"You can tell they’re outsiders, probably rich kids too, considering those clothes and shoes. All things which they can’t afford, including the food."
"As for the little gadgets in their hands, they’d grab handfuls if they could, yet they’re willing to pay for them. Really, not bad, not bad."
"Five hundred is too expensive, just tens would do."
Another man spoke up, sounding like they’d been ripped off.
"No worries, no worries, just a few hundred dollars, it’s all the same. Uncle, I heard from Sister Goh Fei, are you guys going hunting? Can you take me along?"
Bai Zhi spoke with excitement, appearing thrilled about the opportunity to go into the mountains.
"I can pay if you bring me along," Bai Zhi said while attempting to pull out money.
"No need, no need, we’ll take you, but you don’t seem to know Goh Fei very well." The leader spoke with a smile, his query seeming casual.
"Because she’s my tutor. I don’t like studying, so my mom hired her for me."
This was the truth as indicated in the records. Goh Fei worked as a tutor.
That settled it, they felt reassured.
After stopping and walking, they finally arrived two hours later.
Poor Xiao Qi collapsed to the ground at the sight of the mud house, scattering all his belongings.
"I’m dead tired. I will never bring you guys out again."
Three men hurriedly helped him up and then led them to a mud house.
"Brother Goh, Mrs. Goh, you have guests."
After a while, a bearded and fierce-looking man came out, someone not to be trifled with.
Brother Goh seemed displeased as his tone was naturally not very friendly.
"They are Fang Ya’s students, heard our environment here was nice and came for a visit. Brother, they’re our folks."
The man said this while blinking discreetly at a moment Bai Zhi and the others weren’t looking.
Bai Zhi thought they didn’t notice, but she saw it.
"Is that so? Goh Fei has gone up the mountains. Would you like to eat something first?"
Bai Zhi immediately nodded upon hearing about food, seeming very pleased.
"Is there wild chicken? Sister Goh Fei mentioned the game here was especially delicious. I’ve been looking forward to it."
Bai Zhi walked in and frowned at the sight of the house.
"Your house is really quite poor," she remarked, though her disdain was palpably written all over her face.
"Yes, our family is poor," the man replied indifferently.
Xiao Qi and Wu Wa followed behind, bringing all their belongings inside and sat down, looking as exhausted as if about to collapse.
"Yes, I’ll have her make it now. Where did you guys come from?"
Brother Goh fetched some water in bowls and offered it to them.
Xiao Qi hesitated, but Bai Zhi and Wu Wa took it eagerly and drank it all.
"It really is sweet," Bai Zhi exclaimed, surprised. "I thought Sister Goh Fei was fooling me by saying your natural water here was sweet."
"Yes, our water here is delicious. Just sit for a while, I’ll go call Goh Fei."
The man walked out to let the woman cook.
He wasn’t worried at all — Bai Zhi handed a piece of candy she had pulled out to Xiao Qi with a look of disdain before popping it into his mouth.
Soon, the man climbed up the mountain, found Goh Fei, and brought her back down along with Fang Ya.
"Goh Fei, your student is here, happy?"
Brother Goh looked at Goh Fei, his lips curling into a smile.
Actually, whether it’s true or not isn’t important.