Chapter 28 The Connection
The boy in front of him admitted that he came from Daxing Village.
She was almost certain of her guess, but didn't say it aloud immediately. She simply shook her head slightly and responded calmly.
"I don't know him. I'm just a little curious."
"Auntie, my parents are just ordinary people, they don't know any important figures outside, why would you mention them? Could it be... that you really know my dad?"
"I don't know him, but I still have to advise you, Jinmantang is too troublesome a place, you'd better take him and find another place to work."
Qu Dong's face flushed red instantly.
He subconsciously glanced at Lu Xiuye, his eyes revealing nervousness.
Lu Xiuye was looking at him curiously, her brows furrowed, wondering when this guy got a girlfriend?
That's quite precocious!
She muttered to herself, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
The moment their eyes met, the atmosphere instantly became a little awkward.
Qu Dong's heart skipped a beat. He quickly turned his head to the other side, pretending to be choked by dust, and coughed lightly twice.
"Ahem, Auntie, what nonsense are you talking about? I don't have a boyfriend."
His voice sounded a little strained.
"My family is so poor we can't even afford to eat, and my dad is sick. We need money."
His tone softened.
"I only went to work there because the salary was higher."
He sighed, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the window.
“My mother passed away early, leaving only my father and me to depend on each other. I thought things would gradually get better, and I would be able to finish junior high school and find a job to support the family. But then came the devastating news: my father suddenly fell seriously ill and was hospitalized, completely disrupting all our plans.”
He paused, his voice trembling slightly.
"Fortunately, my homeroom teacher was understanding and agreed to keep my student status for a year. I plan to go back to school after my father recovers."
Upon hearing this, Shen Cuifen sighed repeatedly.
This child has really had a tough time.
Who doesn't have a few unpleasant things going on in their life?
Everyone has their own difficulties.
"How is your hand? Do you need me to take you to the hospital to see a doctor?"
Her tone softened considerably when she asked the question; she had indeed acted too impulsively just now.
Qu Dong waved his hand, shaking his head as he raised his hand and waved it in front of Shen Cuifen.
"Hey, I'm a real man, do you think you can hurt me? I'm just going easy on you!"
He spoke with great confidence and conviction.
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Cuifen reached out to grab his hand and examine it closely.
Qu Dong hurriedly pulled his hand back, his movement so quick that he almost knocked off his old glasses.
Those glasses and the work clothes he was wearing were both provided by Jin Mantang.
Although it wasn't brand new, it was already quite precious to him.
If he accidentally breaks it, he'll have to pay for it himself, which he simply can't afford.
This series of vivid actions made the originally tense people burst into laughter.
The atmosphere instantly lightened considerably.
Seeing this, Qu Dong quickly and carefully put away what he had been holding tightly in his hand, afraid of causing any further misunderstanding, and at the same time secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The misunderstanding was finally cleared up, and everyone stopped arguing.
He got back into the carriage that had been waiting for him.
The driver, on the other hand, was completely bewildered and looked utterly confused.
Just now, the group was arguing and shouting.
How did things suddenly become so peaceful and harmonious, as if nothing had ever happened?
Time flies, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
They soon arrived at their destination.
I feel a little bad about the conflict just now.
Shen Cuifen thought of paying for Qu Dong's carriage fare in advance as a way of expressing her apology.
However, Qu Dong resolutely took out money from his pocket, paid the fare, said goodbye to the mother and her two daughters, and then turned and left.
Watching his receding figure, Lu Xiuye's expression was complicated.
She had a vague feeling of unease.
Just as she was lost in thought, her younger sister gently tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Xiuye, what are you daydreaming about? Mom is asking if you want to eat meat buns!"
Reminded by this, Lu Xiuye slowly came back to her senses.
Suddenly, I smelled a fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
My stomach rumbled involuntarily, and I almost drooled.
Before Lu Xiuye could answer, Shen Cuifen had already quickly bought three steaming hot meat buns.
The mother and her two daughters each held a steamed bun and ate as they walked slowly toward Yongshun Street.
"Mom, I'm really curious."
Shen Cuifen took a big bite of the bun and spoke indistinctly.
"Why come all the way to the county town to buy a pair of shoes when you can just buy them in town?"
A smile played on her lips, as if there was more to it than met the eye.
"You'll find out when the time comes. Just follow your mother's arrangements."
Shen Cuifen answered with a smile, but did not directly reveal the answer.
Lu Xiuwei and Lu Xiuye exchanged glances, nodded as if they understood, and then quickened their pace to follow behind Shen Cuifen.
According to regulations, horse-drawn carriages can only be parked on the outskirts of the county town.
It's quite a distance from Yongshun Street; it takes at least half an hour to walk there.
The two sisters remained confused throughout the journey.
Normally, when buying shoes, I either go to the market or go directly to the brand's official store.
How did you end up in these old streets and alleys?
Moreover, the road that Shen Cuifen led was not a commercial area.
Instead, it's a series of winding, narrow alleys behind Yongshun Street.
The alley was winding and twisting, with low and old houses on both sides.
They look almost identical, making it impossible to tell which way is which.
Strangely, Shen Cuifen was unusually familiar with this unfamiliar alley.
After walking for about seven or eight minutes, sunlight filtered through the leaves and dappled the path.
Shen Cuifen led Lu Xiuwei and Lu Xiuye to a slow stop in front of a closed old courtyard gate.
The door was dark brown, with some paint peeling off, and seemed to be quite old.
She raised her hand and gently, carefully, knocked on the door three times.
A few seconds later, several barks came from the yard.
The barking of dogs came from inside the wall.
Who is it?
A woman's voice then came from inside the house.
Shen Cuifen tried to lower her voice and replied softly.
"Heavenly King covers the Earth Tiger".
As soon as he said that, Lu Xiuwei and Lu Xiuye were so amused that they almost burst out laughing.
They looked at each other in bewilderment.
This looks too much like a rendezvous between underground organizations.
What is Mom doing?
Did they really go to film a movie?
The woman inside the room was silent for a few seconds, as if she was thinking about something.
Then footsteps approached, and the door creaked open a crack.
A pair of clear, black and white eyes cautiously peeked out from the crack in the door.
"Who should I look for?"
The woman behind the door asked.
Shen Cuifen forced a smile at the doorway.
"Sister Zheng, I've come to get the shoe uppers."
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