Chapter 19: Another Round of Gains

“Hey, Zitao, how can you be so clueless about cherishing delicate beauties? The woman carrying a sword at her waist must be a skilled heroine, right? But you’re not wearing a sword or a dagger—are you just a refined, gentle scholar then?”

The man being stopped retorted to his companion but didn’t continue walking out; instead, he sat back down and looked outside.

If that young lady had just taken the little temple monk out for a stroll, there were also two bald-headed little girls there.

Could it be that she first kidnapped the little monk and then the little nuns? And she picked only the good-looking ones? Otherwise, whose children would have shaved heads?

This was truly a sight he had never seen before—so rare!

Zitao, who was mocked as a weak scholar, indeed appeared gentle and harmless. Hearing the words, he paid no attention and just kept staring out the window.

From his perspective, he really couldn’t see any special skill in that young lady—she just looked quite pretty, with a sharp and spirited demeanor.

The playboy who blocked their way showed no fear at all, only anger. The seven little bald heads were also quite upset—interesting.

Hong Xiaoduo and the seven kids: Who wouldn’t be angry? This is a bun shop, meat buns, and we’re starving! Want to try it?

“I warn you, I’m very hungry right now. When I’m hungry, my temper’s terrible,” Hong Xiaoduo warned, trying to suppress her rising anger.

“Oh dear, big brother, I’m so scared. Come on, throw a tantrum for this young master to see—tell me how delicate you are?” The playboy was completely oblivious to the danger.

Hong Xiaoduo looked at the annoying guy, thinking to herself that if they beat him up first and then quickly ate the buns, he probably wouldn’t bring reinforcements before they were full.

Why was her luck so bad? After finally resolving the trouble with that Akun guy and settling into the inn smoothly, she had hoped to have a good meal, get a good sleep, and then think about what to do next.

But now, the buns were in sight but out of reach?

If they really dealt with him, what about the follow-up trouble? Would they still have to go to the government office?

Oh, right—the government constables?

Hong Xiaoduo had a sudden idea: “If you want to take us out to play, you need to ask someone for permission first. If he agrees, I have no objection.”

The playboy didn’t expect her to say that and instinctively asked, “Who?”

“The constable Jin Hu at the government office. You go ask him; I won’t go far, just here eating buns,” Hong Xiaoduo told him.

Why waste such a ready-made ally?

The playboy looked him over and didn’t seem very powerful. Could Constable Jin really control him? Probably yes.

“Constable Jin? But I don’t know what relation the young lady has with him,” the playboy was visibly nervous, and Hong Xiaoduo breathed a sigh of relief.

She glanced at him with some flair and a mischievous smile: “What relation? Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Spelling it out clearly for him—yes, I’m setting you up, so go ask quickly!

The more she said that, the more uncertain the playboy felt. His family was somewhat wealthy, but not enough to offend the government constables.

As the saying goes, it’s easier to deal with the king of hell than with troublesome little devils; everyone knows not to offend government officials, even gatekeepers.

“Well then, I mean no offense, just joking with the young lady. Goodbye, goodbye,” the playboy said and tried to leave quickly.

But seeing the young lady smile faintly, he felt uneasy.

“Well then, you’d better go to the government office and find Constable Jin. I just remembered I didn’t bring any silver; I need to buy buns from them. You might as well deliver a message to Constable Jin and get some money for the buns. Much appreciated,” Hong Xiaoduo smiled and asked.

Hearing this, the playboy relaxed, rummaged through his purse, pulled out two silver coins, and placed them on the bun shop’s table. He told the shop owner, “This is for the young lady and her companions’ buns,” and hurried off.

“Little ones, someone’s treating us to buns. Come, sit down and eat slowly,” Hong Xiaoduo cheerfully invited, having turned the tables on the teasing.

She then sat with them at the tables outside the bun shop, splitting them into two groups.

The bun shop assistant quickly came over. Hong Xiaoduo ordered a basket of steamed meat buns first and also asked to bring eight bowls of wonton soup.

“Be careful, it’s hot. Eat slowly, no rush, and don’t eat too much,” she reminded the kids who were staring at the food, hesitant to start.

Seeing this, the staff quickly helped and carefully placed buns onto each child’s plate.

“Thank you, young sir,” Hong Xiaoduo smiled in gratitude.

The freshly steamed meat buns were soft, plump, and steaming hot. The kids didn’t know how to bite in at first.

They had seen villains eating meat buns—fresh from the steamer, bought with hard-earned money—but they could only watch as the villain took big bites, juices dripping down the corners of his mouth.

Now, they never imagined in their dreams they would get to eat meat buns themselves.

The seven kids stared at Hong Xiaoduo. When she took the first bite, they followed suit, blowing on the buns and carefully nibbling.

The warm bun filled their mouths with the aroma of savory meat filling—so fragrant and delicious. So this was the taste of meat buns.

Hong Xiaoduo had expected the kids, unfamiliar with meat buns, to gobble them down quickly, worrying they might choke or burn themselves. But surprisingly, among the eight, only she ate messily, finishing a bun in three bites.

She smiled at the kids, and they smiled back—delicious buns made everyone happier.

Two people in the teahouse across the street couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I say, Master Dong, how come I never knew the constables in this town’s small government office were so formidable? They can even be dragged out and flex their muscles like that? What relation is that young lady to Constable Jin?” Zitao asked with a meaningful look.

The younger Master Dong was puzzled too: “No, Constable Jin is lively but never crosses the line. Besides, he doesn’t seem to have any family or relatives around here. Even if he did, I’d know since I’m at the office every day.”

“Brother Zitao, you’re amazing—you can tell the young lady won’t be at a disadvantage. It’s that useless, boastful rich kid who got scared off. He tried to tease the young lady but ended up paying for buns and didn’t even get a thank you,” Master Dong said incredulously.

Zitao thought a moment, sipped his tea, and added, “If I’m right, the young lady and Constable Jin probably just know each other, not relatives.”

“No way. How could she dare otherwise? I don’t buy that. If that guy really went to ask, wouldn’t the whole thing be exposed?” Master Dong was skeptical.

Zitao shook his head with a slight smile: “With your mind, how do you dare be a master? If the county magistrate had a master like you, he’d never get promoted. At worst, he’d lose even his minor official’s hat.”

“Tch, others may not know, but you do. I’m not here to be a master because I want to. I was sent here two years ago after causing trouble in the capital. My grandfather arranged this for me,” Master Dong said, feeling resentful about the matter.

Seeing his companion’s discomfort, Zitao raised his eyebrows: “Don’t be upset. That matter will fade away after another year. Then you can return and still be the young tyrant of the capital.

Now, do you want to go ask Constable Jin what exactly the relationship is between him and that young lady?”