Chapter 167: Hiring a Hitman to Hurt People
Bai Ruozhu didn’t know how much betrothal money the Yang family had promised to Guizhi’s mother, so she used this roundabout way of negotiating. It seemed like the amount was probably no more than fifteen taels, which was probably why Guizhi’s mother was not too excited when she heard the offer of fifteen taels. However, the proposition of twenty taels had a different effect.
Guizhi’s mother didn’t say much before leaving, but by the looks of it, she was already interested and probably wanted to discuss this with her eldest son. She was selling Guizhi to gather dowry for her eldest son, so naturally, she would consult him about it.
At the same time, the Bai Family had finished sowing their fields, and everyone thought they could start selling flatbreads in the town. However, Bai Ruozhu decided to wait for a few more days, at least until the matter with Guizhi was settled. She wouldn’t feel at ease otherwise.
Thinking about Guizhi being possibly still captive, she wished Mrs. Xie could immediately buy Guizhi, even if it cost thirty, forty, or even fifty taels. But her rationality told her not to do so because once Guizhi’s mother found out there was profit to be made, it was very likely that she would change her mind and hikes up the price. Bai Ruozhu was not rich enough to satisfy her greed, and it might result in Guizhi not being released at all.
Another day went by, and Bai Ruozhu guessed that Guizhi’s mother should be becoming more anxious. Instead, it was Xiaosi who unexpectedly came.
Xiaosi looked as impassive as usual, but there was an awkwardness to him. He pulled up his trouser leg for Bai Ruozhu to see, and the sight caused everyone in the room to gasp.
Xiaosi was actually Bai Zeqing, ranked fourth among the Bai grandsons and only six years old. Yet there were seven to eight scars on his thin little legs. The wound wasn’t too large, but it was seriously burnt and had to be treated quickly to prevent infection.
"Who did this?" Bai Ruozhu jumped up in anger.
Xiaosi pursed his lips, seemingly hesitant, but afraid that Bai Ruozhu would ignore him if he didn’t speak, finally muttered with his head down, "It was Third Brother. He burned me with incense."
"That Sanlang is getting out of line, I’ll beat that kid to death!" Bai Zehao jumped up abruptly, turning furious.
"I’ll go talk to grandpa about this, this is too much." Bai Zepei also stood up.
Bai Yihong, with a heartache, gently stroked Xiaosi’s head, saying, "I will go with you, I don’t believe that grandpa would just ignore this."
"Grandpa already knows. He has punished him." Xiaosi suddenly spoke in a cold tone.
Bai Ruozhu grasped his hand and asked, "How was he punished?"
"He got hit with a rattan stick a few times." Xiaosi said indifferently, and Bai Ruozhu could imagine that kind of punishment wasn’t very painful.
Lin Ping’er began to cry, "How can this be allowed? Xiaosi is only six years old. Adults wouldn’t even be able to stand this kind of injury, let alone such a small child?"
A cold light flashed in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes, and she squinted, looking like a dormant wolf. She was bent down looking at Xiaosi’s wound, her head slightly lowered, so no one noticed the change in her demeanor.
"Dad, you don’t need to go to the old mansion. Since Grandpa has already punished him, you going won’t change anything. He won’t allow you to question his fairness. If you offend them because of this, Xiaosi will end up suffering." Bai Ruozhu said.
"So, we just let Sanlang continue like this?" Lin Ping’er asked dissatisfied.
Bai Ruozhu hardened her gaze and said coldly with her head lifted, "God is watching. He will receive his retribution sooner or later."
Everyone shuddered, they had never seen Bai Ruozhu like this before. She was always a cheerful child, and now seeing her so angry, it was almost like looking at another person.
After cleaning and dressing Xiaosi’s injuries, Bai Ruozhu stroked his head, advising, "Come change the dressing tomorrow. Try to stay away from Sanlang in the future. If he calls you, don’t respond. If you can’t avoid him, just run. If you have nothing to eat, feel free to come to our house, we will provide for you."
Xiaosi obediently nodded, but he still looked somewhat blank. In the eyes of others, he was just a foolish child, but Bai Ruozhu knew that he was finally opening up.
After lunch, Bai Ruozhu said she wanted to go to the town to look at the booth, and if there was a suitable one, she would go to the County Government Office to get a lease as soon as possible in order to legally operate at the market. Everyone was taken aback, hadn’t she just said that morning that she would wait a few more days until Guizhi’s issue was resolved?
Bai Ruozhu fed Dengdeng, handed him over to Lin Ping’er, and rushed to town swiftly.
The people in this world who knew that she was plotting came not only from her own family but also included another person. That person once criticized her for scheming too much but never exposed her, and she saw his face but never said a word about it. They both had secrets, and in a way, they were kindred spirits.
Right now, she needed that person’s help. While this favor wasn’t easy for her, it was quite simple for him. So, she planned on hiring him to commit a crime, no, to hurt someone.
As she was nearing the town, she found a secluded place, took out twenty pieces of dried fish from the Space, thought for a moment, and added a small pack of jellyfish powder. This small packed jellyfish powder could sell for a few tens of taels.
She wrapped everything in a cloth bundle and began to wander around town. Didn’t that Jiang guy say that if she wandered around, she’d eventually bump into him?
Bai Ruozhu had initially planned to look for a booth while wandering around, but with the pressing matter at hand and anger in her heart - continually remembering the scars on Xiaosi’s body - she didn’t have the mood to look for a booth. Just like that, half an hour had passed.
Jiang Yichun, who was hidden in the shadows, noticed Bai Ruozhu long ago. However, he didn’t think Bai Ruozhu would go out of her way to meet him. Only when Bai Ruozhu wandered around like a headless fly, looking around carefully for a reason, did he confirm that she was trying to find him.
When Bai Ruozhu was close to the alley where he was hiding, she felt a small stone hitting her foot. She quickly looked around and noticed the alley, so she walked in.
This alley was a bit winding and secluded. Many of the rooms inside were deserted, giving the impression that rarely anyone entered. For some reason, Bai Ruozhu was reminded of the alley where Wang LaiDi and Cao LeSheng were having their affair. Her face instantly turned red.
Was she having a secret meeting with a man now? It didn’t seem quite right thinking about it, but she couldn’t bear to see Xiaosi still getting hurt.
While she was hesitating, Bai Ruozhu saw Jiang Yichun, who was wearing a mask, standing at the end of the alley.
"Do you need something?" Jiang Yichun asked, and with a motion of his hand, he removed his mask.
Bai Ruozhu looked at him in surprise, feeling a sudden urge to run away. Hey, it was not fair for such a handsome guy to suddenly reveal his face, an ordinary person might not be able to take it.
However, she quickly realized that he was showing his true face for her, indicating that it really was him, making it easier for her to discuss matters. Bai Ruozhu’s face heated up slightly; did she look like she had a secret matter to discuss?
Nonetheless, she was not a person who beat about the bush. She swiftly handed him the thing she was carrying and said, "Sir, I have a favor to ask of you."