“Some places aren’t safe. I’ve personally seen human traffickers specifically preying on young women like them. Some of these traffickers are very skilled,” A-Ping quickly explained, noticing the ambiguous smiles on Tian Shu and the others’ faces.
Tianquan stepped forward and patted Aping on the shoulder, saying, "Brother Aping, you've just arrived, there are some things you don't know yet, so it's normal that you're worried about her and your little sister."
Actually, she's very capable; you might have a chance to see it for yourself if you walk a little further ahead.
"Would you like to practice calligraphy with us? I've found you a set of brush, ink, and inkstone," Tian Shu asked with a smile.
Wow, she's amazing? How amazing can she be!
"Okay, thank you, Brother Tian Shu." A Ping replied verbally, but in his heart he was wondering, why are these kids so adoring of that woman? Could she really be that amazing?
Or perhaps she knows some martial arts, but has never encountered a truly ruthless opponent? Has she taught those thugs a lesson, which is why Tian Shu and the others treat her this way?
On the street, the innkeeper chatted with Hong Xiaoduo: "There are sedan chairs in the inn, but I forgot to arrange them for you two."
"Shopkeeper, we're not delicate ladies from wealthy families who can't even walk a little bit," Hong Xiaoduo replied with a smile, then turned her head and saw Yao Guang staring intently at the candied hawthorns in the vendor's hand.
Hong Xiaoduo leaned down and whispered to Yao Guang, "Don't look. That vendor is sick and coughing while eating those candied hawthorns. I wouldn't dare buy them for you. Let's make them ourselves after we rent a courtyard, okay?"
When Yao Guang heard what she said, she turned her head to look at the vendor again, and just then she saw the vendor coughing at the candied hawthorn. Yao Guang's little face immediately scrunched up like a bun, and she quickly turned her head away in disgust.
Honestly, how could I be so greedy without even noticing! Luckily, my older brothers didn't come with me, otherwise I would definitely have been nagged by them.
"Mother, is it because he doesn't have the money to see a doctor and get medicine?" Yao Guang asked, thinking of something.
Before Hong Xiaoduo could figure out how to answer the little girl, the shopkeeper sighed and said, "His name is Pi San. His parents are gone, and he lives with his grandmother. They are struggling to make ends meet."
"Uncle, is this person good to his grandmother?" Yao Guang asked very seriously.
Without much thought, the shopkeeper told him, "This young man is very filial to his grandmother. Two years ago, a family in the next village wanted him to marry into their family, but he wanted to bring his grandmother with him. They refused, so he didn't agree."
Later, the old lady somehow heard about this, took a rope, went to a crooked tree on a hillside outside the town, and tried to end her life so as not to burden her grandson. But, well, the boy found the rope even though it was already knotted.
He immediately unbuckled his belt and hung it on the tree, saying that since that was the case, he didn't want to live anymore either, so let's go together.
The old lady was so frightened that she quickly apologized to her grandson, saying she would never do such a foolish thing again.
He would give the money he earned from selling goods to his mother to manage when he got home. Sometimes, when business was good, he would even buy her steamed buns and pastries.
Hearing what the shopkeeper said, Yaoguang shook Hong Xiaoduo's hand: "Mother, can I give him some money so he can get medicine? What will happen to his grandmother if he gets seriously ill?"
Hong Xiaoduo stopped and looked at Yao Guang, who was pleading with her, to make sure that the little girl was serious.
“Sure, of course you can.” Hong Xiaoduo didn’t object, nor did she say that she could give the money herself.
Upon hearing Hong Xiaoduo's agreement, Yao Guang immediately released her hand, bent down and rummaged through the purse at her waist, pulling out a handful of coins, including copper coins and silver coins of various sizes.
"Uncle, he went to see a doctor for a cough. How much should I give him?" Yao Guang asked the shopkeeper.
Hong Xiaoduo, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh. The kind-hearted girl wanted to help people, but she was very rational and didn't give away all the money in her purse without thinking.
The shopkeeper hadn't expected this either. He didn't laugh, but after thinking for a moment, he reached into Yao Guang's palm and pointed to a silver coin worth about three qian (a unit of weight), saying, "This one is enough."
"Really? One is enough?" Yao Guang was a little skeptical. She had offered to help, but it wouldn't be right not to give enough.
"Really, Uncle. Although I'm not a doctor, I see him every day. He only started coughing these past two days. It must be because he got cold from working early in the morning."
"It's a minor ailment, and getting medicine won't be expensive," the shopkeeper explained earnestly.
"Oh, alright." Yao Guang picked up the silver coin, put the rest back into her purse, and walked towards the vendor.
Hong Xiaoduo was worried and followed them.
The shopkeeper, wanting to hear what the young girl had to say, followed her over.
"Young lady, how many strings do you want to buy?" Pi San asked quickly, his eyes lighting up as he looked at the silver coins handed to him.
Yao Guang shook her head and said, "I'm not buying your candied hawthorns. This money is for you. Take it to see a doctor and get your medicine."
"Huh? So that's how it is?" Pi San was quite surprised, and then looked at Hong Xiaoduo and the other person who had followed him.
"Manager Yang." Pi San quickly greeted the manager.
They all live in the same town, and whenever Manager Yang needs temporary workers, he calls on him. It's not that he can't find anyone else, but he just wants him to earn some money to support his family.
"This young lady is kind-hearted, so please accept it," Manager Yang said.
Because of his kind heart and honesty, Pi San lived a frugal life. Most people in the town helped him, repairing his leaky roof and collapsing courtyard wall, and giving him some grains, eggs, vegetables, and the like.
Or, you could buy the firewood he chopped, and give him and his grandmother the washing and laundry work.
No one has ever given me money directly before, but I actually encountered one today. The other party was clearly not a resident of the town, and she was such a young girl.
"Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but I just caught a chill. I'll boil some radish water tonight and I'll feel better." Pi San declined, feeling very touched.
He really wanted that money, but he couldn't have it!
Life was tough, the food was a bit shabby, but we were still able to make ends meet.
Seeing that the other party wouldn't accept it, Yao Guang was at a loss and turned to look at Hong Xiaoduo.
To be honest, Hong Xiaoduo didn't expect the vendor to refuse the money offered to her. After observing him for a moment, she realized that the vendor wasn't the kind of person who would politely refuse money without being cunning.
"You should accept it. She's worried that if you fall ill, your grandmother will be left without anyone to care for her. This isn't charity; it's something she wants to do within her power. If you refuse, she'll be sad."
"Don't overthink it. To put it simply, you have this need, and she has the means to help you. Just accept it," Hong Xiaoduo said.
"Pi San, you should keep it," the shopkeeper chimed in, trying to persuade him.
Pi San looked at Yao Guang, who was staring at him expectantly, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to take the candied hawthorns: "In that case, Pi San thanks you, young lady. Here, these candied hawthorns are for you to eat."
Pi San, being a grateful person, handed the straw target covered with candied hawthorns to Yao Guang...
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