Carp Talk (11)
After experiencing that earth-shattering tragedy, Xiao Lin was distracted for the next few days. Every time he closed his eyes, the tragedy would happen again.
Mu You knew that Xiao Lin always liked to keep things to herself, so much so that now her worries had piled up like a mountain.
And this pressure happened to be the last straw that broke the camel's back.
His heart was broken. He couldn't bear to see her holding back her grievances or crying.
However, she didn't see anyone, not even Mu You.
Seeing that she had been listless for quite some time, doing chores in the teahouse silently every day and locking herself in the room after finishing, Mu You couldn't help but feel anxious.
But he had no way to do anything about it, so he had no choice but to go find Chu Mo.
"Boss Chu, please persuade her. I beg you!" This was the first time that Mu You knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Chu Mo again and again.
Seeing this, Chu Mo quickly helped him up and dusted him off. "What do you want me to say to her?"
With Chu Mo's support, Mu You finally raised his head, staring straight into Chu Mo's eyes, and begged, "Don't bother you too much, just go and talk to her casually and let her tell you what's on her mind. She has been keeping silent about this for the past few days, and I'm worried that something bad has happened to her."
Tears welled up in Mu You's eyes at some point. With his nose slightly red, he spoke every word with a pleading tone.
Compared with usual days, Mu You has changed his usual behavior at this moment and put aside his former arrogance. Now, for Xiao Lin, he would rather trample himself into the dust.
Chu Mo couldn't bear it, his breathing became heavier, and then he sighed: "Okay, I'll try."
At this time, Xiao Lin was alone in the bedroom, sitting in front of the window. He didn't even light a candle, but just fiddled with the dead skin on his fingers in the moonlight.
Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door, bringing Xiao Lin's thoughts back to reality for a short time.
After tidying herself up, she moved to unlock the door, and Chu Mo's face appeared before her.
"Chu...Boss Chu?" Xiao Lin asked with a hint of surprise. After a moment, he welcomed him in. "Is there something you want to talk to me about?"
In fact, Mu You also followed, but after Chu Mo went in, he stayed behind the door and listened quietly to the conversation between the two.
After entering the house, Chu Mo suddenly disappeared into the night. Xiao Lin then realized that he had not lit the lamp, so he hurriedly blew out the tinder and lit the oil lamp.
Suddenly, there was light in the room.
The faint firelight fell on the golden threads of Chu Mo's gorgeous clothes, like another kind of bright star in the dark night.
Then he spoke: "Have you been worried about something recently?"
"No..." Xiao Lin denied it flatly.
"No?" Chu Mo chuckled, raised his left eyebrow, and revealed his demonic mole. "Even that bastard Mu You noticed that something was wrong with you, and you still stubbornly said no?"
Xiao Lin: “…”
"If you have any difficulties, tell us and we can help you share the burden."
Although Chu Mo said this, Xiao Lin still couldn't say anything.
It was not until the stars in the sky shook off their dust and slipped into Xiao Lin's nostrils, causing a sore sensation in her nose, that she could no longer pretend to be strong and told him everything she was thinking.
"Boss Chu, can I quit?"
Chu Mosun frowned, looking indifferent.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Xiao Lin repeated himself, "I really can't take it anymore. I'm so useless. In this mission, I've failed time and time again, and I've been put into desperate situations time and time again. I'm so tired. I really don't want to go on anymore..."
As she spoke, she began to sob.
Mu You, who was originally eavesdropping outside the door, felt a surge of bitterness in his throat when he heard her crying voice.
"I'm not a savior, I'm not the writer you mentioned. I can't change their ending. I..."
"So? Just because you failed a few times, you have to give up?"
Before Xiao Lin could finish her words, Chu Mo interrupted her self-deprecation.
She was speechless for a moment, and the surroundings were silent.
Chu Mo did not give up. Instead, he continued, "Yes, the collapse a few days ago was indeed shocking. It's normal for you to be frightened. But Xiao Lin, remember, you are not the biggest victim of this disaster. What did you lose? You can't lose anything. You even have Mu You by your side..."
"I..." Xiao Lin's grievances all came flooding back.
Chu Mo: "The ones who are suffering more than you are the relatives of the deceased who were sent away by Xu Hui with just a few coins! Each of them is more helpless than you. But have they given up? Go to the streets and see, go to the county government office and see how many injured people are dragged out of the backyard of the county government office every day? How long can the voices of condemnation in the streets hold out, before they are finally extinguished in the underworld?"
Every word he said struck Xiao Lin's heart mercilessly, shattering the last bit of her stubbornness.
But Chu Mo still spoke with such precision: "They only have the courage to fight against the powerful, while you hold the strategy of drama in your hands, but hide away from the world and hide in bamboo fences..."
"I know you're struggling because your ability to save the world doesn't match your compassion, so you can't rage. You say you can't change their fate, but at least you know theirs. They're not like that. They're full of passion to fight the heavens, but they don't realize they're heading straight for the abyss..."
At this point, Xiao Lin could no longer bear the grief in his heart and burst into tears.
Mu You was hiding outside the door. When he heard Xiao Lin's intermittent crying coming from inside, he immediately pushed the door open regardless of anything, blocked him behind him, and stood alone between Chu Mo and Xiao Lin.
Mu You's intrusion disrupted Chu Mo's thoughts, so he sighed deeply and said, "Think about Gao Qing. Aren't you still brooding over her death? What would she do if it was her?"
After crying and making a fuss, Xiao Lin was completely awakened by the word "Gao Qing".
Yes, she had vowed before that she would learn from the last lesson and give this story a happy ending!
Now, it's not the last moment yet, she shouldn't give up easily.
Without further ado, she gathered her composure, walked around Mu You, rushed out the door, and called out to Chu Mo, "Boss Chu, please give us a little more clue! I want to save the local people! Even if it's just a few of them!"
Mu You also rushed out the door and stood behind Xiao Lin.
When Xiao Lin called him loudly, Chu Mo's eyes darkened, he stopped, turned back slowly, and looked indifferent.
"Please, Boss Chu, please..."
"..." He finally couldn't bear it anymore and revealed the secret, "In a month, there will be an informer in the city..."
---
After more than a month, the imperial court delivered disaster relief silver and food to the outskirts of the city, and Xu Hui personally led his confidants to meet them.
Wu County is located in a remote area with high mountains and long roads. The officers and soldiers escorting the supplies did not stop for a moment. After meeting with Xu Hui, they immediately returned to Beijing.
After the officers and soldiers had gone far away, Xu Hui secretly pulled the carriage to a small path, which led to the backyard of the county government office.
According to Wanzhe, Xu Hui took out a small portion of the disaster relief money and ordered someone to give it to the families of the deceased. He intended to split the rest equally with Wanzhe.
He withheld a small portion of the food and fodder, and distributed the rest to the people.
However, the amount of food and fodder that passed through his hands was already insufficient, but the people knew nothing about it. What's worse, they even kowtowed to him, the county magistrate, to express their gratitude.
Seeing that the rumors about the pagoda were dying down, Xu Hui finally put his mind at ease.
The weather has improved a lot in recent days and it is about to clear up. Everything seems to be back on track.
The Wan family still runs their timber business. With Wanzhe's slow thinking, he gradually figured out the tricks and made more and more profits from it.
Look, in recent days, Wanzhe has bought a large house nearby for Wan Mian, which is beautifully decorated. Once it is completed, Wan Mian can move in with Xu Niao.
On this day, Wan Mian was still scattering fish food into the pond.
While he was in a daze, Wanzhe walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Mian'er, what are your plans these days?"
Wan Mian was at a loss for words when asked by Wan Zhe. He simply continued to scatter his fish food. "Besides memorizing my lessons diligently in hopes of passing the imperial examinations, what else can I do?"
Wanzhe shook his head and sighed, "The clouds are showing signs of dispersing today, and it should be clear tomorrow. Why don't you take Xu Niao for a walk in the suburbs to relax."
"Why?"
"Look at you two. You've been married for several months, but her belly is still flat. Are you two still like strangers? Remember, her son is the legitimate son of our Wan family! The most important thing for you is to talk to Xu Niao and hurry up to give birth to a child for our Wan family!"
However, Wan Mian did not listen to Wan Zhe's preaching, but he had no choice but to agree.
Seeing that he was useless, Wanzhe just pretended to hit him and then left.
On the second day, the sky really cleared up. Wan Mian followed Wan Zhe's instructions, took some snacks, and rode out of the city with Xu Niao and the Fang brothers and sisters.
The road to the suburbs was a bit bumpy. Wan Mian opened the curtain and looked out the window. As he walked, he leaned against the window and inadvertently caught a glimpse of a man looking left and right, walking in small steps with a panicked look.
Wan Mian felt that something was not right - judging from his expression, he seemed to have done something wrong.
But it was not in his power to intervene in these matters, as they were under the jurisdiction of the government. Therefore, even though he found it strange, he chose to turn a blind eye.
After traveling for a while, the carriage soon arrived at a riverbank on the outskirts of the city, which was also the destination of the group's journey.
While the Fang brothers and sisters were busy setting up tables and chairs to prepare for dinner, Wan Mian secretly glanced at Xu Niao.
In his peripheral vision, he realized that Xu Niao was a little different today than she was in the past. She must have put on some pretty makeup, and she looked quite charming.
Wan Mian sighed, moved to Xu Niao's side, pinched off a foxtail grass at his feet, and played with it in his hand. "I heard that you young ladies from wealthy families all have some skills. Do you have any hobbies?"
Xu Niao was overjoyed at Wan Mian's sudden conversation and quickly replied, "I am a bit proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but needlework is my most appealing skill. If you want me to embroider something, just tell me."
At this point in the conversation, the two of them suddenly looked at each other in silence.
Then, Xu Niao broke the awkwardness. She took out a dagger from her pocket and handed it to Wan Mian with both hands: "Mianlang, I saw this when I was walking on the street a few days ago. I thought this dagger was light and suitable for self-defense."
Wan Mian's expression froze for a moment before he reached out to take the dagger.
After a closer look, it is indeed exquisite. The pattern on the handle of the dagger is vines, and if you look closely you can vaguely see the spikes carved on it.
"I'm a scholar, what use do I have for this evil thing?"
"It's always safer to carry it with you."
After taking the dagger, Wan Mian smiled at Xu Niao and nodded in thanks.
At this time, Fang Jingyu's voice sounded, and she was trying her best to call the two of them to go have some snacks.
Wan Mian stood up and helped Xu Niao to the small wooden table. Then he picked up a few pieces of cakes and turned away without saying a word.
"Amian, where are you going?" Fang Jingyu called out from behind him.
"I'm going for a walk far away." Wan Mian waved his hand and left on his own, leaving the Fang brothers and sisters to take care of Xu Niao who stayed there.
Walking along the path and through some bushes, Wan Mian sipped the pastry in his hand, leisurely and elegant.
Suddenly, when he raised his eyes, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.
He narrowed his eyes and hurried to catch up. When he got closer, he realized that the figure was the strange-looking man he had just seen in the carriage.
Wan Mian was just about to move closer when the man stopped and sat cross-legged under a tree.
Then he took out a piece of bread and a water bottle from the bag on his back and ate the dry bread with water.
Even so, Wan Mian couldn't resist his curiosity and tiptoed up behind the man.
As he got closer to the man, the man seemed to sense the presence behind him and immediately turned around and shouted, "Who!"
This startled Wan Mian. He immediately raised his hands and hurriedly explained, "I'm a good person!"
After this glance, Wan Mian finally saw the man's appearance clearly - his face was full of wrinkles, and his skin was tanned and spotted. It was obvious that he was a farmer.
Wan Mian still walked closer with his hands raised. When he reached his side, Wan Mian hesitantly handed the cake in his hand to the man.
The man examined Wan Mian's whole body and roughly judged that the man in front of him should be an ordinary nobleman.
But the way he looked at me was very strange, a strangeness that was hard to describe.
Later, he looked at the pastries in Wan Mian's hand and was about to refuse, but his stomach started to growl. He couldn't resist the fragrance of the pastries, so he grabbed them and ate them.
Wan Mian then slowly sat down beside him, handed the man some water and asked, "What's your name?"
"Lü Er, a common name."
"Where are you going?"
"Go to Beijing to collect debts from relatives."
Having said this, Wan Mian no longer found anything strange. He touched his purse, took out some change and stuffed it into Lu Er's hand.
Lu Er was shocked by Wan Mian's generosity.
He nodded at him helplessly and smiled kindly. At this moment, he drank all the water in Lu Er's pot. He immediately picked up the pot and stood up, walking towards the river.
After Lu Er stood up, the bag that was leaning against him also fell apart, and the things inside were accidentally spread out in front of Wan Mian.
In addition to some clothes, copper coins and dry food, Wan Mian noticed an item that looked like a letter.
He secretly glanced at Lu Er and saw that he was still filling water by the river.
So Wan Mian took the initiative to open the letter.
After he glanced at the letter with childish handwriting, he realized that it was not a letter, but a petition!
It clearly stated that Xu Hui had cut corners and used inferior wood to build the pagoda, causing it to collapse under the wind and rain, crushing several people to death. It also stated that Xu Hui had embezzled the disaster relief funds sent by the court...
He now wanted to report Xu Hui's crimes to Beijing!
Wan Mian had just finished reading the letter when he was seen by Lu Er who was looking back after fetching water.
Lu Er was furious and rushed towards Wan Mian, yelling, "What are you doing?"
Wan Mian was pinned down by Lu Er, and the two began to fight.
But Wan Mian is just a young man who enjoys wealth and luxury. How can he beat a farmer who works on the land every day?
After several fights, he was still at a disadvantage. Seeing that the situation was not good, Wan Mian simply used brute force and kicked Lu Er away.
Unfortunately, the back of Lu Er's head hit the stone after he kicked him, and he immediately fell unconscious.
Wan Mian then staggered to his feet, supported himself by his arm and moved to pick up the letter.
After reading it again, he was shocked to realize that Wanzhe was also involved in cutting corners on building materials. If this matter was also reported to the capital, Wanzhe would not be able to escape!
As he was thinking about this, Wan Mian's throat was suddenly locked by Lu Er's arms from behind after he woke up.
Seeing that he was gradually out of breath, Wan Mian instinctively threw Lu Er to the ground, allowing him to catch his breath.
But he did not give up. Instead, he twisted his body and continued to fight with Lu Er.
"Want to kill me? Want to inform on me? Let's see if you have the chance to survive!"
At this time, Wan Mian seemed to have lost his mind and accidentally awakened the evil god living in the depths.
The evil god's voice continued to echo in his mind—"Kill him! Kill him! If he betrays the Wan family, they will be doomed!"
Wan Mian suddenly lost all his sanity, his fists hitting Lu Er's face, chest and head uncontrollably. He was no longer short of breath, but instead, his breathing was so rapid that it seemed as if he was going to swallow the person in front of him alive.
In an instant, he became blood-thirsty and eliminated his own escape route with punch after punch.
After a while, Lu Er started bleeding from his mouth and nose and fell into a mild coma.
Even so, Wan Mian never stopped.
He took advantage of the fact that Lu Er temporarily lost the ability to resist and fumbled around his body, and happened to touch the dagger that Xu Niao had given him.
The evil spirits completely occupied Wan Mian's mind, and he was controlled by the voice in his heart, stabbing Lu Er's side with one knife after another.
The bright red blood flowed down the dagger onto the mud, and the splattered blood wet Wan Mian's clothes, leaving patches of marks.
His sins accumulated as the knife went in and out, engraved into his bones.
By the time Wan Mian came to his senses, Lu Er was already dead.
Blood splattered in the corners of Wan Mian's eyes. For a moment, the whites of his eyes were also stained with blood. It was unclear whether it was Lu Er's or his.
He was so scared that he sat down on the ground, his eyes trembling violently, whimpering, and his Adam's apple stuck to the upper part of his neck.
Killed... killed someone? He killed someone?
Looking at Lu Er's corpse, Wan Mian calmed himself down for a long time.
He never imagined that he would actually take a life.
Finally, he swallowed his breath, picked up the complaint and stuffed it into his arms, staggered to the river, frantically washed the blood off the dagger, and then quickly walked towards their camp.
At this time, the three people who were still there were still discussing Wan Mian's whereabouts. Fang Jingyu was about to get up to get some more snacks when he happened to catch a glimpse of Wan Mian rushing towards him.
Her thin lips moved slightly, but Wan Mian interrupted her with a word: "A Che, burn my clothes!"
As he spoke, Wan Mian began to take off his clothes. He quietly hid the blood-stained hem in the middle, crumpled up the clothes and threw them to Fang Che.
But Fang Che unfolded the clothes and suddenly found large bloodstains on them. His eyes widened and he was about to ask something when Wan Mian yelled back, "Burn it! Now!"
Even though Fang Che was extremely confused, he didn't dare to ask.
In this way, braving the cold wind, Wan Mian, wearing only a single layer of clothing, watched helplessly as the blood-stained clothes caught fire, shredded with the crackling sound of fireworks, and finally burned to black ash, along with the petition, all reduced to ashes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
