497 Disfigured (3)
Uncle Li left with his hands behind his back. Shen Yijia looked at Xiao Ruoshui, who had an ugly expression, and poked her forehead. “Why are you in a daze?”
Xiao Ruoshui pursed her lips and placed a piece of silver on the table. She sighed and said, “Let’s go back first.”
“The noodles haven’t arrived yet.” Shen Yijia’s eyes widened.
Xiao Ruoshui rolled her eyes. “I’ll treat you to a big meal later.”
Shen Yijia weighed the noodles and the feast. She decisively put away Xiao Ruoshui’s silver and exchanged it for her ten copper coins.
“Then let’s go.”
Xiao Ruoshui was speechless.
Not long after the two of them left, Feng Manman walked out with two bowls of noodles. Seeing no one, she looked around the hall in confusion.
At this moment, most of the guests in the lobby had left, leaving only a very honest-looking man.
Seeing this, the man said, “Those two girls might have something on and left. Man’er, sell the two bowls of noodles in your hands to me. I’ll bring them back for your aunt and nephew to eat. I’ll bring the bowls back to you later.”
Feng Manman noticed the copper coins on the table and smiled. “Alright, but there’s no need for the money. The customers have already paid for these two bowls of noodles.”
“Then I’ve gained a lot today.” The man happily took two bowls of noodles from her and left.
Feng Manman smiled and began to clear the table.
At this moment, there was the sound of hooves outside the door. A tall man with cold and resolute facial features strode in.
“Brother Xiao, why are you here?”
“Are you all right?”
They both spoke at the same time.
Feng Manman chuckled. She noticed the thin sweat on the man’s forehead and wiped her hands on her apron. She took out a handkerchief and tiptoed to wipe the man’s sweat.
Xiao Qirui subconsciously took a step back to avoid the woman’s hand.
Disappointment flashed past Feng Manman’s eyes.
Xiao Qirui noticed it and looked guilty. He took the handkerchief from Feng Manman and explained, “You’ve been tired all morning. I’ll do it myself.”
“How tiring can it be to wipe your sweat?” Feng Manman retorted softly. After saying that, she seemed to realize that it was inappropriate to say this. She was so nervous that her almond-shaped eyes were filled with tears. She changed the topic and said, “I’m fine. My uncle’s family no longer dares to find trouble with me.”
Xiao Qirui sighed and stuffed the handkerchief back into her hand. He bent down.
Feng Manman paused and raised her hand to carefully wipe Xiao Qirui’s sweat.
Looking at the man’s handsome face, Feng Man’s heart beat faster. She retracted her hand. “Alright, I’m done.”
“You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, right? I’ll make you a bowl of noodles.”
Xiao Qirui stopped her. “Stop working. I’ll leave in a while.”
“I see.” Feng Manman lowered her eyes, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Xiao Qirui rubbed his forehead and looked around. “Did you see any strange people today?”
“Strange people?” Feng Manman tilted her head and thought for a moment. “Is it strange that two well-dressed women ordered two bowls of noodles and left without eating?”
“Two?” Xiao Qirui frowned. “They didn’t say anything to you, right?”
Feng Manman shook her head. “They didn’t say anything.”
Thinking of something, she reached out and touched her face. She said enviously, “Those two women are very good-looking.”
Xiao Qirui’s heart tightened. He grabbed her wrist. “I’m sorry. If not for saving me…”
“It has nothing to do with you.” Feng Manman quickly interrupted him. “If you hadn’t saved me in the beginning, I would have committed suicide long ago.”
“You saved my life in the first place. As long as I can save you, I’m willing to die, let alone disfigure myself.”
With that, she glanced at the man’s hand and lowered her eyes. “I’m very grateful that the heavens gave me this opportunity.”
Two years ago, Xiao Qirui met Feng Manman, who had escaped from a brothel. Saving her was as easy as lifting a finger.
At that time, she said that she wanted to sell herself as a slave. The Xiao family did not lack a maidservant, so he naturally refused.
Thinking that it was not easy for her to be alone, he gave her some money to settle down.
Xiao Qirui did not take Feng Manman’s words to heart.
Later on, he happened to pass by and saw someone causing trouble in a noodle shop. Only then did he know that she had opened it with the money he had given her. The person causing trouble was his uncle’s family, who had wanted to sell Feng Manman into a brothel.
Xiao Qirui helped her out. In order to prevent that family from coming again, he would occasionally pass by and eat a bowl of noodles.
Originally, their relationship had stopped there. Unexpectedly, one night four months ago, he was surrounded and attacked.
The person who came was extraordinary. He was no match for the attackers and was seriously injured. When he was escaping, he bumped into Feng Manman, who was feeding wild cats at the entrance of the alley. She ignored the danger and stood in front of him.
Fortunately, the city guards arrived in time and saved their lives.
Actually, apart from her face, she also had several sword wounds on her body.
Later on, the engagement was canceled because of her disfigurement.
Xiao Qirui looked at the girl in front of him who had suffered but still maintained a kind heart. He felt quite upset.
How could he let such a girl be hurt again?
Feng Manman was a little embarrassed by his gaze. She struggled a few times and pulled her hand out.
“Oh right, wait a moment.”
She turned around and went upstairs. Soon, she came down with a stack of rice paper.
“These are the words you taught me to write the last time you were here. You haven’t been here for the past few days. I’ve written so much. Help me see if I’ve improved.”
Xiao Qirui took them and looked at them one by one. “You’ve improved a lot.”
Feng Manman smiled. “Then teach me to write something else when you’re free next time.”
Xiao Qirui glanced at her and nodded. “Okay.”
