Chapter 2265: Deserter
Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Wen did not stand on ceremony with Qiao Mei. He nodded and left her house and then asked his secretary to contact the Huang family. Two days later, Qiao Mei and Xia Wen attended the banquet hosted by the Huang family.
Although they called it a banquet, it was actually just a simple home cooked meal. The Huang family was already at the end of their rope and did not have the money to go to a restaurant at all. They simply cooked a few dishes at home.
“Hey! You’re here! Come in and take a seat! I cooked all my signature dishes today. It’s just some simple dishes. I hope you don’t mind!” You Yu said enthusiastically.
“It’s fine,” Xia Wen said politely.
Qiao Mei did not want to be nice to the Huang family. Huang Zhong’s father, Huang Kai, was already terminally ill. In the past, he used to weigh 180 pounds, but now he looked to be only about 80 pounds. His face was gaunt and yellow, as if he would shatter if caught in a gust of wind.
The Huang family members looked awkwardly at Qiao Mei and Xia Wen, who stood in the living room and did not move to take their seats. Qiao Mei did not go to the dining table but sat down on the sofa behind her.
“Everyone’s time is very precious. Just tell me what you want,” Qiao Mei said coldly.
“I’m sorry… Ahem… I know that my eldest grandson and Tan Jing have hurt you with their actions. I… I apologize on their behalf…” Huang Kai said breathlessly.
Qiao Mei quickly stopped him from talking. What if he vomited blood later? There were only members of the Huang family present today. It would not be good for her if they spread rumors that the Xia family members had made the old man agitated.
“They should bear the responsibility for their own mistakes. Huang Quan has already received the punishment he deserves, hasn’t he? It will be even better if you’re willing to let Tan Jing be punished too,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.
Huang Can looked furious. She was in their territory! How dare she speak to them like this!
“We can testify against Tan Jing if you want, but you have to give us some benefits,” Huang Zhong said.
Xia Wen’s expression darkened and Qiao Mei smiled mockingly. As expected, it was all about the medicinal wine. It seemed that she had guessed correctly.
“So? What do you want?” Qiao Mei asked.
“I’ve long heard that your family’s medicinal wine is very potent. If we testify against Tan Jing, you have to give each member of my family a bottle of medicinal wine,” Huang Zhong said shamelessly.
“Our family doesn’t have any more medicinal wine. You can go out and ask around. It’s been a long time since the Xia family gave any medicinal wine to outsiders. The ginsengs used to make the medicinal wine have already lost their potency,” Xia Wen said.
Huang Can suddenly stood up and said loudly, “Your own family must have kept some for yourselves!”
“As you said, it belongs to our family. We can do whatever we want with it. What has it got to do with you?” Qiao Mei said.
“You!” Huang Can wanted to continue speaking, but You Yu quickly stopped him.
After thinking about it, Huang Zhong continued, “This is a win-win situation. Not only can Tan Jing be brought to justice to clear your mother’s name, but it can also allow our family to recover our health. Why won’t you agree to it?”
“It’s only your family that benefits from this. Even if all of you don’t testify against Tan Jing, my mother can still escape unscathed. There’s no need to use this thing to threaten me. If you want the medicinal wine, I have another suggestion,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.
Xia Wen had already guessed what Qiao Mei was going to say. He gritted his teeth and held back his laughter as Qiao Mei continued, “How about you just buy it from me? I’m a businesswoman. If you want to buy it, I’ll definitely sell it to you.”
“But our family doesn’t have that much money now,” You Yu said.
Qiao Mei shrugged and said, “Then it has nothing to do with me. Give me a call if you decide to buy. We have a family gathering later, so we won’t be eating with you. Excuse us.”
Huang Can immediately blocked the main door to prevent Qiao Mei and Xia Wen from leaving. Xia Wen turned around and said to Huang Zhong, “We have walkie-talkies in our hands and the guard team is downstairs. Do you think any good will come out of hurting us?”
“You little brats! You… cough, cough, cough… How dare you speak to me in this manner! Your grandfathers and I are comrades-in-arms! Where are your manners!” Huang Kai said furiously as he coughed.
“My grandfather doesn’t seem to be from the same military region as you. How can the two of you be comrades-in-arms?” Xia Wen asked with a smile. He narrowed his eyes and pretended to joke as he said, “Besides… Old Mr. Huang, I have heard that you’re a deserter?”
“You!!! Cough, cough, cough…” Huang Kai almost could not catch his breath. Qiao Mei hurriedly pulled Xia Wen along and pushed Huang Can away. Huang Can smashed into the wall behind him.
“Oh my, I have used too much strength.” Qiao Mei scratched her head in embarrassment and turned to leave.
In the car, Xia Wen could not help but laugh when he thought back to how the Huang family members looked just now.