TATSD Chapter 44

Removing the casing was meant to make pork sausages. However, since Ji Wei didn’t have a specialized sausage-stuffing tool, he used a small piping nozzle attached to a bag, filled it with the pork mixture, and then stuffed it into the casings, tying knots every few inches.

Although it was somewhat challenging, after spending over half an hour, he managed to stuff all the filling into the casings, making about thirty short sausages.

Ji Wei boiled water, pricked small holes into the freshly stuffed sausages with a pin, steamed them until cooked, then wrapped them with string and hung them up to dry.

…

“What are we going to do? Qing Ge! This was your suggestion in the first place!” Li Erba shouted angrily at Lin Qing.

It was understandable that he was furious. Lin Qing had suggested sending the Bun Beauty to compete with Ji Wei, using the lowest prices to drive him out of business as quickly as possible.

But now, after half a month, the Bun Beauty’s business was as poor as their losses were severe.

They had considered raising the prices, but even a small increase of just two wen had driven away many customers who were initially interested, forcing them to lower prices again.

In just over half a month, all three of them had lost a considerable amount of money, especially Liu Qing.

The Bun Beauty was his responsibility, and being the oldest among the three, Liu Qing had invested the most, losing nearly six taels of silver.

The tigerish woman at home found it hard to keep calm. By the time he took the money to pay someone else, she had caused a ruckus at home for four or five days, insisting on finding out who was behind this, even going to his brothers’ homes to ask around.

Although Liu Qing wasn’t worried about his brothers revealing anything, he was still extremely troubled, feeling like he had no way out.

Lin Qing, with a serious expression, didn’t say anything and took a swig of alcohol. Li Erba continued to rant, which only angered Liu Qing further. He kicked Li Erba, causing him to stagger.

“Why are you shouting? Did you lose money alone? I didn’t lose anything, did I!” Liu Qing yelled at him.

Since Lin Qing was not married and his parents had passed away, the three of them were drinking in Lin Qing’s home, trying to come up with a solution.

“I heard that Ji Wei has given his stall to a woman named Zhou recently and has been hiding at home. No scent of his food is coming out, so I don’t know what he’s up to,” Liu Qing said, his cheek twitching as he recalled the bet with Ji Wei.

Liu Qing hadn’t yet heard about Lin Yaozu visiting Ji Wei this morning. If he had known that someone from Daxi Town was coming to negotiate with Ji Wei, he would have regretted the bet that Ji Wei had tricked him into.

The three of them fell silent, each lost in their thoughts as they drank.

“At this point, we can’t back down. If we do, all the money we’ve spent will be wasted. Even if it’s just for the money, we have to grit our teeth and push through,” Lin Qing said after a few drinks, his mind cooling down.

“If we’re short of money, we should collect more. We still have a whole street to work with.”

Lin Qing’s words immediately enlightened Liu Qing and Li Erba.

However, just seven or eight days ago, they had recently gone out to collect. Normally, they collected every half month, but now if they did it frequently, it might stir up public resentment.

“Who cares? Who dares to complain? Old Scar’s fist will deal with anyone who dares to resist!” Li Erba, looking fierce and agitated, clearly understood the situation and was ready to act. The other two also understood and did not interfere further.

After finishing the food and drinks, Liu Qing and Li Erba left Lin Qing’s home. Since their homes were in different directions, they parted ways after walking a few steps.

Feeling restless at home, Liu Qing also preferred not to go back. Besides visiting the Bun Beauty’s place, he occasionally went to the kiln to take a look.

However, having just spent a lot of money there yesterday, thinking of the money-draining pancake stall, he touched his empty money pouch and decided to head to the gambling house instead.

Liu Qing’s love for gambling was well-known in the circle. Whether he was in a good or bad mood, he would always gamble.

At this moment, still fuming, he stormed into the gambling house, rolled up his sleeves, and shouted, “Hurry up!”

The dealer, startled, hesitated for a moment before opening the dice cup.

“Big!”

Liu Qing’s face brightened as he won. He continued to place bets, and after some wins and losses, he ended up with a small profit of several dozen wen. In high spirits, he hummed a tune on his way home and bought a roasted chicken.

However, as soon as he saw his sour-faced wife at home, his good mood instantly vanished, and his expression darkened.

“Where have you been fooling around again? Which shameless woman is it? If I find her, I’ll make sure she regrets ever flirting with someone else’s husband!” Liu Qing’s wife threw her wet clothes into the basin and rushed to grab Liu Qing by the collar, crying and shouting.

Liu Qing, with a headache, pushed her away forcefully and snarled, “What are you going crazy about? There’s no woman. I just went to the gambling house for a few rounds. Why are you reacting like this?”

Liu Qing’s strong push sent his wife sprawling to the ground. She got up, sniffed him, and then suddenly scratched his neck, drawing blood.

“You’re lying! You still smell like a cheap tramp. Did you go to the kiln? Liu Qing, you scoundrel! I must have been blind to marry you! Why don’t you just die!” Liu Qing’s wife cursed him furiously, wishing she could use the most vicious words to condemn him.

The couple had long been estranged, sleeping in separate beds. After many years of marriage without children, their feelings had grown distant.

Furthermore, Liu Qing’s wife had a proud and intolerant nature. When she heard about Liu Qing’s extramarital affairs, she was furious, wanting to tear apart anyone involved. Even someone as tough as Liu Qing found it hard to handle and had to hide his dealings with Bun Beauty, fearing a major scandal.

“The more you want me dead, the more I refuse to die!” Liu Qing snorted coldly. “Not only will I live, but I’ll live well. Don’t expect any money from me in the future!”