Chapter 19 She came to the right place. A man barely clothed—...
The group rushed into the wonton stall, where two burly men grabbed Bitao on either side, panting as they shouted to the others on the street, "Here she is!"
Bitao bent slightly forward, following their movements, and inexplicably felt that this posture was somewhat familiar...
She naturally used the strength of the two burly men's shoulders to find a more comfortable position for herself.
When the fat, stout matchmaker came panting over, her face full of anger, before she could even lash out, Bitao, still hanging on, looked up and gave the matchmaker a bright smile.
In a gentle voice, she said, "Good auntie, don't be angry. I didn't run away. I was just really hungry and ate some wontons... Could you pay the bill for me?"
The matchmaker wasn't buying Bitao's act.
She pointed at the peach and was about to spew vulgarities, but as soon as she moved, the wonton shop owner who was holding the peach also moved.
"I'm going to report this to the authorities... I'm going to report this to the authorities!" The wonton shop owner's eyes widened, and his face turned from red to purple.
He actually grabbed Bitao's wrist, and Bitao raised her eyebrows in surprise.
When the wonton shop owner was halfway through eating at Bitao's, he saw how she was eating and noticed that she was only wearing tattered straw sandals that couldn't keep her warm at all, so he suspected that she couldn't afford to pay.
He recognized the matchmakers and others who came to abduct people. That group specialized in searching for beautiful women to sell as slaves, maids, concubines, or prostitutes.
Recently, they've joined some Tsinghua University cult, and a bunch of burly men from who-knows-where have gathered at the Yuelai Inn all day, eyeing the passersby on the street through the windows.
Respectable women no longer dare to go out on the streets.
This group of people kidnapped many young women from among the refugees, and even good-looking men were not spared. They were sold off to who-knows-where.
But the wonton shop owner never expected that this group of people were actually after this woman!
The matchmaker narrowed her eyes, pointed her finger at Bitao and then at his nose, lowering her voice and saying in a harsh tone, "What? You don't want to do this business anymore, or are you tired of living?"
The wonton shop owner, like a kite with a punctured bow, immediately lost much of his arrogance.
He actually can't afford to offend these people.
But he stubbornly shouted, "She, she ate without paying! I run a small business, and I can't report someone for dining and dashing!"
When the wonton shop owner shouted this, all the other vendors around him turned to look.
Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails. There are many businesses on this street. Although there are competitors, there are also good neighbors who help each other.
Seeing this, the matchmaker hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and said, "What are you yelling about? I'll just give you the money, get off the girl! Where are you trying to reach, you shameless old hag..."
As a result, the matchmaker turned around and glanced at the stack of large bowls on the table, and also looked at Bitao with some surprise.
That's an incredible amount of food!
The wonton shop owner was so frightened that he stood there trembling like a leaf.
It's rare to have even a little conscience in this world, let alone a little courage.
For the first time in her life, Bitao felt the kindness of a stranger. She looked at the wonton shop owner's hunched back, which was hunched with fear, with a somewhat magical gaze, and smiled with her eyes crinkled.
However, ordinary people can't afford to provoke groups of cultists. In this hellish world, everyone is too busy taking care of themselves to do anything. Anyone who can lend a helping hand is already a great person.
The courage and conscience of the wonton shop owner only lasted this long.
Trembling, he accepted the extra "hush money" from the matchmaker, not daring to look again at how the woman was taken away.
Bitao was taken away by a group of people and taken to the Yuelai Inn. She was thrown into a room and her hands were tied.
Bitao remained calm. After studying the rope in her hand for a moment, she did not try to untie it. Instead, she found the bed covered with a quilt, buried herself in it, and began to doze off after eating and drinking her fill.
This current situation can be said to be entirely due to Bitao's efforts.
During the short time she ran away, she managed to get a pretty good understanding of the situation in Sidong Town.
Bitao asked about various jobs, including what kind of work was available, where to find good pay, and even inquired with the waiters at restaurants. She discovered that once she left Shiga Village, finding a place to eat her fill was still not a good prospect.
Bitao considered several options, with disguising herself as a man being the best, but unfortunately, her natural beauty made it impossible.
Moreover, in this day and age, neither handsome men nor beautiful women are safe.
It was even more difficult for women to work, so marriage became the only good way out.
However, Bitao was a girl from a poor, remote village with no family background. If she relied solely on her looks, she wouldn't be able to marry into a good family, and she still wouldn't have enough to eat in a bad one.
You can't possibly become a concubine for a toothless old man just because you have a stutter, can you?
The only feasible option is to live in seclusion deep in the mountains, since Bitao would go hunting.
But Bitao has been living in seclusion for so many years; it must be too painful to live in seclusion without money!
She wants to eat meat, eat meat, eat meat!
It's not the kind of wild game you just roast yourself; homemade stuff doesn't taste good!
She wants to eat at a restaurant!
It's impossible for a young and beautiful woman like her to make a living and earn a decent living in the bustling city.
If you go out to work, you won't even have to work until dark before someone sets their sights on you, and the final outcome will be nothing more than being arrested or sold.
Bitao wasn't afraid; she found it troublesome.
Since she's going to be sold anyway, she might as well spend a few days in this cult.
This group of people paid for eight bowls of pure meat wontons for her without batting an eye, and even gave her so much more.
Look at that matchmaker, her waist is as thick as a vat; she must eat incredibly good food every day.
Although Bitao was not taught anything from a young age, the ability to distinguish between good and bad seemed to be ingrained in her from birth.
You can't harm or deceive good people, but you can mess with these bad guys.
Bitao planned to make some money in this cult den before leaving.
Having made up her mind, Bitao slept peacefully in the thieves' den. After dark, she was pulled up and shoved into a carriage while still half asleep.
And so I ran around all night.
Although the horse-drawn carriage was a bit bumpy, the environment was much better than that of a donkey cart.
First of all, Bitao wasn't cold. There was even a hot water bottle in the car, which was big and warm. When Bitao got cold, she would go over and hug it.
The next morning, he was immediately scolded, pointing at his head: "I didn't sleep a wink all night, why did you keep snuggling into my arms? Do you want to breastfeed?!"
When Bitao opened her eyes, she realized that, oh, the thing she had been hugging all night to keep warm was not a hot water bottle, but a matchmaker.
She giggled, saying she wouldn't drink milk but wanted to eat.
Then the matchmaker ate until she was cursing and swearing, calling her a gluttonous, stupid pig.
Bitao munched on the greasy meat bun, grunting twice as if it were a pig's squeal.
They traveled for another four or five days, and Bitao ate and slept very well.
And because she was really obedient, in addition to being a big eater, the matchmaker gradually became less harsh on her.
On the day she actually arrived in Chongchuan, the matchmaker dressed her up, combed her hair, put on jewelry, and changed her into a beautiful dress.
He even bought her a candied hawthorn.
Bitao licked the sweet candied hawthorn, her pink dress trailing on the ground, covered by a woolen jacket, which made her small face look fair and rosy, like a full moon.
She smiled, her peach blossom eyes filled with affection, and even the cheap jewels on her head seemed like precious treasures. She was like a double-petaled peach blossom blooming out of season in the white snow.
She carefully nibbled on a hawthorn covered in crisp sugar, chewed it slowly, and swallowed it before asking the matchmaker with a smile, "Auntie, are you going to sell me again?"
"Will we be able to eat our fill and stay warm there?"
The matchmaker was quite something. She had been in the business of buying and selling people her whole life. She had seen people who were suicidal and wanted to run away, and even some who were more stubborn and wanted to die with them.
More often than not, they are heartbroken and weeping, or they are timid and fearful, falling ill before they can even do anything, or they starve themselves until they are too thin to fetch a good price.
That's really bad luck.
I've never met such a well-behaved, obedient, lively, and adorable "pig" in my life.
Those in their line of work call all these things that are traded back and forth "pigs".
She chuckled, and her tone did indeed soften a bit.
With a sliver of goodwill, he instructed Bitao: "What does it matter if you're well-fed and clothed? As long as you're as obedient as me, you'll have no shortage of delicacies and fine clothes."
Bitao nodded obediently.
That evening, they were taken into a large courtyard.
Chongchuan City is more than a hundred times better than Sidong Town.
The city walls were majestic, and even at this hour, the streets were still bustling with noise, and the aroma of food wafted over from the street ahead.
Bitao squinted and took a deep sniff. Hmm? It smells like pig's trotters!
This mansion is only separated from the main street by one street. With its vermilion gate and eight courtyards, it is a quiet and peaceful place amidst the hustle and bustle.
Cult members are really rich.
They're incredibly wealthy.
She made the right choice.
Bitao was led in through the back door and placed in a secluded, brightly lit courtyard where she was scrutinized by several people for a long time.
She stood there obediently, just as the matchmaker had instructed.
They'll spin around if you tell them to, and they'll agree to anything you ask in a soft voice.
She was all smiles, not like a pig being sold, but more like a bride about to marry her sweetheart.
As expected, the cult members who recruited were very satisfied.
Pretty girls aren't hard to find; they have a few in their cellar, but training them is incredibly difficult!
There isn't a single one like the one in front of me who is both beautiful, obedient, and sensible!
The matchmaker took care of Bitao for a few days, which was quite convenient. She even instructed the people not to lock her in the cellar.
"As long as she is well-fed and clothed, that's fine. Locking her up will inevitably affect the 'quality' when entertaining adults."
The term 'quality' here refers to the color or appearance.
A beautiful woman is not only judged by her eyebrows, eyes, and bone structure, but also by her temperament and overall demeanor.
Everyone agreed.
But some people were wary, stroking their beard and complaining, "Grandma Li knows how difficult those people are to teach, and there are plenty of them who pretend to be well-behaved."
"But this is the first time in all these years that you've taken such special care of her. Don't worry, you won't mistreat her."
Once the deal is finalized, Bitao will be taken away by someone else.
The matchmaker, known as Granny Li, is also leaving this place.
Bitao kept turning back, reluctant to leave, yet hesitant to speak.
Finally, she broke free from the person holding her and said, "Auntie~ Auntie, don't go, I have something to tell you..."
Granny Li had already climbed onto the carriage when she saw Bitao chasing after her. Upon hearing this, she inexplicably poked her head out of the carriage.
Some even chuckled and said, "What are you doing? You don't actually miss this old woman, do you?"
Those around couldn't help but laugh at this, and no longer stopped Bitao from moving closer to the carriage.
Bitao has been so obedient these past few days that even the people traveling with Granny Li have no suspicion of her.
When Bitao reached the carriage, she beckoned to Granny Li and said, "Just one sentence, it's a nice thing, Granny, come closer..."
As Granny Li lowered her head with difficulty because of her large belly, she was still thinking that she would ask the girl how she was doing next time she came here.
If you obey her, at least your life won't be in danger.
Perhaps they will even catch the eye of a benefactor, thus rising to prominence and becoming truly wealthy.
She was ruthless and cruel, and for the first time in her life, she hoped that a "pig" would have a good ending.
However, her idea was quickly crushed by a hairpin that was plunged into the side of her neck.
The man who hunted geese year after year eventually got his eyes pecked by the geese.
This hairpin was personally chosen for Bitao by Granny Li.
Although it is inexpensive, its advantage lies in its sharpness.
Bitao did have something nice to say to her, after all, she had treated Bitao quite well along the way.
Bitao said, "Auntie, don't do evil in your next life."
Even if she treated Bitao well, Bitao couldn't let this person leave to continue trafficking other people.
Just like she would definitely kill the wolves that had fought against her, lest they be released back into the pack and invite retaliation.
Bitao already knew that her name was Granny Li, and that she was quite famous in the human trafficking business.
Throughout the journey, Bitao pretended to be innocent and clever, and spent her days in a daze, listening to the group of people brazenly boast about the outrageous things they had done in their daily lives.
They understood what these "celestial maidens" and "celestial rulers" were for.
Listen to what kind of shady things this Tsinghua University cult has done.
And what other shady dealings they were up to, it was enough to terrify even her.
Bitao actually wanted to say: Be a good person in your next life.
But for some reason, Bitao had a gut feeling that she probably wouldn't be able to be a human in her next life.
Those who commit murder and harm others will not be reincarnated; they will be cast into the netherworld and hell.
When the blood spurted out, the people around saw the shock and fear in Granny Li's eyes and rushed towards Bitao at the same time.
Bitao thought to herself: See? She said that human skin has no fur to protect it, so it is very fragile and will bleed if you poke it.
They'll die soon!
"Damn! This is another tough nut to crack! Granny Li's neck is exposed!"
"Seventh Steward, the person is no longer breathing..."
Grandma Li silently tumbled off the carriage, her massive body crashing to the ground with a thud.
Like a short, auspicious death knell that summed up her life of sins.
The enormous carcass startled the horse.
Bitao was quickly pinned down by several people, dragged and pulled, her feet barely touching the ground as she was headed towards the backyard.
Ironically, these ten or so burly men were terrified that Bitao might suddenly attack and hurt someone.
Bitao's arms were being held, and she didn't even struggle. Some people even kept their distance from her.
They were still shaken by what had just happened.
She was so beautiful, and one second she was all gentle and harmless with a smile, yet her methods of killing were so swift and efficient.
Grandma Li died on the spot!
This is practically a pink skull! A venomous snake!
Someone was making strange noises, and horses were neighing.
The man pressing her down spat; it was the goatee-bearded man who had promised Granny Li that he would treat Bitao well.
He personally pressed down on Bitao's neck, pushed her into the cellar, and shoved her into the innermost room.
This room is for the toughest criminals, the ones who have committed the most heinous crimes.
"Stay put, or I'll kill you!"
The man with the goatee had to hurry and deal with the commotion outside. He pointed fiercely at Bitao and slammed the old wooden door shut.
It looks like it was locked from the outside.
Bitao was shoved and half-lying on the ground. The moment the dilapidated wooden door, which looked just like a ruined temple, closed, she grabbed the hairpin that she hadn't forgotten to put in her hair during the chaos and grabbed it again.
This is a crudely made, poorly dug earthen cave. The interior is very dimly lit, with only an oil lamp lit.
Bitao rolled on the ground, grabbed the hairpin, and pressed herself against the wall with remarkable agility.
He knelt on the ground, leaning forward and lowering his neck.
That was a posture of preparing to fight a wild beast.
She heard heavy, animal-like breathing coming from inside the burrow.
But after waiting for a while, Bitao felt that the voice was not quite right.
It doesn't seem to be a wild animal?
Bitao stood up warily from beside the earthen cave, looked around the space, took a few steps toward the bright area, and then noticed a bed not far away.
There is someone in the bed.
To be precise, it was a man whose hands and feet were twisted, whose limbs were bound tightly, and who was barely clothed.
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