“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll even save some from my own rations to feed him. I absolutely won’t drag everyone down.”
Lin Sisi’s gaze lingered on the boy’s face for a moment.
Seeing him hiding behind Gu Qinglin, looking at her timidly, his small face filled with unease and fear, he looked exactly like a lost orphan.
“And why are you telling me?” Lin Sisi didn’t play along. Her tone was calm and flat. “I’m not the one raising him. Since you’re willing to take him in, go talk to Village Chief Li yourself.”
Gu Qinglin seemed a little awkward; the tips of his ears reddened slightly. “After all, we are engaged. Whatever I do, I should at least inform you first.”
???
Lin Sisi almost laughed. She cast a sidelong glance toward Lin Qingqing and saw her gripping the corner of her clothes tightly, her face full of resentment. Understanding dawned on her.
For some unknown reason, Lin Qingqing had never told Gu Qinglin about the broken engagement.
That was strange. Lin Qingqing clung to Gu Qinglin all day long, constantly speaking ill of her and doing everything she could to prevent them from interacting. And now that she wanted to break off the engagement, Lin Qingqing was actually keeping it a secret?
Interesting.
Lin Sisi rubbed her chin, deciding to see what Lin Qingqing was really up to.
“There’s no need to inform me. As long as he doesn’t eat my family’s grain, that’s fine. If you can get past Village Chief Li, that’s your business.”
If someone had ulterior motives, their fox tail would show sooner or later—whether it was Lin Qingqing or this little vagrant.
“Alright! Sisi, don’t worry. I’ll be responsible for his food. I definitely won’t touch your family’s grain!”
Gu Qinglin let out a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face.
The boy copied him and gave Lin Sisi a small bow. “Thank you, big sister,” he said softly.
His voice was weak but carried a trace of deliberate meekness.
Lin Sisi said nothing more. She turned and patted Lin Zheng on the shoulder, whispering, “Big Brother, go find Village Chief Li. Quietly tell him what’s going on with this child. Leave the rest for him to decide.”
They had just drawn attention to themselves a few days ago. It was better to keep a low profile now.
“Big Sister, what is Brother Gu thinking?”
Lin Niannian lay on the donkey cart, swinging her thin legs. Tilting her head, she still looked confused.
Even she, a child, knew you couldn’t just pick up strangers from the roadside. Why wasn’t Brother Gu worried about danger at all?
“Be good. Don’t mind them. Just remember to stay far away from them and don’t let them get close to you.”
Lin Sisi stroked her sister’s hair. After several days of nourishing it with spiritual spring water, the little girl’s hair no longer looked like dry straw.
She had worked hard to raise her back to health. She couldn’t let her get entangled with these messy people.
Lin Zheng had seen everything clearly. Perhaps the Lin family truly had sharper eyes than others—if even Lin Niannian could recognize the boy, yet none of the surrounding villagers had noticed.
He had already felt something was off. After hearing Lin Sisi’s words, he immediately went to find Village Chief Li.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingqing followed closely beside Gu Qinglin and said softly, “Brother Qinglin, you’re really kind. That child is so lucky to have met you.”
“Unlike me… I can’t do anything right. I only cause you trouble.”
She sighed deliberately, a hint of self-mockery in her tone.
Gu Qinglin smiled gently and comforted her. “Don’t say that. You’ve already done very well.”
He led the boy toward the group and soon saw Village Chief Li and Lin Zheng talking beside the grain cart.
Gu Qinglin stepped forward earnestly. “Village Chief Li, this child is too pitiful. He can’t survive here alone. I want him to come with us.”
Lin Zheng had already quietly informed the village chief about the boy’s identity, just as his sister had instructed.
Village Chief Li frowned slightly. He glanced at A’Shi, then at Lin Zheng beside him, his expression troubled.
This child had stolen grain a few days ago. He truly did not want to leave a hidden danger within the group.
But if he revealed the boy’s identity, some hot-blooded villagers might beat the child to death on the spot. He couldn’t bear that either.
Some villagers were kind-hearted; others thought it troublesome. They began arguing.
“I’m telling you, Gu boy, in times like these, it’s good enough if you can take care of yourself. Your mother’s illness isn’t even cured yet, and now you want to take in a half-grown boy? Where will you get enough grain to feed him?”
“Gu boy is a scholar. Scholars are kind-hearted. You’re just too selfish.”
“Hah! Easy for you to say. I’m thinking for his sake. Where will his family find the grain to raise another mouth?”
“But the child really is pitiful. If each family gives a little, we could keep him alive…”
“Qinglin, it’s not that I’m heartless.” Village Chief Li sighed. “Our grain is already limited. One more mouth means one more burden. And this child’s background is unknown…”
Several villagers gathered around, especially middle-aged women with children of their own. They felt a surge of compassion.
“Village Chief, Qinglin has a kind heart. What he says makes sense. Let’s take the child with us. We can always squeeze out a few bites less.”
“Yes, such a small child out there alone… he might not survive the night. We can’t just stand by and watch him die.”
Gu Qinglin showed gratitude and bowed to the crowd.
Village Chief Li looked at everyone, then at Lin Zheng. Seeing that Lin Zheng remained silent and did not object, he sighed.
“Very well. Since everyone says so, he may stay. Qinglin, remember your words. Everything about this child is your responsibility. If anything happens, you will bear it.”
“And since you’re bringing in a child picked up halfway, your family can no longer walk in the center of the group. I cannot leave hidden dangers there. Your family will move to the back of the line.”
“Thank you, Village Chief Li! Thank you, everyone!” Gu Qinglin didn’t mind at all and thanked them repeatedly.
The boy followed his example and bowed to Village Chief Li and the others. “Thank you, Grandpa Village Chief. Thank you, uncles.”
His voice was soft, his manner obedient and sensible, drawing sympathy from many villagers.
Standing at the back, Lin Sisi watched everything unfold while feeding Lin Niannian some water to help her recover her strength.
She knew that Village Chief Li and her brother were already aware of the truth. Allowing the little vagrant to stay—for now—was simply going along with the situation.