Chapter 004: Slicing Meat and Drinking Wine

A handsome young man, seemingly just a few years older than Xiao Tian, approached him. Soon, someone brought over a small table and two chairs, along with two empty bowls and a jar of wine. The companions stood by, grinning, eagerly waiting to watch the excitement.

After observing, it seems that Chen's mother does not appear to be a deceitful person. One wonders how Manager Chen could regard this painting as a family heirloom. Upon closer inspection, there is a section of ink bamboo in the painting, and beneath the bamboo forest, there is a moon pig with its head already buried in the bamboo. At the top of the painting, there are four characters inscribed: "There is a pig in the bamboo," with no signature or date at the bottom.

Xiao Tian smiled and said, "Young Master Chen, are you joking with me? Eight or nine years, how long will our shopkeeper have to wait? I heard that not long ago, you threw over a dozen taels of silver on your cousin. If you really can't come up with such a large sum of silver at once, you can pay it back in installments. Our small shop has little profit..."

Ge Wenjun also clasped his fists in greeting, yet he found himself at a loss for words. A man like Xiao Tian was truly someone he had never encountered before.

Chen Shaodong shivered in fear and then clasped his fists towards Xiao Tianchao and Ge Wenjun, saying: "Brother Ge, you are a true hero. I kindly ask you to keep an eye on him. As for the books, I have just one request: if you consider Chen Shaoye as your brother, please ensure that he does not go without food."

Xiao Tian suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He touched the painting scroll; typically, painting scrolls are solid, but this particular scroll was hollow. At one end of the scroll, there was a plug, which would go unnoticed unless one looked closely

The companions beside me still wore cheerful expressions, as if they had witnessed this scene countless times before

This, what is this, grandfather, this bead, it's just like playing, take it, take it!

Upon this arrival, everyone changed color completely. Ge Wenjun hesitated for a moment, slowly extending his hand towards the meat strip, bringing it to his mouth and hesitating for a while before finally forcing it in.

Chen Shaodong stood there foolishly, unable to utter a word. Ge Wenjun suddenly raised his head and shouted loudly: "Damn it, bring out everything valuable from your home and return it to me!"

Xiao Tian seemed completely unaware that this piece of meat had been cut from a living person, as he actually picked up the strip of meat, placed it in his mouth, and swallowed it down in one gulp along with the wine

Joyful Shop? In a large group of people drinking, Chen Shaodong stood up unsteadily and looked at this unexpected guest with bleary eyes: "Xiao Tian? When did that bastard Wu Zhanggui have such a character? What, knowing that I have no money left, are you here to give me some?"

Xiao Tianshou carefully put away three beads and handed the other two to Chen's mother, saying: "Aunt, please keep these two for your old age, and make sure not to give them to your wasteful son again"

Xiao Tian smiled slightly, took the sharp knife from in front of Ge Wenjun, and similarly tore open his pants. He slowly cut a thin strip of flesh from his thigh and silently placed it in front of Ge Wenjun

Xiao Tian felt somewhat reluctant, but this was what he was meant to do. He took the painting, opened it, and was greatly disappointed.

Although I do not understand painting very well, this artwork is quite crude and certainly not the work of a master. It might not even be picked up if left on the street

At this moment, the smiles on everyone's faces vanished, as if they were staring at a monster in front of Xiao Tian. Ge Wenjun's facial muscles twitched slightly: "Brother, do you not understand that it is impolite to come without reciprocating?"

"Wait, wait," said a middle-aged woman from the inner room, her face streaked with tears. She approached Xiao Tian, holding a painting in her hands, crying like a weeping person.

"Silver? Ah, yes, yes, silver!" Chen Shaodong showed no intention of denying it at all, slapping his forehead: "How could I possibly deny that it's Master Wu's silver, right? But now I have no money, do I? You go back and tell your master that in eight or nine years, when I make money, the first thing I will do is return Master Wu's silver!"

Everyone in the room was stunned, and Chen Shaodong stared blankly at the pearl, wishing he could snatch it away immediately. He swallowed hard and feigned a nonchalant demeanor

Young Master Chen, your household owes our manager some silver. As time has passed, our cash flow has recently become quite inconvenient. We kindly ask you to assist us by settling this debt.

Xiao Tian smiled slightly, pulled out the cork, revealing a yellow silk pouch. Upon untying it, five dazzling pearls appeared before everyone.

Observing Ge Wenjun sitting down in a carefree manner, Xiao Tian also took a seat on the chair. Ge Wenjun filled two wine bowls to the brim, raised one in a toast to Xiao Tian, and then drank it all by himself.

It is said this way, yet the heart aches, leaving one at a loss as to what to do

Blood dripped down Xiao Tian's leg, drop by drop

Xiao Tian accompanied him in drinking, and then Ge Wenjun said in a nonchalant tone: "It's a pity that there is wine but no side dishes; this is not the way to treat guests. Brother, let me treat you to some meat"

"Brother Jun, what valuable things are left at home?" Chen Shaodong said, crying without tears, as he spread his hands.

Xiao Tian stood up and said, "Gentlemen, I am merely a street runner; please do not cause any trouble. Young Master Chen, if it is convenient for you, I would appreciate it if you could bring back some silver for me."

Young Master Chen, I am Xiao Tian from the Celebration Shop

"A little street runner, is he here to teach me a lesson?" Chen Shaodong turned around and shouted at the people drinking, "Jun Ge, a little brat has come to ask me for money!"

This is a young man clearly indulging excessively in alcohol, with a long face marked by a faint scar. Xiao Tian, avoiding the overwhelming smell of alcohol, politely said:

Brother, my name is Ge Wenjun. I am aware of the matter regarding our second brother owing you money. Come, sit down, and first accompany me in drinking a few bowls of wine, and then we will discuss the money.

Mother Chen's hands trembled as she held the pearl, unable to utter a single word. Xiao Tian cast a cold glance at Chen Shaodong and said, "Listen, I have calculated the price of this pearl. If you dare to have any ideas about it, I will cut you with a knife for a mere one or two taels of silver, ensuring that you will not have the opportunity to incur any debt"

Who would have thought that before even getting the wine, everything would come out with a "wow" sound...

Little brother, our shopkeeper left early. I know the Chen family has wronged you, but there is truly no way out. This place has long been empty, and nothing remains except this painting. The shopkeeper used to say that this is a family heirloom and should not be touched unless absolutely necessary. The little brat is useless; I have never taken it out. Now, let this be a way to return your silver.

At that moment, a person suddenly cried out "Wow" in fear. Xiao Tianchao glanced over and saw that the person appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. He smiled and limped out.

He spoke as he drew a sharp dagger from his waist, cutting open his trousers. He picked up the dagger and, astonishingly, slowly sliced off a thin strip of flesh from his thigh, disregarding the blood that flowed freely, and placed it before Xiao Tian: "Please!"