Storm
Yu Wan ran through two streets before finally seeing the opera troupe they had been talking about.
A thin boy stood in front of the opera troupe's carriage; it was Yu Cheng who had blocked the troupe's path.
A middle-aged man looked Acheng up and down with satisfaction, and was about to bend down to lift Acheng into the car.
Yu Wan used all her strength to sprint forward and snatched A-Cheng back.
The troupe leader looked at Yu Wan with surprise and asked, "Little girl, what are you doing?"
Yu Wan held her younger brother tightly behind her, watching the troupe leader and the dozen or so men and women behind him warily. Xiao Hu from next door was also in the car.
"It's nothing, just call my brother home for dinner."
The troupe leader pointed to A-Cheng behind her and said with a smile, "So this kid is your brother? He just said he wanted to sell himself to me."
Yu Wan said seriously, "The child is just kidding."
The troupe leader looked regretful, then turned his gaze to Yu Wan, scrutinizing her from head to toe, and his eyes lit up.
These siblings are both incredibly beautiful. At five years old, their features are exquisitely delicate, but they're too thin and look like they're three; their faces are so pale. But when they grow up, they'll definitely be handsome young men. With proper upbringing, they'll surely be a money-making machine.
My sister is fifteen or sixteen years old, and she is a beauty that is one in a million. She is pure and refined, and her eyes are especially precious. Her fox-like eyes reveal a maturity and determination that is rare among people her age. She must be a very insightful person.
With a little nurturing, he'll have two more money trees, helping him earn a lot of silver. Before they grow old and lose their beauty, he can find a wealthy patron and perhaps sell them for a good price.
Seeing the siblings turn to leave, the troupe leader stepped forward and blocked their way.
"Young lady, would you like to bring your younger brother with us? We guarantee you and your brother will live a life of luxury. If you're lucky, enjoying wealth and honor isn't out of the question. Your brother just mentioned that you have a sick mother at home. I can take her with me. As long as you're willing to work hard to earn money for me, I'll definitely get your mother medical treatment."
"Thank you for your kindness," Yu Wan said cautiously, "My brother and I are going home for dinner, so we won't keep you on your way."
This was the first time Yu Cheng had ever felt the powerful aura emanating from his sister, an aura he had never witnessed before.
When did that once delicate older sister become so powerful?
He's felt these past two days that something's been wrong with his sister ever since she woke up from her serious illness.
The troupe leader wanted to say a few more words of persuasion, but then heard Yu Wan say coldly:
"When I came here just now, I ran into two constables. They were helping me look for someone, and they should be here soon. I've found my brother, and I was just about to tell them."
Upon hearing this, the troupe leader looked around and indeed saw two constables walking towards him in the distance.
He turned around dejectedly and told everyone to get on the bus and get going.
Yu Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She was really afraid that these people would resort to force, in which case she and her brother would definitely be left helpless.
Two small, cool hands grasped hers, pulling her back to reality.
"Sister..."
Yu Wan rubbed his little head and held his little hand: "Let's go home quickly. Your older sister bought big steamed buns, and they're probably cold by now. We'll have to reheat them."
The little guy has delicate features and clear, bright eyes.
"Sister, Xiao Hu was sold by his parents for five taels. I overheard the troupe leader talking to someone, and he said the prettier the child, the higher the price. I think I'm prettier than Xiao Hu, so I should fetch a higher price. I should be able to get seven taels. If I'm clever enough to make them like me, maybe..."
Yu Wan was touched by his sensible appearance, and her nose inexplicably tingled with emotion.
“With your older sister here, things will only get better. Besides, you're the only man in the family, and I'm still waiting to raise you so you can help me with the work. If I sell you, who will help me?”
Yu Cheng pursed his pale lips, lowered his head and said, "But if this continues, we will all starve to death. Cheng doesn't want Mother and Sister to die."
Yu Wan ruffled his hair vigorously: "No, didn't your older sister just say that there are big steamed buns waiting for us at home? From now on, when your older sister earns money, you have to help me with the physical labor!"
Yu Cheng took it as his sister comforting him and didn't say anything more.
Yu's mother leaned against the window, gazing at the front door, and finally saw the figures of the two siblings. Tears instantly streamed down her face.
As soon as the two children entered the house, Yu's mother rushed over with a feather duster in hand, but because of her bad legs, she tripped and fell before she could hit the children.
The siblings rushed forward to help their mother, only to be caught red-handed.
Yu's mother cried and cursed, and swung a feather duster at the children.
"Are you trying to drive me crazy? Your father and brother went to the battlefield, and their fate is unknown. I'll just assume they're dead out there. I've been taking care of you all, what are you thinking? Even if I send you to become nuns or monks, even if I take you out to beg for food, I will never sell you! Do you think I, your mother, can't even feed you properly?"
Yu Cheng clutched his bruised arm and wailed, "Mother, I was wrong, sob sob sob, I'll never do it again. I'll listen to you and my sister from now on, and I'll never sell myself again."
Yu Wan was also hurt by the beating, but she was, after all, an adult, and she could bear the minor pain.
Yu's mother was in poor health and didn't have much strength in her hands. She ran out of energy after hitting him for a while. She sat on the ground, holding her son and crying. She hated God, hated the world, and hated herself.
Yu Cheng cried as he wiped away his mother's tears, "Mother, don't cry. I'll be good from now on and won't cause any more trouble."
Yu's mother's anger subsided somewhat, but ultimately she was still afraid that her son would never be found.
She then turned her gaze to her daughter, pointed at the package on the table, and questioned her sternly:
"A-Wan, what's going on?"
Yu Cheng ran over, opened the package, and exclaimed in surprise, "Sis, you really didn't lie to me, there really are big steamed buns!"
He eagerly picked one up, and just as he was about to take a bite, he heard his mother scold him.
"Don't eat it! Put it down!"
Yu Cheng looked at his mother with a pitiful expression, and finally looked at his older sister.
Yu's mother looked at her daughter with the feather duster in her hand and asked again, "Wan, where did you get the money to buy these things?"
Yu Wan frankly admitted, "I earned it by selling barbecue skewers on the street."
Yu's mother's face darkened further: "You earned that?"
Then it dawned on her: "You actually made money selling kebabs?"
Yu Wan felt that the mother and son had fallen into despair, so now she had to rekindle their hope.
"Yes, Mom, they love our grilled skewers. I told them to come to the restaurant tomorrow, but I still need your help to prepare the ingredients today."
Yu's mother looked at her in disbelief. How could her daughter suddenly become so capable, making her feel like a stranger?
Seeing that his mother had stopped yelling, Yu Cheng said pitifully, "Mom, I'm so hungry..."
Yu's mother regained her composure, sighed heavily, and softened her tone: "The buns are getting cold. A-Wan, go heat them up. After we eat, we'll prepare the ingredients together."
As long as her children are safe and sound and have a clean record, she doesn't care about anything else.
Yu Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief; she had finally managed to get away with it.
I believe the original owner is aware of this in the afterlife and hopes that his family can live a healthy and happy life.
Tonight, it's still snowing heavily.
The next day, I woke up to a scene of universal celebration, with cheers and jubilation everywhere.
Yu Wan went out for a walk and only then did she hear the reason.
A few days ago, an enemy army of 100,000 besieged our 30,000 soldiers. Fortunately, the young general He Jing led 3,000 elite troops to break through the encirclement. Just when everyone thought they would find a place to hide and recuperate, He Jing led his iron-blooded troops in a counterattack and took the head of the enemy Liang Kingdom's crown prince in one fell swoop.
Although the enemy still held a military advantage, they were leaderless. Especially upon hearing of He Jing's formidable reputation, they trembled with fear. They believed He Jing possessed divine assistance, which enabled him to accomplish what ordinary people could not.
The enemy retreated in disarray, not even having time to collect the prince's body.
However, it wasn't all good news; for example, General He Jing suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Everyone was worried, wondering whether he was deliberately hiding his tracks to wait for an opportunity, or whether he was injured or even dead.
If, during his absence, the enemy takes this opportunity to attack, who knows how the battle will unfold.
After hearing this, Yu Wan could only sigh. She hung up a sign at the door saying the restaurant was open for the afternoon and spent the whole morning working at the restaurant, cleaning and washing until her whole body ached.
Yu Cheng also helped with whatever he could, such as wiping the floor, wiping the table, and washing the dishes.
After finishing everything, the siblings were exhausted.
Yu Wan had planned to rest for half an hour before taking down the sign at the door, but unexpectedly she suddenly heard a knock on the door.
Yesterday's young master was the first to arrive.
"Miss Yu, when can we have some barbecue skewers?"
Just as Yu Wan was about to speak, more than a dozen diners surged over from behind the young master.
They came in, found seats, and started asking questions all at once.
When can we eat?
"Besides grilled tiger-skin green peppers, grilled chives, and chicken skewers, what else do you have?"
Yu Wan pointed to the ten signs hanging on the wall and introduced, "This is today's ingredient list. Grilled gluten, grilled fish tofu, grilled flatbread, grilled tofu skin, grilled rice cake skewers, grilled enoki mushrooms, grilled potato slices, grilled baby bok choy, grilled green beans, grilled corn, grilled fish, grilled chicken skewers, lots of choices! But the ingredients are limited, so those who come late may not get a turn."
Yu Wan was in charge of grilling skewers, Yu Cheng was in charge of serving plates, and Yu's mother was in charge of collecting money and keeping accounts.
The three of them worked all afternoon and finally stopped after sunset.
Yu Wan swung her aching arms. She hadn't been this tired in a long time. She felt she should find a helper. If she wanted to expand the business, the three of them alone would definitely not be enough.
My younger brother is still small. I'll have to send him back to school when the school reopens in a while.
My mother is in poor health, so she needs to be taken care of more.
I wish my father and brother could come back.
Yu Wan had never met them, but according to the original owner's memories, they were all very nice people.
After finishing the accounts, Madam Yu looked at her daughter in surprise: "Awan, we made a net profit of twenty taels today!"
Yu Wan smiled and said, "Mother, you'll earn more and more in the future. I'll buy some cloth for you and Acheng these next few days. Our family runs a restaurant, so we can't dress sloppily. The restaurant's image is very important."
Mother Yu immediately agreed: "Okay, Mother will make clothes for you and Acheng."
"Mother, you still have yourself." Yu Wan was also very happy, knowing that things would definitely get better and better.
Yu Wan checked the system rewards and found that the system had given her a much wider variety of ingredients. Combined with the ingredients she had bought outside, she wouldn't go hungry for at least a short time.
She helped her mother and younger brother take a hot bath, then sent them back to their room to sleep before finally taking her own turn.
I took off my clothes, got into the warm bathtub, closed my eyes, and started planning for the future.
When my father and brother left, the restaurant had just been repaired. After several years of being idle and neglected, some parts had broken down. The next step should be to renovate it properly.
As she was lost in thought, she suddenly sensed a figure flash past the window.
She grabbed her clothes, quickly dressed, and quietly left the room.
It definitely wasn't my mother and brother; the figure looked like a man, and quite tall.
Could it be that the troupe leader is dissatisfied and wants to secretly kidnap his younger brother?
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