Qiao Lian'er estimated that it would be a little over ten taels of silver.
But Suo was waiting for Qiao Lian'er below and didn't notice that several people had already surrounded him. They all looked to be in their twenties or thirties, with a roguish and malicious air about them, clearly hooligans and thugs.
One of them slapped Dansou on the shoulder, grinning mischievously, and said in the local language, "You're really lucky, kid. I heard that Shui girl is good at picking stones for people up there. She's very skilled in this area, just as good as those experienced masters. She picked out three stones for you just now, all of them must be the most valuable ones."
This is a small gang that often watches the stones in other people's hands, and tries to steal the good ones when they see them, causing many innocent villagers to suffer.
But Sole knew the visitor meant no good, so he frowned and slapped the other man's hand away.
"I didn't say that others can't help me choose; you can also find others to help you choose."
Everyone laughed.
“We’re not like you, groveling and begging for favors. You’re very good at winning people over. Even the people who work for the caravans are willing to help you. I have to say, you’re really something else.”
As the other man spoke, he punched Danseau in the chest again.
The punch was delivered with great force, causing Dan Suo's facial muscles to twitch in pain.
His fists clenched involuntarily, but he knew he was no match for these people.
"What do you want to do?"
Knowing that the residents had seen him and would come to his aid, the thugs laughed and joked as they cornered him behind a hillside.
"Don't be nervous. We saw the Water Maiden take three stones to open, so she should get some good stuff. Since she's already picked out all the good stuff for you, what hope do we have today? We won't give up until you give us something in return."
Hearing this, Dan Suo was furious and said angrily, "I have helped you guys before, and now that I have received a little benefit, you can't stand it. Besides, all those stones were obtained by luck, and I didn't prevent you from picking them up."
The brother and sister's family was the poorest in the whole village. If the three stones yielded something good, he hoped to build a bigger house. His sister would grow up eventually, and this simple shed was very inconvenient, as it was easily visible from the outside.
These people burst into laughter.
"You really think you're a hero? All you're good for is your glib tongue. If it weren't for your usefulness, the villagers wouldn't have let you off so easily. They would have starved you and your sister to death long ago. You should be thanking everyone, thanking us."
But Suo didn't expect the other party to say that. He worked hard every day between those warlords and out-of-town merchants, bowing and scraping, not for himself, but for so many local residents.
In fact, even if all the indigenous people were driven away, the warlords would keep the brother and sister because they could be of use.
But these people twisted the truth, and their words were like knives stabbing into his heart.
Think about it, these thugs are just exceptions. They're not exactly honest people, and they want to steal anything good that others have. They're scum, the enemy of everyone.
But Suo's feelings of grievance vanished, and he snorted, "Anyway, those stones are not going to be given to you, so just give up on that idea."
He just hoped that the Water Maiden wouldn't come down, otherwise he might suffer in front of these people.
However, upon raising her eyes, she spotted Qiao Lian'er, who seemed oblivious and fearless, completely unaware of the danger these people posed.
And so she walked down gracefully.
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