Chapter 89: Evil Ways
Feng Lan has been feeling very anxious these days, always thinking about Chen Ya.
The capital city is a long way away, and it is her daughter's first time traveling far away. She is worried that Chen Ya will not be able to adapt, and she is also worried that Su Wenbin will not take good care of her.
Although Su Wenbin seemed reliable, who knew what he was really thinking? Every day she looked forward to Chen Ya's letter home so that she could feel at ease.
That day, Feng Lan was sitting in the embroidery workshop, absentmindedly fiddling with the abacus beads, wondering whether she should write a letter to the Su family, asking about the situation indirectly. Suddenly, she heard Chen Ling's loud voice from outside: "Mom! I'm back!"
Feng Lan quickly put down her abacus and went out to greet him, a smile on her face: "Ling'er, why are you here so early today? Are you sold out?"
Chen Ling ran in excitedly, but instead of chattering non-stop as usual, she stood there a little awkwardly.
Behind her, there was a small figure following.
Only then did Feng Lan notice that there was a dirty little boy following Chen Ling.
The boy was about seven or eight years old. He was wearing tattered clothes, his face and hands were covered with mud, and his hair was messy. He looked like a little beggar.
He hid timidly behind Chen Ling, revealing only a pair of big black eyes, looking around vigilantly.
"Who is this child..." Feng Lan looked at Chen Ling in confusion.
Chen Ling then smiled sheepishly, pulled the little boy over, and said, "Mom, I met him in Xiaxi Village today. His name is Shitou. Something happened at home, so I brought him back."
Feng Lan understood what was going on when she heard this. She squatted down and looked at the stone carefully.
The child was so skinny that his bones were visible. He was much shorter than other children of the same age. His clothes were tattered, and it was obvious that he was suffering from long-term malnutrition.
A sour feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.
"Shi Tou, don't be afraid. Tell your aunt how old you are?" Feng Lan tried to make her voice gentle.
Shi Tou timidly glanced at Chen Ling, and when she nodded, he whispered, "I... I'm eight years old."
"Eight years old?" Feng Lan was surprised.
She looked at Chen Ling who was standing beside her. Chen Ling was only twelve years old this year, but Shi Tou was a head shorter than her and his body was pitifully thin.
It can be seen that this child never has enough to eat on weekdays.
"This child is also a poor person."
Feng Lan sighed, took Shitou's hand, and said softly, "From now on, you will follow your aunt. I will take care of your meals, okay?"
Shi Tou seemed unable to believe his ears. He stared at Feng Lan blankly, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes, and nodded vigorously.
Feng Lan brought Shitou into the house, gave him a bath, and changed him into clean clothes. Although Shitou was still a little reserved, he was obviously much more relaxed.
He was very hardworking and took the initiative to help Feng Lan light the fire and cook, and he did his work very diligently.
"Ling'er, what are you going to do with this child?" Feng Lan asked while picking vegetables.
Chen Ling thought for a moment and said, "Mom, Shitou is very smart and willing to endure hardships. I want him to learn how to make cold drinks from me first, so that when he grows up, he can have a business."
Feng Lan nodded, thinking this was a good idea. As she was speaking, she heard a commotion outside.
"Oh, Chen family, your family is so blessed! The eldest daughter has just been favored by a noble man, and the third daughter is also at the age to get married. It's really a series of happy events!" A sharp voice sounded at the door of the embroidery workshop.
As soon as Feng Lan heard it, she knew who was coming.
It was the town's famous matchmaker, Mrs. Wang. She suddenly felt disgusted.
"Mom, it must be that old bastard Chef Wang, he still has evil intentions!" Chen Ling was furious when she heard the voice.
Feng Lan put down the dish in her hand and sneered, "You came just in time! I want to see what he can say!"
She took Chen Ling and Shitou to the door of the embroidery workshop and saw Mrs. Wang standing there, talking to the neighbors with saliva flying. Chef Wang stood nearby, with a big belly and a flattering smile on his face.
"Oh, Shopkeeper Feng, you're finally out!" When Mrs. Wang saw Feng Lan, she immediately came forward and said with a smile on her face, "I'm here today to propose marriage to your third daughter!"
"Propose a marriage?" Feng Lan raised an eyebrow and looked at her coldly, "I wonder which family Mrs. Wang is going to propose a marriage to?"
Mrs. Wang smiled even brighter. She pointed at Chef Wang standing beside her and said, "It's for Chef Wang's son, Wang Baocai!"
"Wang Baocai?" Feng Lan almost laughed out loud when she heard the name.
Wang Baocai is a notorious gangster in the town. He is idle and has no job. All he does all day is eat, drink, gamble, and bully men and women. He is simply a scumbag.
"Mrs. Wang, are you sure? You actually want to marry our Ling'er to a scumbag like Wang Baocai?" Feng Lan said bluntly.
The smile on Mrs. Wang's face froze. She didn't expect Feng Lan to be so disrespectful and curse her directly in front of so many people.
"Manager Feng, what you said is not right."
Chef Wang was also a little unhappy. He walked forward and said with a shameless face, "My Baocai is a rare talent, a handsome man, and a perfect match for your third daughter!"
"A dragon among men?"
Feng Lan looked at Chef Wang like she'd just heard a ridiculous joke. She said mercilessly, "Chef Wang, how dare you say that? Everyone in town knows what kind of person your son is. He's lazy and idle, and he spends all his time getting into trouble. And you have the nerve to brag about him?"
Chef Wang was speechless after being rebuked by Feng Lan, and his face turned purple.
"Besides," Feng Lan paused, his tone becoming even colder.
"Even if my Ling'er wanted to get married, she wouldn't marry scum like you! Old Lady Wang, Chef Wang, get out of here! If you dare to come to our house and propose marriage again, don't blame me for being rude!"
After saying that, she closed the door of the embroidery workshop and locked out Mrs. Wang, Chef Wang, and the neighbors who came to watch the fun.
"Bah! What a thing! You really think you're such a big shot!" Chef Wang was humiliated in public by Feng Lan and he was so angry that he started cursing.
"Dad, don't be angry. Why would you be angry with a country woman like this?" Wang Baocai advised. "She doesn't know how to appreciate your kindness. That's her loss. Wait until I get her daughter, and we'll see if she dares to be so arrogant again!"
"Hmph! You kid, you only think about those crooked ways!" Chef Wang glared at him, but his tone softened significantly.
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