Chapter 829: Chapter 829: She Learned to Endure
Xiao Lian Hua hurriedly used her small hands to rest on Xiao Hua Mei’s shoulders, half hugging her, hoping to warm her, her brows tightly furrowed.
After these few days together, Xiao Lian Hua was the only one who didn’t make Xiao Hua Mei feel afraid, faintly aware that Xiao Lian Hua was always protecting her.
Xiao Hua Mei wasn’t originally called Xiao Hua Mei; Second Master Liu had given her the name. Before the age of ten, this little girl lived a smooth life, her family well off, her parents affectionate, and she was somewhat timid. Later, she got separated from her family on the street and was kidnapped by Cui Sanniang and her people.
From then on, the nightmare began. Xiao Hua Mei initially cried every day, crying out for her parents. But whenever she cried, Cui Sanniang would beat her, hitting her until she dared not cry anymore, only daring to sob in her dreams. And Second Master Liu was even less humane, tormenting her whenever he had the chance.
Now, looking at Xiao Hua Mei, one could tell she wasn’t well. The little girl seemed dazed all day, eating little, sometimes waking up from nightmares shouting for her parents.
When Xiao Lian Hua first arrived, she noticed Xiao Hua Mei. Hearing her cry for her parents made her nose sting, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. She understood that feeling, she missed her parents too, missed them dearly.
From then on, she had a very strong urge: she wanted to save Xiao Hua Mei. Although she herself was not safe, Xiao Hua Mei was like her, both yearning to see their families. She felt that saving Xiao Hua Mei was like saving herself.
When she arrived, Xiao Hua Mei’s situation was already bad, but even so, that beast Second Master Liu did not want to spare her.
And for Cui Sanniang, asking her to spend silver to treat Xiao Hua Mei was nothing but daydreaming; medicine costs more than Xiao Hua Mei is worth, so of course she wouldn’t. When Xiao Lian Hua suggested it, Cui Sanniang just smiled without saying anything.
Xiao Lian Hua naturally took note of all this. Walking along the road like a little beggar, she experienced much of life’s warmth and chill, gaining many insights into the hardships of this world.
She knew the two kidnappers appeared decent but were rotten inside. Cui Sanniang looked at her as though seeing silver, while Second Master Liu looked at her like a hungry wolf eyeing meat. Their gazes made her very uncomfortable.
She had come to avoid those hunting her, thinking of escaping after crossing the Yangtze River. But now, she increasingly felt that escape was difficult; the two kidnappers were very vigilant, watching them more closely than anything else, even drugging them initially.
When she first got on the carriage, she felt strange. Why were these girls all sleeping so heavily, unable to be awakened by such noise? Later, the Shaded Eyes Lady persuaded her strongly to eat, and after eating, she fell asleep.
Initially, being tense all over, Xiao Lian Hua didn’t notice. It was only afterward she suspected the food was drugged, so she ate less and secretly consumed the dried meat she had saved, waking up faster than the others.
The Shaded Eyes Lady appeared very kind to her, so she played along, ultimately convincing the lady to abandon the idea of drugging them.
Previously, she had protection, ignorant of the evil in people’s hearts. Now she understood, and Xiao Lian Hua dared not reveal her desire to escape, burying it deep in her heart. Even when she saw opportunities to run, she abandoned them because she wasn’t confident.
Her third brother had taught her that some things couldn’t be approached directly. To ambush someone, one must strike swiftly; once they are alerted, it becomes difficult to act.
If only her third brother were here, he always had a way...
But now it was just her, and she had to head north to find her Clan Uncle. She couldn’t be as reckless as before; she had to endure and think of a way, ideas buzzing painfully in her head until she came up with one: she must make them think she’s one of them, first easing their guard, then doing other things.
This time, Xiao Lian Hua learned to endure.
She originally looked obedient and clever; if she kept silent, she could deceive people well. After the family upheaval, she harbored many secrets, unwilling to speak. Outsiders didn’t know her character before, just assuming it was normal.
She wasn’t very adept at deceiving people, afraid of being exposed. So every time, she chose her words carefully, sticking to the truth she could say, remaining silent about things she didn’t want to discuss or that were difficult to say, occasionally agreeing with the two kidnappers, flattering them, which pleased them greatly.
Maybe her method worked; the two kidnappers hadn’t suspected her yet, treating her decently, even improving the situation for others, especially that lecherous man who often tried to make her talk. Through him, she learned a lot, which aided her escape plans.
Xiao Lian Hua’s mind remained tense, her small self filled with worry, exhausting herself every day. Seeing Xiao Hua Mei being dragged away by the lecherous man made her anxious inside, only able to use the childish methods she could think of to help Xiao Hua Mei out.
These efforts might have been noticed by Xiao Hua Mei, as one day, she was returned halfway through and quietly thanked her.
Yet Xiao Cui and the others also observed this. Once, after Second Master Liu was almost kicked by a startled horse, Xiao Cui stared directly at Xiao Lian Hua: "I saw it."
At that moment, Xiao Lian Hua was taken aback, foolishly asked: "Saw what?" It was the first time Xiao Cui spoke to her, and she didn’t immediately react.
"The horse got startled, was it related to you?" Xiao Cui actually wasn’t very sure; she just saw Xiao Lian Hua hide something, and then the horse spooked, just trying to trick her.
At that time, Xiao Lian Hua blinked, gave Xiao Cui a strange look, then replied with an "oh" and ignored her.
She felt this person was stupid, claiming to have seen but asking a questioning statement next; it’s like when she tried to trick her mother but ended up confessing.
She had used a slingshot to startle the horse when no one was watching.
But that was just one thing; she stealthily did many others too, things that couldn’t be known to Second Master Liu and Cui Sanniang; otherwise, it would be difficult to run later.
At that time, Xiao Lian Hua didn’t understand what Xiao Cui meant, but she felt the hostility from them.
So she kept those matters to herself, told no one, quietly executing them, helping others while also safeguarding herself.
Previously she only knew how to play, but now she was forced to grow, having to learn many necessary things.
Seeing Xiao Hua Mei like this now made Xiao Lian Hua deeply anxious. She had to escape quickly; soon to arrive at Dangtu Town would be an opportunity, when Second Master Liu went to find a boat, only Shaded Eyes would be watching them, as Second Master Liu had said.
Missing this opportunity, once aboard and sailing down the Yangtze River, reaching the destination would be hard. Moreover, she was internally anxious, feeling Xiao Hua Mei might not last, needing treatment soon.
She still had a piece of silver ingot; by then, she could ask the doctor to prescribe medicine for Xiao Hua Mei. If unsuccessful, she would risk being a beggar for luck, escape first and talk later.
Seeing Xiao Lian Hua and Xiao Hua Mei huddled together, the three girls couldn’t stand it.
Led by Xiao Cui, her eyes filled with strong hostility and a bit of malice, she whispered audibly to the carriage: "So filthy."
Her meaning was that Xiao Hua Mei was dirty; in her eyes, anyone touched by Second Master Liu was unclean, filthy, liable to be pointed at and criticized in the village.