Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Aunt Fang didn’t know what cooperation meant, but upon reflection, she found the term very fitting.

"Yan Niang, how should we cooperate?"

Seeing her interest, Lin Chunyan explained that she would bring some braised goods from home and then directly buy steamed buns from Aunt Fang.

The price of the steamed buns wouldn’t change, but Aunt Fang could sell more.

Moreover, by selling directly to Lin Chunyan, the customer base would be very stable.

Naturally, Aunt Fang was delighted, so much so that she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet, "Isn’t this taking advantage of you?"

The old lady selling sugar water had been listening and suggested, "When you make those buns, make them better so Yan Niang can sell them easily."

Aunt Fang promised repeatedly, "I will definitely make those buns well; I won’t hold Yan Niang back."

On the side, Lin Taohong pulled Lin Chunyan aside and whispered, "Elder Sister, are you foolish? Why should we buy Aunt Fang’s steamed buns when we can bring them from home?"

"As the weather gets colder, the buns brought from home will be cold, and who would buy them then?"

Aunt Fang has been selling steamed buns for years, and her stall is fully equipped. If they were to sell steamed buns, they’d need a stove.

Without asking, it was clear that the stove wouldn’t be cheap.

Nowadays, doing small business requires capital, but peasants who farm every day barely have any money to spare; every coin is split into two.

They can barely afford their meals.

Unlike the townspeople, who have a bit more savings, some of whom have been in business for generations with established reputations.

Lin Taohong stopped talking and only asked Aunt Fang to lower the price.

The sisters played good cop, bad cop, and Aunt Fang lowered the price further.

With that settled, after selling their goods, the two went straight to the butcher shop.

Besides pork from domestic pigs, there was also wild boar meat from hunters, which wasn’t as tasty but was cheaper.

Lin Chunyan bought both kinds and also purchased some eggs from a vendor in town.

The wild eggs she had found on the mountain and the eggs from their precious hen were all preserved, and they couldn’t eat them all at once.

With these items, Lin Chunyan went to see Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang was arguing with someone, and her voice could be heard from afar. The sisters exchanged glances and quickly pushed through the crowd.

"What’s going on here?"

Seeing Lin Chunyan arrive, Mrs. Zhang felt reassured and pointed at the man with a child, "This person is unreasonable; he took our things and ate them without paying."

The child still held several pieces of tofu, stuffing them into his mouth.

The man, around thirty, with a scruffy beard and sharp eyes, argued, "The kid doesn’t know better; it’s just a few pieces of tofu, why are you being so petty!"

"What do you mean by just a few pieces? My tofu isn’t cheap. If everyone did this, how could I run my business?"

Mrs. Zhang’s voice was loud, and her speech rapid, with Jin Niangzi and others supporting her, so she wasn’t at a disadvantage.

Lin Chunyan breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the scruffy man, "Sir, we are indeed running a small business and earn little. My mother carries these goods every day just to make a living. You seem like a seasoned traveler; why would you argue with us small traders?"

Lin Chunyan spoke calmly, and the man felt comforted. Seeing the growing crowd, fearing it might attract the authorities, he reluctantly took out two copper coins.

"I didn’t want to avoid payment, but your mother speaks too rudely."

Lin Chunyan accepted the coins, and Mrs. Zhang, hearing the man’s comment, wanted to argue but was held back by Lin Chunyan.

"Why bother with such people? It’s normal to encounter them while doing business."

Mrs. Zhang understood this but, being hot-tempered, took the coins back from Lin Chunyan, "We need to account for everything."

Lin Chunyan gave her the coins and, seeing that she had sold most of her goods, decided not to stay longer.

Jin Niangzi quickly signaled Mrs. Zhang, who grabbed Lin Chunyan’s sleeve and asked if she wanted to cook fish soup for another family.

Jin Niangzi interjected, "It’s a family from our village, the Li family."

The Li family was wealthy, owning many lands, and some of their members lived in the provincial city, living much better than the locals.

Many guests at yesterday’s feast hadn’t had enough of the dishes and wanted to invite Lin Chunyan to cook again.

Lin Chunyan hesitated; cooking for another family would earn more money but would disrupt her daily business, which was not good for maintaining a steady customer base.

Selling on the street could earn over a hundred coins a day, nearly two hundred.

Mrs. Zhang suggested, "Why don’t you go? We have me and Hong Niang here to handle the stall."

They planned to sell meat sandwiches tomorrow, so Lin Chunyan agreed to go to the Li family later.

"That works. When the time comes, I’ll lead you there, but remember, the Li family has strict rules, so we must be careful."

Back home, Lin Chunyan washed the meat, cut it into cube-sized pieces, and boiled it in cold water. She added sugar coloring to the oil, along with ginger and scallions, and soy sauce, then began slow-cooking it.

Observing the quantity of ingredients being used, Mrs. Zhang felt a pang of distress, yet she had been uncharacteristically reticent these days and hesitated to voice her concerns to Lin Chunyan.

Noticing her hesitation, Lin Chunyan knew what she was thinking but ignored it.

Earlier, she had bought a piece of wild boar meat from Uncle Huaizi. After returning, she smoked it with pine and cedar branches and stored it in the cellar. This time, she also brought it out.

Some people love the steaming hot braised meat in their buns, while others prefer the cured ham inside. Although both are meat, the methods of preparation differ greatly, resulting in vastly different flavors.

The air soon filled with the aroma of braised meat. Lin Taohong had been eating well recently, and her cheeks had become rounder and fuller, making her look incredibly cheerful.

But she was still craving the food. Originally lying on the bed to rest, she jumped up at the smell and went to the kitchen to take a look.

"Why are there boiled eggs in there too?"

The meat had been stewed until tender and its color was bright and beautiful. Even the eggs inside had turned from white to dark brown.

"The braised eggs in this roujiamo are also amazing."

Seeing that the meat was almost done and noticing Lin Taohong's hungry expression, Lin Chunyan gave her a piece to taste.

Lin Taohong, never one to fear the heat, put it directly into her mouth, blowing on it as she said it was delicious. "If only we had some buns."

Lin Chunyan scolded her, "Can't you wait for it to cool down? Be careful not to burn your tongue."

With that said, Lin Taohong felt a burning pain in her throat. She opened her mouth for Lin Chunyan to check.

"It's burned." Lin Chunyan, even more annoyed, patted Lin Taohong on the back. "I can see now that you're not fit to be a maid. You'd just be a laughingstock."

Lin Taohong, still breathing heavily, didn't dare to argue. Lin Chunyan went outside and picked some mint leaves to make her a cooling drink.

"Drink this to soothe your throat."

The well water was icy cold, and the mint was refreshing. Lin Taohong drank a few sips of the mint drink, and the pain in her throat subsided.

Mrs. Zhang was eyeing the roujiamo. Lin Chunyan got up early and made a couple of buns for them, filling them generously with meat and some broth, placing them in bowls.

"Keep them for lunch."

Mrs. Zhang wanted to eat them right away, but Lin Chunyan hadn't made many buns, fearing they wouldn't have any left for lunch. She could only anxiously await noon.

Later in the day, Lin Chunyan would go to the magistrate's house with Jin Niangzi, leaving Lin Taohong and Mrs. Zhang at the dock. She wondered if they could manage on their own.

The two of them assured her confidently, "What's the problem? We're not children."

Lin Chunyan wished they were children, at least then they might listen.

At the town entrance, Lin Chunyan and Lin Taohong set up their stall and took out the braised meat. Lady Fang had been waiting, and upon seeing the meat, she lifted the lid to inspect it.

On the way, Lin Chunyan had used the family's only quilt to keep the braised meat warm. When the lid was lifted, the rich aroma spread through the air, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Lady Fang took a deep breath and, with Lin Chunyan's permission, placed the braised meat near her stove to keep it warm.

She was delighted, knowing that these roujiamo would sell well.

The sugar water vendor had been watching since Lin Chunyan took out the braised meat. He had sold drinks in the town for decades and had seen many vendors, but never before had he willingly paid for anything.

He asked Lin Chunyan, "Yan Niang, your roujiamo is bound to be a hit. What's the price?"

Seeing him already reaching for his money, Lin Chunyan said, "We plan to sell them for five copper coins each, but I'll give you one for three copper coins."

The sugar water vendor, who often helped them and teased Wang's father and daughter with Lin Taohong, took out four copper coins. "I won't be too polite; I know you need to do business. Give me a bun to try."

The sugar water vendor's wife had been watching them closely, muttering softly, "Today must be a strange day; this old man is being so generous."

Usually, the sugar water vendor was very frugal, setting up his stall from morning till night before going home.

It was said that he supported a scholar at home, and his grandson had passed the child-level examination.

The sugar water vendor ignored the comment and watched Lin Chunyan cut open the freshly baked bun Lady Fang had given her. The bun was still warm, and when cut, steam rose, filling the air with its unique fragrance.

Lady Fang's baking skills were excellent; she had been making buns for years. The surface was crispy and golden, making anyone's mouth water.

Lin Chunyan took out a cutting board and selected several pieces of braised meat, which were tender and well-marbled. She chopped them into small pieces, added an egg, and sprinkled some chopped coriander.

Finally, she placed the chopped meat and egg in the bun and poured two spoonfuls of broth over it.

The sugar water vendor quickly took it, and many nearby people were impressed by the sight. Some were swallowing saliva, while others gathered around to watch him eat.

Aware that many were watching, he couldn't help but take a bite. With that first bite, he closed his eyes in satisfaction. The initial salty flavor of the bun was followed by the rich taste of the braised meat, enhanced by the wild chives and coriander. The broth paired perfectly with the bun.

"How is it? Is it good?"

Someone urged him to answer. The vendor savored every moment, wishing the taste would last forever.

Eventually, he swallowed and, after finishing the first bite, eagerly took another. Finally, he answered the question.

"Anything Yan Niang makes is always delicious."

With that, he continued eating the roujiamo.

The sugar water vendor's enjoyment served as a living advertisement. Passersby, adults and children alike, couldn't resist asking about the price.

However, some were shocked by the cost of five copper coins per roujiamo.

"How can it be so expensive? A bun alone costs only one copper coin."

Lin Taohong, quick to respond, explained, "You know a bun alone costs one copper coin, but ours includes plenty of braised meat, eggs, wild chives, and coriander, plus two spoonfuls of broth!"

A woman holding a small child, with two tiny braids and a red dot on her forehead, looked like a divine child from Guanyin's side.

"Mom, I want to eat it too. Buy me one to try, and I promise I'll be good when we get home."

This woman had a decent family background but was taken aback by the price. Seeing her child enjoy the food, she took out some copper coins and bought one.

"What's that?" The woman, with sharp eyes, noticed some strips in the pot of braised meat and pointed at them, asking Lin Chunyan.

"That's braised tofu. If you want it added to the bun, it costs an extra copper coin."

The woman had tasted this braised tofu before, during a visit to relatives for a play, where she saw the tofu on the table and ate a few pieces, finding it very delicious.

Currently, besides flower appreciation and watching plays, women had few other pastimes. Recently, it had become popular to snack on braised tofu and spicy small crabs while enjoying flowers or plays.

Thinking that her child had never tried the braised tofu, she asked Lin Chunyan if she could swap the egg for the tofu.

"Of course." Lin Chunyan instructed Lin Taohong to add a few pieces of braised tofu to the bun and handed it directly to the child.

The child held it tightly, eager to take a bite, but stopped and offered the bun to the woman's mouth instead.

"Mom, have a bite first."

The woman smiled widely, taking a small bite from the bun, finding it especially delicious, and urged the child to eat quickly.

She then stood up and ordered two more buns, thinking of the two young girls at home who were always busy and rarely caused her any worry. She couldn't neglect them.

Lady Fang had never seen her buns sell so fast. Since Lin Chunyan started selling the meat buns, Lady Fang's hands hadn't stopped rolling dough.

Though tired, Lady Fang was incredibly happy, slightly worried that she might have brought too little flour today.

Lin Chunyan went over and assessed the situation, deciding, "We'll only sell until noon today. We have something else planned for the afternoon."

Lady Fang felt a bit disappointed, as sales had been excellent, and selling all day would have brought in a lot more income.

Lin Taohong understood why Lin Chunyan had hesitated yesterday. Cooking for others might earn more money, but nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing people buy their products.

They calculated that they had sold nearly forty meat buns just this morning.

Each bun cost five copper coins!

Lin Chunyan counted out Lady Fang's earnings and began packing up the stall.

The sugar water vendor had been hesitating. Seeing the old man enjoy his meal and still craving more afterward, she decided to buy a bun herself.

Despite coming to the market every day, rain or shine, most of her earnings went to her son and daughter-in-law, leaving her with very little.

Hesitating all morning, she finally saw Lin Chunyan preparing to close the stall and quickly took out five copper coins.

"Yan Niang, give me one with extra coriander."

Lin Chunyan had noticed her hesitation. After listening to the banter between the sugar water vendors, she understood their family situation.

Both elderly vendors had dedicated their lives to their families—one supporting their grandson's education, the other ensuring a better life for her son and daughter-in-law. They lived frugally.

Every day, except during storms, they came to the market.

Seeing the sugar water vendor pay, Lin Chunyan only charged four copper coins and added extra sauce as requested.

The sugar water vendor watched eagerly as the bun was handed to her, proudly showing it to the sugar water vendor opposite her, indicating that she too was enjoying the bun.

The sugar water vendor still felt unsatisfied, and seeing his wife like this, he couldn't help but tease her, "The sun must be rising in the west! Spending four copper coins like this, your daughter-in-law will surely scold you again."

"I come here every day; why can't I have one bun!" The sugar water vendor said this with some guilt, slowing down her eating.

Lin Chunyan, while packing up, said, "I think you're right, Grandma. You consider them, but who considers you? In my opinion, you shouldn't neglect yourself."

These words made both the sugar water vendors fall silent. They knew the truth well, having experienced much in their long lives. They should have realized this long ago and enjoyed their retirement.

The sugar water vendor was still hopeful about his grandson's success, but the sugar water vendor had no such expectations.

She took a large bite of the bun, letting its flavors soothe her troubled heart before saying, "That's exactly right. When I'm here, I understand why I shouldn't give all my earnings to them, but once I get home, my son and daughter-in-law complain, and somehow, my coins end up in their pockets. It's truly mysterious."

Lin Taohong chuckled, "Grandma, you make it sound like your son and daughter-in-law have magic powers."

"Indeed, it's magic!" The sugar water vendor agreed with Lin Taohong.

After packing up, Lin Chunyan followed Lin Taohong to the dock. Seeing Mrs. Zhang surrounded by many people, she hurried over.

Seeing Mrs. Zhang standing there with a smile, unharmed, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Mrs. Zhang pulled Lin Chunyan over and whispered, "When will you let me sell your meat buns? Everyone saw me eating one and asked where I got it. I told them to find you in town. How did sales go today?"

Lin Taohong excitedly reported the numbers, causing Mrs. Zhang to gasp.

"In just half a day, you sold so many!"

Mrs. Zhang was even more interested. Jin Niangzi squeezed in beside them, admitting she was envious. However, her wontons sold better than usual because of the proximity to Mrs. Zhang, which pleased her greatly.

"Shall we head to Mr. Li's place now?"

"Yes."

Lin Chunyan told Mrs. Zhang and Lin Taohong to go home after selling their goods and not to linger outside. They found her nagging annoying, "You've been repeating this since yesterday. Go ahead."

Lin Chunyan left, and Jin Niangzi started chatting with her, asking if she had a husband and what her future plans were.

She could see that despite Mrs. Zhang's age, Lin Chunyan was the one making decisions.

Lin Chunyan shook her head, "Don't laugh at me, Auntie. I don't have a husband and don't plan to marry."

Jin Niangzi was shocked and cautiously asked Lin Chunyan, "Is it because of your parents?"

She and Mrs. Zhang set up their stalls together every day, so naturally she knew about Mrs. Zhang's affairs and had often helped her curse Old Man Lin.

Lin Chunyan shook her head. "Not entirely. I just feel that this is good for me."

Jin Niangzi was about to persuade her further, but seeing the calm, untroubled eyes of Lin Chunyan, she swallowed her words.

She had forgotten that Yan Niang was different from others, and her skills were not something anyone could easily learn.

"As long as you have your own plans, it's fine. A young lady with your craftsmanship will never go hungry, like Song Niangzi."

Jin Niangzi lowered her voice. "Don't be fooled by how well Song Niangzi sells her fish soup. She's a pitiable woman. Years ago, she was engaged, but before she could marry, her fiancé died. For some reason, she decided to remain unmarried in his memory."

Lin Chunyan did not know that Song Niangzi had such a story. She pondered, wondering if Song Niangzi truly held deep feelings for her deceased fiancé or had other reasons.

She thought, if she were ever forced into marriage, she would choose a man on his deathbed, preferably one who would pass away before she even entered his home.

As they spoke, they arrived at Mr. Li's residence. His house stood out in Jin Niangzi's village, grand and spacious.

A hint of envy flashed in Jin Niangzi's eyes. "Once we're inside, just follow instructions."

They entered through a side gate. The servant at Mr. Li's house clearly recognized Jin Niangzi and greeted her warmly, glancing behind her with curiosity.

"Is this Yan Niang who can make the fish soup? They say it's even better than Song Niangzi's?"

Lin Chunyan corrected her. "I don't make Song Niangzi's fish soup; I make the fish fillet soup. The preparation and taste are entirely different."

The servant was taken aback by her boldness, not understanding the difference and feeling a bit surprised. This was not what she had expected.

She led Jin Niangzi to a tea room for rest, instructing a young maid to serve her well, then took Lin Chunyan to the kitchen.

It was clear that the servants at Mr. Li's house were not as diligent or organized as those at Hu Xiaolangjun's household.

As they walked to the kitchen, many servants paused their work to gather and whisper.

The servant leading Lin Chunyan felt slightly annoyed, thinking it was disrespectful, and scolded them. "Get back to work! What are you standing around for?"

These servants were not afraid of her, laughing and joking. Some looked familiar to Lin Chunyan, having been present at Jin Niangzi's house during the banquet.

Guessing that these servants were recruited from the village, Lin Chunyan ignored their squabbles and asked the leading servant for a separate kitchen.

The servant hesitated. "There's only one kitchen, where all the households eat together. If you need it, I'll ask everyone else to leave."

Lin Chunyan nodded. The servants who were asked to leave were unhappy, but she ignored them, focused on making the fish fillet soup quickly and returning home.

Wang Yingniang washed clothes while listening intently for news. The room was quiet, and Wang Chuizi seemed to be sleeping, making no sound.

Wang Yingniang felt anxious, knowing that Wang Chuizi had spoken to Chef Wang, though she didn't know what he said.

She had heard of Chef Wang's reputation and harbored resentment towards Lin Chunyan due to past events. If Wang Chuizi had stirred things up, Chef Wang might do something terrible.

Unfortunately, after the young lady at Mr. Li's house tasted the fish fillet soup, she wanted more, and Jin Niangzi was asked to invite Lin Chunyan again. This information eventually reached Chef Wang.

Mr. Li was generous and often invited Chef Wang to cook meals. Both his elderly father and his favorite concubine enjoyed his cooking, and he always gave generous tips.

This time, Chef Wang could no longer tolerate it and decided to teach Lin Chunyan a lesson.

Wang Yingniang hung the clothes in the yard. It had been cloudy lately, and the clay pot river fish wasn't selling well, so she brought it home to eat repeatedly, which made the family tired of it. Wang Chuizi spent his days talking to Chef Wang instead of going to town.

After finishing the laundry, she had to feed the chickens and water the fields. Wang Yingniang worked tirelessly, like a spinning top.

On her way to the fields, she encountered some village girls of similar age, nearing marriageable years. They wore flowers, some bought from town, indicating they were cherished at home.

Wang Yingniang wore only wildflowers picked from the woods. Passing these girls always made her feel self-conscious.

The girls greeted her warmly and invited her along. One asked, "I heard you've been setting up stalls in town recently. Why haven't you gone there these past few days?"

"The work at home is endless. I needed a break."

"You're right. Seeing you run to town daily, you've lost weight. We should pamper ourselves more, being close to marriage."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Wang Yingniang's wildflowers, looking somewhat pitying.

That gaze made Wang Yingniang uncomfortable, as if she were pitiful, unable to wear proper flowers.

After exchanging a few words, Wang Yingniang hurriedly bid them farewell. Even from a distance, she could hear their giggles, likely mocking her shabby clothes.

For some reason, she suddenly thought of Lin Chunyan.

Lin Chunyan also disliked wearing flowers, often leaving her head bare, unlike her sister, who adorned herself with all sorts of flowers.

But Lin Chunyan never felt ashamed without flowers, still standing confidently, calling out to passersby and engaging in conversation.

People never seemed to notice whether Lin Chunyan wore flowers or what clothes she wore.

Wang Yingniang envied her deeply.

But if Lin Chunyan's reputation were ruined and she had to marry into their family, could she still stand tall?

Thinking this, Wang Yingniang felt her blood freeze.

She loved the confident Lin Chunyan, as if she were another version of herself. As long as Lin Chunyan remained strong, she too had hope.

Wang Yingniang abruptly rose, ignoring the overturned basin, and rushed out.

The fish meat for the fish fillet soup needed to be sliced very thinly, with the bones removed. Lin Chunyan's knife skills were excellent, allowing her to listen to the chatter outside even as she sliced the fish paper-thin.

Initially, the servants discussed her background and praised the deliciousness of the fish fillet soup she had made.

"You didn't go that day, and the fish soup was snatched clean. There's also Master Zhao from town—don't know if you know him. His two sons almost scraped the bottom of the pot clean!"

The others marveled at this, for Master Zhao was not like them, poor folk. How could he do something as low as scraping the pot?

"Are you just exaggerating?"

The old woman wasn't offended. "If I were lying, would our masters not know the difference between good and bad? Just wait and see!"

Lin Chunyan kept her hands busy, slicing the fish meat and then cutting mushrooms. She pulled out two logs, letting the fire slowly die down.

After finishing these tasks, she sat on a stool nearby, resting for a moment. The flickering firelight cast a rosy glow on her face, making her expression shift in the light and shadow.

It had been quite some time since she arrived in this world.

Once the fish soup was ready, it emitted a subtle yet enticing aroma, drawing frequent glances from the old woman outside the door.

"How fragrant!" Even the skeptical old woman couldn't help but sniff and swallow hard.

"I told you, the fish soup is truly delicious. To tell you the truth, I even dreamed about it the other night!"

Lin Chunyan brought out the fish soup in a white porcelain pot, with floating green vegetables, brown mushrooms, white tofu, and tender fish meat.

The old woman receiving the pot trembled slightly, yet her feet moved swiftly toward the master's house.

If she delayed, she feared she might open the pot and take a big bite herself.

The other old women didn't rush into the kitchen but instead surrounded Lin Chunyan, eyeing her up and down.

Their gazes were harmless, but Lin Chunyan still felt uncomfortable and stepped back.

She looked around but couldn't find Jin Niangzi. One of the old women mentioned that Jin Niangzi had been drinking in another room and had just lain down.

Jin Niangzi loved to drink. When she went to cook for the old master, there was a faint smell of alcohol on her. Knowing she was fine, Lin Chunyan didn't worry.

"Miss, are you married? You look so beautiful and have such great skills. If you're not married, I could introduce you to someone."

As expected, the old women started chattering, praising young men they claimed were outstanding, though Lin Chunyan didn't know any of them.

Finally, the reward money came. The old woman holding the porcelain pot handed over a large red envelope with a smile.

"My master and his daughter were very satisfied. They said that if there's a chance next time, they'd invite you to cook again."

Lin Chunyan weighed the red envelope, guessing it contained small silver coins, similar to what Hu Xiaolang's family gave.

Eager to return home, she told the old woman not to disturb Jin Niangzi when she woke up.

The old woman agreed. They were all from the same village, and the distance from Li Yuanwai's house to hers was only a few steps.

Lin Chunyan left, found a quiet spot, and opened the red envelope. Seeing the two small silver coins inside, she smiled.

She walked quickly, thinking about what else she could make to sell at her stall. But she heard faint footsteps behind her.

Lin Chunyan turned back alertly but saw no one. Still uneasy, she quickened her pace.

From their village to her home, she had to pass through an uninhabited path, which was bumpy and uneven. Yet it was the only way.

She felt a sense of foreboding, forgetting that this was ancient times, without modern security.

Her pace quickened, almost running, but the person behind her stopped hiding and caught up in a few strides.

Hu Erqiang tightened his grip on the stick, thinking that if he knocked Lin Chunyan unconscious and took her away, the easy money would be his. His eyes gleamed with excitement.

Though he knew Lin Chunyan had nothing to do with him, Wang Dachef had specifically hired him, and even Wang Chuizi was willing to pay.

Life in this world was full of unexpected events. With these thoughts swirling in his head, he raised the stick to strike.

But in the next moment, his stick missed its mark. Lin Chunyan nimbly squatted down, throwing a stone she had picked up earlier.

The stone was neither large nor sharp.