After the two entered the house, Zhang Banxian inquired about the pregnant woman's condition.
Qin Jingru naturally spoke frankly and without reservation, revealing all of Qin Huairu's secrets.
When Zhang Banxian learned about Qin Huairu's situation, he was overjoyed. "City people are so nice! Looks like I've landed a big order today."
So, he pretended to be deep and said calmly, "Young lady, since you have found me, you should know the rules. The spiritual water cannot be given away lightly. It depends on your sincerity."
"I know, I know. I'm from the next village. I know the rules. It's just donating money to you, isn't it?" Qin Jingru said nonchalantly.
Anyway, there was 10 yuan in the bag, and that was her biggest source of confidence.
“Hey! Girl, you can’t say that. This isn’t a donation to me; it’s incense money for all the gods. Be careful what you say, or you’ll get into trouble.”
Qin Jingru was still a young girl and had never experienced anything like this before. Hearing Zhang the charlatan's words, she quickly clasped her hands together in fear and kept muttering:
"Gods and Buddhas of the heavens, please don't be offended, please don't be offended. I beg you all, please don't take me seriously, considering that I am still young and can't speak properly. I didn't mean it."
Seeing that his scare tactics had worked, Zhang Banxian didn't want to cause any more trouble and decided to get the money first.
"Don't worry, young lady. I've already spoken with my superiors, and they've forgiven you because of your youth and ignorance. Now it's up to you to show your sincerity."
After Zhang Banxian finished speaking, he glanced at the donation box, his meaning self-evident.
Qin Jingru looked at it and without hesitation took out the 10 yuan from her bag and put it into the donation box, much to Zhang Banxian's astonishment.
Zhang Banxian never expected that he would be able to swindle a dollar.
But reality gave him a big surprise: this seemingly harmless little girl was actually so rich. Should he...?
"Young lady, I just spoke with my superiors, and your sincerity isn't quite enough!"
"Ah!" This time it was Qin Jingru's turn to be dumbfounded. "Zhang Banxian, this is all the money I have on me. I only have two cents left for my return fare. I can't give this to you! Otherwise, how am I going to get back!"
Hearing this, Zhang Banxian guessed that the girl really had no money, but even a mosquito is still a piece of meat, and he didn't want to let go of those two cents.
So he said insincerely, "Miss, I also want to help you, but it's just a little bit short. I hope you'll think it through."
After Zhang Banxian finished speaking, he gave Qin Jingru an encouraging look.
It seemed as if as long as you put in those two cents, the job was done.
Although Qin Jingru was unwilling, in order to help her cousin, she had no choice but to put the last two cents she had into the donation box.
Seeing that he had succeeded, Zhang Banxian began to perform his rituals. After a series of fancy movements, he finally obtained the sacred water.
He carefully put the spiritual water into a small bottle before solemnly handing it to Qin Jingru, and gave her some serious instructions.
"This sacred water is best taken at 8 a.m. Before taking it, remember to bathe and burn incense. Remember, remember."
"Thank you, Master Zhang, thank you!!!"
Qin Jingru accepted the bottle of spiritual water with both hands, thanked her, and then prepared to return to the city.
Because she had no money left for transportation, she had to get back to the city before dark to avoid trouble.
As for why he didn't go home to ask for money?
Forget it! That's two cents, and I doubt her dad would give it to her. She might even get a scolding.
So, after putting away the spiritual water, Qin Jingru didn't linger for a moment and hurried towards the city.
After she left, Zhang the fortune teller opened a small lid under the donation box and took out ten yuan and two mao.
Looking at the two banknotes in his hand, he still can't believe how easily the money came about.
"Damn it, city folks are so easy to swindle. Should I consider developing my business in the city too?" Zhang Banxian muttered to himself.
...
As evening fell, smoke rose from the chimneys of the courtyard house, but one person was very anxious: Qin Huairu.
The reason was simple: his cousin had gone back to her hometown that morning and hadn't returned by now.
Lin Wencui, who had just finished get off work, saw Qin Huairu still at the door, seemingly waiting for someone, so she asked curiously.
"Huai Ru, what are you doing? Is something urgent?"
"Oh! Auntie, Jingru went to the countryside this morning and hasn't come back yet. I'm just worried about her!" Qin Huairu explained with a worried expression.
"Hey! What's wrong? Jingru isn't a child anymore, what could possibly be wrong? I bet she's going to stay at her hometown tonight."
After Lin Wencui's analysis, Qin Huairu felt that it made sense.
"Oh right! How come I didn't think of that? Thank you so much! Auntie, if you hadn't reminded me, I would still be waiting here like an idiot!" Qin Huairu said with a smile.
"Then don't wait anymore, go home and rest! With such a big belly, you need to be careful."
After Lin Wencui finished speaking, she walked home on her own, because she had to go to the hospital later and didn't have time to chat idly here.
Since Qin Jingru wasn't coming back today, Qin Huairu didn't need to wait any longer. She went home and started making dinner.
What she didn't know was that Qin Jingru, who had been swindled out of all her money, had finally made it into the city after walking dozens of miles all afternoon, almost breaking her legs in the process.
Although she did enter the city, that doesn't mean she's already home.
Qin Jingru estimated that it would take at least another hour to get back to the courtyard house.
And what is her own situation right now?
My stomach was already growling with hunger, after all, I had only eaten one meal that morning.
As for my legs? They've long since stopped obeying my commands; even taking one more step feels exhausting.
It's already quite remarkable that Qin Jingru didn't cry in the face of such a predicament.
Keep it up, comrade!
Slowly, another hour passed, and it became completely dark outside.
When she saw the outline of the courtyard house again, Qin Jingru wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and, with the last bit of strength, came to the gate.
But she couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground.
There were a few people chatting at the entrance of the courtyard at that moment. When they saw Qin Jingru slumped on the ground, the two older women quickly helped her back into the courtyard.
Qin Huairu, who was resting at home, saw two middle-aged women helping her cousin back, but she didn't know what had happened.
"Jingru, what's wrong? I thought you weren't coming back today."
As Qin Huairu spoke, she moved a stool over for her cousin to sit down first, and then thanked the two aunties.
"Thank you both for helping me bring my sister back."
"Huai Ru, your sister must be tired and hungry. Quickly get her something to eat and let her rest more."
"Okay, thank you, ma'am."
After the two older women left, Qin Huairu quickly took out the remaining cornbread from home, intending to wait until her cousin had finished eating before continuing.
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