Upon hearing Qin Hong’s explanation, a blush imdiately appeared on the girl’s delicate face. It seed she had wrongfully accused him.
"Sorry... sorry, I mistook you for one of the bad guys." The girl explained, her tone much softer now compared to the bossy attitude she had displayed earlier, even showing a hint of youthful shyness.
"Bad guys?" Qin Hong slightly furrowed his brow, "Is it just you in this tavern? Where are your parents? Do bad guys often co here to cause trouble?"
Facing Qin Hong’s inquiry, the girl did not answer but shook her head, "My na is Su Qingyao, what about you?"
"I am Qin Hong, from Liaohe Village under Hang City’s jurisdiction." As he spoke, Qin Hong took out his identity card. It was a very old wooden plaque, but the carving maintained a unique aura fluctuation, an identification thod from the Dark Continent, hard to mimic and manufacture. Though, under normal circumstances, it wasn’t very useful as few people would check it.
Glancing at the identity card, Su Qingyao confird that Qin Hong was not lying to her and finally let out a breath of relief. Then she said, "Are you here to apply for the position of tavern assistant? I can agree to employ you, the monthly wage remains unchanged, but when you’re working, you’ll need to change your clothes. Wearing fancy garnts with a heavy sword strapped doesn’t quite fit the image of an assistant."
"No problem." Qin Hong imdiately agreed.
Su Qingyao pointed to the back kitchen, "There are shop uniforms inside, go change into one. In the backyard, except for the largest room which is mine, you can choose either of the two remaining rooms to live in. Everything is ready. If you find it dirty, just clean up yourself."
"Alright!"
Soon, under Su Qingyao’s instruction, Qin Hong moved into this tavern.
For half a month, the rundown tavern, even lacking a proper na, hadn’t seen a single custor. Yet, Qin Hong dutifully kept the place clean, and when free, he sat cross-legged on the tavern floor, silently ditating.
Initially, Su Qingyao was curious about what Qin Hong was doing, but as ti passed, she lost interest.
One day, three people suddenly barged into the tavern. In the center was a young master from a wealthy family, flanked by two Mountain Opening Realm martial arts experts.
As soon as he entered, the young master shouted, "Su Qingyao, bring two jars of good wine!"
Hearing this, Qin Hong opened his eyes, got up, and walked towards the man. He was now the assistant, and he needed to take good care of the first custor. He then smiled, "Sir, which type of wine would you like? We have..."
Before Qin Hong could finish his sentence, the young master interrupted, "Who are you?"
"Replying to you, I am the assistant at this tavern."
"Assistant? Tavern assistant?" The young master chuckled, then ordered his companions, "Beat him out with sticks, take him outside the city, dig a hole and bury him!"
"At your command!" Imdiately, the companions were about to act against Qin Hong.
Qin Hong was speechless. Why on earth did they want to kill him right off the bat? Who had he offended?
He took three steps back at once, dodging the capture attempt of the two n.
But before the two could act again, Su Qingyao’s scolding voice ca from the back kitchen, "Su Ming’an, don’t be too aggressive!"
A fragrant wind followed Su Qingyao as she positioned herself in front of Qin Hong, holding a short blade in her hand, eyes cold.
"I thought you didn’t want to co out to see this ti and found a servant to stand in for you." The young master, called Su Ming’an, waved his hand, and the two companions understood imdiately and retreated.
Then, Su Ming’an smiled, "Well? Have you thought about the matter?"
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyao responded with a tone of disdain, "Forget about it, I will never marry Lai Tong."
"Haha, Lai Tong’s father is now a Ninth Layer Martial Arts Grandmaster and is just one step away from entering the Martial King Realm. He is also the right-hand man of our Photon City Lord. What could possibly be bad about being with Young Master Lai?"
"It’s useless to say more!" Obviously, Su Qingyao didn’t want to keep arguing over these matters with Su Ming’an.
Su Ming’an shrugged dismissively, "I really don’t want to co to this rundown place, but I have no choice, the Su Family’s rules are strict, which is also considered a good fortune for you! Co, pour wine for this young master, and we’ll call it a day." Su Ming’an lightly tapped the table, looking like he’s enjoying the spectacle.
Su Qingyao bit her lip tightly, although unwilling, she walked towards the counter.
Seeing this, Qin Hong imdiately stepped forward, "Boss, let do it."
"Get lost!" Su Ming’an imdiately scolded, "Who do you think you are, trying to play hero and save the beauty? You better watch out and make sure not to leave the city, or else, haha!"
Su Qingyao also shook her head and said, "Qin Hong, this doesn’t concern you, let handle it!"
With that, Su Qingyao personally took down a jar of wine, picked up a bowl, walked in front of Su Ming’an, and poured the wine for him.
Su Ming’an drank the wine and smacked his lips, "Aunt’s craftsmanship is indeed not bad, here, sothing for you." With that, Su Ming’an threw down a bag of gold and left with his two companions.
Su Qingyao slowly clenched that bag of gold, her eyes full of resentnt and anger.
Qin Hong silently watched all this and didn’t say a word.
After a long while, Su Qingyao laughed, "Do you think I’m pathetic? Being insulted and coerced by them, yet still accepting the money they give?"
"I..." Qin Hong thought for a mont and said, "If it were , I would rather work hard for myself and not take a cent from them."
"Ha, for what? For a bit of dignity?" Su Qingyao sneered, "Two years ago, Lai Tong took a liking to and wanted to marry , but I refused. Less than three months later, my father died in a small-scale conflict between Photon City and Anhe City, and all of my Su Family relatives began urging to marry Lai Tong. My mother was likewise forced by them to be buried alive with my father."
At this point, Su Qingyao’s ten fingers clenched, turning pale.
"And this, is their thod of forcing to marry Lai Tong as a concubine or a servant. But I did not submit; I left the Su family and lived alone outside. But I didn’t have any skills; how could I survive in this world that devours people? Perhaps the Su Family Master felt guilty towards and issued a ban in the family, forbidding anyone from usurping the family offspring’s monthly allowance. And earlier, Su Ming’an was the one delivering that allowance. I’ve been clinging to this monthly money to survive so far, no matter how much effort I put into living and earning money, hoping to break free from the Su family, I’ve t with rciless suppression by them. My tavern had a booming business right after opening but lost all custors within three days; the reason is simple, they maid all who ca here to drink. Since then, I knew they were using every ans to force . There were only two paths ahead for : comply with Lai Tong’s wishes or die! I chose neither; I chose the third path; I want to live, to tenaciously survive, to avenge my father and mother!"
Hearing Su Qingyao’s words, Qin Hong felt like a heavy stone was pressing in his heart—a life story that could make listeners emotional and tearful.
"I... will help you!"
"Help ?" Su Qingyao sneered, "With your half-baked skills? The Su Family has dozens of Martial Arts Sect experts, and the Lai Family is even stronger. With what will you help ? I don’t need your pity!"
After speaking, Su Qingyao turned and walked into the kitchen.
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