Chapter 42

After the song ended, everyone applauded. Yuan Shiqing took out a silver coin, and Murong Feiyan felt her money pouch, giving all the silver pieces inside to the father and daughter. In total, it was not much, just a couple of coins more or less.

Zhan Peng was just a hunter and didn't have much silver on him. He gave all the copper coins he had, over a hundred, to them, leaving him without enough money to pay the bill.

Murong Feiyan's eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian. Among those present, Hu Xiaotian was definitely the wealthiest. The father and daughter were so pitiful; this guy, if he had any humanity, should at least show some kindness. If Hu Xiaotian were to show his generosity this time, it might improve Murong Feiyan's impression of him and make her reassess his character. However, Hu Xiaotian had the intention to give, but no money. When did he ever carry a single copper coin? Usually, the servants paid for everything. In this era, people of status never carried money bags; carrying too little wouldn't last, and carrying too much was like carrying a dumbbell. Anyway, there were always servants to carry the money. Hu Xiaotian had never had the concept of paying.

He made the gesture, but his pockets were empty. Fang Zhiting smiled and bowed, waiting for Hu Xiaotian's reward. After searching for a long time, Hu Xiaotian couldn't find a single copper coin and felt embarrassed: "Uh... you know... I didn't bring any money..."

Hearing this, Fang Zhiting didn't mind. The people of Dakan were simple and honest. Tipping was a matter of personal choice, and they never forced anyone to give money. Fang Zhiting smiled and said to his daughter, "Fang Fang, thank the gentlemen for their generous gifts. Let's go!"

Hu Xiaotian scratched his head awkwardly, thinking about whether he should go downstairs to ask a servant for some money. Murong Feiyan gave him a look of utter disdain.

Hu Xiaotian felt more embarrassed than ever in his life: "I... really didn't bring any money..."

"It's fine, it's fine!" Yuan Shiqing laughed.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Murong Feiyan and said, "Don't look at me like that, as if I'm a heartless rich man."

Murong Feiyan smiled faintly and said, "I don't know Hu Xiaotian's character, and I don't care!"

Even Zhan Peng, who was not involved, could see that Inspector Murong had some prejudice against her benefactor. From the way Hu Xiaotian helped a stranger, his father, it was clear that he was not a stingy person.

Hu Xiaotian was provoked by Murong Feiyan's attitude. "Damn it, Murong girl, if I don't make you change your clothes and submit, I'll change my name to yours." Actually, Murong Feiyan hadn't offended him, but he was somehow being extreme. It seemed that this body had some evil genes, so Hu Xiaotian's evil thoughts kept coming.

Yuan Shiqing hurried to mediate, "Not bringing money is fine; it's not necessary to tip."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "Old man, you make it sound easy. You and the Fang family are so familiar; it's obvious you're helping them. Listening to the song is just an excuse; you're really helping them." Hu Xiaotian said, "How about this, I'll send five taels of gold when I get back. It's just a consultation fee, and I'll take care of it." Given his family's wealth, five taels of gold was not a big deal, so he decided to be generous and help again.

Yuan Shiqing, hearing Hu Xiaotian's generous offer, quickly thanked him on behalf of the Fang family and wanted to call them back to thank Hu Xiaotian. Murong Feiyan shook her head and said, "No rush. I'm afraid some people will forget their promises. They'll be so happy now, but forget everything after the meal. That would just make the father and daughter disappointed."

Hu Xiaotian realized that Murong Feiyan was using a provocation tactic, afraid he wouldn't keep his promise. He smiled, "Inspector Murong, you're right. After the meal, you can come with me."

Murong Feiyan glared at him, "Why should I go to your house?"

"To get the gold! If you don't trust me, you can trust yourself."

Murong Feiyan said, "Fine, let's go. Who's afraid of who?"

At this moment, the waiter brought the dishes. Yuan Shiqing ordered a jar of fine wine, and Zhan Peng stood up to pour wine for everyone. In terms of age, Murong Feiyan and Hu Xiaotian were younger than him, but one was an official and the other was a second-generation official, and Hu Xiaotian was his benefactor, so Zhan Peng was happy to pour the wine.

Although Yuan Shiqing was the host, he couldn't drink much. Li Yifeng was a drinking expert, but he had been vomiting non-stop and couldn't join. Hu Xiaotian, although he often drank and went to bars in his previous life, wasn't sure about his current body's alcohol tolerance. In fact, he hadn't even had a sip of alcohol yet.

Hu Xiaotian tentatively took a sip. The alcohol content was low, but the taste was sweet and mellow, as it was made from grains, unlike the alcohol mixtures of the past. Hu Xiaotian decided to take it slow, drinking a bowl and feeling no reaction, with a clear head and clear speech. It seemed his drinking capacity hadn't completely deteriorated in the time travel.

However, Hu Xiaotian still acted very shy and polite, as he was unsure. He kept saying he couldn't drink much, almost saying he was allergic to alcohol, but he was afraid these ancient people wouldn't understand.

Zhan Peng had a high tolerance for alcohol. In this era, showing respect at the table meant offering drinks. He held Hu Xiaotian's wine bowl with both hands and offered it to him. Hu Xiaotian took the bowl and felt a bit awkward, "Zhan brother, this is the third bowl you've offered me."

Zhan Peng said, "Hu Xiaotian's great kindness deserves more than three bowls. Thirty bowls wouldn't be too much."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "Thirty bowls, you're trying to drink me to death. This isn't gratitude, it's revenge! You're really honest, but then again, it's Yuan Shiqing's treat. Drink as much as you want, thinking it's not your money." He always thought of the worst first.

Murong Feiyan saw Hu Xiaotian's reluctance and said, "If you can drink, drink. If you can't, don't. A real man should be straightforward."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You be straightforward, drink three bowls for me to see!"

Zhan Peng and Yuan Shiqing exchanged glances and smiled. These two seemed to be natural enemies, bickering from the moment they met.

Murong Feiyan said, "Three bowls? We'll drink a whole jar! Waiter, bring two jars of wine!"

Hu Xiaotian was stunned. Who said women were inferior to men? Murong Feiyan was not only skilled in martial arts but also had a terrifying drinking capacity.

Murong Feiyan looked at Hu Xiaotian coldly, "Scared?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "If I'm scared, I'm your son!"

Murong Feiyan, an unmarried woman, blushed at this. She spat, "Shameless!" She originally wanted to curse him, but remembering the story Hu Xiaotian told, she couldn't say those words.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the two jars of wine. Each jar contained at least three pounds of wine, plus the weight of the jar, making it about five pounds. It was heavy and intimidating. He shook his head, "Forget it, I won't drink. If I drink, I'll die. I'm really scared, okay?"

Murong Feiyan was at a loss with this guy. He said he was scared, which meant he admitted he was her son. She was an unmarried woman; how could she have a child? This guy was too despicable. Whenever she was with him, she always lost. "Different paths, different people. Why did I even sit with this playboy?"

At this moment, there was a commotion outside. Hu Xiaotian took the opportunity to stand up, "I'll go see what's happening outside." He realized he couldn't win against women.

Zhan Peng said, "Hu Xiaotian, please sit. I'll go check!" He was already sitting near the door, so he opened it and went out without waiting for Hu Xiaotian to stand up.

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