The older woman smiled and said, “I am glad you liked them. I will give you a bowl for free next time you visit!”
“Thank you, da niang!” Cheng Xiao Xiao must sighed that even those from the old times knew were well versed at doing business.
After breakfast, Cheng Xiao Xiao finally started heading toward her original destination.
Since she was looking for helpers, she decided to go toward the slum. It would lighten their burdens and she could find cheap labor. It’s a win-win situation, so why the heck not?
“Daddy, please don’t sell me. I can take good care of little brother.”
Before she even entered the slum, she saw a young girl around 13-14 year old bawling her eyes out while holding onto the leg of an middle-aged man.
Not only did the middle-aged man not shown any signs of compassion, but he looked even more irritated, as though the girl should not have clung onto him like that.
“Damn girl, let me go. Or else I will show you!” The middle-aged man stared at the young girl viciously, like he was about to beat her.
“Daddy, please don’t sell me, please. I will be good. I can take good care of little brother.” The young girl continued to cry. Her muddy face was now covered in tears, making her looked like a calico cat and somewhat funny looking.
But Cheng Xiao Xiao didn’t laugh. For some reason, the scene made she felt bad.
He wanted to sell his daughter just because life was a little bit difficult. He failed as a father.1
They didn’t use to have enough food for the whole family either, but the entire family joined together and finally made it through.2
Even though the middle-aged man was dressed in rags, but if he only he was willing to try, he should be able to find some work. He didn’t need to sell his daughter. Someone like that made her heart sank.
“Shut up, you cheap thing. Who else should we sell, huh? You can’t pass on the family name, but it takes food to feed you. What good are you?” He yelled at the little girl, the vicious look on his face made the young girl shuddered.
“Please don’t beat me daddy, please!” Kneeling on the ground, the young girl clinging onto the middle-aged man’s pants and crying into a ball of tears. Her pitiful look made Cheng Xiao Xiao felt both bad and angry.
It’s it nature to care for your own children?
So why was it that this man could be so cruel to his own daughter?
“Cheap thing, who else am I going to beat? Hmmm? Wasting all the food at home, you can at least let me take it out on you!” As he was saying that, he kicked her two more times.
Everybody around them just looked as thought this was the norm.
At places like this, the poor had always been selling their sons and daughters. Everybody had long been desensitized. Other than just watching the scenes unfold, they have no idea what more they could do.
“That’s enough! How could you just beat someone like that? Let alone your own child. This is too much!” Finally Cheng Xiao Xiao couldn’t stood by anymore. She scolded the rough man with her clear eyes looking straight at him.
“I am teaching my own daughter a lesson. Who do you think you are? Get out of my way!” After hearing her words, the middle-aged man raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. He would like to beat this random girl that came out of nowhere too.
Didn’t you have anything better to do than to muddle in my business?