Wen Liang stepped aside, unwilling to accept such a gift from her, and said quietly: "You stand up and talk first. Since I'm here, I want to help you. Don't do anything that will embarrass me."
Although Baidu didn't know much about Wen Liang, she knew how respectful An Baoqing was in front of him. She didn't dare to kneel anymore and stood up with her hands on the ground. Her messy hair covered half of her pretty face, and her graceful body was fragile in the cold wind. Her eyes and brows showed the pitiful look of a weak woman. Where was the confidence and aura she had when performing tea art
With Wen Liang's current perspective, he naturally understood that this woman was under great mental pressure and was almost on the verge of collapse. On the other hand, if she had not been desperate, she would not have mustered the courage to ask him for help.
It’s not easy to help you with this!
Wen Liang waited for a moment, and saw that Du Niang lowered her head, her slender fingers tightly twisted, as if she didn't know where to start. He sighed secretly and said, "Did An Baoqing bully you?"
"No, no," Du Niang raised her head quickly and said, "Brother Jiu has always treated me very well, never made things difficult for me, and never let guests humiliate me at will. Compared to before, the big world is like my home. Although I don't say it, I am always very grateful to Brother Jiu in my heart..."
Wen Liang was confused. Apart from An Baoqing, who else in Qingzhou was qualified to force Du Niang to this point? He asked, "What happened? Don't be impatient. Tell me slowly."
It turns out that this matter started with Biluochun. At that time, Zhu Jiusi, Wei Qiwen and others went to Wujiang Biluochun Company for inspection. An Baoqing specially called Baidu to perform a tea art for everyone. Unexpectedly, it was that time that left a hidden danger.
Not long ago, Zhu Jiusi ended his trip to Suzhou and returned to Beijing to attend the National Financial Work Conference. The dispute over quantitative reform in Suzhou and Suzhou officially came to an end. After countless games, the reformists completely gained the upper hand. Wei Qiwen not only consolidated his position and increased his prestige, but also became the leader of senior officials. It can be said that he was in high spirits and could see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day.
Baidu could never have imagined that this would be the beginning of her nightmare.
Five days ago, Suhai businessman Zhao Yongzhang suddenly visited An Baoqing at the headquarters of Wujiang Biluochun Company, saying that he had opened a new tea house in Wuzhou and wanted to invite Baidu to be the general manager and chief tea artist. The salary was extremely considerable, even to an incredible degree. An Baoqing initially thought that the news of Baidu's performance had spread, which led to others poaching. However, on the one hand, Baidu had followed him for many years and had a favor, and the future development of Biluochun was inseparable from Baidu's superb tea art. On the other hand, he felt that this person was unreliable in both words and deeds, so he refused. Zhao Yongzhang did not entangle, but just left a number and asked him to think it over before replying.
An Baoqing felt very strange and asked Ye Zhiwei to investigate secretly. He found out that Zhao Yongzhang's identity was very mysterious. This man did not do big business and had only two or three companies under his name with assets of only tens of millions. However, he was able to move among dignitaries at all levels and his social circle was so wide that it was astonishing.
The most important thing is that behind this person, there is the shadow of Wei Qiwen!
After thinking it over again and again, An Baoqing finally couldn't help but dial the number. Zhao Yongzhang was calm and composed, as if he had expected him to make this call. He didn't hide anything when he spoke. He mentioned that he was just entrusted by someone, but he could guarantee that this was a great joy for both Baidu and An Baoqing.
An Baoqing knew that he was right. Zhao Yongzhang certainly couldn't say these things directly, and he couldn't even reveal a word. It all depends on your own understanding. His heart sank at first, but then he changed his mind and thought that what Zhao Yongzhang said was right. This matter was indeed a blessing rather than a curse. Although Duniang left Dandelion, the big world was not a place for her to stay for a long time. This trip to Wuzhou was not a step to heaven, but at least she had a place to stay for the rest of her life. The teahouse was said to be Zhao Yongzhang's property, but it was actually given to Duniang for free. This was just a gift for meeting. Needless to say, there would be many benefits in the future.
I have done my best to please her by getting to know her.
Since An Baoqing had made up his mind to make this good connection, he did not hide it from Baidu and explained the cause and effect, the pros and cons of the matter clearly. I thought it would not be a big problem. After all, compared with the wandering life like a floating duckweed, not knowing when the day will come, such an ending is already very good.
Unexpectedly, Baidu flatly refused. An Baoqing was furious. He didn't have the courage to say no to Su Hai, and he couldn't bear the consequences of offending that person. He had to give Baidu a few days to think it over.
Of course, Baidu knew the consequences of refusing. Even though An Baoqing had always been caring towards her and had never done anything that crossed the line, she knew very well in her heart that, in the final analysis, she was just a commodity in the hands of these people. The only difference was that some masters looked cruel but had a cruel heart, while some masters looked kind but had an even crueler heart!
The title of Godfather of Qingzhou was never gained by doing good deeds!
Wen Liang remained silent, and it was no wonder that An Baoqing was so angry. From his point of view, this move could not only curry favor with that person, but also find a home for Duniang. Not to mention a woman like her, even people with status and position a hundred times higher than her might be eager to have such an opportunity.
But Wen Liang is different after all. The reason why he is different is that in many things, he looks at things from other people's perspectives.
The good things in this world may not be what I want!
"Why do you refuse?"
Du Niang said sadly: "I have been living under Brother Jiu's tutelage for these years. It can be said that I have been the most contented and stable time since I was old enough to understand things. So no matter what, I am full of gratitude to Brother Jiu. Du Niang's body has long been dirty. If I go to Su Hai, I can repay Brother Jiu's kindness and find a place for myself to stay. I am not an ungrateful person. I should have agreed happily a long time ago, but... but..."
She finally burst into tears, and her tears streamed down her face, messing up her light makeup, making her look even more pure and elegant, and beautiful beyond compare.
"But there's already someone in my heart!"
The crying gradually faded away, tears streaming down her face. Wen Liang stood still, not even the corners of his eyes twitched, as if he had expected this. He said calmly, "So what? Nine out of ten people in this world are not happy as they wish. I thought you should have understood this by now."
"Yes, I understand, but I really can't bear to leave." A gentleness that made people intoxicated suddenly appeared in Du Niang's eyes. She looked up at the cold moon in the sky and said softly, "I can't bear to leave!"
"My parents died in a car accident when I was seven years old, and I was adopted by a kind neighbor. When I was ten, I was raped by the man I called father for three years. When I was eleven, I ran away from home and wandered around. Two years later, I entered Dandelion by chance. I stayed there for ten years, learning piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, social etiquette, tea art, wine tasting, how to please men, and how to live a good life... I thought my life would end like this, until I met Brother Nine that year. He only met me once and tasted my tea once, and then let Cat Girl nod and let me go..."
"Brother Jiu never told me how much it cost him to take me away, but I know he must have paid a huge price. In the past few years, I have been staying in the big world, and all I can do is to try my best to attract more customers for him. If I can have the opportunity to repay his kindness, I will be willing to die."
"But, but I really can't bear to do it!"
The corners of Baidu's lips curled up slightly, and that happy smile looked very much like the appearance of the girl next to Wen Liang at a certain moment.
Despite all the suffering, is there happiness for everyone in this world
Even if we are doomed, does this world still have a future for everyone
Wen Liang sighed and asked, "Is he good to you? What does he do?"
"He is a vegetable farmer. His home is in the countryside outside Qingzhou. Two years ago, he started growing something called greenhouse vegetables. This means you can eat summer vegetables in winter. Sounds pretty fresh, right? Last winter, he was selling vegetables near where I live. It was a very cold day and snowing, but he couldn't attract any customers. Everyone thought there was something wrong with his vegetables. They were too expensive, so they didn't dare to buy or eat them. I felt sorry for him, so I bought some. Unexpectedly, they tasted pretty good. Since then, he has come here to sell vegetables every day, and I'm the only one who buys a little each time..."
Although vegetable greenhouses have appeared in the 1980s, they were not gradually accepted by the world until the late 1990s. This person has such vision and is quite talented.
"Maybe that's how we got to know each other. He has little education, can't speak, and is always dirty, but he is the only one who can smile at me without any reservations. I told him everything about myself, and he didn't look down on me, didn't curse me, didn't mock me, but just held me in his arms and stayed with me like that for the whole night."
As Duniang was talking, she couldn't help but shed tears again. She knelt down in front of Wen Liang again and said, "I have thought a lot these days. People like me shouldn't have such extravagant hopes. I decided to go to Suhai and be that man's bird in the cage. I only hope that Young Master Wen can persuade Brother Jiu not to embarrass him, okay?"
An Baoqing was certainly not a fool. As soon as Baidu rejected him that day, he knew there was something else going on. In a small city like Qingzhou, as long as An Baoqing paid attention, nothing could escape his eyes? The next day, Baidu received a photo of him growing vegetables in a greenhouse. An Baoqing said nothing, but he overcame all the torture in the world.
Wen Liang did not dodge this time. He looked at the woman kneeling on the ground and said hesitantly, "Since you have already agreed, Lord An Bao may not embarrass him anymore..."
Duniang raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, her lips red as blood, and said, "If I don't go, he will die. If I go, he will die even more. Master Wen, it's not that I don't understand everything..."
Wen Liang sighed again and said, "Now that you have figured it out, why bother going to Su Hai?"
"At least if I go, I will have the nerve to ask Master Wen for help..."
No one can ask for free help from others without giving up anything. Du Niang understood this when she was ten years old. Wen Liang had only met her a few times, but he and An Baoqing were close friends. On one side was a farmer who grew vegetables, and on the other side was a powerful figure. Anyone who was not a fool would know how to make a choice.
She couldn't expect happiness while asking others to help her resist Su Hai's anger. That would not only insult others' intelligence, but also overestimate herself. So she gave up everything and knelt in front of Wen Liang, just asking him to say a word to keep her beloved safe.
She knew that if there was anyone in Qingzhou who could make Lord An Bao obey her orders, it could only be the young man in front of her!
Wen Liang slowly bent down, helped her up, and said, "Let me ask you again, if you were given a chance to choose, would you rather be a bird in a cage in the forest, well-fed and well-clothed, and possibly even wealthy, or be an ordinary suburban peasant woman who works from sunrise to sunset and lives an ordinary life?"
Baidu smiled sadly and said, "Does someone like me have the opportunity to choose my destiny?"
"If I said yes, which one would you choose?"
Baidu's eyes flashed with disbelief, and she trembled and said, "If I really can choose, I will of course choose the latter..."
Wen Liang smiled and said, "Isn't this a choice only a fool would make?"
"The good things in the world may not be what I want. I am willing to be such a fool..."
Wen Liang pondered in silence, walking back and forth under the uneasy gaze of Baidu. In the narrow alley, the only sound could be heard was the sound of leather shoes hitting the concrete floor, but somehow, it made people feel at ease.
After a long time, Wen Liang stopped and said helplessly: "Okay, I will be a good person and fulfill your wish."
Baidu's mind went blank. She thought it was a great blessing that Wen Liang agreed to persuade An Baoqing, but she didn't expect that he would dare to offend Su Hai for a humble person like her.
"Mr. Wen, you... you..."
Wen Liang smiled bitterly and said, "I am the second fool!"
If you are not in the game, no one can imagine how much courage it takes to offend a provincial governor, especially since the development of Biluochun in Suzhou still requires the other party's strong support. In other words, the expected benefit of helping Baidu is negative infinity.
This decision is stupid, but Wen Liang thinks it is worth it!
After watching Baidu leave, Wen Liang rubbed his frozen hands, turned around and went back to the big world. An Baoqing obviously didn't expect Wen Liang to come back, and thought something had happened, so he hurried to meet him.
Wen Liang first drank a glass of water to warm himself up, and then said, as if it was a trivial matter, "Let's put off the matter of Baidu for now."
An Baoqing's hands trembled, and his body suddenly became a little stiff. He hesitated and said, "Master Wen, I... I didn't mean to hide it from you..."
Wen Liang smiled and said, "There's nothing to hide. Du Niang is from your big world, so you have the final say on how to arrange her. But since she has found a suitable partner, I think it's better to demolish ten temples than to destroy a family, don't you think?"
An Baoqing's forehead was almost covered with sweat, and he said: "Yes, yes, but, but..."
"Don't worry, just hold off for a while. Su Hai will always find a way to solve it," Wen Liang repeated, muttering, "There will always be a way to have the best of both worlds, there will always be..."
(Sufficient text)
(The Baidu incident is foreshadowed in the 55th chapter of Volume 4, Qianqiu's Merits and Demerits. Those who are interested can replay it) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)