Chapter 115: Slapping the Xie Family in the Face
In the evening, someone suddenly knocked on the private room door. The waiter spoke quietly with Doctor Jin at the doorway.
Wen Yao saw Doctor Jin frown slightly before telling the waiter to wait outside and returning to the table.
“What’s wrong?” Shopkeeper Qiu asked.
Doctor Jin glanced toward the door. “Xie Yushan heard you’re here and wants to bring his son to pay a visit.”
Wen Yao saw Shopkeeper Qiu’s expression change visibly. He opened his mouth, intending to refuse, but after glancing at the Wen family, he changed his mind. “Let him come.”
Doctor Jin raised an eyebrow. “Now?”
“Yes.”
Doctor Jin thought for a moment and understood what Shopkeeper Qiu was planning. He went to speak with the waiter, who ran off happily after hearing the message.
At the table sat only the adults, Wen Yao, and Wen Jun. Seeing Wen Yao’s questioning look, Doctor Jin explained, “It’s the Xie family you know. Xie Yushan knows Old Qiu’s background and once tried to have his eldest son become his disciple, but Old Qiu refused. After several attempts, the eldest son went to the Xie clan school. Now he probably wants to try his luck with the younger one.”
“It wouldn’t matter whether he comes or not,” Shopkeeper Qiu snorted. He had never thought highly of the Xie family, even their branch members.
Wen Yao and Wen Jun exchanged glances. It had been a while since they’d seen the young master of the Xie family—the future richest man, whose life Wen Jun had once saved. They wondered what the Xie family would think upon seeing them here.
Wen Jun whispered to his master, “Old Qiu is backing your family up.”
The Xie family’s past behavior had indeed left a bad impression. Despite owing the Wen family a life-saving debt, they had looked down on them because of their humble background. In the past, they might not have interfered, but things were different now. Wen Jun was Doctor Jin’s beloved disciple, and Datou was Old Qiu’s godson—there was no way they would let their own people be bullied.
Soon, the door was knocked on again. Doctor Jin called for them to enter but remained seated. Shopkeeper Qiu did the same and even called Datou to stand beside him.
Xie Yushan had brought Xie Anyi to Zui Xian Tower to see the lantern festival with Qiu Rongrong. Though he usually kept the boy from meeting his mother, holidays were an exception. Hearing that Shopkeeper Qiu and Doctor Jin were also at the restaurant, he decided to bring his son to visit, hoping to build connections with a renowned scholar sought after even by nobles.
But when the door opened, he froze at the sight of a room full of people—especially the Wen family.
Qiu Rongrong also hadn’t expected to see Wen Yao here.
Recovering quickly, Xie Yushan said, “I didn’t expect Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu to have guests. We’ve disturbed you.”
“They are not my guests—they are my family,” Shopkeeper Qiu replied directly.
Xie Yushan was instantly embarrassed and looked at the Wen family with new scrutiny.
Wen Yao ignored him and greeted Qiu Rongrong warmly. “Sister Qiu, you’re here too. Come in.”
Xie Yushan’s expression shifted in surprise as Wen Yao pulled Qiu Rongrong inside.
Qiu Rongrong herself was stunned. She had always thought the Wen family were just farmers. Even though Wen Jun had become Doctor Jin’s disciple, their status hadn’t seemed to change. But Shopkeeper Qiu’s special treatment was different—she knew his background well.
Wen Yao introduced her to everyone, not as Madam Xie, but as Qiu Rongrong herself. Touched, Qiu Rongrong bowed gracefully. “Rongrong greets all the elders.”
“Don’t be polite—we’re family,” Madam Luo said warmly, pulling her to sit down.
Datou whispered to Jin Xiuyi while looking at the boy beside Xie Anyi. “That unlucky kid Dad talked about.”
The two boys immediately ran over. “Come sit with us!”
Before he could react, Xie Anyi was dragged to the children’s side.
Now only Xie Yushan remained standing at the door.
Shopkeeper Qiu raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to personally invite you to sit, Master Xie?”
Flustered, Xie Yushan hurried over. Just as he tried to sit beside Shopkeeper Qiu, Qiu called out, “Second and Third, come sit here.”
The two brothers obediently took the seats, leaving Xie Yushan no choice but to sit below them.
He tried to speak with Shopkeeper Qiu, but Qiu ignored him and chatted with Old Man Wen. The women surrounded Qiu Rongrong warmly. Even Xie Anyi was chatting happily with the children. Only Xie Yushan sat awkwardly alone.
Wen Xiuqing tried to make conversation. “Master Xie came to see the lantern festival too, huh?”
Xie Yushan, who had always looked down on farmers, simply responded with a cold “Mm.”
Embarrassed, Wen Xiuqing turned away.
Unable to endure the silence, Xie Yushan finally asked, “Are you relatives of Mr. Qiu?”
“He’s Datou’s godfather,” Wen Xiuqing replied.
“Datou?” What kind of rustic name was that?
Wen Xiuqing pointed at the lively boy. “Our youngest.”
Xie Yushan fell silent.
Looking at the plainly dressed child, resentment surged in his heart. The Xie family had offered a high price, yet Qiu Zhi refused to teach his son—but he willingly took a farmer’s child as his godson. Xie Yushan felt as if his face had been slapped repeatedly.
