After resting for a day at the inn with the money Zhelan had provided her before her departure, Suyin found herself once again wandering the streets of the city. With uncertainty gnawing at her, she knew she needed to find a way to earn some money to sustain herself and avoid sleeping out in the open.
As she walked, Suyin kept a keen eye out for any opportunities that might present themselves. Perhaps there were odd jobs she could take on, or items she could sell to earn a few coins. She remained hopeful, knowing that resourcefulness and determination could often lead to unexpected opportunities.
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As Suyin approached the scene at the clinic, she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The wealthy man who had turned away the poor beggar was now the one in distress, pleading for help from the very crowd he had scorned.
"Please! Help me!" he cried out, desperation evident in his voice. "No one in the clinic has any knowledge of what this is!"
His words were punctuated by violent coughing fits, causing the bystanders to recoil in fear, covering their mouths and noses to avoid whatever ailment he might be carrying.
"It's all because of that stupid, useless poor guy! That's why I got this!" he ranted, pointing an accusatory finger at the poor man he had refused to help the day before.
Filled with indignation, Suyin knew there was no way the poor man could have been responsible for the wealthy man's illness, especially after she had helped him. Stepping forward, she addressed the crowd with a determined expression.
"There's one thing I know," she declared, drawing attention to herself.
As the wealthy man's condition worsened, he turned to Suyin, desperation evident in his eyes. "Please!" he begged. "Please help me cure this horrible feeling I have inside my lungs. It's as if they're inflamed!"
Suyin couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at the irony of the situation. She knew she had an opportunity to capitalize on the man's desperation, but she also recognized the chance to make a difference.
"I'll give you something," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "if you give me money first."
The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Of course! Why didn't Suyin think of this?
The wealthy man's desperation was palpable as he held out a bag of money from the side of his belt. "I-I'll give you money! But you MUST know how to treat me though! I will FIND you if you do not!" he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear and urgency.
Suyin merely shrugged, unmoved by his threats. "No money, no information, and no help," she stated firmly, turning to leave before he could retract his offer.
"P-PLEASE. Okay!" the man relented, desperation evident in his tone.
Suyin paused, slowly turning back to face him. With a calculated move, she opened the bag to confirm its contents—money.
With a nod, she accepted the deal. "In order to find the cure, you'll need to seek out the poor man you shut down just a day ago. He holds the knowledge to cure your disease."
With that, Suyin turned on her heel and strolled away, the bag of money clutched tightly in her hand.
"Easy peasy!" she exclaimed gleefully, relishing in her newfound fortune. As she disappeared into the crowd, the once-silent atmosphere was replaced by a buzz of gossip and murmurs.
"As you sow, so shall you reap," one person whispered to another, the words hanging in the air like an ominous prophecy.