C74 (1/2)
As it was bustling with people, all the neighbors gradually came to see what was happening, but Da Qing did not stay behind, nor did they accept Ling Chaofeng's silver, and quickly left.
The family had simply dealt with lunch, but Susu was naturally unable to eat anything. With great difficulty, she fell asleep in Xiaowan's embrace, but when Xiaowan moved the slightest, she woke up in fear. It was only when Uncle Biao brought some tranquil medicine from the infirmary and gave it to her to drink that finally slept soundly in the evening.
Uncle Biao and Aunt Zhang returned to the shop first. Xiaowan still stayed, so Ling Chaofeng naturally accompanied her. Auntie Chen brought along some steamed buns that were steamed in the afternoon and said that she would go to the end of the village to look for Da Qing's home.
On the other side, the couple sat under the eaves, the sun shining brightly in the yard, the fragrance of food wafting through the village, smoke rising from the cooking smoke, and the women shouting at their naughty children to come home and eat.
Xiaowan leaned on Ling Chaofeng's shoulder and said, ”It's been a long time since I heard such a voice, I don't remember coming from such a place. Following my husband and living like a god, my life is truly good.”
Ling Chaofeng asked her if she was cold, touched her hands and said: ”It's good that you've forgotten, why must you remember?”
The Xiaowan looked at him and asked, ”Hubby, now that the Auntie Chen is not here, and Susu is asleep, can you tell me now? Those two bastards, why are they snatching Susu? Where are they from? How did they know that Susu would go there every day?
After a series of questions, Ling Chaofeng remained calm and composed, ”Can I tell you after I've solved all of my problems?”
Xiaowan didn't want to know: ”I want to know right now.”
However, Ling Chaofeng said: ”Now that you know, it only increases your worries. First, calm down and accompany Susu properly, make her forget about this matter.”
The two of them looked at each other and understood each other very well. Ever since they had given their hearts to this man, Xiaowan had always listened to everything he said.
”Later, why don't you wait a bit?” Ling Chaofeng persisted.
”I know.” Xiaowan was clearly angry, but she did not continue interacting with him, she secretly clenched her fists, just as she was about to make her wish, someone walked over from outside the wattled fencing, her husband stood up and said to the outside, ”Is it Da Qing?”
As the man walked closer, the setting sun illuminated his face. It was indeed Da Qing. His clothes were dirty, his pants were wet, and his arms were red, as if they had been strangled. It looked like he had been working at the dock for the whole afternoon.
Da Qing working at the Baisha River Pier was a very tiring and heavy job, but the wages he earned were very little. It would be hard to earn a living at the pier, but no one was willing to give them more money.
”Auntie Chen went to find you. So you haven't come back yet.” Xiaowan walked up to her and said, ”Aunt has to thank you well no matter what. Brother Da Qing, if aunty wants to give you something, then you can accept it.”
Da Qing thanked him and knew that the mother and daughter pair were fine, and was about to leave, but Ling Chaofeng called out to him. On the other hand, Da Qing looked at Ling Chaofeng with a complicated gaze.
Ling Chaofeng said: ”But when I said I wanted to sell those two beasts to the slave traders, did you feel disgusted with me?”
Da Qing saw all kinds of people on the dock every day, and he also saw those slave traders take away the innocent people who were kidnapped like goods on a boat. The people on the dock all knew that this was a place that was going to go across the ocean and travel a long distance.
When Ling Chaofeng said this in the morning, his heart sank. Sure enough, his Ling Xiao Inn was as dark as the rumors said.
Seeing that he did not say anything, Ling Chaofeng continued: ”I do have some interactions with those slave traders. Since I can't even kill the people from the imperial government, how can I deal with them alone? What I can do is to buy people from them from time to time. Every time I try to sell them something, I always buy a boat full of people. This is the only thing I can do. ”
Da Qing did not dare believe it, he was stunned for a moment, and then he saw the jade-like man smile: ”Whether you believe it or not, it's up to you, but right now, I have something I want to entrust to you, I don't know, Brother Da Qing, whether you are willing or not.”
Xiaowan didn't understand and used her gaze to ask his husband, but Ling Chaofeng squeezed her hand, telling her to wait.
Da Qing looked at the quiet house with worry. He gently clenched his fist and lowered his head: ”Manager Ling, please speak.”
Ling Chaofeng said: ”We hope that Susu can get better like before. Today's matter is just a nightmare. From now on, please drive her all the way to the inn in the morning and pick her up at night.
Da Qing's eyes lit up, but he quickly dimmed down and smiled: ”Manager Ling, you do not know about the matters of the village. If I send Miss Susu off like this every day, the villagers will gossip quickly.
Xiaowan said, ”I know that there are some women in the village who love to talk their way out of things, but as long as you guys are honest and do nothing to them, they will only bully the weak and fear the strong. You guys ignore them and embarrass them, they will quickly shut up.”
Da Qing pursed his lips and nodded: ”As long as Lady Susu doesn't mind, I will take care of this matter from now on.”
Ling Chaofeng laughed: ”Naturally, we want to calculate the wages with you.”
Da Qing immediately said: ”You have already prepared a mule carriage for me, there is no need for the money, I am just taking it along.”
Ling Chaofeng looked at Xiaowan, and seeing that she was smiling happily, he comforted his and said to Da Qing: ”You keep it first, this way Susu will be more at ease.”
Seeing Da Qing heading towards his own home, Ling Chaofeng said next to the ears of the Xiaowan: ”What happens afterwards, will depend on their own fortune.”
The Xiaowan asked foolishly: ”What good fortune?”
Seeing her husband's profound smile, Xiaowan felt a jolt in her heart. However, she immediately understood what was going on as her face turned red: ”Where did you see that?”
Ling Chaofeng patted her head: ”It's not that I'm smart, it's because you're stupid.”
Xiaowan raised her fist, ”Say it again?”
With such a happy moment, Xiaowan forgot about what she was thinking just now. When Susu woke up later on, she calmed down a little and advised them to return early.
The aunt also said that the village was very safe. Anyone who was called by the neighbors would come out. Don't look at how the men had all gone out to work here. Because of this, the women were all exceptionally fierce, and not everyone could easily behave atrociously.
Ling Chaofeng and Xiaowan could not refuse, and did not want Susu to be too nervous, so they left as mother and daughter.
Auntie Chen fed Susu some food and said that she had sent some steamed buns to Da Qing's home. Only then did she realise that the situation at the end of the village was completely different from here.