Lu Meiyu was in an exceptionally good mood.
At this point, she already had the electric baton, a realistic but powerful Desert Eagle, and the anti-wolf spray.
She especially felt delighted that the spray hadn’t cost her anything—it felt like a free gift.
So she generously spent ten wen to buy a bit of every seasoning, especially soy sauce and vinegar!
Before mealtime, Lu Meiyu took the bedding to the river to wash.
Though the water flow had decreased significantly, not using it would still be a waste.
Thus, the women were still washing clothes as usual.
They didn’t have laundry powder or soap; except for a few who had picked some soapnuts, most simply beat the clothes with sticks.
Lu Meiyu felt a bit conflicted. Soap was in her space and could be used anytime, but using it in front of the women, making visible soap suds, would be too conspicuous.
So she had no choice but to do like them, beating the clothes with a stick.
After a short while, Lu Meiyu felt that this was simply inhumane… it was so hard to clean properly.
Naturally, the idle women wanted to chat with her.
“Meiyu, now that you’ve split from the family, you only have that rice. Won’t it run out soon?”
Lu Meiyu didn’t lift her head: “Yes, it won’t last long. I’ll have to figure something out. Luckily, I won’t starve. I’m also planning to go up the mountain—maybe I’ll catch another rabbit.”
The women laughed: “Rabbits aren’t that easy to catch. Are they supposed to just run into your hands?”
Lu Meiyu laughed too; the idea of “waiting by the stump for a rabbit” did sound tempting.
Seeing the two girls playing with other children, Lu Meiyu directed: “You two turn over these stones and see if there are any crabs.”
The women scoffed: “Crabs? Even if there are any, they’d be tiny.”
“Doesn’t matter. If we catch any, we’ll make a snack.”
The children had long been rummaging in the river, and most crabs had already been found.
As they searched, they occasionally found some.
Whenever they caught one, they laughed gleefully and put it in a basin.
Childhood happiness was so simple.
A heavy rain would have made it even better…
Soon, the other women finished washing and left.
Lu Meiyu finally relaxed and carefully rubbed the clothes and bedding with soap before properly washing them.
While the children played, Lu Meiyu suddenly heard the sound of hooves. Curious, she looked up and saw two fine horses approaching.
“Hey, do you know how to get to Wildman Peak?”
The young man asking the question sat upright, with a jade-like face, but his eyes and brow were extremely cold.
Lu Meiyu glanced once and lowered her head, ignoring him.
“Hey, I’m talking to you! Do you know the way to Wildman Peak?”
Another person beside him spoke.
Lu Meiyu observed briefly and saw this person was likely his subordinate, dressed less elegantly, slightly bowing.
“Hey, if I tell you, will you give me money? Don’t you know manners, just ‘hey hey hey’?”
Lu Meiyu didn’t hold back and scolded both of them.
The two were shocked. Normally, when they asked questions, even if the answer wasn’t completely respectful, people answered cautiously.
Especially the villagers—seeing them, they would normally show respect. How could they be so insolent?
“Fine, I’ll give you silver. One tael of silver to answer a question. Wildman Peak…”
Before he could finish, a boy jumped in: “I know! I’ll show you the way.”
Lu Meiyu was speechless.
Wasn’t Wildman Peak the mountain she had already visited?
She realized, fine!
“I’ll tell you, go straight along this road for about five li. There’s a landmark, a big maple tree with many bumps like human faces, and a dry yellow vine wrapped around it…”
As he spoke, the boy suddenly cried: “Aunt Lu, I have to tell my mom you stole my silver!”
The boy was from the Wang family, and his mother was fierce!
Lu Meiyu didn’t care; she spoke quickly.
“What? You can’t describe it this well? I was there a few days ago and even caught a rabbit. Everyone knows about it.”
She finished speaking, a faint blush rising on her fair face.
She walked directly to the horses and extended her hand: “Silver.”
The man signaled, and indeed someone tossed her a piece of broken silver.
Lu Meiyu weighed it in her hand, quite satisfied.
Who would have thought washing clothes here could earn money?
The two riders then followed the route she had described.
The Wang boy, crying, ran back home.
Xiaoxuan worried: “Mom, the Wang lady will come to the door soon.”
“Who am I? Am I afraid of her? If I were, I wouldn’t have earned this silver. Besides, she asked me in the first place. Silver is earned by ability, no need to fear.”
Lu Meiyu comforted her while quickly finishing washing all the clothes and bedding.
With soap, the washing was fast and thorough.
Looking at her hands after soaking in river water, she felt they had become whiter.
Lu Meiyu, carrying the basin with the two girls, returned home.
While hanging clothes to dry, a commotion arose.
Here they come!
Not just the Wang boy and his mother, but also other indignant people.
“Lu, why did you steal my son’s silver?”
The Wang mother was tall and sturdy, hands on her hips, glaring fiercely.
“Oh? Didn’t know how much silver you gave your son. He’s such a little kid, and he had silver for me to take?” Lu Meiyu found it amusing.
“You don’t need to argue. The rich person said, for a question, asking the way to Wildman Peak, give one tael of silver. My son guided the way, and you just rattled on and took the silver!”
The Wang mother was furious; others gasped in surprise.
One tael of silver just to ask a question!
What kind of rich person is this?
Lu Meiyu reasoned calmly: “Those two asked me first. I said they had no manners, and then he offered silver for directions. Besides, he asked, so why didn’t your son answer quickly? If he had, he might have gotten the silver himself.”
The Wang mother stamped her foot: “What do you mean? My son gave directions…”
“He should have just pointed. It’s like if there’s silver on the ground, do you need to say, ‘I’ll pick it up’? I don’t argue—I pick it up. Once it’s in my hand, do you say it’s yours?”
Lu Meiyu wasn’t agitated; her example made the others nod in understanding.
“So, if you want to pick up silver on the road, do you have to first say, ‘I’ll pick it up’?”
She asked the crowd.
They giggled: “Who would say that? You just pick it up, don’t you?”