Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Gathering Charcoal_l

Translator: 549690339

Wei Ruo and her group went over to find a residence in the alleyway completely collapsed, with accumulated snow covering the ruins.

They asked the onlookers, and were told that the homeowner was safe, having been rescued. However, their house was gone; the women were sitting in the alley crying, while the men were trying to salvage anything useful from the rubble.

Wei Ruo watched for a while, then quietly led Wei Jinyi away.

Wei Ruo didn’t do anything, not because she didn’t feel sympathy for the family, but because she saw that they would somehow survive. Others were likely facing even more dire circumstances.

Wei Jinyi didn’t say anything either. Although he didn’t ask, he knew what Wei Ruo was thinking. On this matter, their views were aligned.

As they continued walking forward, they frequently saw dilapidated houses that had collapsed due to neglect. But most people who lived in the city were in reasonably good shape.

However, this gave them some insight: if so many homes were collapsing within the city, the situation in the smaller villages outside the city must be even more severe.

After a while, they arrived in front of Four Treasure House and Xu’s Stewed Food Shop.

The door of Four Treasure House was half-open. There were people inside, but the shop was not open for business. In contrast, Xu’s Stewed Food Shop was open, yet the entrance was deserted, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle.

It was natural to think that today, people didn’t have the mood to buy stewed food to eat.

Another assistant was not in the shop, with only Chen Aqing busying herself inside.

Upon seeing Wei Ruo, a flicker of joy passed through Chen Aqing’s eyes, but it quickly faded when she saw the strange males alongside her.

“Don’t worry, this man is an exception. He’s my second brother. The only one in my family I can trust and confide in,” Wei Ruo explained to Chen Aqing.

Wei Ruo didn’t notice Wei Jinyi’s changing expression behind her as she explained.

Someone unique, someone with whom she can share her heart. That was her validation of him.

“Aqing, didn’t I send a message yesterday? If the snow is too heavy, you don’t need to open shop today. Didn’t you receive the message?” asked Wei Ruo.

“I received it. Don’t worry, Miss. I made a very small amount today. Occasionally one or two people come to buy, and by nightfall, it should be sold out,” Chen Aqing explained.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s such a cold day and there aren’t many customers. Since the year is nearly over, take this opportunity to rest for a few days,” said Wei Ruo.

Those who work in her shop basically do not get a day off.

Chen Aqing shook her head, “Miss, let me keep working here. They say business is best around the New Year. Besides, I have nowhere else to go. If the shop doesn’t open, I have nothing else to do.”

Chen Aqing’s parents were still alive, but their place was not a home she could return to.

If she went back, the money she earned would probably be taken by her parents and she might also get beaten.

“Alright then, if you get tired, just take a few days off. It’s the end of the year, and I don’t want to be accused of exploiting my workers,” Wei Ruo said with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Miss, I won’t,” Chen Aqing replied.

After briefly explaining several things to Chen Aqing, Wei Ruo went over to Four Treasure House next door.

The door was ajar, and Wei Ruo easily pushed it open and went in.

“Miss, you came to see our boss, didn’t you?”

The shop assistant recognized her, as Wei Ruo had paid them many visits before, although the exact relationship between her and Four Treasure House was unclear to him.

Wei Ruo asked, “Is your boss around?”

“The boss is in the backyard,” answered the assistant.

So, Wei Ruo went straight through the shop to the small courtyard at the back.

Wei Jinyi silently followed her, his mind full of questions.

Inside the courtyard, Xu Zhushan was busy chopping firewood.

The snow had fallen on the woodpile in the yard, and Xu Zhushan was organizing them, cutting them up, and storing them in the shed.

Recently, he had been helping Wei Ruo with her estate’s affairs and had no opportunity to attend to such chores at home. With the bad weather preventing him from going out, it was the perfect time to do these tasks.

“Mr. Xu.”

“Miss!” As soon as he saw Wei Ruo, Xu Zhushan quickly put down his work. “Miss, the weather is so cold and the roads are covered with snow. Why did you come?”

“It’s not far away. I came to have a look and pick up some things,” replied Wei Ruo.

The wet nurse, who had been alerted by the sound of conversation, also came out of the house. Upon seeing Wei Ruo, her face lit up with joy.

“Miss, come inside quickly. It’s cold outside; don’t catch a cold,” she urged, pulling Wei Ruo into the house.

It was only after she approached them that she noticed two unfamiliar faces following Wei Ruo.

The wet nurse was taken aback.

“This is my second brother,” Wei Ruo replied.

The wet nurse was unsure how to greet Wei Jinyi.

Wei Jinyi said, “Just carry on with your conversation, don’t mind me.”

To avoid further awkwardness, Wei Ruo told the wet nurse, “I came here today to get some silver chestnut charcoal from you. After I pick it up, we’ll leave. We don’t plan on staying long.”

“Okay. I should have delivered it to you earlier. The roads are difficult to travel now; I’m afraid we won’t be able to transport too much at once.” said the wet nurse, looking somewhat regretful.

Upon hearing the conversation between Wei Ruo and the wet nurse, Xiaobei looked surprised.

That silver chestnut charcoal was a pricey material, especially given the recent weather. It made good charcoal hard to find.

But from their conversation, it seemed as if they had a vast supply of the silver chestnut charcoal at home, as if they could effortlessly produce a large cartload of it out of thin air.

“No problem, we’re only taking two bags this time.”

“Won’t two bags be too little? It’s been cold these past few days. You can’t let the charcoal fire in your place go out, or else you’ll catch a cold,” the wet nurse said.

“Two bags should last for a while. When it runs out, we’ll come back to get more,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Alright, then. Let Old Xu deliver it to you,” said the wet nurse.

“There’s no need. We can carry the two bags ourselves. We won’t trouble Mr. Xu,” responded Wei Ruo.

Xiumei quickly followed up with, “I can carry the two bags back by myself.”

Hearing this, Xiaobei quickly said, “Let me do it, Lady Xiumei. This is not a task for a lady like you. I can handle it.”

You don’t need to argue with me. You look as skinny as a monkey. Just focus on walking safely. The roads are slippery, and you might fall,” said Xiumei.

Hearing this, Xiaobei was not pleased. “Lady Xiumei, if a lady like you isn’t afraid of falling, why should I, a man, be afraid? No, I should be the one to carry the heavy stuff.”

Wei Ruo could not stand it anymore: “Stop arguing. The wet nurse here has a small trolley. We can just push it.”

Although the main road was not usable for carriage, a push cart could still be used. As long as it wasn’t pushed too hard to make it slide away, everything would be fine.

“Yes, yes, we have a cart. It’s easier to push it back,” the wet nurse quickly added..