“Change? You want to trade?”
“Sure! But I don’t want the small one. If you really want to trade, give me the bigger one…”
In the dead of night, Qin Suining suddenly opened her eyes.
She heard faint voices nearby—someone was whispering.
The refugees had arranged night watch, six people taking turns.
The ones speaking now were two of the guards.
Qin Suining shifted slightly and pulled her thin blanket higher over her chest.
The night air in the wilderness was much colder than the daytime heat, carrying a faint chill.
At first, she thought they were talking about trading some household items, even comparing sizes.
But as the conversation continued, her expression slowly changed.
“I can’t. The older one is fifteen already. I already accepted the betrothal gifts. Can’t trade her.”
“Heh, your little one looks like a dried-up monkey. If I take her, I’d be at a loss.”
“Watch your mouth. Like I’m the only one getting a deal here…”
“If you really want to trade, then bring the older one. I don’t want the small one.”
After some back-and-forth arguing, one of them said he would go back and ask his family again.
Their eyes drifted toward the nearby campfire.
Qin Suining followed their gaze.
Around the fire sat more than ten people of different ages.
Among them, a thin girl stood out. She was holding a five- or six-year-old little girl tightly in her arms, sitting beside a pile of baskets.
Everyone else had thick clothes or blankets. Only those two had nothing, so they huddled closer and closer to the fire for warmth.
Thinking back to what she had just heard, Qin Suining felt a chill rise from her spine.
God… were they already talking about trading children at the beginning of the escape?
Her arms broke out in goosebumps.
She was still just a young girl who had not yet come of age. Faced with such cruelty, fear naturally rose in her heart.
Any sleepiness she had left was completely gone.
She lay there thinking in silence.
“Ah… having a carriage is so nice. I’m exhausted. My legs are stiff as boards…”
Someone mentioned the carriage.
“People who can afford a carriage probably have some wealth…”
The voice lowered, and Qin Suining could no longer hear clearly.
But she immediately became alert.
She quietly took out her dagger and began wiping it, feeling the cold edge of the blade.
Only then did she feel slightly more at ease.
If anyone came—she would kill one, if two came—she would kill both.
Her eyes turned sharp and cold.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shi was still inside the space, busy the whole night steaming buns. Two large baskets were filled.
“Daughter, eat one first. These buns turned out really good.”
She handed Qin Suining a white, fluffy bun.
It was soft, warm, and fragrant with a faint sweetness.
Qin Suining took a big bite, feeling a sense of comfort in her chest.
She then told Zhou Shi what she had overheard.
Now both of them were wide awake.
They sat in the carriage eating slowly.
The guards outside seemed calm again, and nothing unusual happened for a while.
They decided to rest briefly and leave at dawn.
Zhou Shi lay down in the carriage, while Qin Suining sat at the entrance holding an axe, resting lightly while watching outside.
As night deepened, the campfires gradually went out.
The refugees slept, snoring loudly.
Then—
Qin Suining noticed something strange.
The six night guards suddenly stood up.
They exchanged glances, leaving one weaker man behind, while the others walked toward a side path.
Where were they going at night?
Before she could think further—
Crack!
A sudden sound came from beside the carriage.
Qin Suining’s heart tightened instantly.
She quickly pulled Zhou Shi into the space.
At the same moment—
Bang!
The carriage curtain was ripped open, and a machete slashed in.
“Damn it! Where are they?”
It was the same man from earlier.
“Did they run after hearing us?”
“Search!”
The others rushed over.
One climbed onto the carriage and reached for the reins—
In that instant, Qin Suining burst out with her dagger.
Stab!
The blade sank into the man’s back.
“Ugh—”
Before he could react, she kicked him off the carriage.
Only then did she realize—
Her strength had increased significantly.
But there was no time to think.
She pulled Zhou Shi out of the space.
The remaining men had already reached the carriage.
Qin Suining and Zhou Shi fought back immediately.
Axes and blades swung wildly.
Two men were cut down instantly.
The others were struck in the head and collapsed.
The remaining refugees were awakened by the chaos.
But no one stepped forward to help.
Only a woman rushed out, screaming as she held a man’s body.
“Husband! Husband, wake up!”