bayedsolid Chapter 134: Starting to Stockpile Goods
Chapter 134: Starting to Stockpile Goods
Lin Chang'er originally wanted to ask when it happened, since if they said bandits, they might just be sea pirates.
According to Wu Qingfeng, this incident should have happened a few days ago, and he has been searching for the whereabouts of the girls who were abducted.
But since Aunt Zhou had said that, she didn't feel comfortable asking again. She just planned to ask her privately at a suitable time.
As they were talking, Lao Liu knocked on the door and came in with a smile. He leaned close to Lin Chang'er's ear and whispered, "Master Pei has something to discuss with you. Would you mind coming over for a chat?"
It was naturally convenient for Pei Sihai to find her.
Lin Chang'er gave her instructions and then left with Lao Liu.
Meanwhile, the eating and drinking continued in the private room.
When Lin Chang'er saw Pei Sihai, Pei Sihai's expression was not good. Even Bai Shao'an, who was usually carefree and never seemed to have a problem, looked a bit serious.
Upon seeing Lin Chang'er, Pei Sihai gestured for her to sit down.
Lin Chang'er didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point: "Uncle Pei, have you encountered any difficulties?"
Pei Sihai said, "Third Master has disappeared."
Lin Chang'er paused. Wu Qingfeng was hiding with her, but he wouldn't let her say anything.
He had no choice but to cooperate and ask, "What happened to Third Brother who went missing?"
Pei Sihai frowned. "I shouldn't have told you this, but now that we're all in the same boat, I can't keep it from you."
Bai Shaoan continued, "Earlier, Third Brother heard that there were bandits in the south. He found some clues and secretly led people there a few days ago. Everything was going smoothly until something went wrong."
"The plan failed, and Third Brother even got separated from the people he brought with him."
Lin Chang'er blinked. "Is it about that fishing village in the south?"
Bai Shaoan nodded, then suddenly became alert. "How did you know?"
Lin Chang'er paused, realizing she had detected a hint of murderous intent in Bai Shao'an's eyes...
Lin Chang'er pointed to the direction of her private room, "Didn't I invite you to dinner today? There's an older brother in the village who heard it from the boatmen at the ferry."
He immediately repeated all the words the man had said in the private room.
Pei Sihai also said, "It's been almost half a month since this happened. I just heard some diners talking about it in the lobby. It's not surprising that Chang'er knows about it."
After listening, Bai Shaoan realized that his reaction had been a bit too strong, and that it was really ridiculous for him to doubt Lin Daiyu.
He softened his expression and said, "You still don't know Third Brother's identity, do you?"
Lin Chang'er felt a little embarrassed, but after thinking for a moment, she nodded.
Bai Shaoan said, "Actually, Third Brother is the magistrate of Ninghai County, the same magistrate you threatened to appeal to earlier."
Lin Chang'er wanted to laugh, but dared not. She felt that Wu Qingfeng's move to disappear had brought him peace, but it had brought her suffering.
Bai Shaoan didn't know what she was thinking. He just thought she was angry, so he helped to explain, "Third Brother didn't mean to hide it from you. He came to check prices earlier. Who would have thought we would have such a deep connection?"
He didn't say anything until a suitable opportunity arose.
Lin Chang'er waved her hand, "I didn't associate with you because of your status. Right now, my third brother's matter is more important."
My third brother has gone missing. Have you sent people to look for him? Has there been any news?
Pei Sihai said, "After that group of people returned last night, Shao'an and I arranged for people to search for Third Master's whereabouts, but we haven't heard anything from them yet."
Lin Chang'er's eyes darted around. According to Wu Qingfeng, he suspected that there was a problem inside.
So he probably deliberately got separated from the people he brought with him, and deliberately didn't return to town, probably to avoid being betrayed again!
That's why she wasn't asked to deliver the message to Pei Sihai and Bai Shaoan.
Lin Chang'er said, "In the current situation, no news is actually good news. Third Brother is quite skilled. Perhaps he was delayed by something, or perhaps he found new clues and continued his pursuit. We don't know."
"Perhaps we should wait a little longer, but what about the county government office?"
Pei Sihai said, "It's fine if the county government delays for a few days, but if it goes on for too long..."
Lin Chang'er didn't know what to say for a moment, but she knew: "Third Brother is a lucky man, he might come back tomorrow."
Pei Sihai and Bai Shaoan nodded. Because of this matter, neither of them was in a good mood. After talking for a while, they parted ways.
When Lin Chang'er returned, the dishes on the table were almost finished, but the plates at Lin Chang'er's seat were piled up like a small mountain with various dishes.
This was specially prepared for her by Gu's mother and Aunt Zhou, who were worried that she wouldn't have enough to eat.
Lin Chang'er didn't actually have a big appetite, but she didn't want to disappoint them, so she sat down and ate some more.
After the banquet ended, Lin Chang'er went to the grain and oil shop and bought 100 catties each of japonica rice and brown rice, 200 catties of flour, and 100 catties each of soybeans and mung beans.
Sister-in-law Gu now sells soy milk and pancakes in town, and the Gu family has always been quite large.
The men in the village have been eating late-night snacks at home these past few days, assuming that Lin Chang'er has used up all the food she had stocked up on and is now restocking.
No one thought much of it; they were just focused on helping move things.
She bought a lot today, and the owner of the grain and oil shop agreed to deliver it to her door.
Lin Chang'er didn't want to say anything openly, for fear of causing panic and merchants raising prices. But food was a necessity, so she said, "Brothers and sisters-in-law, we have a car today, why don't you buy some on the way back? It'll save you from carrying it yourself."
The women in the family usually take care of things like cooking oil, rice, and flour. Aunt Zhou, of course, was no exception. She just thought it made sense. After all, everyone has to eat food. Having a cart would save a lot of effort.
Sister-in-law Xiaohua, Sister-in-law Zhou, and the mothers of Xiaoshan, Xiaoshu, and Datou all bought some after seeing that Aunt Zhou had bought some.
The other men, though not in charge, also felt that it made sense.
However, they hadn't earned much money before, and they had basically handed it all over, leaving them penniless.
But Lin Chang'er is now a regular customer of this store. Today, she not only bought a lot herself, but also brought so many people with her. She bargained with the owner and finally got the price down to 10 coins for three catties of brown rice and 15 coins for two catties of japonica rice.
The men were also somewhat tempted.
Lin Chang'er noticed their predicament and offered, "I'm going to make candy next, which requires a lot of firewood. If you brothers are free, please help me go up the mountain to chop firewood starting tomorrow. I will charge you according to the market price, and you can pay me in advance."
As soon as she finished speaking, the remaining men were overjoyed, and each of them bought at least 30 jin of brown rice to take home.
Although it wasn't much, it could be a lifesaver in these special times. I left my address with the boss, made an appointment, and then left.
Lin Chang'er then bought some red dates, two slices of pig liver, one chicken and one duck, ten catties of pork, two bolts of the most expensive cotton cloth, and several packets of pastries. Only then did the group of people return in a grand procession.
When she got home, Lin Chang'er immediately put the groceries she had bought into the kitchen. She saw that the meatballs and vegetables she had made and placed on the water tank plate were exactly the same as when she left, but there were no meat patties.
Lin Chang'er: "..." She really does eat whatever she's given.
Lin Chang'er immediately helped Gu's mother start a fire, cooked vegetables and meatballs, stir-fried shredded meat and fried eggs as a topping, and sent it to Wu Qingfeng.
Wu Qingfeng, who had been half asleep, opened his eyes immediately upon hearing footsteps. Seeing that it was Lin Chang'er, he lowered his guard and slowly sat up. "You're back?"
Lin Chang'er nodded, placed the vegetable and meatball soup on the bedside table, and said sarcastically, "Don't you know how to start a fire? Two pancakes aren't enough to eat."