Chapter 40 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

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Chapter 40

 

 

Wu Bai and Yin Yun inquired about Yan Shaoyuan, but no matter how they asked, they found no trace of such a person. Doubt clouded Wu Bai's heart—where had things gone wrong? Why did Yan Shaoyuan seem not to exist at all?

 

Suddenly, Wu Bai recalled the connection between Dong Heng and Su Li in his previous life. That meant Hai Shi must also have some ties to Tang Ling. Yet, the book he had read this time made no mention of Tang Ling having been entangled with another man before marrying Yan Shaoyuan. Wu Bai glanced at Hai Shi, his mind racing with speculations about what kind of relationship might have existed between him and Tang Ling.

 

Then, a memory surfaced—the book had briefly mentioned that Tang Ling once had a fiancé who had tragically passed away in his youth. A thought struck Wu Bai: could it be that Hai Shi had lost his memory due to a shipwreck and failed to return in time? If so, then Tang Ling and his family must have assumed he was dead, leading him to marry Yan Shaoyuan instead.

 

What had Hai Shi felt when he regained his memories, only to return home and discover that the ger he was supposed to marry had wed another?

 

Wu Bai shook off the thought. Whatever ultimately happened to Hai Shi, the book had made one thing clear—Yan Shaoyuan was no benevolent figure. If he were to see Hai Shi return, he would surely find a way to eliminate him. That would be entirely in line with his nature.

 

Wu Bai fell into a contemplative silence, something that did not escape Xiao Zimo's notice. He had seen Wu Bai glance at Hai Shi before his expression changed, and recalling how Wu Bai had just been asking Yin Yun about Yan Shaoyuan, he couldn't help but wonder about Hai Shi's connection to the man. Given that Hai Shi had lost his memory, could it be that he was Yan Shaoyuan himself?

 

Seeing how much this matter weighed on Wu Bai, Xiao Zimo made a mental note to have his subordinates investigate the truth.

 

Their pace was unhurried, but the cloth shop where Hai Zan worked was only a few streets away from the restaurant where they had dined earlier. Before long, they arrived.

 

At present, the only clothing Xiao Zimo owned was the set he wore; everything else he had been using belonged to Wu Bai's elder brother. Now that they were at the shop, he intended to purchase a few sets of clothes for himself—it wouldn't do to keep borrowing someone else's.

 

Before anything else, they followed Hai Zan to the small courtyard behind the shop where he lived. The room was well-equipped with all necessities, as Yin Yun had prepared everything for him upon his arrival. Otherwise, with only a few coins to his name, Hai Zan could never have afforded such a well-furnished place.

 

The room itself was neat and tidy, much to Hai Zhu's astonishment—he had never expected his elder brother's living quarters to be so well kept.

 

Hearing his younger brother's exclamation, Hai Zan felt a little embarrassed and explained, "I'm staying here free of charge, thanks to Young Master Yin. It wouldn't be right to leave the place in a mess—it would be too ungrateful."

 

"There's no need to feel that way," Yin Yun reassured him. "Aside from those who already have homes in the city, all our shop assistants are provided with lodging. This is your home now—you may arrange it however you like."

 

Having seen where Hai Zan would be staying and knowing that he would be working here, the others felt relieved. When they returned home, they could tell Father Hai and the rest, putting their worries to rest.

 

Since they had come as a group, they did not linger too long. They soon made their way out to the storefront.

 

Aside from Xiao Zimo, who purchased some fabric, no one else bought anything.

 

As the group prepared to leave, Hai Zan thought to withdraw some of his wages in advance to give to Hai Zhu, so he could bring some pastries back for their parents.

 

But Hai Zhu refused. Before leaving home, Father Hai had given him some silver, intending for it to be handed over to Hai Zan once he was found. No parent would ever stop worrying about a child who had left home, and Father Hai was no exception. Instead of accepting money, Hai Zhu insisted on giving the silver to Hai Zan.

 

Hai Zan, however, refused just as firmly. Now that he had a steady job in the city and earned wages each month, how could he take money from his parents?

 

The two brothers went back and forth, neither willing to give in, until Yin Yun proposed a solution—Hai Zan could accept the silver, then use it to buy some things for their parents.

 

Recalling how their parents seldom spent money on indulgences, Hai Zan finally relented. He accepted the silver and bought pastries for Hai Zhu to take home. In his heart, he made a silent vow—he would save more money so that in the future, he could bring even more gifts back to Father Hai and the family.

 

Seeing Hai Zan buy pastries, Xiao Zimo also stepped forward and purchased two boxes.

 

By then, the sun had already begun its descent. Not wanting to delay further, the group headed straight to a general store in the city. Once they had gathered everything they needed, they would finally return home.

 

While Brother Wu was inside selecting supplies, Xiao Zimo noticed a carriage rental shop nearby. He walked over to inquire and, as expected, it was indeed a carriage business. Without hesitation, he went inside and rented a carriage, planning to use it for the journey back. They had walked to the city earlier because they had no other choice, but now that they had the means, naturally, taking a carriage was the better option. The journey was long—they had set out in the morning and only arrived in Yangjiang Province near noon. If they walked back, they wouldn't reach home until nightfall.

 

When Brother Wu emerged from the store with his arms full of goods, he immediately noticed a carriage parked in front of the general store, with the others gathered around it, chatting. As soon as they saw him, they hurried over to help load the supplies onto the carriage.

 

"Whose carriage is this? Can we really put our things in it?" Brother Wu asked in mild surprise.

 

"Don't worry, Brother Wu. Xiao Mo just rented it from the carriage shop nearby," Wu Bai explained.

 

"Oh, oh, that's good then," Brother Wu said, relieved.

 

With all the supplies inside, space in the carriage was tight. There were quite a few people, but the carriage could only seat four inside. Seeing this, Brother Wu quickly said, "I'll sit outside with the driver. You all sit inside." Without waiting for a response, he climbed onto the driver's bench.

 

Xiao Zimo wasn't about to let the two gers sit outside, nor could he allow himself to do so. Most importantly, he couldn't let his future brother-in-law sit outside either. His gaze finally landed on Hai Shi. "You, get up and sit outside."

 

"Why should I? He already said he'd sit outside!" Hai Shi refused to move.

 

"Because I rented this carriage, and I decide who sits where. If you don't like it, get off and rent your own." Xiao Zimo's voice was cold.

 

He had disliked Hai Shi from the start. He could tell the man harbored ulterior motives, eyeing Wu Bai with ill intent. And today, he had even caught Hai Shi giving that Tang family ger, Tang Ling, a lovestruck smile. That only made Xiao Zimo dislike him even more. Now, he had the perfect chance to put him in his place while also currying favor with his future brother-in-law—how could he not take it?

 

"You're impossible!" Hai Shi cursed in frustration, but he had no money. If Xiao Zimo really threw him out, he would have no choice but to walk home. Grumbling under his breath, he unwillingly climbed onto the driver's bench.

 

Hai Zhu, watching from the side, was too intimidated to speak up. A few days ago, he had cursed Xiao Zimo and Wu Bai. Truth be told, if Xiao Zimo were to kick someone out, it should be him. He didn't dare to say a word for Hai Shi's sake.

 

Brother Wu also remained silent. The carriage was, after all, rented by Xiao Zimo. If he didn't want Hai Shi inside and was instead offering the seat to him, there was no reason for him to refuse. Saying anything more would only be ungrateful. Without another word, he climbed into the carriage.

 

With everyone settled, the driver flicked the reins, and the carriage rolled forward.

 

The journey back was much faster than their morning trek. By the time they arrived at Haining Village, the sun had just begun to set. Since it was summer, even after sunset, the sky would remain bright for a while, so they weren't worried about the driver making his way back to the city in the dark.

 

The sound of hooves was rare in the village, so as soon as the villagers, who had been cooling off outside their homes, heard it, they instinctively gathered at the village entrance.

 

From a distance, they saw Hai Shi sitting on the driver's bench.

 

Hai Shi had been in the village for over half a month now and often accompanied Hai Zhu around. Everyone recognized him and knew he and Hai Zhu had gone into the city today with the Wu family.

 

Seeing Hai Shi's return, the villagers immediately realized that Brother Wu must also be back—meaning the goods they had asked him to buy had arrived.

 

Before the carriage had even come to a full stop at the village entrance, a crowd had already swarmed around it.

 

"Bai-ger, did your brother bring back our things?"

 

"Wu boy, where's the soapberries I asked for?"

 

"And my vegetable seeds?"

 

"You actually rode a carriage back? How extravagant!"

 

"You young ones don't know how to manage money. If an elder had gone with you, you wouldn't have wasted silver on this. Walking back would have saved a good sum!"

 

"Exactly! Next time, I won't let my son go to town alone. I'll go with him. Old Wu Laoge is going to be furious when he finds out what Brother Wu did this time!"

 

Wu Bai and the others: "..."

 

Before anyone could respond, the carriage driver cut in impatiently. "Hurry up and unload your things! I need to get back!"

 

"I'll go first—where are my vegetable seeds?" an older villager called out.

 

The rest of the crowd quickly followed suit, eager to claim their belongings.

 

Seeing the commotion brewing, Wu Bai swiftly climbed onto the carriage, standing by the driver's seat. "Uncles, aunts, I know you're all anxious, but rushing won't help. Line up, and we'll distribute everything in order. No cutting in line! If anyone tries, they'll get their items last."

 

At that, everyone immediately fell into line—no one wanted to be left waiting.

 

With order restored, Wu Bai jumped down and asked the first person what they had purchased. Then, he relayed the item to Brother Wu, who was inside the carriage searching through the packages.

 

They hadn't unloaded everything at once because, with so many people present, things could easily go missing. It wouldn't be the first time someone's quick hands "mistakenly" took something that wasn't theirs.

 

Since Brother Wu had personally packed everything, he knew exactly where each item was. Once he found what Wu Bai had called for, he would pass it down, and Wu Bai would hand it to the villager. Only after they stepped aside did he move on to the next person.

 

With this method, though busy, the process was smooth and efficient. Soon, everyone had collected their belongings—far quicker than previous trips when people would haphazardly pile their orders together.

 

Once the last of the villagers had dispersed, Xiao Zimo paid the remaining carriage fee. The driver wasted no time, urging his now-empty carriage forward at a brisk pace, disappearing down the road.

 

Hai Zhu, carrying his box of pastries, left with Hai Shi. Wu Bai helped Xiao Zimo with some of the fabric, while Brother Wu, balancing the items his father had requested, walked alongside them as they made their way home.

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