Volume One, Chapter 10: Her Situation Will Surely Be Resolved

"How is it? Sir, how did it go?"

Liu Qiaohui’s heart was pounding wildly. The highest-ranking official she had ever encountered in her life was the head of her own village. Although she had made thorough preparations and was willing to risk her own life for the sake of her daughter, it was impossible not to feel nervous when things reached this critical stage. Even Xu Gouzi, standing to the side, was affected by her tension, his entire body stiffening.

Four eyes were fixed intently on the older man who had just stepped through the door. The man felt slightly uncomfortable under their gaze and couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Now, now! Don't be nervous. Sit, sit!"

Xu Gouzi sat down, but Liu Qiaohui, holding her child, had no such mood. While her heart continued to drum against her ribs, her eyes never left the man.

"Well, sir? That letter..."

Since the man was the one with the influence, Xu Gouzi did not waste any words.

"Oh! That letter... I placed it right on the county magistrate’s desk. But like I said before, I have no idea when the magistrate will read it or whether he will help you."

"Then, sir, when will the magistrate be back?" Liu Qiaohui felt her body trembling.

"Oh, goodness! I really don't know. How about this: leave me an address, and if there is a response from the magistrate, I will let you know!"

An address? Where would they have an address? This was Liu Qiaohui’s first time ever being here. However, Xu Gouzi was a man who had seen a bit of the world. After thinking for a minute, he gave the man an address.

"Number 7, Sanhe Courtyard Alley!"

"Number 7, Sanhe Courtyard Alley? My, that is a coincidence! I live at number 6. How about that—do you have relatives there?" The man’s eyes lit up.

"Yes! Sir, my great-aunt lives there. I think I’ll stay there with my sister for a few days. If there’s any news, you can just pop over and tell us."

"Fine, fine, fine! No problem at all. Don't worry, I'll keep this in mind!"

Courtesy is one thing, but showing proper respect is another. Xu Gouzi took out a whole bag of tobacco leaves and placed it on the man's table. Regardless of the man’s polite protests, Xu Gouzi pulled Liu Qiaohui toward the exit. He walked so hurriedly that Ye Ling, nestled in Liu Qiaohui’s arms, felt her body tighten.

"Brother Xu, I really am troubling you this time." Liu Qiaohui had always been someone who disliked inconveniencing others, but currently, she had no other path.

"What talk of trouble is this? Things are as they are now. Come with me to my great-aunt's place to stay for a few days. This matter... it isn't going to be resolved in a day or two."

In truth, Liu Qiaohui knew this was definitely not a matter of a day or two.

***

They had stayed at Xu Gouzi’s great-aunt’s house for three full days, yet there was still no word from the man. Xu Gouzi sat on the heated brick bed, puffing away at his pipe. Liu Qiaohui, feeling heavy-hearted, fed Ye Ling another bottle of milk.

As the bottle slowly emptied, a cluster of glowing numbers appeared before Ye Ling’s eyes once more:

Completed: 10/300

The system is finished, but the road ahead is long and arduous!

"Brother Xu, there is still no word from the man."

Xu Gouzi shook his head and let out a long, weary sigh.

"Oh, why are you two hanging your heads again? Come, eat! Let me hold the little one!"

Xu Gouzi’s great-aunt looked to be seventy or eighty years old, but her constitution seemed remarkably robust. Her bound feet were nimble, and in the three days they had stayed there, she hadn't let Liu Qiaohui lift a finger to help with chores.

Ye Ling was nestled in the great-aunt’s arms while steaming corn buns were placed on the table, but neither Liu Qiaohui nor Xu Gouzi had any appetite. The great-aunt offered the same comfort as before.

"Look at this child, how could anyone not love her? Don't fret, little ones. When it comes to getting officials to handle things, where does it ever happen in just two or three days? Listen to me and stay here comfortably. I will provide for you as long as you stay. Besides, this child is so endearing; I’m starting to grow quite fond of her!"

These words reached Ye Ling’s ears, but she had no state of mind to ponder whether she was liked by others.

*Sigh.* Three days had already passed here! That wretched village head had only given them three days. She wondered how things were in the village now. Although Ye Ling believed the village head wouldn't do anything to Little Zhuangzi, if she, the mother, couldn't return with a resolution, what would the situation be like? Two fists are no match for four hands. Even with Xu Gouzi’s help, could they really win against the entire village?

The infant, only a few months old, showed no hint of a smile on her face. Instead, her tiny brows were tightly furrowed, making her look even more adorable.

"Oh, why are you just sitting there? Eat! Worry won't solve anything. Eat! I'll go ask Zhang Dana in a while! You two just eat!"

Zhang Dana was the man, a moniker the entire alley used for him.

Liu Qiaohui had no appetite. Xu Gouzi had no appetite either.

Outside, the heavy snow fell, and the soft sound of footsteps seemed to drift in. Liu Qiaohui was the first to straighten up, listening to the movement outside. Before long, she heard someone calling from the courtyard: "Aunt Ma! Aunt Ma! Are you home?"

Hearing the voice, everyone felt an uncontrollable surge of tension. Even Xu Gouzi gazed toward the window.

"I’m here! I’m here! Is that Zhang Dana? I'm here! Wait, I'm opening the door! Opening it now!"

The moment the door opened, Liu Qiaohui’s eyes were filled with hope. Even Ye Ling held her breath, waiting for the man’s next words.

"Aunt Ma, your room is certainly warm!"

"Oh, stop with the pleasantries! Can’t you see two children staring at you, waiting for an answer?"

"Oh! Look at me, knowing how anxious you are!"

Zhang Dana first shook the snow off his body, then sat on a chair, gulping down a few mouthfuls of hot water passed to him by the great-aunt. He exhaled for a long time, as if finally catching his breath. He glanced at Liu Qiaohui and then at Xu Gouzi before speaking hurriedly.

"I’ll tell you, the county magistrate returned today!"

"He’s back? Did he look at the letter?" It was Xu Gouzi who asked, but Liu Qiaohui’s heart had jumped into her throat. She stared intently at the man; this was perhaps her only hope.

"This! This... I don't know. I just saw the magistrate return today and rushed back to tell you. But think about it—I placed the letter right in front of him. How could he not see it?"

Liu Qiaohui’s face was filled with disappointment, and Xu Gouzi’s expression shifted instantly. That was... essentially saying nothing at all, wasn't it?

"No, why are you hanging your heads again? The magistrate is back, that’s better than him not being back! Trust me, the magistrate will definitely see that letter tonight!"

Yes! He would definitely see it! Liu Qiaohui clenched her fists. She hoped that tomorrow, her problem would finally be resolved.

At that moment, in the county government office, the magistrate sat on the sofa beside his desk with his eyes closed, exhausted to the point of not wanting to move.

"Magistrate, there is a meeting shortly."

"Hmm! I know! I’ll nap for a moment. Xiao Gao, check the desk and see if there are any documents that need processing. Gather them up after the meeting."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiming hurried to the desk, deftly tidying up the clutter. However, one letter caught his eye first.

Yushan Village...?