Chapter 57: Human affairs are unpredictable, how can one exchange for jade-like beauty and silk-like elegance? (5)

  "A jar of pickled vegetables, what's the big deal? It saved us from starving, but it's a great merit you've earned, brother doesn't know how to thank you!" Hu Saniu hastily said.

  I hesitated for a moment, pointing to the jar of pickled vegetables, and asked: "I don't know what kind of pickled vegetables Brother Hu San has made in this jar?"

  Hu Saniu was taken aback, then laughed: "You must have heard about my pickled human 'meat' too? Well, take a look." He opened the lid of a jar of pickled vegetables, revealing indeed chunks of white radish inside.

  I'm in a state of uncertainty, was that 'fat' white baby just now really me being flustered and mistaken?

  "Hu San'er hastily said: 'You really have been frightened, now that the fire has been extinguished, it's hard on you.'"

  I hastily said don't be polite, left the glutinous rice balls and went home on my own. Hu San'er wanted to send me off, I hurriedly waved my hand saying: "Mei Cai has already gone beyond what's acceptable, made a mess of things, it's better to let Brother Hu San'er clean up himself..."

  "It doesn't matter!" Hu San'er waved his hand: "Today, such a thing happened, and it's too late to thank you. Another day, Brother Hu San'er will definitely go buy some good fabric to repay you."

  I hastily made an excuse and returned home, where my parents saw me and asked what was wrong. I told them about the incident, saying that the smoke had given me a headache, and before they could ask any more questions, I quickly retreated to my room to rest. Lying on the bed, my mind was racing with thoughts - could it be that I had mistaken that plump white baby? But why did it disappear in an instant? The other radishes in the jars were all clearly genuine, and I had seen them with my own eyes.

  I tossed and turned on my bed, thinking to myself that although it's said that hearing is false but seeing is true, I also doubted whether I had seen things with my own eyes. If I were to tell Lord Long about this matter, who knows if he would also mock me like the old lady who claimed to have seen a child's corpse? Lord Long already enjoys making fun of others, and if he got hold of such an opportunity, I don't know how he would ridicule me.

  After some thought, I suddenly remembered Li Kaitang. He has the ultimate skill for catching monsters and is also refined and courteous, approachable and humble, so he definitely won't laugh at me. Having made up my mind, I decided to meet him tomorrow on Zi Yu Street and discuss it with him.

  The next day was the day to offer sacrifices to the Dragon Well, I packed up the offerings and went to the Dragon Temple. As soon as I stepped out of the door, Leqin's wife saw me and stopped what she was doing, saying repeatedly: "Meicai, I heard from Hu San'er that yesterday you saved this shop, thank you so much! If not, the consequences would be unthinkable."

  I smiled and said: "Leqin sister-in-law is being too serious, it just so happens that I can lend a hand, Meicai will be happy in her heart."

  "Really a good kid, I truly like you. Today I made pickled cucumber dish and hand-pulled noodles, the best match for rice, come try some?" She pulled me in without giving me a chance to refuse.

  Only the tender and delicate green cucumber was dyed into a sauce color by the braising liquid, emitting a savory aroma. Taking a bite, it's sour, sweet and fresh, indeed delicious.

  Hu Saniu was not in the shop, I casually asked: "Leqin sister, don't know where Hu Saniu brother went? The shop is so prosperous, only sister can't keep up with it."

  Laoqin's wife smiled and said, "Probably went to buy vegetables, on 'Spring' days the price of vegetables is still expensive, need to carefully select." Tiexue Youling

  I nodded, looking at the various sauces in wooden grid compartments in the store, the aroma was overwhelming, and the colors were vibrant. I couldn't help but ask sideways: "Laoqin auntie, wasn't there a rumor going around that this shop used human flesh to make pickled vegetables? It's really scary."

  Laoqin's wife smiled and said, "Who knows which 'rumor' is the root of all this trouble? Fortunately, the rumors have subsided for now, nothing is more important than business."

  I nodded repeatedly and said: "It's probably because the white radish really looks too much like a baby, even Mei Cai almost made a mistake yesterday."

  Yuqin's sister-in-law laughed and said: "You must have started a fire, your heart is already in chaos, you made a mistake for a moment, it's possible. If you really use human flesh to make pickled vegetables, I would be the first to know, your brother Hu Saner may use secret recipes to make pickled vegetables, but he doesn't hide it from me, if it's really bloody like that, how can I still come and help? Is it helping to wash vegetables and chop vegetables, or is it helping to be an executioner?"

  Looking at Le Qinchu's bright and cheerful appearance, I became more and more suspicious that it was I who had misjudged.

  They entered the Dragon God Temple, but unexpectedly, the dragon well was not in the temple. There was only a lone melon slice keeping watch, looking utterly bored, using its orange beak to preen its bright green feathers.

  I hastily asked: "Guapian, why didn't we see Dragon God today?"

  Guāpiàn said: "Longshenye is tired of playing cards with Guāpiàn and has gone to the casino."

  "Huh?" This Dragon God, isn't he supposed to be busy handling all the affairs of the world, mediating the disputes between the three realms, and sending me on a mission to investigate and gather clues? But instead, he's actually going around gambling with mortals. The strongest warrior in the city.

  Melon slice smiled and said: "Foolish boy, don't get angry, Dragon God has his own reasons."

  Just then, Longjing came back from outside with a spirited and proud air, saw me, and smiled: "Ah, ah, really lucky in the gambling hall, also lucky in offering sacrifices, just won a bet, and see the silly fool coming to offer supplies again. Today there are sesame balls, wine-soaked rice balls, green bean cakes, rose cakes? Together, it's still quite a mouthful."

  I really can't guess what kind of great principle this dragon god who is proficient in eating, drinking and having fun, and is lazy to the bone has, but his nose is indeed spiritual, and he has never said anything wrong.

  Thinking again, no matter how the Dragon God is, there is no room for me, a small servant girl, to intervene. I quickly arranged the offerings and went to fetch clear water to change the fresh flowers.

  Longjing grabbed a piece of green bean cake and looked at me suspiciously: "Foolish kid, your eyes are dodging back and forth today, shining brightly, looking quite unnatural. Could it be that you have some worries?"

  I was taken aback and thought to myself, "Dragon God is all-knowing, should I tell him what I've seen and heard?" If he were to mock me, saying that a dignified Dragon Envoy like myself mistook a radish for an infant, it would be utterly humiliating.

  Longjing slightly narrowed her peach blossom-like big eyes: "Oh my, our family has a newly grown daughter, aren't you thinking of that immortal practitioner's family with some celestial bones, Li Qietang?"

  "Huh?" I stood still with the kettle in my hand, pouring water into the bottle: "Could it be that even the Dragon God recognizes Li Kaitang's young master?"

  "Gushing out! Gushing out!" The melon slice shouted. I lowered my head to take a look, and indeed, the water had already overflowed onto the offering table, forming a miniature "Golden Mountain". I hastily looked for something to wipe it up with.