20. A Tragedy Unfolded

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She couldn’t just stay; the tickets she held were gone. All the things she bought fell under the food category, and now that tickets were required, no matter what, she had to buy a whole bunch. She packed everything into the mesh bag fixed onto the bicycle basket. Time slipped by unnoticed as she wandered around, watching the sun steadily sink westward overhead. Worried that her grandparents might be anxious, she decided to leave.

Before she had even exited the town, Jiang Ruo sensed something was wrong. She... was being followed!

Considering her previous careless extravagance, it wasn’t surprising someone had set their sights on her. She had thoroughly displayed the image of a naïve spender. The streets were small, and since she hadn’t left immediately, it was only natural for someone to tail her. She glanced back at a certain spot behind her, a slow, confident smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she quickened her pace.

If they wanted to rob her, they’d have to be able to catch her first. Even if they did, who knew who would end up victimizing whom? Sure enough, as she sped up, the two figures behind her also hastened their run.

After about ten minutes, seeing those two still relentlessly chasing, Jiang Ruo couldn’t help but admire their stamina. Their endurance was impressive; she still hadn’t shaken them off. Since that was the case, she stopped on the spot, deciding not to move any further.

Being followed by two pests was ruining her mood.

The two, nearly out of breath and on the verge of giving up, suddenly brightened when the bicycle ahead came to a halt, and they resumed their pursuit eagerly. When they finally surrounded the bike, panting heavily, their first instinct was greedy eyes fixed on the basket’s contents. They hesitated—it seemed a bit scanty, but if they could rob something, it was still worth it.

After all... they had seen that this was someone wealthy, carrying a wallet stuffed with plenty of tickets. At worst, the bicycle itself was worth a good deal.

“What do you want?” Jiang Ruo looked at the two, who were gasping for air, and gave up pretending.

With their appearance, they were no match for a single hand from her to handle both.

“Huff… Huff… Leave the stuff, and we’ll let you go…” the young man in black, hands on his knees, panted as he threatened her, though lacking any real force.

“Brother Qiang... there’s still money…” the other reminded, also gasping.

“Y-Yes… leave… all the money… on you… and we’ll let you go… otherwise… don’t blame us for being rude.”

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They had finished their threats, but a normal girl would have shown fear. They waited and waited, but not only was she unafraid, she even smiled at them—a chilling, hellish smile that made their scalps tingle.

Two grown men were being underestimated by a little girl and a trickster like her. Then... disaster struck!

In their excitement, their already irregular breathing was thrown into chaos—“cough, cough, cough...” The air was filled with dreadful coughing.

Jiang Ruo instinctively stepped back two paces, her eyes full of disdain.

These thugs were too stupid. If they wanted to rob someone, at least have some handy tool. They should have had a vehicle; no one would be so exhausted and foolish.

The two, exhausted and foolish, felt wronged: If they had a vehicle, would they still be petty thieves?

She steadied the bike, not wanting to waste any more time with these idiots.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the sounds of punches and kicks, accompanied by terrified screams from the men.

As for the nearly fatal coughing fit, it strangely disappeared.

After beating them up, Jiang Ruo looked at the few pennies in her hand with disgust, her face full of anger as she stared at them.

Her gaze made the two so ashamed that they didn’t dare raise their heads, as if their lack of money was a heinous sin.

Sigh! Better than nothing, Jiang Ruo shook her head at them, then refreshed and pushed the bike forward, leaving the two battered men behind with a carefree silhouette.

The bruised and battered pair could never have imagined such a little girl was so fierce—not only did she rob nothing, but she also took their few pennies and left them battered.

Truly, they had failed to steal the chicken and ended up owing for the rice.

“Ah woo woo...” From afar came the pitiful sound of their crying on the wind.

Time passed swiftly on the way home. Before entering the village, she stopped and went into a nearby grove. Aside from seeds, she took out all her haul this time. The front and rear seats of her bike were piled almost like a small mountain. Only because of her strength was it manageable; otherwise, it would have been impossible to carry.

A few minutes later, she deliberately took a detour to avoid the old locust tree at the village entrance. Perhaps everyone was still busy in the fields, and she was lucky to meet no one on the way.

Back home, she opened the door and entered in one smooth motion, too lazy to stand the bike up, just leaning it against the wall. When she turned, she saw her third aunt staring wide-eyed, her gaze fixed straight on the bike.

“Ruo... Ruo Ruo, how much stuff did you buy this time?” Zhao Su Zhen finally looked away from the bike in surprise and glanced at her niece.

“Not much, not much. It’s all things we’ll need later,” Jiang Ruo said casually, quickly untying the ropes.

Zhao Su Zhen hurried forward to help, touching the bags to feel their weight, her heart trembling involuntarily.

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How much money must this be!

The child wouldn’t have spent all her money, would she?

Once everything was placed in the main hall, spread out on the floor and tables, the shock left them almost numb.

Zhao Su Zhen hesitated to touch the thermos—such a good thing. She hadn’t expected Ruo Ruo to bring back another one from just one trip. Now that should be enough.

There was no way around it. Although the family already had two, the number of people was too many, and one was kept in Ruo Ruo’s room. Though it could be used, no one could enter without her permission.

Looking at this, then that, Zhao Su Zhen realized for the first time that even her eyes were overwhelmed.

After a while, she snapped back to reality. The child must be thirsty after being out so long. Just as she blamed herself for being careless, she saw Ruo Ruo had already filled a big basin with water for herself, then calmly sat back down in the armchair inside the house.

“Auntie, pick a pair of the Liberation Shoes inside for Uncle San and Fourth Uncle, and one for yourself. Also, take a toothbrush each, and grab one jar each of clam oil and face cream.”

The rest of the things would have to wait until Grandpa and Grandma returned to be distributed. Jiang Ruo was too lazy to worry about it now.

“A-And... what about ours?”

So surprised! How did Ruo Ruo know she wanted Liberation Shoes? Zhao Su Zhen was deeply touched.

The shoes on her husband’s feet were the ones sent back by the army years ago. Though cherished, they had long since worn out.

“Yes, all accounted for. Didn’t Grandpa’s shoes already have holes? I just bought some extras. Everyone’s got some.”

Hearing this, Zhao Su Zhen, usually expressionless, smiled for the first time, clearly very happy.

“Our Ruo Ruo is really so considerate. Auntie thanks you for thinking of us. Auntie will give you money…”

She never intended to accept money, but her third aunt’s words softened Jiang Ruo’s expression considerably.

She was willing to give if she wished, but never wanted it taken for granted. This was a principle not only the original owner knew but one she had understood since childhood.

She drained the basin of water, then stopped her aunt from leaving.

“Auntie, do you not want the things I bought?”

Her small face darkened in an instant; a child’s expression can change in a flash.