RFGCF 08

Chapter – 08

A Dog’s Eyes Look Down on People

He’d glanced back specifically at the two young children—skinny and dried up, dressed in rags that clearly showed they didn’t get enough to eat or wear. Then he looked at the so-called “foolish girl” the man had mentioned, and initially didn’t think much of it.

But unexpectedly, while he was in the back room reporting to the shopkeeper, when he came back out, he saw the foolish girl talking to one of the other shop assistants about selling medicinal herbs.

Zhou Er wasn’t like the other assistants who worked diligently. He loafed around the shop, slacking off and cutting corners. He also knew the shopkeeper had been finding fault with him lately, and had been worrying about how to get back in the boss’s good graces. Well, now an opportunity had presented itself.

Zhou Er walked over and pushed the young assistant aside. “A customer’s here. You go handle the medicine sales—I’ll take care of this.”

The young assistant shot Zhou Er a look, didn’t want to argue with him, and walked away without a word.

Zhou Er gave Ye Xiaohua a shifty-eyed once-over, glanced at the mantis eggs spread out on the counter, and recalled what he’d overheard outside. His smile was malicious. Since she was just a fool, there was no need for him to put on airs. “This stuff of yours isn’t worth anything.”

Not worth anything?

Ye Xiaohua sneered inwardly. Even if she was new in town and didn’t know the market for medicinal herbs, a whole pile of mantis eggs had to be worth at least a few copper coins.

But Zhou Er was dead certain that Ye Xiaohua was just a simpleton, and the little boy behind her clearly didn’t know anything either. One sharp look from him sent the kid scurrying behind his sister, probably ready to wet his pants if he so much as raised his voice.

Zhou Er felt neither sympathy nor pity for the siblings—not that Ye Xiaohua needed any. She just couldn’t stand the way he was treating them like fools and stringing them along.

Zhou Er was quite pleased with what he saw. He casually pawed through the mantis eggs in the basket, then pulled his hand back, his expression dripping with disdain. “This is a medicine shop, not a junk yard. But since I’m a kind-hearted soul, I’ll give you three copper coins for this rubbish—go buy yourselves some steamed buns.”

Zhou Er knew full well that mantis eggs were valuable medicinal ingredients, and not cheap either. This batch was worth at least thirty to fifty coins. Later, when the shopkeeper came, he’d report only half the price, pocket the difference, and still score points with the boss.

But he was thinking a bit too much ahead.

After all, Ye Xiaohua wasn’t truly foolish.

Ye Xiaohua knew this shop assistant had a rotten heart. Seeing how young they were, he was deliberately trying to cheat them. Even if she argued with him till she was blue in the face, she probably wouldn’t get much for her goods. In that case, she might as well try another shop.

Zhou Er never expected this foolish girl to have such a stubborn temper. If she thought three copper coins was too little, he could have offered a few more. But without even saying a word, she gathered the mantis eggs back into her basket, took her little brother’s hand, and prepared to leave.

The assistant who had spoken to Ye Xiaohua earlier glanced over at Zhou Er’s situation and shook his head. But Zhou Er was a nasty piece of work, and though his heart ached for the two kids, he didn’t dare say anything.

After all, if he really got into a conflict with Zhou Er, he might lose his own job—and then his own children would end up just as pitiful as these two.

Seeing Ye Xiaohua step away, Zhou Er—with his long arms and long legs—darted out from behind the counter in two or three quick strides and grabbed hold of the basket on her back. “Girl, what’s the hurry? I wasn’t finished talking.”

Ye Xiaohua turned around, realizing this man was about to get rough…

But just as she braced herself, someone suddenly burst through the shop entrance in a rush, shoving Ye Xiaohua hard without even glancing at her. “Get out of the way!” he barked.

The moment Zhou Er saw who it was, his hand instantly let go, and his fierce expression melted into one of fawning obsequiousness.

Ye Xiaohua had been shoved, and the impact nearly sent little Xiaodouzi stumbling—if she hadn’t reacted quickly, the little fellow would have smashed into a pillar.

The man paid no attention to what was happening with Ye Xiaohua—he had no idea the little girl was glaring at him. He turned and bellowed at Zhou Er, “Where’s the doctor? Get your shopkeeper out here—now!”

Zhou Er had none of his earlier swagger left. Now he was so scared his legs nearly gave out and he almost dropped to his knees. His voice even started stammering, “The… the doctor’s out on a house call. The shopkeeper… the shopkeeper went to collect debts. I don’t know… when they’ll be back. Do you… do you need something?”

Zhou Er was so rattled by the man’s dark expression that he was talking nonsense. Even after he’d asked that last question, he wanted to slap himself. Who comes to a medicine shop for no reason? Who’d be in such a panic for nothing?

Sure enough, the man grabbed him by the collar, leaving Zhou Er flustered and at a loss. “No kidding! Where did the doctor go? If anything happens to our young master…”

“I… I don’t know where the doctor went either.” Zhou Er was on the verge of tears. He really had no idea.

By now, Ye Xiaohua and her little brother were squeezed against a pillar by the two men, with the fierce-looking man blocking the doorway. If she tried to leave now, she’d probably get shoved around again. Since she wasn’t in a hurry anyway, she figured she’d hang around a little longer.

Who knew—maybe a big deal would walk through the door.

Ye Xiaohua carefully sized up the newcomer’s clothing. The outfit was all black, but the quality of the fabric—she’d brushed against it for just a moment when he passed—felt quite nice to the touch. It put their own coarse hemp clothes to shame, leagues above.

Besides, from what he’d said himself, he was just a servant with a master above him. If even a servant could dress this well, the master was probably someone with money to burn.

As she was thinking this, another voice came from outside the door—a woman’s voice, sounding young. Ye Xiaohua followed the sound and saw a large carriage parked at the entrance. The curtain was pulled back, revealing a head that, like the man’s, wore an expression of anxiety.

“Qin An, stop wasting words with them. The young master’s condition is more important. Maybe we should try the neighboring town instead. If we delay any longer, the young master might…”

*Qin.* She wondered if this was the same wealthy Qin family she’d heard people talking about on the street earlier.

Qin An had just turned around and hadn’t left yet when Zhou Er, who moments ago had been cowering like a coward in front of him, noticed that the Xiaohua siblings were still there. That meant the sorry spectacle he’d just made of himself had been witnessed.

Even though Ye Xiaohua’s expression remained calm, Zhou Er still felt like this foolish girl was laughing at him—she must be mocking him. So he yelled, venting all the frustration he’d just absorbed, “You damned girl, what are you staring at? Leave your stuff here and get out!”

With that, Zhou Er moved to grab her. Just then, Qin An heard the commotion and turned back. He saw Zhou Er harshly berating a young girl, and took in the two skinny, battered children. They really did look pitiful.

But just as he was about to step in, the woman in the carriage urged him again: “Qin An, hurry up!”