The next morning, when Xiao Liyan woke up, the two brothers were already awake.
When the two brothers saw that Xiao Liyan had woken up, one of them came over.
Xiao You took a pancake out of her pocket and handed it to Xiao Liyan, "Eat up, little girl."
Xiao Liyan's eyes widened slightly as she looked down at the clothes she had swapped with the beggar's, then asked warily, "How did you know?"
I have a younger sister.
Xiao Liyan didn't understand what he meant, so she moved back a little further away from Xiao You.
"The difference between you two is that she dresses as a man every day, so over time she learns how to tell if someone is a man or a woman."
After Xiaoyou finished speaking, seeing that Xiaoliyan was still wary and didn't take the pancake, she spoke again.
"Don't worry about eating. We're just strangers who met by chance. I only gave you this portion because you and my sister are about the same age."
Xiao Liyan hesitated for a moment, having not eaten all day, then took the pancake and whispered a thank you.
At this moment, Xiao Hui finished packing his things and came over. "My brother and I are going to Mancheng to find work. If you think it's on our way, you can come with us."
After the two brothers finished speaking, they realized that Xiao Liyan didn't seem to want to join them, so they said goodbye to her and left.
Not long after the two brothers left, Xiao Liyan was conflicted, thinking about what they had said. When she saw something on the ground that looked like a money bag, she quickly picked it up and looked inside. She found a dozen or so copper coins. She frowned, but still chased after them.
"Wait, wait a minute!"
The two brothers who were walking stopped when they heard the sound and looked at Xiao Liyan, who was running after them.
"Thank you... thank you, but I can't accept your money. I also need to go to Mancheng, so I'll have to trouble you two."
As Xiao Liyan spoke, she handed the money pouch to the two of them. Xiao You thought for a moment, then took it. "Then you can come with us. Don't worry, you won't go hungry."
Xiao Liyan smiled but didn't say anything.
Although Xiao Liyan only smiled faintly, the two brothers were still stunned for a moment. After a while, they came to their senses, looked at Xiao Liyan's dirty face, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Don't smile at others like that in the future, especially in your current situation," Xiaoyou said sternly.
"I'm not blaming you, but do you know what the consequences would be if others found out you're a woman?"
The school uniform commander nodded in agreement, "Although you're trying to cover your face, you can't hide your expression. If you want to be safe, you must be careful."
Xiao Liyan nodded, as if remembering something. "Thank you both, I will be careful."
A few days later, the three entered Manchuria.
The three of them bought several steamed buns from a small stall and held them in their hands. "Brother Xiao, eat up!"
Xiao Liyan looked at the steamed bun that had been stuffed into her hand, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Brother Xiao, Second Brother Xiao, thank you both so much for taking care of me along the way."
"This is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive. Also, once I find my family, I will definitely find you both."
Xiao Liyan placed a cloth-wrapped item into Xiao You's hands, then bid farewell to the two of them.
"Big brother, is she alright on her own?"
"Let's hope so. This is all we can do to help."
Xiao Liyan arrived at the entrance of Yuansheng Hall, checked the plaque and, finding nothing amiss, went inside.
"Where did this little beggar come from?"
As Xiao Liyan entered the room, a man looked at her as she walked past him and said disdainfully...
Xiao Liyan pursed her lips and walked to the counter. "I'd like to see your manager."
"You think you can just see our manager whenever you want?"
"If you want to buy medicine, then I will sell it to you. If not, then please leave. Our manager is very busy and can't see just anyone."
Xiao Liyan didn't speak, but took out a jade pendant from her bosom. "Do you recognize this jade pendant?"
The young apprentice was about to say something more, but upon seeing the jade pendant, he rubbed his eyes, then carefully took it and examined it closely.
How did you come to have the owner's jade pendant?
Seeing the young apprentice's reaction, Xiao Liyan knew that he recognized the jade pendant.
"It seems you know someone. I need to see your manager or the 'owner' you mentioned."
The young apprentice, holding the jade pendant, glanced at Xiao Liyan before him. "Wait a moment, I'll go find the shopkeeper."
The apprentice medicine boy took the jade pendant and went into the backyard to find the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper, seeing the jade pendant, quickly came out.
"I want to see your boss."
Before the shopkeeper could speak, Xiao Liyan spoke first. Without hesitation, the shopkeeper had Xiao Liyan follow him out of the Yuansheng Hall.
——————
After hearing Xiao Liyan's words, Qi Xin put down the jade pendant in his hand and sighed inwardly, "Your father and I were sworn brothers, I never expected that something like this would happen to him."
"From now on, I'll treat you like my own daughter. Just consider this place your home."
"As for your father's matter, I will have someone investigate it discreetly. After all, it involves too many things. I hope you will do what you want to do after you are capable of doing so."
"Do you understand, girl?"
Qi Xin tried his best to soften his tone as he spoke to Xiao Liyan.
"I understand, Uncle Qi. I'll have to trouble you with this matter."
"It's not a problem. I'll have someone look for your brother. Don't worry too much; you've all escaped, everything will be alright."
Xiao Liyan took the jade pendant from Qi Xin, held it in her hand without saying a word.
"This jade pendant is the same as mine; you should carry it with you from now on."
Seeing Xiao Liyan holding the jade pendant, Qi Xin patted Xiao Liyan's head, then looked at Gao Yuan behind him.
"Gao Yuan, take the young lady to her room."
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