin's neck, he didn't use much force, so although Wu Yin was somewhat frightened, she didn't feel any pain. She was startled by Ximen Qing's movement and when she saw his bare upper body, her frightened expression turned into one of shyness.

  "What a robust figure..." Wu Yin's face turned red with shame and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Ximen Qing.

  Ximen Qing hastily released his grip, secretly letting out a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he hadn't used much force just now; otherwise, with one squeeze, Wu Ying's neck would have been crushed to pieces, and crying wouldn't have done any good. After releasing the tension, Ximen Qing only then noticed that he was still on top, and Wu Ying's face had already turned red like a sunset, beautiful beyond compare.

  Ximen Qing awkwardly picked up his clothes and put them on, asking: "Wu Yin, how did you get here? I thought it was an assassin, because others need to knock on the door before entering my bedroom..."

  Wu Ying's face turned red with shame, she stood up and said: "Young master, I'm sorry, I didn't know this rule, I scared you, please punish me!"

  She was about to kneel down. Ximen Qing's eyes were quick and he hastily helped Wu Ying up, stopping her from kneeling down, and said: "I promised Dalang and Wu Erge to take good care of you and your mother, so it's best for you to come to the Ximen household and live a good life, absolutely no need to kneel!"

  Wu Ying pursed her lips, glanced at Ximen Qing, and said softly: "Young Master spent 1,000 taels to save me and my mother. Now, my mother and I are people of the Ximen household, we are Young Master's people. Young Master promised the two brothers to take good care of us, but my mother and I cannot be idle people in the Ximen household, eating and drinking without doing anything. If it were so, my mother and I would rather go out and not be slaves in the Ximen household!"

  Seeing Wu Yuen's stubborn expression, Ximen Qing nodded and said: "Since that's the case, I won't force it. By the way, what did you come to my room for?"

  Her face suddenly revealed a shy expression, she pulled at her hem and said softly: "I am now the young master's personal maid, of course I have to come and take care of the young master. I think the young master should be waking up soon, so I came to help the young master change clothes!"

  After she finished speaking, the image of Ximen Qing's bare upper body involuntarily appeared in her mind, making Wu Ying's heart even more shy and lowering her head even deeper, unable to speak from beneath her collar.

  Ximen smiled and looked at Wu Ying, then said: "Alright, come on, help me change clothes! Little Ying..."

  Under Wu Yiniang's blushing and shyness, she began to help Ximen Qing change his clothes. Naturally, this process of changing was extremely ambiguous...

  It used to take only a dozen or so breaths to change clothes, but this time it took as long as the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The time it takes to drink a cup of tea is about fifteen minutes, and such a long time was spent just putting on a few pieces of clothing, which shows how ambiguous the process of changing clothes was.

  After putting on his clothes, Wu Yinjiao left with a blush, and Ximen Qing burst out laughing and walked towards Wu Song's room.

  PS: Seeking support, the plot unfolds slowly, please don't hesitate to support!