Chapter 71: Staying behind (2/2)

“Grandpa, why haven’t you close the doors……”

A five to six year old looking young girl walked into the house, her clothes were also patched up and wore very simple clothing, sporting two braids, she looked very cute and her red rosy cheeks seemed like an apple.

“Go ahead and sleep first, I’ll close up in a while.”

The little girl looked at the food on the table as her big eyes seemed to shine with light, thereafter she secretly swallowed a big mouthful of saliva as she nodded and replied: “Okay.”

Not long after, Ye Fan had already cleared off all the dishes on the table as he stood up and said: “Okay old man, you should prepare to close up.” Having said this, he reached to his chest but seemed embarrassed, he had forgotten that he did not have any money nor gold or silver objects, without any way to make payment.

“Little brother are you having some difficulties?” The old man seemed to have already guessed the situation and noticed his embarrassment.

“This…… I really haven’t brought any money.”

“Ahhh another bad person.” The little girl by the side widened her eyes, weeping and sobbing as she stared at Ye Fan: “You people are too nasty, always coming to eat free food and renege on your debts, only knowing how to bully grandpa and I, we’re already to the point where we probably can’t feed ourselves……”

Having said this, she looked at the chicken bones on the table as her eyes became redder: “Grandpa said that if no guests came he would give me the chicken thigh to eat….. In the end you ate it all for free, really just bullying us.”

The young girl’s lips started to quiver as her long eyelashes trembled, tears began to flow down as her red cheeks were stained with tears, she used her patched dress to continually wipe at her tears.

It was obvious that their lives were not the best and usually encountered bullies.

“Young girl, don’t cry……” Ye Fan was really embarrassed and ashamed, this young and old duo seemed to have already been in quite a predicament before he came.

“It’s okay, little brother doesn’t have to reproach himself. I can see that you are different from those rascally bullies, you aren’t a freeloader but rather have really forgotten to bring money.” The old man whose face was covered in wrinkles brought the little girl to the side and said: “Don’t cry, grandpa left a piece of chicken meat and half a steamed bun for you so you won’t have to starve.”

“Grandpa……” The little girl cried in grievance as she continued: “I’m not doing this for myself but because grandpa hasn’t eaten dinner either. We’re always bullied by those bad people and have not much savings left, if it goes on like this what should we do……”

Seeing the patched up clothes on the old and young duo and hearing their words, Ye Fan felt wistful in his heart as he was deeply moved and his nose actually felt stuffy.

The lives of normal people was filled with bitter, sour, hot and sweet moments, the familial relations between this old and young duo made him have a feeling of that he had not experienced for a long time.

“Little girl don’t cry, I’m not a bad person. Although I don’t have any money, but I have something here that can pay for this meal.” Ye Fan took a small jade bottle out, it was a bottle of hundred plants extract that he had obtained while out exploring.

“This is a piece of good jade, too precious, I cannot accept it.” The old man shook his head and continued: “Everyone has their difficult times, little brother if you pass by here in the future you can always pay then.”

Ye Fan sighed, the old man’s life was already so harsh yet he had such character and attitude, making him feel respect as he said: “Please keep it, this really doesn’t count for much to me.”

“Too precious, I really cannot accept it. Outside, everyone would have difficult moment, little brother don’t need to be reproachful of yourself.” The old man’s wrinkled hands firmly pushed the jade bottle back.

Seeing his refusal, Ye Fan could only put away the bottle.

“Since you don’t want it, then I’ll stay behind and help you to do some manual labour.” At this moment he did not have anywhere to go and discovering that this old man was so down-to-earth and kind, he decided to stay here temporarily and concentrate on cultivating while helping the old man.

The little girl looked down at her feet and her big eyes were red as she softly said: “We can’t even feed ourselves…..”

Ye Fan crouched down as he look with pity towards the little girl and rubbed her head: “I won’t add any burdens to you by staying behind.”