Chapter 562 - 496: The Lonely Sister and Brother of the Ancient Hunter’s Family 17
Rong Yan and her two companions were quite conspicuous when they appeared in town.
There was no helping it; all three of them were good-looking.
The woman was stunningly beautiful, the men tall, powerful, and incomparably handsome.
Even the little boy had rosy lips and pearly white teeth; his exquisitely delicate features made him stand out like a celestial child, remarkably eye-catching.
Especially since they were dressed in ragged clothes, contrasting starkly with the others—looking bright and shining... as though they didn’t belong to the same world.
Qin Ye disapproved of the way people ogled Rong Yan.
Feeling disgruntled, his menacing aura began to leak out... radiating outward unchecked.
However, this forbidding appearance dissuaded many people from looking further.
Still, there were those bold enough to approach.
"Sir, please, take pity on us and spare some copper coins! We haven’t eaten in a long time..."
As some gathered around, more people started to head their way.
Before long, a crowd had congregated in front of the three.
Qin Ye’s face darkened. Without saying a word, he hoisted Rong Jin onto his back once more.
"Make way..." He was penniless at the moment; how could he spare copper coins?
And what’s more, why were there so many refugees here?
Where were the government officials? What were they doing?
Even Rong Yan was taken aback by the scene.
They’d only been in the mountains for less than two months, right? How had these people turned into famine-fleeing refugees? They were all in tatters, some barely clothed, and now deep into autumn heading toward early winter... it was certainly cold.
And this town... Even if she had never visited personally, she retained the original owner’s memories.
The original owner did not remember it ever being this derelict and dilapidated.
It felt as if the place had been swept clean by raiders.
These people... though they were begging, they did not swarm over but instead maintained a distance.
This left her feeling somewhat kindly toward them.
After all, she was not short of money at the moment, and among these people were starving children, skin and bones, pitiable to behold.
"Wait here; I’ll send someone from the restaurant to cook some rice porridge for you... It will take about an hour; make way for now."
Upon her words, the crowd really did part for her.
Rong Yan gave them a deep look, then walked through the opening they had made.
No one followed her.
That was enough to warrant a second glance.
You see, in front of refugees... For the sake of survival, they wouldn’t trust you to keep your word! They would surely cling to any lifeline available.
Even Qin Ye was surprised by their behavior.
He had intended to stop Rong Yan from her charitable act before she even started.
He had seen people giving bread to refugees and ending up swarmed by an ever-growing crowd, completely stripped by those they tried to help.
To witness such orderly conduct now was unheard of.
This made him look over at the young lady beside him a few more times.
His gaze was too obvious, and Rong Yan noticed, "What are you staring at me for?"
Caught in the act, Qin Ye’s face flushed.
"I’m wondering why those people made way for you, why they trust you?"
Hearing his question, Rong Yan arched her eyebrows, "Of course it’s because I look kind! Besides, if I weren’t kind, would you be able to stand here unhurt?"
Qin Ye: ...
Well then! He couldn’t refute that.
The three quickly arrived at a restaurant.
Rong Yan looked up and made sure this establishment wasn’t owned by the Zheng Family.
She immediately walked in.
The waiter, spotting the three entering, did a double-take... Heavens, was he seeing immortals?
"Call your shopkeeper; I have a business proposition for him."
While speaking, Rong Yan took two silver ingots from her bundle and placed them on the table.
The waiter snapped back to reality.
He hurriedly said, "Immortal, I beg your pardon... I will go fetch the shopkeeper right away..."
After saying that, he ran off at full speed.
Rong Yan: ...
Who’s calling me an immortal?
At the very least, shouldn’t it be ’fairy’?
"Sister is a celestial fairy," little boy offered understandingly.
He was forever his Sister’s biggest fan.
Qin Ye: "... Yes, your Sister is a fairy." His fairy.
The shopkeeper arrived promptly.
Upon seeing Rong Yan, he was taken aback for a moment. Wasn’t this young lady Rong Zhihu’s daughter?
He was somewhat hesitant to recognize her, afraid of making a mistake, for the difference in their presences was vast.
Still, he ventured tentatively, "You are... Miss Rong?"
Rong Yan then remembered that the original owner’s father used to send his game to this restaurant.
"Hello, Manager Hao."
Her greeting confirmed her identity.
Manager Hao hadn’t expected it was truly her.
He was excited, "Miss Rong, it’s so good to see you unharmed!" He had intended to go to the village to fetch them.
After all, he had a very good relationship with Rong Zhihu.
But when he set out, he was a step too late because he’d been delayed by other matters.
When he arrived at that village... the village chief said Rong Zhihu’s children had gone up the mountain and wouldn’t be coming back.
He had been remorseful about it for a long time.
Seeing the young lady’s current state of health... it was clear she had been doing very well.
That was a relief!
"Thank you, Manager Hao, for your concern. My brother and I are both doing well! Jin, hurry and greet Manager Hao."
Rong Jin had already gotten down from Qin Ye’s back.
He was very polite: "Hello, Manager Hao!"
Manager Hao saw the fair-skinned, slightly chubby child... he could hardly recognize him.
Has this little one been raised so well recently?
"It’s Jin! I nearly didn’t recognize you."
"Manager Hao, about those refugees outside... I will provide the Silver, and you use that to buy some rice and give it to the refugees outside to make porridge."
She had not thought of this shopkeeper before.
Now that she knew he was an old acquaintance and his character was quite decent, she could give a bit more money.
She just took out two Silver Ingots.
She was ready to take out a few more... adding up to one hundred taels, which she estimated would allow those outside to drink porridge for some time.
It could also give them a chance to... find something to do.
So they wouldn’t starve to death.
Qin Ye saw her actions and guessed her thoughts.
He quickly and deftly stopped her.
"Miss Rong, wait, I’ll provide the remaining money for the porridge... My man should be arriving soon, he will bring the Silver. When he arrives, I’ll give one thousand taels for you to buy rice and make porridge."
As he spoke, Manager Hao noticed him.
At a glance... this young man was obviously no ordinary person.
"Miss Rong, who is this..."
"Oh, he is a distant relative from my mother’s side." He originally wanted to say that he was Miss Rong’s fiancé.
But he was afraid that if he said that, he might get killed on the spot by the woman he cared for.
Rong Yan: ...?
Wasn’t I your creditor? How did I become a distant relative?
However, for such a trivial matter, she was not too concerned.
"Yes, he is a relative from my mother’s side. Since he says he will provide the Silver, then let him! Manager Hao, first take this to buy some food."
"...Okay!" Originally, Manager Hao did not want to take the money, but since the relative didn’t seem to lack money, and the Rong siblings showed no objection, he accepted the Silver.
He also wanted to do good, but his own financial situation was not so robust.
"Then, I will go and get things ready."
There was enough rice for the refugees today, so he first told the kitchen to start cooking.
Then he sent someone to buy more rice...
Qin Ye glanced at Rong Yan’s expression and saw her giving him a smiling yet not-so-smiling look, and he couldn’t help but inwardly curse.
"Miss Rong, let me explain..."
Rong Yan lightly glanced his way, cutting off his words, "There’s no need to explain how you contacted your man; I’m only concerned about my money."
Qin Ye: ...
Hearing this, he grew even more panicked.
She was not listening, but he still felt he needed to explain.
"Actually, I just got in contact with my Hidden Guard three days ago..." his voice was both weak and guilty.
Coming to his senses, he wasn’t even sure what he was feeling guilty about.
This felt like the first time in his life he was so timid.
No help for it, just one soft look from Miss Rong’s eye was enough.
To make him feel like he had made a mistake.
Rong Yan ignored him.
Right at that moment, the waiter brought over a pot of tea.
Qin Ye quickly stopped his pouring motion.
"You go down, I’ll do it."
The waiter was slightly stunned. A noble person wanting to serve himself?
He put down the teapot.
As he was about to leave, he heard the nobleman’s words, "Wait, book us a private room and then have the kitchen prepare a banquet, the best your restaurant offers."
The waiter immediately responded, "Of course, guest, I will arrange it right away!"
After he left, Qin Ye poured tea for Rong Yan, "Miss Rong, try this tea, it’s quite good..."
His subordinate, when he arrived, saw his master attentively pouring tea for a young woman... the impact was considerable.
How to describe it—this entirely ingratiating smile... truly very servile.
Qin Yi thought this and turned a few shades paler.
Tsk, tsk, tsk... How could he think this of his master? It was downright disrespectful.
But now came a dilemma... should he step forward or back?
Before he could think more, he heard the young woman being served by his master softly speak, "Your man has arrived."
He was instantly startled.
Qin Ye turned his head to look.
His tone was not very pleasant, "Hu Dao, what are you standing there gawking at?"
Hu Dao: ...I was just shocked by you, master.
"Master, I have just arrived."
Right, he had just arrived and hadn’t seen anything.
Qin Ye snorted.
"Have you gotten ready everything I asked for?"
Hu Dao immediately replied, "Master, everything has been prepared, and the carriage is parked outside."
"Fine, do you have Silver on you? First, give me a thousand taels," Qin Ye was quite bold with money.
Hu Dao: ...One thousand taels?
Master, aren’t you making it hard for your subordinate?
Rong Yan glanced at the man’s expression, which had turned into one of dismay. She immediately had a very bad feeling.
Could it be that he didn’t have any money?
Qin Ye naturally noticed Hu Dao’s expression too.
His face froze for a moment, "You don’t have a silver note on you?"
