Chapter 47

Xiaoming had to admit that Shi Xuedong's move was indeed ingenious. He was using this method to tell Hu Xiaotian, "I not only don't bear a grudge against you, but I am also magnanimous enough to reconcile with you."

Hu Xiaotian really didn't want to form a brotherhood with this guy, but under the current circumstances, if he didn't agree, it would be like not giving Shi Xuedong face. Not giving Shi Xuedong face was equivalent to rejecting the Shi family. If Shi Xuedong's father was just a fifth-rank official, it would be one thing, but his father was a third-rank official, in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and his political status in Dakan was no less than that of Hu Xiaotian's father. After much thought, Hu Xiaotian realized he couldn't refuse, and immediately put on a bright and sunny smile: "Brother Shi, I'm worried I can't match up to you!"

Shi Xuedong laughed: "What do you mean by not matching up? Unless you still hold a grudge against me!"

Hu Xiaotian quickly shook his head: "No such thing. In fact, from the first moment I saw Brother Shi, I felt a strong connection. Brother Shi is tall, strong, and handsome, a true dragon among men. How could I not want to form a brotherhood with you?" In his heart, he cursed, "You bastard, all you have is a good appearance, but you're full of evil, without principles, without character, despicable, dirty, and shameless!"

Shi Xuedong held Hu Xiaotian's hand, also with a look of regret at not meeting earlier: "Brother Hu, you are honest and straightforward, with a straightforward and passionate personality. I admire you most for being genuine and not pretending!" In his heart, he was seething, "You damn it, you actually dared to slap me. If I don't make you beg for mercy and call me grandpa a thousand times, I'll change my name."

The two were outwardly flattering each other, but in their hearts, they were each plotting, neither genuinely wanting to form a brotherhood, and both wishing they could devour the other alive.

Shi Jingde, being old and cunning, of course didn't believe these two would genuinely form a brotherhood. However, it's better to resolve enmity than to let it fester. If these two could reconcile, it would be a good thing. Shi Jingde smiled: "It's rare that you both have such thoughts. I'll be your witness."

Hu Xiaotian understood that today he was in a difficult position. Whether he wanted to or not, he had to go through with it. Shi Xuedong pulled his hand and knelt down, immediately building a small altar and lighting incense. Shi Xuedong, with his many friends in the capital, had formed brotherhoods countless times, so he was very familiar with the process. He and Hu Xiaotian performed the eight bows, saying: "I, Shi Xuedong, and Hu Xiaotian, form a brotherhood today. We may not be born on the same day, but we wish to die on the same day." As he said this, he gave Hu Xiaotian a smile, thinking, "If anyone dies, it will be you first. Brother? I'm just playing with you!"

Hu Xiaotian thought, "Die on the same day? I spit on that. You are full of evil, and you will die a violent death sooner or later. Whether you live or die is none of my business. I'm being forced to form a brotherhood today. Heaven and earth! This doesn't count, I'm not his brother!" Hu Xiaotian said, "I, Hu Xiaotian, form a brotherhood with Brother Shi today. In the future, we will be united as brothers. I will treat my big brother well, and I believe my big brother will treat me even better. If not, may I be struck by lightning, hit by five thunderbolts, pierced by a thousand arrows, and die a terrible death!"

Shi Xuedong heard this clearly and thought, "What do you mean by treating me well, and I will treat you even better? Why? This curse seems to be aimed at me. It sounds like I'm the one who will suffer. You are quite devious." He thought Hu Xiaotian was devious, but he himself wasn't much better. His initial intention for forming a brotherhood was just to deceive Hu Xiaotian, not because he genuinely admired him. Shi Xuedong continued: "I will treat my brother even better, and I believe my brother will treat me even better. If not, may my intestines be torn, my tongue ulcerate, my body be covered in pus, and my life be worse than death!"

Hu Xiaotian cursed in his heart, "Shi Xuedong, I really want to curse your father. You are so vicious and cruel! You are a hundred times more vicious than me." Thinking of Shi Xuedong's uncle standing nearby, even if Shi Jingde was willing, he himself wasn't. Today's loss was significant.

Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian were both people who couldn't bear to lose. They both made vicious oaths, but in reality, they were cursing each other. Their words were harsh, but their faces were full of warmth. They held hands tightly, and the role change was incredibly fast, suddenly turning from enemies to brothers.

Even Shi Jingde found it hard to accept, sighing in his heart, "They are both sons of high officials, and their political genes are extraordinary. These two boys, combined, are younger than I am, yet they are already masters of hypocrisy, deceit, and flattery. With such qualities, why do they waste their days? They should be officials."

Shi Xuedong, determined to be hypocritical to the end, warmly invited Hu Xiaotian to drink together. This was a common practice; after forming a brotherhood, they should celebrate with a few drinks.

Hu Xiaotian said he had something at home and had to go back, promising to treat Brother Shi to a drink another day. He declined because he didn't trust Shi Xuedong, wondering if this guy would poison the drink. Even if he didn't dare to poison, they hadn't yet drunk blood wine. If he suggested drinking blood wine, what if this guy had syphilis or AIDS? His blood, he wouldn't drink it for free!

Hu Xiaotian finally managed to decline Shi Xuedong's invitation and left the Pavilion with his eight servants.

Shi Xuedong waved his arm: "Brother, don't forget to come drink with me!"

Hu Xiaotian put on a reluctant expression: "Big Brother, rest assured, I'll call you as soon as I'm free!"

Shi Xuedong was confused, "Call? What's a call?"

Hu Xiaotian realized he had slipped, bending his middle three fingers, extending his thumb and little finger to his ear, mimicking a phone call.

Shi Xuedong thought this was some kind of farewell gesture and imitated it. As he watched Hu Xiaotian leave, his smile vanished, and his eyes revealed a sinister look. He clenched his teeth and said, "If I don't avenge this, I am not a man!" A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a series of thunderclaps. Shi Xuedong shrank back, thinking, "No way! I just said I'd be struck by lightning, and it happened. This is a good omen, but some things shouldn't be said lightly."

Hu Xiaotian also shrank back. He didn't go home immediately but went to Yi Yuan Tang to check on the Fang family. Yuan Shiqing had already brought Fang Zhitan and his daughter here for temporary rest. Fang Zhitan's condition was stable, and the bleeding had stopped, but the wound still hurt. Yuan Shiqing had prescribed painkillers and had his apprentice boil them.

Fang Zhitan, through Yuan Shiqing, knew that he had survived today's ordeal thanks to Hu Xiaotian. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come, he struggled to get out of bed to kowtow to his savior. Hu Xiaotian quickly stopped him: "You are still injured, you need to rest in bed."

Fang Zhitan said, "Fang'er, quickly kowtow to our benefactor."

The blind Fang Fang was about to kneel, but Hu Xiaotian said, "No need, no need. I've already been thanked. I didn't really help much." Seeing that Fang Zhitan's consciousness was clear, Hu Xiaotian felt relieved.

Yuan Shiqing, watching from the side, thought, "The outside world says Hu Xiaotian is a wicked official's son, but from what I've seen, although he comes from an official family, he doesn't have much arrogance. His attitude towards common people is quite kind. Today, when Shi Xuedong was bullying the Fang family, he stepped in to help. It seems that rumors are not always true."

When Hu Xiaotian left, Yuan Shiqing saw him to the door. Hu Xiaotian said, "I might be out of town soon, so I can't come to remove the stitches. I'll trouble you to do it." He had taken the time to show Yuan Shiqing the correct method for removing stitches.

Yuan Shiqing nodded: "Young Master Hu, rest assured. I have memorized the steps you taught me." In fact, the technique for removing stitches was quite simple, and he had almost mastered it after one demonstration.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Good to know." He remembered his promise to give the Fang family five taels of gold and said in a low voice, "I'll have someone bring the gold over later. Please help me give it to them."

Yuan Shiqing sighed: "Young Master is truly kind-hearted."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Not really. I just want to keep my word. I don't specialize in ophthalmology, but I think Fang Fang's blindness has been too long, and the chances of recovery are slim."

Yuan Shiqing nodded in agreement: "I said the same. But Fang Zhitan is stubborn. He has only this one daughter, and he won't leave the capital until he finds the master of Xuantian Hall to diagnose her."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Fatherly love is like a mountain, a natural human emotion. I'll have someone bring the money over as soon as possible. Please tell them that no matter the result of the visit to Xuantian Hall, they shouldn't continue singing on the streets."

Yuan Shiqing understood Hu Xiaotian's concern. He was worried that Shi Xuedong would hold a grudge against the Fang family and come back to cause trouble. His opinion of Hu Xiaotian improved even more. Despite his youth, Hu Xiaotian considered things thoroughly. Yuan Shiqing felt he should take some responsibility for today's events, as he had organized the banquet, which ended in a quarrel. He wanted to apologize to Hu Xiaotian but didn't know how to start. By the time he decided, Hu Xiaotian had already left.

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