Chapter 608: Unexpected Discovery
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Li Xiaoran looked in the direction of the voice and saw the little boy she had seen during the day walking out of the darkness.
“Of course I’m telling the truth. Do you know how to grill fish?”
The little boy didn’t answer. He just walked over and sat beside Li Xiaoran.
Luo Cheng and the others sensed that someone was approaching, but they felt that the other party had no ill intentions, so they didn’t stop him.
However, they didn’t expect that it would be the little boy they had seen during the day.
Li Xiaoran looked at the little boy and asked, “Do you have any concerns?
The little boy looked up at Li Xiaoran.
The little boy didn’t answer Li Xiaoran’s question. Instead, he asked, “Why do you want to find someone who knows how to make grilled fish and roasted meat? There are many chefs in White Foothill City, right?”
Li Xiaoran explained, “That’s right. There are many chefs around White Foothill City, but it’s not easy to roast meat and grill fish. The fire temperature of stir-fried dishes is very different from that of roasted meat and grilled fish! It’s very difficult for those who are used to cooking with pots to correct their habits. They can’t control the fire temperature of the roasted meat well!” The little boy nodded when he heard Li Xiaoran’s words.
“You’re not lying to me. You’re really looking for someone who makes roasted meat or grilled fish! I want to ask, if a woman works at your place, will she be bullied?”
The little boy stared at Li Xiaoran intently.
When Li Xiaoran looked into the little boy’s eyes, she realized that they were very bright in the night.
Li Xiaoran replied, “No, I naturally have to protect my people. Capable people will obtain other people’s respect, and it’s the same for women. Of course, if this person isn’t willing to, there’s nothing I can do!”
The boy asked again, “How can I believe you’re telling the truth?”
Hearing this, Li Xiaoran laughed.
“Believe it or not! I have a clear conscience anywvay! If you don’t believe me, there’s no need for us to work together!”
When the little boy heard Li Xiaoran’s words, he was silent for a while.
“I believe you!”
With that. the little bov looked at Li Xiaoran.
“When are you leaving tomorrow?”
Li Xiaoran thought for a moment and said, “Maybe tomorrow afternoon!”
When the little boy heard this, he said firmly, “If you want to leave, leave early in the morning!”
Wanting to figure out what he was thinking, Li Xiaoran stared at the little boy, but she sensed calmness.
In other words, the little boy in front of her was emotionless at this moment. He was calm and determined.
“Why?” This time, it was Li Xiaoran who asked.
“This place is called Eastwater Village. The people here aren’t as good as you think! It’s better to leave as soon as possible!” Then, the little boy’s eyes dimmed and he fell silent.
As Li Xiaoran looked at him, she suddenly said, “Is this the reason you’ve been pretending to be a boy? Is that why you asked us to leave quickly?” When the little boy heard Li Xiaoran’s words, he looked at her in surprise.
“When did you figure it out?”
Li Xiaoran said, “Don’t be surprised. Your disguise is very good, so ordinary people can’t tell! The reason I can tell is that I have different abilities!” Li Xiaoran asked, “If I’m not mistaken, are you planning to follow us secretly after we leave?! Have you really decided? If you leave, what will happen to your parents?”
The “little boy” smiled at that.
“If I don’t leave now, they’ll sell me to a family as a child bride!” When Li Xiaoran heard this, she was stunned.
It wasn’t that Li Xiaoran had not heard of the term ‘child bride’ before.
However, this was the first time she met someone really willing to give their child away as a child bride. Li Xiaoran was shocked and heartbroken.
Li Xiaoran asked suspiciously, “Your family isn’t in such a dire situation that they have to send you to be a child bride, right?”
Although the man and woman who came today were dressed very simply, they didn’t look like they were from a poor family.
“Because someone has taken a fancy to me! If my parents had resisted and protected me, I wouldn’t be so sad. Unfortunately, from the beginning to the end, my parents seemed to have resigned themselves to fate! Yes, the Song family is indeed well-off and own a coal mine. After I marry into the family, I won’t have to worry about food and clothes. But I’m going to suffer. My so-called future husband is still a one-year-old child. I’m already 16 years old now. When my man grows up, I’ll be in my thirties! I’m going to suffer my entire life!” The little boy told her what had happened.
For some reason, she had a gut feeling.
If she didn’t tell them about her predicament today, she would probably never have a chance to escape in the future.
The little boy finally looked at Li Xiaoran expectantly and said, “Don’t worry, the roasted meat and grilled fish I make taste very good! I just need salt and some onions, ginger, and garlic to make very delicious grilled fish. If you really want to find such a person, bring me along. You definitely won’t regret it!”
When Li Xiaoran heard the little boy’s words, she was thinking about something else.
This matter was easy to resolve, since it would be easy for them to take her away.
Now, there was something more serious to deal with.
When Luo Cheng heard Li Xiaoran and the little boy’s conversation, his expression became more and more serious.
One had to know that Luo Cheng didn’t know that there was actually a coal mine in his fief.
He had just gone to take over White Foothill City with Luo Han some time ago, but no one had told him that there was a coal mine in White Foothill City.
One had to know that opening a coal mine to mine coal wasn’t a simple matter.
The taxes on coal mines were also different.
However, from the tax records of the past few years, there was no tax reported by the coal mine at all.
In that case, the coal mine was privately mined.
How bold!
Did they think that they could do whatever they wanted just because no one knew?
Luo Cheng promised, “I can save you and protect you. Moreover, if you really have the ability to grill fish, I’ll give you a very high salary. But there’s something you need to tell me honestly. Tell me as much as you know about the coal mine.. Don’t hide anything!”