Hua Xiaomai was startled and involuntarily stopped in her tracks, holding the little walnut in her arms even more securely.
Having just seen Zhou Yunyun struggling to speak, she had guessed in her heart that the young girl must have quarreled with Wen Huaren, felt uncomfortable to speak of it to others and was thus holding it in, seeking to confide in her. But who could have imagined it was actually Zhou Qing planning to sell his daughter?
On one hand, she found it almost unbelievable, but on the other, she knew all too well that Zhou Yunyun had absolutely no reason to joke about such a matter, and a fire seed to whoosh out of the top of her head.
Zhou Qing was known in Fire Knife Village as a notorious drunkard and gambler, one who beat his children and wife, and was capable of any vile deed. Wasn’t the reason he sent Zhou Yunyun to learn cooking in the hopes that his eldest daughter, once trained, could make a living for him?
Oh, his daughter had been apprenticed for over a year, had finally beco skilled enough to earn money, and now he wanted to sell her off? If that wasn’t lunacy, what was? If he truly harbored such intentions to sell his daughter, what had he been doing all this ti?
Hua Xiaomai was utterly baffled and, turning around with furrowed brows, said, "Has your dad gone mad from all the drinking?"
Zhou Yunyun hadn’t told anyone about this matter. Normally, she could barely control her emotions, but now that she had blurted it out in front of Hua Xiaomai, she couldn’t hold back the sour feeling in her heart any longer and cried so hard she nearly passed out, drawing the attention of passing villagers.
"Co over here." Hua Xiaomai pulled her to a secluded spot, "What exactly happened?"
"A few days ago, my younger sister secretly ca to tell ..." Zhou Yunyun sobbed intermittently, "My dad heard from the broker that soone with skills like mine would sell for a lot more if sold to a wealthy household, and he was tempted. My sister said my dad had already notified the broker to help look out for a generous family... Master, what should I do?"
Hua Xiaomai still frowned, "In February, you received your first paycheck, didn’t you? Not to brag, but for a new chef like you who hasn’t yet mastered the main stove, that amount must have been quite decent, you must be aware of it. Doesn’t your dad understand that this is a long-term livelihood?"
"I..." Zhou Yunyun choked up, and the rest of her words didn’t co out.
So there must be so hidden trouble?
Hua Xiaomai had an idea but didn’t press her for answers, instead changing the subject, "Does Scholar Wen know about this?"
"I haven’t told Sister-in-law Chun Xi and the others." Zhou Yunyun replied, skirting the issue, "Those two sister-in-laws are a bit hot-tempered and have always been kind to . If they found out, they would definitely confront my dad and seek justice for . He’s a ruthless man and in his anger, he might do anything rash. If that troubles their hos, it wouldn’t be right; I would feel guilty!"
It wasn’t a situation that could be explained in just a mont. Holding back the rush of anger, Hua Xiaomai waved her hand, "Alright, for now, you better go back to the shop. I too need to quickly find Brother Great Saint; we can’t let the little walnut stay out in the wind. After the lunch rush, co to my house, and we’ll talk slowly then—since you’re so distracted, try not to handle knives too much when working in the kitchen, to avoid hurting yourself, alright?"
It was clear from her intentions that she planned to take charge of the situation. Zhou Yunyun let out a silent sigh of relief, feeling sowhat more at ease, obediently nodded, wiped her face, and turned back to Daoxiang Garden.
Hua Xiaomai watched her retreating figure for a while, shook her head, sighed, and carried the little walnut towards Zhenwei Garden.
...
This trip went smoothly; after ntioning the haircut, Sun Great Saint imdiately agreed cheerfully, even expressing his delight, stating that he and ng Yuhuai were like brothers, and it was only right that he should handle it. He promptly borrowed a set of barber’s tools and followed Hua Xiaomai back to the ng Family courtyard.
The little walnut was entirely unwilling to have his head shaved, stiffened his body completely, and cried incessantly.
As ng Yuhuai had said, the child’s strength was indeed considerable for an infant. Afraid of hurting him, Hua Xiaomai dared not apply too much force, yet she couldn’t let go and had to hold him down, alternating between coaxing and amusing him, sweating profusely. It took a whole incense stick’s ti to properly shave his head. Taking advantage of the warm weather, she also gave the little walnut a bath, and repeatedly sighed to herself that raising a child was truly no easy task.
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