Chapter 165: The Secret to Marriage
After finishing his business outside, Xie Jing returned home and first went to see He Dongting.
He Dongting, worried that Xie Jing might not have eaten well while attending to matters outside, had a few snacks brought in to tide him over. The days were hot, and Xie Jing indeed hadn’t eaten well outside, so he quite enjoyed the bowl of chilled mung bean soup that was brought to him, finishing two small bowls in a row.
Seeing this, He Dongting felt even more concerned and wanted to have more small dishes prepared, but Xie Jing stopped him: “No need. I’ve already eaten outside, and we’ll have dinner soon. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
He Dongting said with affection: “It’s no trouble at all. Just pick what you like and eat.”
Xie Jing didn’t have many preferences, only wanting more mung bean soup. Lord Bai Jiu, standing nearby, said: “Too much cold is not good.”
Xie Jing then put down his chopsticks and didn’t eat more.
He Dongting: “…”
He Dongting turned to look at Bai Jiu, furrowing his brows.
That evening at dinner, Xie Jing quietly asked about He Dongting’s health, but the elder repeatedly deflected, only smiling and saying he was much better. While eating, He Dongting kept a watchful eye on his son, his gaze full of indulgence. Not satisfied, he asked about Xie Jing’s friends.
Xie Jing didn’t have many friends. When asked, he only mentioned a few. He spoke about Li Yuan: “He has always done well. Now that I need someone around to help, I keep him here for accounting.”
He Dongting nodded: “Little Li is indeed capable, a good assistant.”
Xie Jing also mentioned Bai Mingyu, who was quite lively. The Bai shopkeeper’s reputation had grown, and he had some authority. But whenever Xie Jing mentioned him, he couldn’t help but smile. Outsiders saw a formidable shopkeeper; in Xie Jing’s eyes, he was the silly second young master. Bai Mingyu was truly amusing.
This visit was also the first time Xie Jing had brought Lord Bai Jiu to his father’s home. When he married last year, He Dongting’s health had prevented him from attending. This time, he brought Lord Bai Jiu to make up for it.
He Dongting accepted their tea offering, and two thick red envelopes were presented. Judging by the thickness, they didn’t seem to contain silver notes but more like securities. He gave them equally to both, without favoring one over the other.
Besides the gifts Lord Bai Jiu brought, Xie Jing also brought a small item: a gold dragon ornament, modeled after the little stone dragon that Xie Yuan had, though slightly smaller, designed as a hanging charm. He told his father about what he had seen on the cliff walls behind Fuhu Temple. Because it concerned western Sichuan, he hadn’t dared to write a word about it, and this was the first time he mentioned it to his father.
He Dongting took the gold dragon in his hand, examining it while listening to Xie Jing, occasionally asking questions in a low voice, and talking more about Xie Yuan’s frequent visits to Fuhu Temple. When Xie Jing finished, He Dongting put on the gold dragon charm, gently stroked it, and smiled: “Yuan Yuan has always had good luck. So do you, just like your mother.”
Xie Jing smiled and nodded: “Yes.”
Though He Dongting’s health was poor, his affection for family made him want to talk more with Xie Jing. During this time, the doctor came in twice to remind him to take medicine. Whenever Xie Jing stood, He Dongting would sit up slightly: “Where are you going, Jing’er?”
Xie Jing brought over a cup of warm water: “Nowhere. I’ll stay here with you.”
He Dongting took his medicine with the warm water. Fatigue washed over him, and he smiled wryly: “This is why I dislike taking medicine. Half the day is gone in sleep, and I still want to see more of you.”
Xie Jing said: “I’ll be here tomorrow as well. I won’t leave. You’ll see me as soon as you wake.”
He Dongting closed his eyes and smiled, patting Xie Jing’s hand: “Stay a bit longer this time. Last time, you said tea from Shu was good and wanted to bring some to me. I’ve waited a long time.”
Xie Jing said softly: “I had someone send it, but you didn’t want it.”
“I just want you to come back more often.”
He Dongting’s voice gradually lowered as he slowly fell asleep.
Xie Jing stayed by him through the night before finally leaving.
Although busy in Shanghai, Xie Jing didn’t worry. It was his first time managing the salt business in bulk, but with He Dongting and Lord Bai Jiu behind him, it felt like several layers of insurance. There was no fear of accidents. When he arrived, Xie Siquan had carefully prepared the way, so even though the young master was new, the old hands dared not stir trouble. The Shanghai He Dongting also cared about face, while the one in Shu didn’t care at all.
Xie Jing’s only minor annoyance was likely at home.
During his time in Shanghai, he stayed at He Dongting’s residence. Partly because his father missed him, partly because the Bai and He families had business matters, it was more convenient to negotiate at home rather than run back and forth.
He Dongting was a shrewd old fox of Shanghai, and Lord Bai Jiu was no less in the north. Though they didn’t directly confront each other, every word carried a subtle edge. Anyone else wanting to speak would need to think carefully before speaking.
On the first day, Xie Jing listened carefully.
By the second day, he had changed: he kept his head down, only focusing on eating, ignoring everything else.
The young master of the Xie family, caught in the middle, simply acted as if he didn’t hear.
If he didn’t hear, there were no worries.
