Ch 203 (Extra 14): The Farmer Ger in the Apocalypse

Qu Weiwei Side Story 3

Although Qu Weiwei did not come here often, quite a few people in Anping County recognized her.

First, the incident with Young Master Wang had been rather famous. Second, unlike noble ladies from other families, she never wore a veiled hat when going out, nor did she bring a long line of attendants. She had always openly wandered around the streets without restraint.

The Zhao family’s faces changed as soon as they saw her. They knew that Young Master Wang had fallen into the water and gotten sick because his scheme against this lady failed. But they did not even dare resent the Wang family, who were merchant gentry, let alone Qu Weiwei. She was a relative of the magistrate’s family!

They lowered their heads and shrank backward, while inwardly hating the Li family even more.

Why was the Li family so lucky?

Why did heaven favor the Li family ge’er but refuse to favor their son?

Fortunately, Old Master Li was still quick-witted. He clutched the money pouch Mudan handed him and was stunned for only a moment before immediately dragging Li Nan over to Qu Weiwei. He was about to kneel as he spoke.

“We’re willing! Please, noble madam, take this child in. Our family doesn’t need the money. Just give him a mouthful of food and leave him a path to live!”

After the Zhao family caused such a scene, their ge’er had been forcibly branded as someone who brought death to husbands. Their family had neither wealth nor exceptional looks to rely on, and now he would be even harder to marry off. It was better for him to go work in Master Shen’s household. Even if he could not be like this young fulang Mudan, who gained both a skill and a shop, at least he could avoid this storm for a while.

This lady speaking up now was clearly taking pity on their family!

Qu Weiwei quickly supported both of them and would not let them kneel. Then she stuffed the money pouch back into Old Master Li’s hands.

“If I’m buying someone, how can I not pay? Take it and move somewhere peaceful.”

Although she had not grown up in a village, she had heard plenty of old stories from Mama Tang. Some families were just rotten in their bones. Relying on having many sons, they threw dirty water at their neighbors’ doors, tossed trash over courtyard walls, refused to let others trim tree branches that grew into neighboring yards and blocked the sunlight. They deliberately bullied people.

With Old Ding backing the Zhao family, who knew how they would bully the Li family once she left?

Thinking of this, Qu Weiwei turned to Mudan again.

“Have your husband help keep an eye on them too.”

Mudan answered crisply and went to the counter to fetch paper and brush to write up the contract of sale. He had studied with the Xie siblings, so writing such documents was no problem for him.

Old Master Li watched with envy and also felt that misfortune had turned into fortune. In another year or two, his own ge’er would probably know how to write too.

He gently patted Li Nan on the back with his palm, broad as a cattail fan. Earlier, his mind had been full of solving their predicament. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Now, thinking that his child was about to leave with someone else, the old father suddenly felt a reluctance like he was sending his ge’er off in marriage.

He instructed him, “Once you follow Tai-tai, be sensible. Be diligent. See the work that needs doing, understand?”

Li Nan’s heart was complicated too. He was grateful to Qu Weiwei, and his fondness for her grew even stronger, but he inevitably felt fear toward the future as well. He answered softly.

Once the contract of sale was written, Old Master Li and Li Nan both pressed their fingerprints onto it. Qu Weiwei casually tucked it into the pouch she carried close to her body.

Before long, Li Nan’s mother and younger siblings also arrived, carrying a small bundle with several pieces of his personal clothing inside. His birth mother had come, so naturally there was another round of reluctant parting. Mother, son, and siblings held one another and sobbed quietly, but out of consideration for Qu Weiwei, they did not dare cry loudly.

Qu Weiwei: “…Why does this feel like I’m forcing an innocent person into prostitution or something? It’s not like they’ll never see each other again. The distance isn’t even that far.”

Feeling somewhat awkward, she turned around and started talking with Mudan and his husband, leaving space for Li Nan’s family to say their farewells.

Outside, the Zhao couple secretly tugged at Old Ding’s pant leg, still unwilling to give up. Old Ding glanced at Qu Weiwei and Mudan’s husband, then turned and walked away.

If you bully others by relying on power, then you should be prepared to be bullied back by someone with even greater power. If it were only Mudan’s husband, that would be one thing. But offending Boss Shen’s family over some distant, roundabout relatives simply was not worth it.

This time, the Zhao couple truly cried in despair.

Once Old Ding left, Mudan’s husband and another yamen runner drove the Zhao couple away and sternly warned them not to come trouble Old Master Li’s family again. No matter what they really thought inside, the Zhao couple still nodded submissively in agreement. Li Nan now belonged to the Shen household. No matter how much courage they had, how could they dare snatch someone from the Shen family?

After quite a while, the Li family finally parted reluctantly. Carrying the silver, they walked away while constantly turning back to look. Li Nan’s face was streaked with tears as he slowly shuffled over to Qu Weiwei.

He felt a little regretful. Tai-tai had clearly acted out of kindness, yet he himself had cried so miserably and inauspiciously…

In a low voice, he called out, “Tai-tai,” while nervously clutching his sleeve and secretly glancing at Qu Weiwei.

Although there was no more excitement to watch, the crowd still had not dispersed. People lingered around Mudan and Lian Ye’s shops, peeking curiously inside. Mudan called out a few times to attract business, and some people actually gathered enough courage to sit down while secretly stealing looks at Qu Weiwei and Li Nan.

Mudan’s husband also had to continue patrolling. The huge man, nearly six foot three, stood at the entrance of the shop and said in a slightly softened voice:

“Dandan, wait for me tonight so I can pick you up and we’ll go home together, okay?”

Mudan answered him, his voice carrying a trace of sweetness.

“Dandan”…

Ugh, how mushy. But… it really was sweet too.

Goosebumps rose all over Qu Weiwei’s skin, yet at the same time she somehow felt warm inside.

When she looked toward Li Nan standing before her, her gaze softened further.

Li Nan had cried until his eyes were red, occasionally sniffing, like an easily bullied little rabbit…

Want to dote on him.

Ah, she really was awful. The poor little ge’er was genuinely miserable and heartbroken right now!

Qu Weiwei forcibly suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her head. Taking out a clean handkerchief, she gently pressed it against Li Nan’s tear-streaked face and softly wiped it clean.

Li Nan seemed not to have expected her to be so approachable. The handkerchief smelled faintly sweet, making him feel a little dizzy. His eyes widened into round circles, making him look even easier to bully.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qu Weiwei secretly rubbed his cheek lightly with her fingers.

Soft. A little smooth.

How strange. Why did it feel like her ability was becoming hard to control, as though something wanted to sprout from her fingertips?

She quickly withdrew her hand and pretended nothing had happened.

“Alright now. No more crying. Come back with me and eat delicious food and live well.”

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