Chapter 84: Chen Xueru's Reminder

After Xu Damao left, Yang Qing got up, picked up the hot kettle on the stove, and gestured for Chen Xueru to please.

"Xueru sis, would you mind having a cup of after-meal tea?"

Chen Xueru came over because she had something to say to Yang Qing; of course she had no objection.

She stood up and followed Yang Qing into the living room.

In the living room, although there wasn't much decoration, basic furniture was still present.

Yang Qing brought a paper packet, opened it, took out several pieces of dried tangerine peel, put them into the teapot, then poured in boiling water.

(In the past, tea was quite expensive, so ordinary people used orange peel to brew water to drink; this habit continued until the year 2000. After tea became widespread, it gradually decreased. Actually, drinking orange peel water is quite good for the body, but later pesticides were used too much, making it unsafe.)

A whiff of fresh orange fragrance was evaporated by the boiling water.

Chen Xueru was not unfamiliar with brewing orange peel water.

She teased Yang Qing, saying.

"Should we add some rock sugar?"

Yang Qing said shamelessly.

"Xueru sis, you don't really care for rock sugar water; now try our pure dried tangerine peel tea—it also has its own flavor."

Chen Xueru gave him a white-eye.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

"Do you know why I came to find you today?"

Yang Qing, while pouring her tea, feigned confusion and asked.

"Xueru sis, you didn't come just to see your younger brother, did you? Or is there something else?"

Chen Xueru propped her chin with her hand, leaned toward Yang Qing, and said with a smile.

"My younger brother is still giving me a perfunctory look."

"What have you been doing these days? You don't need me to say it."

Yang Qing's panic flashed by, his performance just right.

(Acting is a required course in life; it's too easy to be seen through, making one more likely to become someone else's pawn. Pretending is almost a necessary survival skill that every organism needs; don't let books and worldly notions cripple you.)

Chen Xueru seized the moment, also confirming something in her heart.

Yang Qing changed the subject.

"What could I possibly do? Every day, aside from washing vegetables at the steel mill, I go to the northern suburbs to catch centipedes."

Saying this, Yang Qing pointed at the beam.

"Xueru sis, look, this is the fruit of my labor these days."

Chen Xueru looked up and saw countless centipedes strung up hanging from the beam above her head.

"Ah……"

She leapt up, then rushed to Yang Qing's side and jumped into his arms.

"Insects……"

The shriek shook Yang Qing's ears, making them hurt.

Yang Qing instantly felt embarrassed; he only wanted to scare her, with absolutely no intention of taking advantage of her.

For a moment, Yang Qing froze.

"Xueru sis, they're dead, all of them."

Chen Xueru hugged his head; she also knew the position wasn't proper, but she couldn't help herself.

Only by tightly hugging Yang Qing could she feel a bit of security.

Although Yang Qing was holding a warm body and felt comfortable, he couldn't breathe.

He could only pat Chen Xueru's butt once.

"Xueru sis, let go of me quickly, someone will come soon."

Only after being slapped on the butt by Yang Qing did Chen Xueru snap out of her frightened reflex.

She hurriedly released her hands, and Yang Qing's head finally gained liberation.

But, inexplicably, she did not leave Yang Qing's embrace.

Yang Qing's head gained liberation; he took a deep breath, relieving his stuffiness.

Then he slapped her butt again, speaking irritably.

"Get down already."

Only then did Chen Xueru leave his embrace, blushing and complaining.

"Who made you scare me?"

"And how did you manage to get so many centipedes here?"

Yang Qing rubbed his thigh, which had been pained by her kneeling, and explained.

"This is a money-making venture; naturally it has to be kept indoors, otherwise outsiders might steal it."

"These are what I painstakingly accumulated over ten or so days."

"Do you think I'm a rich lady like you?"

Chen Xueru still looked timid, then pushed Yang Qing.

"Go sit over there."

Yang Qing, helpless, could only swap seats with her.

Chen Xueru sat on the chair; a strange sensation came from her butt, and her face reddened further.

Possibly due to nervousness, she grabbed Yang Qing's water cup and took a sip; Yang Qing was about to warn her, but it was too late.

Chen Xueru also belatedly realized this was Yang Qing's cup, and that he had just used it.

It made her even more embarrassed.

She could only pretend not to know, and kept questioning Yang Qing.

What I meant wasn't this, but the fact that you sold silver coins.

Silver coins?

Yang Qing looked at Chen Xueru in surprise.

Sis, there's no problem, right?

Chen Xueru said unhappily.

Where did you get the silver coins?

Do you know that because of the silver coin issue, many people who originally didn't care much about you have now started to value you again?

They think you've taken out another part of your father's property.

Yang Qing felt a wave of panic.

This isn't right; the silver coins are ones I picked up, and I've sold them all.

How would I know about any property? If I had, I would have taken it out already.

Chen Xueru stared straight at Yang Qing, her gaze a bit evasive.

Telling me it's useless, I also don't want to know whether you actually have it or not.

I'm just here to remind you.

You can't protect this thing; quickly throw it away to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself.

Then she spoke softly.

If life really becomes impossible to get by, big sister will support you.

Yang Qing shuddered, then hurriedly promised.

Really none left; I just picked up fifty and sold them all.

Chen Xueru snorted.

You should think about it yourself.

Then she glanced at Yang Qing, and also looked at his house.

The current life is not bad; there's no need to invite trouble over useless things.

Yang Qing showed a restless appearance.

This matter, what should we do?

Ah, if I had known earlier, I wouldn't have picked them up.

All together I sold over a hundred, causing such a big fuss; even my centipedes could sell for dozens.

It's really not worth it.

Seeing this, Chen Xueru hesitated and said.

You really didn't take your father's remaining money?

Yang Qing spread his hands helplessly.

Really none.

Chen Xueru fell silent for a moment, then said.

Then it's troublesome.

These days, don't run around randomly.

Just in case.

Yang Qing's face turned pale, and he asked in a panic.

Sis, they won't want to act against me, will they?

Chen Xueru looked at him, and recalling his earlier posture, her face flushed again.

Originally they had dispelled their doubts, all thinking you indeed hadn't gotten that money.

But now you've caused this, they have no patience to keep waiting.

It's likely they'll catch you and torture you.

First don't run around; I'll go back and consult Uncle Xu, see what to do.

Then she asked again seriously.

You really didn't take that sum of your father's money?

Yang Qing solemnly promised.

Really, really, I just picked them up.