Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Entitled as it should be_1
Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Entitled as it should be_1
“Eh? Brother Zhao, what are they selling up ahead that’s attracting such a crowd?” Zhao Xinglin had received orders from the arrest officer to patrol the market with some brothers, and there, he saw a stall surrounded by people. The business looked booming, and he grew curious. A constable who had come along with him casually stopped someone who had just bought something from the stall.
“What are they selling at that stall, gathering so many people?”
“Replying to the government officer, it’s a woman with a child about ten years old selling steamed buns and vegetables. The buns there are cheap, only five coins each. Many people are coming to buy,” the lad replied without hesitation, eager to answer the inquiry from the constable. Indeed, his greased paper package contained several buns, different in color from those sold at the Bun Shop.
“Oh? They are selling them so cheaply.” Zhao Xinglin’s gaze also landed on the buns in the lad’s hand, but what he was really thinking about was whether to buy some to take home for his pregnant wife. Ever since his wife had become pregnant and lost her appetite, Zhao would always think of bringing home good food he found. It had become a habit now. However, his wife was frugal, so if the purchase was expensive, he was sure to be chided when he got home. Seeing that the buns here were cheap and attracted many buyers, he guessed they must be good.
Seeing the constable’s curious gaze on his own buns, the lad eagerly explained, “These aren’t made with fine white flour, that’s why the color is different. The yellowish ones are soybean buns, and the golden ones are corn buns. The young woman has excellent skills; her buns are fragrant and soft, even tastier than those from the Bun Shop. Many people are buying them.”
“I see, go on your way,” Zhao Xinglin gestured for the lad to leave, having already decided to buy several more buns. At half the price of those at the Bun Shop and even more delicious, such a deal was unbeatable. Buying them would surely earn him praise from the old lady and his wife at home, saving him from the usual teasing of being a fool and a simpleton, duped by others without realizing it.
Zhao Xinglin made his way to the front of the stall, clearing a path through the crowd. People buying saw that it was several government officers and didn’t dare offend them. Without a word, they stepped aside. Zhao Xinglin took it as a given; being a government officer always came with certain privileges as long as one didn’t oppress the commoners, which was considered good enough.
“Sister-in-law, how can it be you?” Approaching the stall, Zhao Xinglin saw the busy mother and child and started to doubt his own eyes. Could the vendors really be Erhu’s wife and Dalang? It wasn’t until he heard Dalang calling out to him that he snapped out of his disbelief.
“Uncle! What brings you here? Did you know my mother and I were selling things at the market?” Dalang happily greeted his kind uncle.
“Brother Xinglin, how come you’re here?” Lin Yue was also surprised to see Zhao Xinglin, but noticing his constable uniform from the government office, a matching saber at his waist, and several constables following, she understood his imposing appearance. It seemed he was on patrol, and just as she thought, Zhao Xinglin continued.
“I’m leading some brothers to patrol this area. Seeing the crowd here, I thought something unusual was being sold and came to have a look. I didn’t expect it to be you, sister-in-law, selling things. Just now, I even thought I had seen someone else, but it really is you.”