Chapter 339 As long as you're alive, there's still hope.
Yao Qingling looked at the man; he was crying and his eyes were red.
As the saying goes, a man doesn't easily shed tears.
If one is not extremely aggrieved and desperate, why would they shed tears of grief and indignation?
Qingling understood that the warehouse was all the wealth these people had.
Like Boss Sheng, they gave up their life of danger and bloodshed in order to live a normal life. Before that, they were just ordinary people, living hard and diligent lives.
A flood destroyed their homes and drove them to the brink of despair. After finally getting back on track, Qingling still remembers the light of hope in their eyes when they saw the warehouse completed.
Boss Sheng said that after the warehouse was built, they worked even harder, and were just waiting to get married, have children, and live a stable life.
They don't even ask for a happy life, they just want a stable life.
However, hope was like a candle flickering in the wind, barely clinging to life.
How can she give these people hope again?
Are you suggesting that people take on all the risks when doing business with her? If you're unlucky this time, just start over next time?
Tell them that as long as the arsonist is caught, they can seek compensation from that person.
Qingling knew very well that even if she caught the arsonist, the warehouse was burned down and that was that; there would be no compensation and nothing would come of it.
She also knew that if they made a wrong move at this moment and gave others a handle to use against them, they would not even be able to save their lives!
Yao Qingling blinked, suppressing the stinging in her eyes.
She wouldn't feel this deep guilt even towards Sheng Dahe. But facing these people, she truly felt terrible.
She took a deep breath and said, "I did say I would give you a good life, and I have been doing so. But... but things didn't go as planned. All I can promise is that I will give you an explanation."
“I know you are very sad, your hearts feel like they have been burned, and all hope is gone, just like this scorched earth, barren of everything. But as long as we are alive, we are this land. As long as there is water and sunshine, one day we will rise again.”
"As long as everyone is safe and sound, as long as we don't die, there is still hope."
"My Hui Ba Fang is still here, and your cargo ships are still here too. Right?"
The men clenched their fists tightly, and suppressed, sobbing sounds escaped their throats.
"Boss, put the knife down. This isn't Yao Niangzi's fault; she's done her best." Xiao Pingfeng tried to take Sheng Dahe's knife away. "When Yao Niangzi found out the warehouse was on fire, she searched everywhere overnight for people to put it out. She hasn't rested at all these past few days."
Boss Sheng's expression softened, and when Xiao Pingfeng saw that his momentum had dropped, he quickly took his knife.
Yao Qingling's forehead was still bleeding. She took out a handkerchief and pressed it against her forehead, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Is there any water?"
"Yes." The crew member nodded, thinking she wanted water, and hurriedly returned to the boat, bringing back the teapot and teacups.
Yao Qingling took the cup, poured the first cup of water on the ground, and said, "This cup of tea is dedicated to those who died in the fire."
She poured a second cup, handed the teapot to the person closest to her, and then took the cup and handed it to Sheng Dahe: "You must be tired from the journey. Have a cup of tea to calm down, and we'll discuss it again later. If you trust me, we can continue working together. If you don't trust me..." She gave a wry smile, "Then we'll talk about it later."
Sheng Dahe's chest was still heaving violently, but he wasn't as angry as when he got off the boat.
He took the tea, drank it all in one gulp, and then smashed the teacup on the ground with a bang.
The ground beneath my feet was damp, scorched earth. The teacup wasn't cracked; it was embedded in the soil.
He glared coldly at Yao Qingling, then turned and led his men back to the ship.
With the crisis over, Qingling closed her eyes, only then realizing that her legs were weak.
Turning around, she looked at the soldiers guarding the perimeter. Qingling didn't recognize the junior official in charge; his gaze was cold and malicious.
Qingling looked at him quietly and said, "When the warehouse caught fire, you didn't come to help with the disaster relief, nor did you come to maintain order. Why did you come to 'welcome' Boss Sheng when he returned?"
The clerk's voice was cold: "Boss Sheng brought a large group of men. Our boss was worried that he might do something in a fit of anger, so he specifically sent us to keep an eye on him."
Qingling said, "They've gone back to the ship now, are you still keeping an eye on them?"
"That's hard to say. What if they don't give Madam Yao any face and go out to kill and set fires after you leave, to retaliate?"
Qing Ling chuckled and said, "You guys are really 'dutiful'. I'm sorry to trouble you all to stay here and watch over things. I won't keep you company any longer."
She took Xiao Pingfeng away from the dock.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she wasn't in a hurry to return home, so she walked back slowly.
Xiao Pingfeng held the reins and stayed with her without saying a word.
Qingling glanced at him: "Nothing to say?"
Xiao Pingfeng said, "I just think that the official's words were strange."
"You noticed that too."
Xiao Pingfeng: "He said murder and arson... Miss, do they know something?"
He looked nervous.
Qing Ling said, "Even if they knew, they had no evidence, otherwise they wouldn't have just stood there watching. I'm worried that Boss Sheng and the others won't be able to control their anger."
She thought for a moment and then said, "You ride a fast horse to the manor to pick up Xia Chan and take her to the dock. Tell her to keep an eye on Boss Sheng and not leave his side for a moment."
Xiao Pingfeng: "But if I leave, will you be alone? Since you're going to the Marquis's residence anyway, I'll see you off."
Qingling shook her head.
There were still some small wine shops open. She said, "I'll go inside and sit for a while. Lin Shiyuan will come to find me in a bit. You should go now."
Xiao Pingfeng understood, bowed to her, mounted his horse, and galloped away.
Qingling entered the small wine shop, ordered a few side dishes and a pot of pear blossom wine.
A sip of wine dispelled the chill in my chest and abdomen.
She let out a soft sigh, gazing at the gradually fogging night outside.
The small liquor shop was quiet, with only a few scattered customers. The owner was using an abacus to check the accounts.
After a while, Lin Shiyuan arrived.
He sat down next to Qingling and took the wine glass from her hand: "Why drink at a time like this?"
"I feel terrible."
Lin Shiyuan didn't say anything more, but squeezed her hand.
Qingling rested her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and felt the burning sensation of the alcohol on her stomach.
The wine shop was dimly lit, and Yao Qingling's face was ashen. Lin Shiyuan didn't notice the scar between her eyebrows at first, but when he got closer, he smelled a faint scent of blood. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the dirt on her face was actually blood.
"You're injured. Did Boss Sheng hurt you?"
He held her face in his hands, looking at her from left to right, then at her arms, shoulders, and back, as if afraid that he had stabbed her in the back.
That brute does nothing right. He caused Yao Qingling to have a premature birth before, almost killing her. And now he's doing it again!
Qingling pressed his hand down: "Don't go looking for him. He's furious right now, he'd love to find someone to chop him up."
"You think I can't beat him?" Lin Shiyuan said angrily.
Qingling gave a wry smile: "Of course you're amazing. It's just..."
Her voice lowered further: "They cried. I've never felt so bad."
“Someone is targeting me; they are implicated because of me… but I don’t dare tell them. I owe them this.”
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