"Hmph, you call me 'uncle' all sweet talk, but you don't trust me. Do I look like a bad guy who would do something bad to you? You even have a sword at your waist, while I'm unarmed." Looking at the closed door, Dong Yuefan complained somewhat hurtfully.
Seeing that Hong Xiaoduo was still smiling, he smiled too: "By the way, you're pretty good at kung fu, right?" He probably is, otherwise, how could he dare to run around alone at this age?
Hong Xiaoduo herself wasn't sure whether kung fu actually existed, or if so, how powerful it was.
He stammered, "Well, I'm not entirely sure myself. But it's probably enough to hunt birds, rabbits, and other small game, and it's effective against petty thugs. I haven't failed yet."
Seeing her like this, Dong Yuefan wasn't sure if she was being modest or telling the truth.
But no matter how curious you are, it's not appropriate to pry into the details.
Remembering the important matter I had discussed with her this morning, I reached into my sleeve and took out a small paper bag, pushing it onto the table: "I promised to help you, and I'll keep my word."
A travel permit? Hong Xiaoduo quickly picked it up, opened it, and saw that it contained a small stack of slips of paper.
The top one has her name on it, and below it is a note indicating where she is from and what she is doing when she goes out. It is stamped with the seal of the county government of Mopan Town.
Those below are seven children.
Unexpectedly, it actually happened, and the person who helped her solve this problem was someone she had only known for less than two days.
"Brother Dong, this won't cause you any trouble, will it?" Hong Xiaoduo knew that this thing was so important in ancient times, so if it was faked and discovered, the consequences would definitely be bad.
Dong Yuefan poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and smiled, "Well, as long as you're not a criminal who has committed murder or arson, a wanted criminal by the court, and don't do anything illegal in the future, and aren't investigated by the government, then I won't have any trouble."
Hearing his nonchalant and casual words, Hong Xiaoduo immediately felt a weight in her hand: "Brother Dong, we've only just met, I haven't even told you my identity or where I'm from."
How could you be so sure you'd help me with something so risky? What if something goes wrong? Wouldn't that jeopardize your future?
Dong Yuefan raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this: "To others, I might sound frivolous, but I really think you and Miss Hong get along very well. Generally speaking, beggars are ragged, smelly, and infested with lice. At your age, Miss Hong, and with a family that doesn't seem to be in bad shape, it's already quite kind of you to be kind enough not to avoid them and give them a few coins or some food."
And you actually brought them along, bought them new clothes, and ate and lived with them—that's truly rare and unusual.
Therefore, I naturally want to help if I can. As for the risk, my intuition tells me that such a thing is unlikely to happen.
Don't worry, the address on the road sign is a nearby village. A few years ago, the entire village was washed away by a flood, and there were very few survivors. Most of them went to stay with relatives and friends elsewhere. Only a few elderly people stayed in this town.
So even if you take your children elsewhere and get questioned about your travel permits, as long as you remember what I said, there won't be any problems.
Even if someone becomes suspicious, since you haven't committed any serious crimes, no one will come here to investigate. If they send an official document to investigate, then there's even less to worry about. I've not only given you a travel permit, but I've also filed a record for you.
They added you to the household registration of villagers in that village that no longer exists.
As for the other seven, they're simpler than you. The records say they were orphans from floods in various places, begging everywhere before you adopted them.
Therefore, this travel permit is genuine; you don't need to feel guilty if you are stopped and questioned outside.
"I don't know how to say anything too nice. I'll just thank you, Brother Dong. Although I, Hong Xiaoduo, am just a woman with no connections or great abilities, I will remember this favor. In the future, whenever Hong Xiaoduo needs anything, I will definitely do my best to help without hesitation and will go to great lengths to help you." Hong Xiaoduo stood up and solemnly clasped her hands in a gesture of gratitude.
She's not really good at polite conversation; she just uses whatever words come to mind that seem appropriate.
However, Hong Xiaoduo already had other plans in mind. She would use the road sign he made for the time being, and when she was in the mood later, she would think about it and make a copy herself. She already understood the format and important elements, and as for the seal, it wouldn't be difficult to carve one out of a radish.
Most importantly, she wasn't sure if she would cause trouble in the future. People were trying to help her out of kindness, and it wouldn't be good if she dragged them into trouble.
Besides, there's that old geezer at the science museum, isn't there? We can ask him if he can make a seamless wayfinding sign and put it in our space.
"Of course, of course. So, what are your plans next, Miss Hong?" Dong Yuefan wanted to laugh after hearing her chivalrous words, but felt it would be disrespectful to laugh out loud, so she tried her best to hold it in.
What are your plans? How should I answer that? While Hong Xiaoduo was thinking about it, she heard him say again, "Of course, if it's inconvenient to say, just pretend I didn't ask."
"Actually, there's nothing inconvenient to talk about. I don't have any specific plans yet. I'll just take them around for a while and figure out a way to settle them in a safe place."
"I can only take care of them for a while, not forever," Hong Xiaoduo said honestly.
Yes, after all, she still has to get married. Which husband's family would want their daughter-in-law to bring seven children with her? She wouldn't treat those seven children like servants.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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