Chapter 31: Handsome! Wealthy!

As soon as Bai Yan entered the courtyard, she kept sniffing and had already caught the scent of chicken. Hearing Madam Zhao speak, she nodded enthusiastically and dashed toward the kitchen like a little rocket.

However, before she could rush out, Jiang Chengyan grabbed her from behind. He was much taller than Bai Yan and lifted her so that her feet dangled above the ground. Bai Yan stared blankly at the man who had effortlessly picked her up with one hand, utterly bewildered.

“No need to do any chores. Unless someone hits you, don’t go around using force. Do you hear me?” Before leaving, Jiang Chengyan tugged at the little rabbit’s ears and gave her a stern warning, lest she got into any trouble.

“I understand,” Bai Yan nodded solemnly.

Jiang Chengyan was about to say more, but she had already hopped down and rushed into the kitchen.

...

Inside the kitchen, Bai Yan sat obediently in front of the stove, helping Madam Zhao tend the fire. Madam Zhao had deliberately scooped out a large chicken drumstick and stood there, tearing it into shreds.

After tending the fire for a while, Bai Yan turned to glance at Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao caught sight of the little girl out of the corner of her eye. She couldn’t help but admit that the troublesome debt collector had indeed taken good care of this girl; every bit of her was delicate and pampered, even the hairpin on her head was finely crafted.

“Girl, let me ask you—what do you think of Jiang Chengyan as a person?” With no one else in the kitchen, Madam Zhao asked Bai Yan bluntly.

Bai Yan tilted her head, her voice soft and sweet. “He’s handsome and rich!”

“Pfft.” Madam Zhao scoffed, clearly unimpressed by the answer.

“Rich? People in the village think he’s in the county town trading goods, but I know for a fact—he doesn’t even have a storefront, let alone that he’s always coming and going mysteriously. So, his money—eight or nine times out of ten—it’s not earned honestly,” Madam Zhao said as she finished tearing the chicken and began adding seasonings for cold shredded chicken.

Bai Yan’s little nose twitched again, but Madam Zhao continued, “There’s no good in following a man like that, always anxious and afraid.”

Bai Yan stared blankly at Madam Zhao, who couldn’t help but curse inwardly, “Little fool!”

“I’m not a little fool! Husband said I just haven’t gotten used to things here yet,” Bai Yan retorted, clearly unhappy at being called a fool.

She turned away, her back to Madam Zhao in a fit of pique.

“Do you like our family?” Madam Zhao deliberately squatted next to Bai Yan, holding the bowl full of shredded chicken.

Bai Yan gulped.

“I do,” she replied sullenly.

“Well, how about you marry our Cheng An? If you do, I’ll make dumplings for you every day! And chicken soup every day,” Madam Zhao’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Bai Yan.

...

The young girl blinked her long eyelashes and looked earnestly at Madam Zhao. “But husband said you and father are very poor.”

Madam Zhao: “...”

“Husband said you’re poor, so I should eat less and wait for him to come back and make me something delicious.” Bai Yan had no doubt about Jiang Chengyan’s words; he had never lied to her.

With the household so shabby, how could they have chicken soup and dumplings every day!

Bai Yan’s expression revealed exactly what was on her mind, and Madam Zhao instantly wilted like a frosted eggplant.

“Mother, Cheng An’s leg hurts badly. I’m taking him to the county town to see a doctor. Don’t leave the house while we’re gone.” Father Jiang was anxious, carrying Cheng An on his back and searching for a bullock cart to take to the county.

Madam Zhao hurried to fetch their savings for Father Jiang.

It was only then that she realized—there wasn’t much silver left in the house after all.