"Where does it hurt?" Yan Xia asked as the man left.
He then squatted down beside the little beggar and asked her softly.
Chang Yu and the other two also gathered around.
Yan Xia helped the little beggar up from the ground and patted the dust off her clothes, but the more she patted, the dirtier they became, so she simply gave up.
"My stomach hurts, my stomach hurts, Grandma, my stomach hurts so much." The little beggar grabbed Yan Xia's clothes, looking at her with teary eyes.
The sound was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Her wrists were so thin they were practically skin and bones, as if she were about to breathe her last.
"Great-aunt?" Yan Xia was shocked.
Could this title be...?
Yan Xia carefully observed the little girl in front of her.
Although her face was covered in dirt and her skin was tanned dark, her eyes were exceptionally bright, like stars in the sky, clear and pure.
"Zhao'er?" Yan Xia called out uncertainly.
"Grandma, Zhao'er's stomach hurts." The little beggar nodded, sobbing uncontrollably.
She really is the granddaughter of Chen Shoujia, the eldest son of the Chen family.
Chen Zhao'er.
That day in Baihua Village, I overheard an old woman saying that Chen Yinbao's wife, Wang Lihua, had sold their only daughter, Chen Zhao'er.
Chen Yinbao is Chen Shouguo's second son.
He and Wang Lihua only had this one daughter.
I never expected to run into her.
Yan Xia's feelings were somewhat complicated.
She hated everyone in the Chen family and wished they were all dead.
But the child is innocent.
Especially for such a young child, seeing her tugging at her sleeve, looking at her with tears in her eyes.
Yan Xia really couldn't bear to abandon her.
Ultimately, what did she do wrong? The original owner's death had nothing to do with her. She was also a victim. From the day she was born, she was not loved and was even sold by her own mother, suffering endless torment.
That's all.
Yan Xia sighed, picked up Chen Zhao'er, and went to the nearest clinic.
They didn't mind the dirt on her body at all.
Chang Yu and the other two followed closely behind.
"Fortunately, her internal organs weren't damaged, otherwise, she wouldn't even be able to grow up. The child is too young to take strong medicine, so I won't prescribe any. Just go back and let her rest in bed for half a month. Remember to give her plenty of nourishment; she's too thin. If she goes hungry for a few more days, I'm afraid..."
The doctor did not utter any unlucky words.
Yan Xia understood immediately. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, doctor. Xiao Ji, please pay the consultation fee."
She said to Xiaoji.
Xiao Ji immediately took out his purse and paid the money.
Yan Xia carried Zhao'er away from the clinic and headed home. On the way, Xiao Ji and the other two wanted to take over carrying Zhao'er, worried that Yan Xia would get tired.
But Yan Xia refused.
Zhao'er is too dirty; there's no need to make their clothes dirty too.
In addition, she was very strong, but her hands were too small.
It's like holding a newborn kitten.
It has almost no weight.
Not tired at all.
Back at the Yan residence, Yan Xia asked Xiao Ji to prepare hot water so that Zhao'er could have a bath later. She then went back to her room to change her clothes, leaving her dirty outer garment and skirt to the maid.
Xiao Ji had intended to bathe Zhao'er herself, but instead, she rolled up her sleeves and did it herself.
Yan Xia then went with her.
After changing her clothes, she leaned back in her chair and drank hot tea.
He was pondering where Zhao'er should go.
Meanwhile, in Shuxian County, He Chuwei had just arrived home. He went straight to the main house where his grandfather lived, wanting to give him a surprise. But as soon as he stepped across the threshold, he heard arguing.
"You heartless bastard! You actually emptied all the jewelry boxes in my closet while I was away! What good are you to me! Other people's sons buy this and that for their mothers, but what about me? You've sold all my savings for my funeral! You little beast, where did you put all my clothes and jewelry? Where's the money? Huh?"
Inside the main room, Madam Lu burst into tears.
Her usual noble demeanor vanished.
He Chuwei quickly handed the pork belly in his hand to Qiu Ling, who was standing at the door, and asked her to take it to the kitchen to cook.
They then entered the main room.
"Grandmother, what's wrong?" He asked, puzzled, looking at Madam Lu who was slumped on the ground.
"Grandma's clothes and jewelry were stolen and sold by Dad..." Wan, He Chuwei's wife, explained awkwardly.
"You brat, I didn't even hold it against you for selling all my antiques and land, and now you're stealing from your own mother? You have no conscience! If you weren't my only son, I would have beaten you to death long ago! You brat, tell me! Where did you spend all that money? Even if you went to brothels every day, you wouldn't have spent that much silver! Tell me now, or I'll punish you according to family rules!"
He Shanhu was so angry that he fell backward.
He Chuwei quickly stepped forward to support him.
“Grandfather, don’t get upset. Please sit down and talk. Here, have some water to calm down.”
Worried that his grandfather would be angered to death by his own father, He Chuwei quickly poured a cup of tea and fed it to his grandfather.
"Chu Wei, I can't rely on your father anymore. I'm handing the shop over to you from now on. You must never be like your father. He's a good-for-nothing! He'll ruin the He family sooner or later!"
In fact, He Chuwei also loved to have fun. He often went to brothels with his friends or ate at all kinds of restaurants, getting drunk.
But he has one advantage: he doesn't gamble.
So no matter how much money he spends, in He Shanhu's eyes, he is still a good grandson and there is still hope for him.
He Wanjiang, who was addicted to gambling, had already been classified as a useless person.
"Dad, I just like to gamble a little. I haven't killed anyone or set fires. Why are you scolding me? Winter is coming soon, it will be cold, and the days will be long and the nights short. The candles in the shop will definitely sell very well. Don't worry, we'll earn it back later."
The incense and candle shops here are quite special; they not only sell sacrificial items, but also household candles and oil lamps, which make up the majority of their business.
It's also the most profitable.
He Wanjiang knelt on the ground with a look of disdain.
He rubbed his aching knees, but dared not get up.
She was afraid of upsetting her own father and causing him serious harm.
“There are so many incense and candle shops in the county, do they need ours? With increased costs, profits will be lower, and you're never even in the shop. That waiter is always loafing around and not selling properly, do you know how many customers he's driven away? If I hadn't discovered it early, our shop would have had to close down! Chu Wei, from now on, you must never let your father set foot in the shop. I'm entrusting it to you, don't let me down.”
He Shanhu held his grandson's hand.
He spoke with a face full of anticipation.
“Yes, I will definitely run the shop well. Grandfather, please don’t be angry. Getting angry is bad for your health. Father already knows he was wrong. Anyway, the clothes and jewelry have already been sold and can’t be taken back. Even if you beat Father, it won’t change anything. If you hurt Father again, you’ll have to spend money to call a doctor. Why bother? Besides, Father gave me two gold bracelets yesterday. I sold them to pay the money. Father also helped the shop. Grandfather, please don’t be angry. Oh, right, I used the rest of the money to buy meat. We’ll have pork belly for dinner later.”
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