Chapter 21: The Slum District

  In the city of Yellow Sand, the east, west and south sides are inhabited by the wealthy and middle class, while the north side is home to the lowest rungs of society. The area is a mix of good and bad, with all sorts of people living there. Those who have a bit of wealth and status look down on the north side, and even the truly wealthy wouldn't think of settling there.

  When three fairly stylish horse-drawn carriages stopped in front of a dilapidated small courtyard, the people around were all startled. Many people were cautiously looking over from their own courtyards, and on both sides of the muddy, potholed street, some people stood far away, with envy in their eyes.

  Qin Li jumped down from the carriage and looked at the small courtyard in front of him, which was even worse than where he used to live. However, a relaxed smile appeared on his face. A golden nest is not as good as one's own grass nest. From today on, Qin Li considered himself to have taken a step out of the Qin family. As for whether he would succeed or not after meeting Miss Shangguan, Qin Li didn't put too much thought into it.

  When a person is down, he has no face and no dignity. What's left is just that little bit of pitiful self-respect. Only when one becomes strong enough to possess the power that no one dares to look down upon, will it be truly having face and dignity!

  Qin Han Yue and Qin Xue were startled by the impoverished scene before their eyes, but they only hesitated for a moment before getting off the car and helping Qin Li move things into the small courtyard.

  This small courtyard has only three houses, the east and west houses are inhabited by people, and the middle one is a kitchen. The house is half made of green bricks and half made of earth, the green tiles on the roof look quite old, some places have already been damaged beyond repair, looking like they need to be repaired immediately.

  This house was settled by Qin Lideng, according to Qin Han Yue's intention, it is necessary to buy a courtyard in the south of the city. Although that side is not considered a rich area, the conditions are much better than this side.

  But in Qin Li's opinion, living there is not as comfortable as living here. Don't look at those rich people frowning when they mention the north of the city, that's because they don't understand the situation!

  Many people are rich but not benevolent, while those who are generous with their wealth are rarely seen. As for this place, it's the most inconspicuous one. The previous owner of this small courtyard made a fortune and moved to the south of the city. Qin Li bought it at a low price. After some minor repairs, he can move in. Qin Li didn't think about how long he would stay here; for him, living here is just a temporary arrangement.

  A few brave little boys stood not far away, watching as several people unloaded things from a horse-drawn carriage. Qin Li beckoned to the little boys and said, "Come over and help out, how about it?"

  "What makes you think I should help you?" a boy about Qin Li's age, covered in dirt and grime, said warily.

  "Hehe, so everyone will be neighbors from now on? We should help each other out, shouldn't we?" Qin Xue said with a smile as she looked at the boy.

  The eighteen or nineteen-year-old beautiful girl, in the eyes of a young boy who was just beginning to fall in love and full of fantasies, was simply perfect. The boy's face turned slightly red, and he looked at Qin Li and said: "I'm not helping you, I'm helping this sister!"

  "Dog Egg, Stone, Little Carp, and all of you, don't just watch the excitement, come over and help!"

  Before the boy had finished speaking, seven or eight little kids suddenly appeared from nowhere and ran over to help move things down with extremely quick hands and feet.

  Qin Xue looked at Qin Li with some complacency, Qin Li returned a blank stare, shrugged his shoulders and thought to himself that these little brats were indeed precocious, completely forgetting that he was also only thirteen years old this year.

  During the conversation, it was learned that the little boy leading the way is named Xīguā (meaning "watermelon" in Chinese). Apparently, his father sells watermelons and gave him this name.

  Don't look at this watermelon's young age, but it is the king of children in these dozens of streets around, can fight, talk about righteousness, and all the kids admire him.

  Looking at the watermelon's complacent appearance, Qin Li smiled slightly in his heart. Before he met his master, he wasn't much different from this watermelon. He believed that when the watermelon grew up and became an adult, it might also follow in his old footsteps.

  "Hey, where did you guys move from?"

  Xigua looked at Qin Li with a somewhat hostile gaze and asked, he always felt that this young man, who was dressed in luxury and about the same age as himself, would be his most threatening challenger on these few streets in the future. Moreover, he seemed to be very familiar with this beautiful sister, which made people feel uncomfortable just by looking at him.

  "Why should I tell you?" Qin Li glanced at the watermelon and smiled slyly.

  "I've done your work for you!" Xigua's reply was also very forceful.

  Qin Li became more and more interested in this brave little guy, pointing at Qin Xue and laughing: "You just said that you were helping this sister, not me."

  Qin Xue couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter, and the watermelon, who was about to get angry, paused for a moment before turning red. At this time, several horse-drawn carriages had finished unloading their goods. The watermelon glared at Qin Li with hatred and said: "You little scoundrel, you're not a good person, I can tell just by looking at you!"

  Shouting and leading a group of young scouts, they ran off with a "whoosh", leaving behind a sentence in the air: "Sister is actually a good person! If anyone dares to bully you again, just report it under my name, Xīguā!"

  Qin Xue couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile lightly. At this moment, she suddenly seemed to understand why Qin Li chose this place. Compared to the exquisite garden of the Qin family, with its high walls and deep courtyards, this place seemed to have more human touch! Her original plan to use her private money to let her wife buy a better house was also completely dispelled at this moment.

  "Mother, don't worry, I promise you, living here is only temporary! It won't be long before I can take you away from this place!" Qin Li said slowly as he looked at Qin Han Yue.

  Qin Han Yue looked at her precious son with a relieved expression and said softly: "It's pretty good here, Mom likes it here!"

  Qin Han Yue's words were filled with emotion, yes, this place was poor, but no one would look at them with strange eyes, nor would there be any rumors spreading to their ears.

  At this time, a horseshoe sound suddenly came from outside, and four strong knights stopped at the gate of the small courtyard. One of them asked, "May I ask if this is the home of Master Qin?"

  Qin Li looked at Qin Han Yue and said: "Mother, it should be someone from the Upper Official's family. I'll go and come back!"

  Qin Han Yue looked at his son who had gotten a bit dirty from moving things and patted the dust off him, saying: "Change your clothes before you go?"

  Qin Li slightly shook his head, gently patted his mother's hand, and turned around to leave: "I am Qin Li."

  Several knights immediately dismounted and saluted Qin, the man who had just spoken said: "Young Master Qin, we are here on the orders of our master to invite you to meet with the young lady, the carriage is waiting at the entrance of the alley."

  "Alright, let's go!" Qin Li deliberately patted the dust off his body with his hand. Seeing that these knights didn't show any unusual expressions in their eyes, he secretly sighed: The Qin family is indeed inferior to the Shangguan family, and it's not just by a little bit!