novel bin Chapter 14 The Liu Family
Chapter 14 The Liu Family
A thin mist lingered on the street. Although the streetlights were fairly bright, they appeared indistinct and dim from a distance.
The entire Liu family mansion was brightly lit. However, the main hall was incredibly dark, and although it was magnificent, it felt eerily sinister.
A middle-aged man with a puffy build, wearing a blue long gown, a red stand-up collar vest, and a landlord's hat, sat in the main seat. His face was pale, his skin dull, his expressionless, and his eyes were filled with gloom.
"I just heard from the servants that you caused trouble on the street again. Is that true?"
Liu Yiheng, however, did not seem to mind. He sat in the head seat on the right, holding his teacup with both hands and sipping it gently.
"Father, it was just some hooligans causing trouble; it's been dealt with."
The middle-aged man's gaze fell on Liu Yiheng.
"You're about to get married, so you need to be more composed and avoid arguing with ordinary people."
"Remember, your marriage is meant to ward off bad luck for the old master."
"Understood, Father."
Liu Yiheng was somewhat reluctant, but he still agreed.
The patriarch of the Liu family twirled the beaded string in his hand, remaining silent for a long while before speaking again: "Your mother died young, and now you're all grown up. This vast Liu family will gradually be handed over to you."
Liu Yiheng remained silent, but a hint of warmth appeared on his usually cold face. Seeing this, the Liu family patriarch said nothing more, picking up his teacup and slowly sipping his tea.
"Go and get to work."
Before long, only Master Liu remained in the main room. His limbs were slightly stiff as he slowly picked up the pipe placed on the table.
The light from the tinderbox illuminated his face, making it appear half red and half black. Wisps of smoke rose slowly.
The old master of the Liu family was nestled in his chair, puffing on a cigarette, but the shadow on the wall looked like a dog.
...
The pale purple figure at the corner grew increasingly dim.
Just as Li Shouxin was about to step forward to investigate, he was interrupted by a voice behind him.
"There are still many important matters that have not been prepared. What are you wandering around for?" A servant in black emerged from the shadows, holding a broadsword and staring at Li Shouxin warily.
"I am aware of that, of course. I suppose you were too tired and dizzy. That's why you ended up here. Please don't take offense."
Li Shouxin responded obsequiously, and the guards' guards' expressions quickly turned into disdain upon hearing this.
"Street hooligans are nothing more than this. If they can't handle the job, they can simply take their wages and find another employer."
Li Shouxin bowed his head and agreed, looking as if he had done something wrong.
"What are you standing there for? Do I have to teach you how to do the work I've set up?"
Li Shouxin, who had been kicked out of the house, quietly slipped back inside.
The deeper Li Shouxin went into the Liu family's residence, the heavier his heart became. This wasn't because he was afraid, but because the Liu family had hung talismans and placed feng shui ornaments everywhere.
Although the purpose of these talismans is unknown, one can sense that the entire Liu family compound is even more sinister and terrifying than the outside world.
In damp corners, you can even see venomous creatures such as snakes, rats, centipedes, and spiders.
"This place does indeed have an eerie atmosphere. Luckily, we didn't rashly barge in. To be on the safe side, it would be best if my senior brother and I left the Liu residence first."
In front of the door plaque
Liu Yiheng was directing a group of people to decorate the Liu residence, and their cheerful appearance dispelled the gloom inside.
From the shadows nearby, a servant in black hurriedly emerged.
"Young Master, Ah Huang has disappeared again..."
Liu Yiheng's gloomy face showed a hint of irritation: "Such a trivial matter, do I really have to go out and search for it myself?"
The servant in black remained bowed and half-kneeling: "Ah Huang has been behaving strangely lately. Only the young master can get close to him. Anyone else who gets close will take a few bites."
"You bastard!"
Liu Yiheng's face was half white and half red, it was hard to tell whether he was angry or annoyed. He lashed out with both hands, making the servants spin like tops.
The servant's face swelled up rapidly. He didn't scream or wail, but instead got up and knelt in front of Liu Yiheng.
"You vile, pig-like creature, you think you can teach me how to do things?!"
"Young master, that's not what I meant..."
Just as the servant was about to explain, Liu Yiheng stepped forward and slapped him a few more times, which finally silenced him completely, since a person who had fainted could not argue.
"Throw it out; don't leave it hanging at the doorway!"
At this moment, Fang Hongxuan emerged from the thin mist and headed straight for the gate of the Liu family mansion.
"No unauthorized personnel allowed."
Liu Yiheng was in a fit of anger and had no idea what Fang Hongxuan had done to offend him. Before he even entered the door, he was given the cold shoulder.
Fang Hongxuan stood at the door, silent for a moment, then casually drew his broadsword from its sheath. Liu Yiheng's eyes twitched at the sight; though no longer as arrogant as before, he did not back down.
Nearby
Liu Shende walked out through the side door, completely unaware of the oppressive atmosphere in the room. His face was covered with fawning smiles.
"My lord, you have arrived. The Liu family has prepared a superior room for you."
Although Liu Yiheng was arrogant and domineering, bullying men and women, he was not a reckless person.
He wouldn't act rashly if he didn't understand the reason. He was just angry, which is why his tone was a bit harsh.
"Having nowhere to go for the time being, I will stay at the Liu family's house for a few days."
Liu Shende led Fang Hongxuan into the courtyard. Although it is customary to bring gifts as a sign of respect when visiting someone's home, Fang Hongxuan showed no intention of doing so.
The steward didn't seem to care at all, and with a smile on his face, he introduced the scenery of the courtyard to Fang Hongxuan.
The vast Liu Mansion was already decorated with red cloth and silk, covered with stickers of the character "囍" (double happiness), lanterns with auspicious meanings, and couplets with good fortune everywhere.
"Such a grand display suggests that the new bride of the Liu family must be a well-known lady from a prominent family in town. I wonder who she is?"
The butler was panting and staggering.
"You flatter me, sir. After the banquet, I will certainly make the introductions for you."
"Master has been waiting for you for quite some time. You can reach the hall by following this path. I still have a few things to attend to for the young master, so I will not accompany you."
Meanwhile, the two brothers, Shoujing and Shouxin, who were working, happened to see the steward giving directions to Fang Hongxuan while he was looking sleepy.
Fang Qian thought this chivalrous man was truly a hero, always ready to help those in need. He was dashing and romantic, a wanderer with his sword.
"I never imagined that they would be involved with the infamous Liu family behind the scenes."
"Looking at the steward's obsequious manner, it was like a greedy cat stealing bonito flakes, or a hungry dog finding a bone. Upon closer inspection, it only seemed filthy!"
Li Shoujing simply listened without saying anything.
In contrast, Li Shouxin gave a thorough critique of Fang Hongxuan from beginning to end and still seemed somewhat unsatisfied.
On one hand, there's a chivalrous hero who risks his life to save others; on the other, there's a despicable scoundrel who colludes with the Liu family. The contrast is stark.
The two found this outcome unacceptable.
Therefore, Li Shouxin could only keep his doubts to himself, but he didn't hold back when he spoke.
"If it's really as I think, and this person is two-faced, then I'll find a way to repay the debt of saving my life."
"Perhaps he has his own difficulties and is not in control of his own destiny..." Li Shoujing spoke up for Fang Hongxuan, but Li Shouxin, unusually, did not refute him.
"Perhaps..."