Chapter 51: The Arrogant Thief (Bonus Chapter)

Baili Xian looked darkly at Liu Ling’er and said in a low voice, “Liu Ling’er, don’t you think you owe me an explanation for what happened?”

To tell the truth, Liu Ling’er was feeling extremely guilty at that moment. She had thought Su Yun’yun would at most give Baili Hai a beating—never had she imagined he’d end up streaking through the streets! That was far more ruthless than a simple thrashing.

She replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, “I… I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. I just wanted to help Little Bun vent her anger.”

“Little Bun? Who’s that?” Baili Xian asked suspiciously.

Liu Ling’er quickly answered, “Little Bun is just Xiao Shuangshuang! She’s so fair and chubby and adorable, so I call her Little Bun!”

“But what does this have to do with her? Liu Ling’er, you’re not just making things up, are you?” Though he was questioning her, Baili Xian’s tone had softened considerably.

Liu Ling’er sighed. “I’m not sure myself… But as soon as Xiao Shuangshuang saw Baili Hai she was terrified, called him a bad man. I guess Baili Hai must have done something to her. I got angry on the spot and asked Su Yun’yun to teach him a lesson…”

Before she finished, Baili Xian turned and walked away, muttering as he went, “What a web of karma! The grudges of a past life have all fallen upon us in this one. Big Brother, rest assured, I’ll look after them.”

Liu Ling’er felt completely bewildered, but seeing the bleakness in Baili Xian’s demeanor, her heart ached. Even with the gentle warmth of spring sunlight falling over him, there was an inexplicable chill about him. In that instant, she truly wanted to run over and hold him tight.

As dusk fell, Liu Ling’er called for Xiaocui, let Su Yun’yun know, and the three of them set out toward the bustling streets of the imperial capital.

Liu Ling’er had persuaded Baili Xian to give her a deed to some property; now she wanted to see the place for herself. Having suffered from lack of money before, she was determined to start a business. With a hen that laid eggs, she’d never be short of silver again.

They walked along, browsing as they went. In Liu Ling’er’s eyes, the prosperity of the imperial capital was quite impressive. Though it couldn’t compare to a modern metropolis, it was lively indeed. As night deepened, business still thrived, and with lanterns aglow, the city became a veritable night market.

Wealth had its privileges everywhere: anything you fancied, you could buy on a whim; if you took someone’s candied fruit, you didn’t have to worry about being chased for payment—Xiaocui would settle it for you, naturally. No wonder people would do anything to become rich.

“Madam, have pity on us! My father died when I was born, my mother when I was four, my brother at five, my sister at six… At seven I was kidnapped and sold to the capital as a servant, at nine my master died of illness, and now I’m homeless, hungry, cold, and miserable—boohoo…” As a group of children crowded around, one of them began to wail his tale of misfortune.

Liu Ling’er could only feel a headache coming on. Was there anyone in the world more pitiful than this child? And what a jinx! Everyone connected to him seemed to die!

She stood there speechless. The group of little beggars pressed in closer. Xiaocui, afraid Liu Ling’er would be angered, hurriedly pulled out some copper coins and handed them over. “There, don’t tug at our lady—ah, madam. Take these coins and go buy some buns.”

Liu Ling’er was even more speechless. Xiaocui, you’re just too kind! Who knows if these beggars are really in need? Doing good deeds with my money, when it took so much effort to coax it from Baili Xian!

The little beggars snatched up the coins and scattered in all directions, moving so quickly even Su Yun’yun, who’d wanted to give out more, was left stunned.

Xiaocui’s eyes turned red, almost in tears. Liu Ling’er couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Did all the pampered children of wealthy families have such little experience? Couldn’t she see these were just a bunch of con artists?

“Princess, something’s wrong! Our silver is gone!” They hadn’t gone far before Xiaocui suddenly cried out.

Su Yun’yun frowned and patted her clothes. “No good, my money pouch is missing too.”

Well… After being surrounded by those beggars, who’d been brushing up against you for so long, and you still expected to keep your silver?

Liu Ling’er immediately gave chase in one direction—the children carried a peculiar scent that she remembered: the fresher it was, the stronger it would be, making them easy to track.

Su Yun’yun hurried after her as well. He didn’t care much about the money, but the pouch itself was a cherished keepsake from his mother—something he absolutely could not lose.

In a small temple dedicated to a goddess, three little beggars were dividing their loot.

“This is yours, this is mine, this is his… This pouch is nice, I’ll keep it for myself.”

Suddenly, an argument broke out. “Didn’t we agree to split everything evenly? Why do I have so little?”

“Heh! Each of us was supposed to pick one target, then split everything after. You didn’t manage to steal a thing, so you’re lucky to get anything at all.”

“Oh, that’s easy for you to say! That girl may look weak, but she held on to her pouch like her life depended on it, unlike the fools you two picked. I couldn’t get it from her at all!”

Su Yun’yun was speechless—utterly speechless! They dared call him a fool after stealing his money? The nerve!

He punched the outer wall with a bang, startling the trio inside. “Not good, they’ve caught up! We need to split up and run!”

But how could these children escape from a skilled fighter like Su Yun’yun? In just a few moves, they were all knocked to the ground.

What Liu Ling’er hadn’t expected was that these little beggars showed no trace of fear. Instead, they sat there with an air of composure and threatened, “You’d better let us go, or when our boss arrives, you’ll be in real trouble!”

Good heavens, even now they were being so defiant. Where did such arrogant little thieves come from? Truly a rare breed!