The bold and the timid starve, but the bold feast.
The bold merchant hurried over, his face full of eagerness, and asked, "Sir, what are your commands!"
Cheng Hao, exuding an aura of a domineering CEO, declared, "Bring all the food you have in this area. The silver in my hand is yours to distribute as you see fit!"
Did this mean he would give him this silver ingot, and let him decide how much to give to other vendors?
Such a magnificent opportunity, how could he refuse? The stall owner's face broke into a wide smile. "Yes, sir! No problem, sir! Please wait, I'll handle it!"
With that, he sprinted towards his relatives. Upon hearing the news, their eyes widened, and then, with incredible speed, they packed all the food and provisions.
The old butler and Lai Fu, hearing the commotion, were already dumbfounded, their admiration for their young master growing. Everyone was anxious about the blockade, yet he was still thinking of stocking up on supplies.
His composure was truly remarkable!
Su Miaomiao, due to her physical condition, had already collapsed nearby and fallen into a deep sleep.
Cheng Hao, having acquired a fresh batch of supplies, had hoped for a word of praise from Su Miaomiao. Instead, all he received was her motionless slumber, which halved his joy.
He even hesitated to touch her, fearing she might turn cold.
It wasn't until Su Miaomiao rolled over and kicked him that the oppressive aura around him completely dissipated.
The young girl slept with her limbs splayed out, completely unguarded, her face regaining a healthy flush.
Red and plump.
Cheng Hao leaned in, propping himself up beside Su Miaomiao, and gazed down at her. He gently brushed aside a bothersome strand of hair, revealing her pretty, still chubby cheeks.
Su Miaomiao at sixteen, whom he hadn't seen in so long, was indeed a fresh sight.
Cheng Hao leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek, his furtive actions hardly honorable.
Much like his hidden affection.
The person before him, from childhood to adulthood, was like the wind, unrestrained and playful, sought after and loved by many, her popularity far exceeding his. Yet, she approached everything with only a three-minute attention span.
He preferred to let her endlessly ponder and question the depth of his love for her, rather than let her obtain it too easily, only to forget it and take it for granted.
Her previously greenish complexion had seemed abnormal, as if carrying a deathly pallor.
Now, she had finally come back to life.
Cheng Hao, confirming her normal body temperature and the return of her ruddy complexion, finally felt at ease.
The vendors outside, carrying a large amount of dry provisions, rushed over. Ji Bo and Lai Fu quickly stepped forward to help receive them and then carried them into the carriage, where Cheng Hao was responsible for their safekeeping.
The stalls set up by the city gate primarily offered dry goods. They were hard and not particularly tasty, but they were filling and kept well. For those who had experienced war, they were not to be dismissed. When people traveled far, they always liked to buy some for the road.
Ji Bo was overjoyed, and Lai Fu was excited to see so many dry provisions received.
Cheng Hao silently handed the merchant a large silver ingot, making him beam with delight. The merchant bowed repeatedly, expressing his gratitude, and then turned to leave, biting the silver and grinning as he walked back to his family.
The convoy finally began to move smoothly, and the heated exchanges ahead had also subsided.
As Cheng Hao lowered the curtain, he saw the joyful expressions of the family of six. He couldn't help but call out to the vendor. The merchant cautiously stepped closer, and Cheng Hao silently mouthed "Run," before lowering the curtain and driving the carriage straight out of the city.
The merchant stood there, bewildered, scratching his head. His father, however, reacted first, letting out a low cry of alarm and immediately ordering them to go home and pack their belongings.
It wasn't unusual for one or two wealthy families to leave the city; even in chaotic times, the rich had reserves that allowed them to fare better than commoners, and occasional excursions outside the city were normal. But for five or six families to leave all at once was unprecedented.
Coupled with Cheng Hao's warning, how could the older generation not sense the impending danger?
The other merchants nearby also scattered like startled birds, preparing to evacuate.
Just then.
The official announcement arrived.
White flags rose in the city, and smoke signals ignited everywhere. The people knew what it meant.
The citizens of the capital, who moments before were speculating why the wealthy families were leaving en masse, were now screaming in terror and fleeing in all directions.
The crying of children.
The shouts of men, the speechless screams of women.
People shoved through the crowds, running back to their homes, shouting for their wives and children.
Stalls were overturned.
The spilled boiling water scalded countless people, and food stalls and granaries were looted.
Merchants wailed and cried, but no one paid them any heed.
People fell.
The unfortunate were treated like paving stones, trampled by countless others as they passed over them.
Even their pained cries went unheard.
The capital.
Had fallen.
At the rear gate.
The convoy was still exiting the city in an orderly fashion, leaving behind a place that was rapidly turning into hell.
Cheng Hao could faintly hear the chaos erupting within the city. Fortunately, their carriage had already passed beyond the city walls and was speeding towards the main road. Gradually, the sounds of wailing from the city faded.
The sky turned a gloomy gray, mirroring the bleakness of the times, weighing heavily on their hearts.
No one spoke on the road.
*
Su Miaomiao woke up as darkness fell. The carriage was traveling swiftly along a narrow path.
Still groggy and with her eyes closed, her first words were, "Cheng Hao..."
Cheng Hao, leaning against the carriage, had his eyes closed, organizing the supplies in the spatial realm, intending to arrange them to create more usable space. Hearing Su Miaomiao wake up, he immediately replied.
"I'm here."
"What is it?"
At such a moment, his tone was incredibly gentle, capable of instilling a sense of absolute security.
Su Miaomiao opened her eyes and found herself in complete darkness, startled. She clutched her quilt tightly and exclaimed in horror, "Wah, it's so dark! Oh no, Cheng Hao, I can't see! Where are you?"
Not receiving an immediate response, she broke down, "Cheng Hao, have I gone blind..."
This couldn't be blamed on Su Miaomiao's overthinking. When she transmigrated that morning, she had nearly gone deaf. At the same time, she had no idea how long she had slept in a daze.
Two chuckles could be heard from outside.
Ji Bo and Lai Fu quickly stifled their laughter, finding the young madam quite amusing.
Uh...
After her eyes adjusted to the dim light within the carriage, she could vaguely make out some shapes.
Su Miaomiao was now completely awake. She blinked awkwardly, staring at the carriage ceiling.
She fell silent.
Cheng Hao was amused and exasperated by her antics. This person always managed to soften his heart.
He got up and went to the lower sleeping platform, reaching for a clasp. He pulled open a drawer beneath the low couch, found an oil lamp, and lit it. The carriage immediately became much brighter.
Finally, comfort.
Su Miaomiao squinted, adjusting to the light for a moment, then grinned sheepishly. She then sat up and lifted the curtain to look outside, but it was too dark to see clearly.
She could only vaguely make out the rapidly receding trees.
They must be racing through the wilderness; after all, they were traveling. She understood that.
However.
"Where are we going?"
"Soon. The weather is bad, and it looks like it's going to rain. We're heading to a broken temple to rest for a while."
Cheng Hao placed the oil lamp in its bracket inside the carriage, ensuring it wouldn't fall.
Knowing the current progress, Su Miaomiao stopped causing trouble. She obediently snuggled closer to Cheng Hao, insisting on hugging him, as the temperature had begun to drop with the onset of night.