The world of film and television begins with the God of Medicine.

Chapter 1612 Fate
Winter goes and spring comes, spring and summer alternate, half a year passes in the blink of an eye, and July is scorching hot.

Nanjing in the height of summer is far from cool. Those who sweat easily will be drenched in sweat after just a few minutes outside, while those who can't stand the sun will find their skin tanned several shades darker. People are lethargic and drowsy, and even the number of people on the streets has noticeably decreased.

"I really admire you. You can still go out and take pictures in this heat?"

Erqiang, wearing shorts and shirtless, was eating watermelon in the shade.

Wang Yan had the same look as Er Qiang: "I just didn't go out."

Sanli chimed in, "You're really something. Your little dark room must have been so stuffy, yet you managed to stay in there for so long. I was really worried you'd collapse inside."

"It won't work now either. The medicine is temperature-sensitive; it won't wash properly if it's too hot. We'll have to do it at night."

Wang Yan took a big bite of watermelon, which he had chilled at a nearby market. It was so refreshing to take a bite on such a hot day.

Si Mei, her face covered in watermelon pulp from eating it, said, "Brother Yan is amazing. He can still eat chilled watermelon even though there's no refrigerator at home."

"It was the uncles and aunties at the market who took care of me. Be careful, you've already eaten almost half of it. Don't blame me if you get an upset stomach."

When Wang Yan had nothing to do, he would take his camera out for a stroll, and of course, he wasn't just wandering around aimlessly. He had explored the area around his home thoroughly and become familiar with many of the people there. At least he could find someone to help him with anything, and he could even introduce people to each other.

That's how it is when you know a lot of people; so-called networking resources work the same way. He knows a construction worker, and little by little, his connections expand outwards. Everyone benefits from and helps each other. He acts as a go-between, and little by little, his network of relationships is built.

Of course, this is because he himself is highly capable, which allows for mutual benefit and the continuous expansion of his network. However, no matter how powerful he is, getting a phone from Pinduoduo would be difficult...

The four beauties took a big bite of watermelon, the juice dripping down their chins and onto their clothes.

"I'm not afraid, I really want to eat like this every day, I'd even be willing to die from diarrhea." Feeling the refreshing coolness seeping into her heart, she shook her head comfortably, looking at Erqiang lying there, she said, "Second brother, don't just lie at home, you should think of a way to go out and work as soon as possible. When you earn money, you can treat me to candy and watermelon. Oh, and you also need to buy a refrigerator, chilled watermelon is the best."

Speaking of work, Erqiang couldn't help but sigh, "It's not that easy to find a job. So many people are unemployed. I'm not the only one lying at home; many of my classmates are also unemployed..."

Erqiang was already in high school, but he really didn't want to study, so he dropped out. Right now, he has no work to do, so he just lies around in Wang Yan's yard all day.

He's been living with Wang Yan for the past two years. It's not as inconvenient as living at home, since Sanli and Simei have grown up. Wang Yan's place is spacious, and he lives alone. They're also close, so he's been able to stay here.

Of course, apart from Qiao Zuwang, everyone in the Qiao family was principled and not there to freeload. Qiao Yicheng gave Erqiang some money and Qiao Zuwang some more, intending to give it to Wang Yan for rent and food expenses. However, Wang Yan refused, so Erqiang used the money to buy meat and other things; in short, the money was going to be spent.

In addition, Erqiang is usually very diligent, taking care of most of the housework, which is not much. Sanli comes over every two or three days to help with the cleaning and do things like washing Wang Yan's clothes.

Overall, Wang Yan and the Qiao family are now on very good terms...

However, Wang Yan didn't plan to arrange a job for Qiao Erqiang right now. He had a good relationship with the factory's mentor, and in the drama, it was love at first sight for Erqiang, a relationship he still cherished and remembered many years later. Despite the age difference, Qiao Erqiang genuinely liked and was truly fond of him.

Wang Yan couldn't stand by as an outsider and decide for Qiao Erqiang what was good and what was bad. Of course, this was on the premise that it didn't conflict with his own actions...

Therefore, if Wang Yan arranges a job for Qiao Erqiang, it would be tantamount to ending this marriage, which is unnecessary. On the contrary, he not only wants to end it, but also wants to help Qiao Erqiang avoid any troubles.

Wang Yan nodded: "It is indeed hard to find."

Sanli glanced at Wang Yan, but Si Mei, ever the outspoken one, said, "Hey, Brother Yan, you know a lot of officials, can't you put in a good word for my second brother?"

Wang Yan shook his head: "They came to offer their condolences and comfort, but we can't say we know each other. I don't even know which way their door faces. Besides, they're all so busy with their work, how could they possibly remember who I am after all this time?"

"Then you know so many people?" Si Mei persisted.

"It's like you and the students in other classes. They all look familiar, right? But why don't you know them? Because you haven't talked to them. I have talked to them, but that's all. We don't attend classes together every day, so how can we have a good relationship?"

As for the adults I know, why did they take care of me? It's because I was miserable, all alone, and I was notorious for my past fighting, making me famously lonely. Plus, I had a stubborn streak and insisted on living on my own. It's not that they all pitied me; they wouldn't let them spend money on me, or even just a small amount, and when they were in a good mood, they were willing to help me.

"Is arranging a job such a big deal? If they had connections, they'd definitely arrange it for their own people, not for me. Don't you think that makes sense?"

"Oh……"

"Did you understand? Just say 'oh'?" Sanli asked with a smile.

The four beauties waved their hands dismissively: "Anyway, it's not going to work."

Wang Yan laughed heartily: "That's right, you've grasped the essence."

"I'm just that smart!" The four beauties ate their watermelon with even more gusto...

At this moment, Erqiang said, "Let's take another look. Maybe we'll find it. Didn't Dad also say he wanted me to take a look?"

“He just wants you to earn money for him to spend.” Sanli’s voice was soft, but it went straight to the point.

"But I have to earn money first," Erqiang said, taking a bite of watermelon. "Then we'll eat something good."

With nothing else to do, everyone started daydreaming about the future, talking about what they'd buy when they made money. It wasn't much different from what they said during the New Year, except they wanted more, because some products on the market had been updated and iterated, so naturally their demands had to be updated as well...

"Wang Yan, you don't seem to have said what you want to do in the future?" Sanli looked at Wang Yan, who was lounging on the recliner, drinking tea from a purple clay teapot.

"We'll take it one step at a time. I don't know exactly what we'll do, but I do know the outcome."

"What?" Sanli pressed.

"The Four Beauties?" Wang Yan waved his hand at the Four Beauties.

"Of course it's about getting rich!" Si Mei pouted. "Sis, you're so stupid, you didn't even think of that."

"I wasn't as greedy as you two."

……

This summer vacation was joyful. We ate watermelon every few days and popsicles every other day to beat the summer heat. This was not only a delightful experience for Simei, who is still a child, but also for Erqiang and Sanli, who are older.

Even though Wang Yan is no longer afraid of heat or cold, he is still not immune to heat. It's just that his bodily functions are stronger and his tolerance is greater, but he still feels the heat. That's why he feels comfortable eating cold watermelon and popsicles.

Especially when traveling with the three Qiao siblings, there were many laughs amidst their poverty, making each day anything but boring. Qiao Yicheng and Qi Weimin visited a few times, but they didn't eat or drink; in Qiao Yicheng's words, it was too extravagant for him to afford. It was just a large group of people eating watermelon, popsicles, and drinking soda in the courtyard, spending a little money and reaping some happiness.

September arrived in the blink of an eye, marking the start of another school year. Wang Yan and Sanli went to high school, Si Mei went to junior high, Yi Cheng was still in university, and Er Qiang remained at home.

Because Erqiang is gone, but there's one more: Wang Yan, Sanli, and Simei go to and from school together. Before, the brother and sister would come to Wang Yan's place in the morning and go back home from there in the evening.

Now, it's become Sanli and Simei coming to Wang Yan's place in the morning and returning from the Qiao family's place in the evening.

Because the two were close, there were some rumors circulating in the class, and even some of Sanli's friends who got along well with her would often tease her about it. On the other hand, Wang Yan was quite famous, and even more people knew him, so it was inevitable that rumors would spread about him and Sanli when they were together.

Overall, however, there weren't any negative effects. After all, aside from some friends joking around, no one would talk nonsense to Sanli, and no one would dare to gossip in front of Wang Yan...

After school that day, Wang Yan and Sanli returned to the Qiao family home.

The four beauties strolling down the street came up to us with a thud: "Brother Yan, my dad said you should stay for dinner."

"Is there some good news?"

"I don't know, it's all so mysterious, but anyway, I'll let you eat at home."

Wang Yan nodded: "Then let's go."

So the three of them went into the alley and arrived at the Qiao family's house.

"Oh, Wang Yan is here!" Aunt Wu, who was fiddling with chicken gizzards in the yard, called out loudly.

"Aunt Wu, Uncle Qiao is inviting you to dinner."

"That shameless old man should be treating you; you're too honest, kid."

"I'm leaving, Aunt Wu." Wang Yan waved and went straight into the Qiao family's house.

If Aunt Wu were to say a few more words, she would make the entire Qiao family look shameless. But the key is that she doesn't have such bad intentions; she's just a gossip. It's human nature to be afraid of what others have, to laugh at what others don't, and to talk about people behind their backs.

"You're back! Come on, Wang Yan, come on, have a drink with me." Qiao Zuwang stood at the door and waved, smiling smugly.

"Dad!" Qiao Yicheng frowned as he looked at his father.

"Hey, what's wrong with having a little drink? Wang Yan can drink your old man to death, is he an ordinary person? And now he's telling me what to do."

When Qiao Zuwang spoke of his eldest son, he did not make direct eye contact with him. Instead, he looked at Wang Yan, glanced at his eldest son a couple of times, and then turned and went into the house.

"Come on, Wang Yan, let's have some peanuts and drinks first. Erqiang may not be good at anything else, but he's the best cook in our family. He can fry peanuts really well."

Wang Yan laughed and patted Yi Cheng's arm: "It's alright, Brother Yi Cheng, Uncle Qiao is right, drinking won't interfere with anything."

Once inside, there was a plate of peanuts on the table. They were deep-fried and then seasoned with a little salt. After sitting for a while, the peanuts cooled down and became very crispy and fragrant.

Qiao Zuwang poured a cup for Wang Yan, while he himself drank from a wine cup.

"Come on, let's have a drink, you and me." Qiao Zuwang sipped his small wine cup and downed two qian (a unit of weight) of wine in one go. Then, exhaling the breath of alcohol, he picked up some peanuts with his chopsticks. He didn't forget to glare at Si Mei, who came over and grabbed peanuts with her bare hands.

Wang Yan took a small sip, crunching away on a peanut, and asked in a very cooperative manner, "Uncle Qiao, what's the good news? Have you found a new partner?"

"Go away, how dare you make fun of your Uncle Qiao? I have several burdens in my family, who would want me?"

Qiao Zuwang's words elicited no particular reaction. Yicheng, sitting to the side reading the newspaper, didn't even look up, while Simei happily ate her peanuts, grinning from ear to ear. Erqiang and Sanli were cooking outside.

So Wang Yan followed up by asking, "What happy occasion is it?"

"Let's talk about it after dinner. Let's have a drink first, just the two of us."

So the two sipped their wine and chatted idly, with the four beauties beside them occasionally chiming in with innocent remarks and causing some laughter. Qiao Yicheng rarely spoke, feeling quite relaxed with Wang Yan's cheerful responses, unless his father uttered some outrageous statement that he couldn't stand and then he would argue with him.

After eating most of a plate of peanuts, Old Qiao was already slightly tipsy. Erqiang and Sanli had prepared the meal, and everyone gathered around the table, waiting for Qiao Zuwang's good news.

Qiao Zuwang took a sip of wine and a bite of food, making quite a show of it.

"I found Erqiang a job."

"Huh?" Ichisei looked at his father in surprise.

"What are you 'hmm'ing about? It's my duty to find my son a job. He's been staying here for two months since graduation, so I need to find him something to do. He's just eating and drinking at home all day. How can I stand it? Since he's not going to study anymore, he should hurry up and get a job and contribute to our family."

Sanli asked, "Where are we going, Dad?"

"Yuhong Machinery Factory." Qiao Zuwang picked up some food. "You'll be reporting for duty next Monday. I've already told them you're almost nineteen, so don't let it slip, or your old man will have worked for nothing."

"Really?" Erqiang couldn't help but ask.

"How could it be fake? Once you get your official salary, you'll have to contribute to the family. You've been eating my food for over ten years, it's time to repay your father. How about it? If I don't show some usefulness, some people will think I'm just a freeloader."

Qiao Yicheng said, "Yes, yes, you've really gone through a lot, but you've finally accomplished something worthwhile."

"What are you saying? Did I never behave properly before?"

Seeing the looks his four children were giving him, Qiao Zuwang looked directly at Wang Yan and said, "You're a smart man, what do you think of your Uncle Qiao?"

"Great, great! Come on, Uncle Qiao, let's have a drink. Brother Qiang, you should have some too. We're about to make a lot of money, let's have a little drink to celebrate."

Everyone ate and drank happily together. With another person starting work, the family's situation would definitely improve a lot. Si Mei was still clinging to Er Qiang's arm, calling him "Second Brother" affectionately, thinking that Er Qiang would buy her candy, pretty hair clips, hair ties, and so on in the future. She really treated Er Qiang like a wishing turtle in a wishing well.

A week later, the two men also began their fateful encounter...

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