How can this happen? She was just only asking for seconds and the heavens have answered her prayers. Everyone looked at the cute little six-year-old who was now wearing a bowl of noodles. The people did not think too much about a child eating alone at a street stall. Most families were starving and could barely provide enough to eat. They're lucky if they get to eat for the day. To provide for their family, the poor commoners were working at an incredibly young age. Some were out selling goods, and some were doing unsafe labor. The people didn't care much about the livelihood of their kids. It was a norm for children to be outside by themselves. The customers that were sitting next to her had sent a flying bowl at her and yet they were still arguing. Ying Momo finally had enough. She needs to confront these imbeciles and teach them a lesson. They need to learn that the small street stalls are not a place for them to showcase their family play. No need to show the world about their personal issues. They should keep their family problems at home, behind closed doors. She marches towards the table. She gently halted herself when she saw the scene that was playing out. There were some pushing and pulling. Two adults were tugging on a child while another child was trying to fight them off. Daylight kidnapping? And this was happening in front of Ying Momo. That won't happen!
"You can't take my sister! No! Let her go!"
"Brother! Help! No, let me go!"
"Damn it, kid! You owe us some money! If you can't pay, give us your sister!"
"No! I won't! I won't let her go! She's my one and only sister! I'll pay you back! Just give me a few more days!"
"Brother help me! Brother, I don't want to go!" Wenwen cries out.
She couldn't hold onto her brother's hand any longer. She wrapped her arms around her brother's waist as rigidly as she can. If any of her fingers slips, it will be the end of them. Her brother held her back tightly as he uses his other hand to fend off the two men. Wenwen's grip had toughen up on her brother's waist. Her little arms that was as scrawny as a shrimp had become a rope, binding her brother to her closely. But her strength has now hindered his movements. His movements were caught and one of the men saw an opening. The man waited for the opportunity when the kid was distracted. He pushed the little boy down and held him. The other man grabbed his younger sister and forcefully pulled her away. Wenwen was scared so she latches onto the man's hand and bit into it. Like a craze dog the little girl had locked her jaw.
"Ahhhhhh!!! You Damn brat, what are you doing! Let me go before I kill you!"
Wenwen didn't want to let go. If she did, they will hurt her brother. She bit down even harder. No matter how hard the man tries to pry her off, she wouldn't budge. The little girl stubbornly kept her jaw lock. The customers watch the crazy scene. No one wanted to help. They didn't want to get involve. By listening to the exchange that they were saying, it sounded like the kids were runaway slaves or had owed a lot of debt. No one wants to pick up someone else's debt. The way how the kids were poorly dress, one can tell that they had little or nothing to wear. They might be orphans that were abandoned to bare the debts of their parents.
"Kid if you don't let go, I'll beat you to death!" One of the shady looking man said as he raised his hands at the little boy.
Wenwen opens her mouth to spit his hands out. She spat it out as if his hand were a burnt piece of bitter food that she had accidently ate. She finally let the man's hand go. She ran back into her brother's arms for protection. The little boy was still kicking and hitting the other guy, but he abruptly stopped when he saw her running in his direction. The brother hastily pulls his little sister towards him. He spots some blood on his sister's lips. Seeing his little sister's mouth was covered in someone else's blood, a feeling of despair slices through his heart. He couldn't do anything to help them at all. They were suffering and scavenging for food every single day. Ever since their parents had abandoned them, that bite that his little sister just had was probably the most nutritionist thing that she has gotten. They've been digging up other people's trash and stealing food from street stalls. Whatever happens today he could not let his little sister go. Who knows what these savages will do with her? He will never separate from her.
The little boy saw the arm coming towards them. He didn't know what to do. He was still too young and little to protect her from these scums. The crowd was fearing for the two little children. All of the adults were afraid. Some even face the other way because they couldn't handle the sight of the children being beaten. The arm of the man got closer and closer. The little boy bravely stood in front of his younger sister with two arms wide open. He has to do this to shield her. The crowd gasps in fear. Everyone was nervously looking at the arm that was going to hit the children. If that arm of his reaches the kids, it will kill them instantly. The atmosphere became heavier. It is as if time was slowing down, and the whole world had seemed to pause momentarily. This was it for the two children. In that second, a heroic Ying Momo started walking towards them. Her stare was sharp, and she was really focus. Her aura became intense. Such a little child can give off such a killing intent. She grips her fist tighter and tighter as she slowly walks towards them.
One of the spectators saw her and loudly shouts, "Look! She's going to save the children!"
"Wow! Amazing!" The people praise Ying Momo.
The yelling caught the attention of the two men and the children. All four of them had stopped their movements and watch Ying Momo as she approaches the group. She got closer and closer. As for the two men, their breathing became heavier and heavier. While a sweat dripped down the little boy's forehead. The little girl was also in a daze. She was happy that this sister was going to save her and her brother. Wenwen carefully examine Ying Momo's appearance. The little girl didn't look like she can do much, but her clothing didn't look to shabby. She must be a servant from a rich household. She might have some big backer that can help them. The man that was raising his hand at the two children started getting scare from Ying Momo's aura. He started to perspire. He was thinking about what this little girl can do. She was just a little brat but why does she exude such a feeling? They didn't have any animosity towards each other. Why was she approaching them? Ying Momo got closer and closer. She took a step and another. She was only two steps away. Ying Momo took another step until she reaches one of the men. The man cautiously looks at her. He slowly opens his mouth to question her.
"You…"
Ying Momo took another step, but she shifted her body towards the cashier counter that was standing behind them. When the crowd saw this, they all fell onto the ground. Because her actions were too shocking, they couldn't handle the revelation. This little girl wasn't saving the two children at all. She was minding her own business. Why did they all got so worked up about her?
Ying Momo nonchalantly carry on as she asks the lady behind the counter, "What's the bill?"
"Uh…three coppers." The cashier couldn't believe what she just saw. When she goes home today, she will have a story to share at the dinner table for sure.
The two men continue on after they saw that she was no threat. She didn't mind the other two kids at all. The man swung his arm again towards the two kids. The crowd watches again. This time there really is no hope for those two little children. Death was all there is. The little sister will be sold while the little brother will be beaten to death to rot on the streets. No one can save these two kids. Ying Momo looked at the cashier for a moment and she started contemplating.
"Missy, how long have you've been working here?"
Looking at the cute little six-year-old, the cashier was questioning the little girl's weird temperaments. She didn't want to answer her.
"We're not hiring at the moment. I've been here long enough to know that we do not need kids here." She rudely scoffs at Ying Momo.
Ying Momo calmly look at the lady and decides to ask again, "I need a specific answer. How long have you've been working here?"
Now the cashier patience had run out, "I already told you that we're not hiring! Give me the three coppers and scram! If it'll shut you up and make you go away, I'll tell you. Don't be thinking that a stinky kid like you can work here. I've been working here for six years and the owner had never hire kids before. You guys are too troublesome. Just like those two brats over there! Now leave. Hmph!"
"You have been here for six years. You're right, that is long enough to know all the rules and regulations of holding a street stall. When applying for your licensing, you were accredited to be educated about how to deal with ferocity actions in public and be a mandated reporter for any unlawful activities." The cute little Ying Momo slyly smile as she retorted.
When Ying Momo say those things, it caught the entire stall's attention. Some people were idling by were curious about the loud commotions and decided to watch. The two men had also ceased their movements and is now looking towards Ying Momo. When Wenwen and her brother heard Ying Momo speak, a little hope begins to rise in their hearts. It seems that this child was really going to save them this time.
"What are you implying? I am not doing any crime here. I just work here. I'm not the owner!" She hissed at the six-year-old who didn't know her place and wanted to lecture an elder.
Ying Momo knew that the cashier had misunderstood her. She sighed heavily as she didn't want to get involve. But she was the one who helped her grandfather implemented these new regulations. These new rules were intended to help and change this country citizen's principles. She sometimes questions her own judgement. She wanted to say that this era was too uncivilized for her. Yet, she can't hypocritically say it because everyone has their own moral values and think differently. She didn't want to judge another's culture or judge their way of living. She hated the fact that these adults were just standing by and not do a single thing to lend a helping hand. Two helpless children were being harassed in broad daylight and no one wanted to step in and help. Instead, some of these adults were hoping that she would help them. She was a child who can't even help herself. How can she help them? How can they be so cowardly and not do a single thing? Ying Momo took a deep breath to relief herself.
"You don't have to personally stop those two men. Your job as a citizen of Chu country is to report to your authorities for any unlawful crimes. Especially if it's happening at your workplace." Ying Momo cutely inform the rude lady as she hands over the three coppers.
"I am minding my own business! No need to stick my nose everywhere. Hmph!"
Looking at the noodle stall's cashier, Ying Momo became really disappointed. Since she didn't want to be a responsible and sensible adult, Ying Momo will teach her a valuable lesson today.
"Being an accomplice of a crime will get you jail time for at least five years with no probation and you are to pay a fine of six silvers. And if you're found guilty for being an accomplice of child abduction you will earn fifty years or more in prison. It must be nice to be able to sleep at night, knowing that you have turn a blind eye to this. Whatever may happen in the future, hopefully this doesn't come back and bite you in the butt. For Buddha is watching and so is the heavens. Hopefully, the miss here doesn't forget that she too will be a mother. May this action of yours today don't befall on your kids."
"You…you little brat! Are you cursing me?!"
"No, I'm just blessing you that your future children won't be in the same situation."
The onlookers were now feeling guilty. Hearing such a young girl reminding them about public morals was really refreshing. To some of the adults, what she had said has actually hurt their pride. Ying Momo didn't care about their feelings. The little miss of the Ying clan wasn't scare of anything. She had lived long enough in her past to know what's right from wrong. Ying Momo had now caught the attention of the two men that were harassing Wenwen and her brother. Hearing about her announcing that someone should report them had anger them. These outlaws were not big fans of all the new regulations that the new empire had established. Most of the people here were not as civilize as the modern world. From torturing animals to child labor was the norm for them. When Ying Momo helped her grandfather to set some new standard rules for the country of Chu, only the educated and wealthy family acknowledge them. As for the rest of the commoners, many couldn't understand them. A lot of these household's beliefs and values were differed from her. Ying Momo didn't want to implicate anyone. She chose a more approachable method way, by providing free education. And still that was still a bit too much for these people to accept. She started a trial by selecting certain families to be educated within the Ying's clan expense, but the poor commoners couldn't grasp the importance of education. The commoners were short sighted, and they only worry about filling their stomachs up for the time being. They didn't understand why they needed to learn how to read and write. They rather have their kids work seasonal labors for some cheap income, instead of wasting their time in schools. She didn't agree with some of the things in this new world, but she has to slowly adjust to them.
The two had drop their dispute with Wenwen and her brother. They started walking towards Ying Momo. A brat wanted to interfere in their business. How can they let this go? The cashier of the noodle stall panics as she sees the two men walking to her and Ying Momo. Ying Momo ferociously look at the lady. She hated these kinds of adult. Timid, spineless and would just watch someone being killed in front of her. She's the type that would throw her friends into the pits of hell just to save herself. Ying Momo didn't care if she was just a worker at this stall. Such a shady business that will hire such shady employees should not belong in the capitol. Once she gets back to the Ying manor, she would shut this place down. But right now, she has to deal with these two men. One of the men pushes the cashier in front of Ying Momo away as he stood against the tiny little six-year-old. Ying Momo didn't back down as she straightens her posture so she wouldn't look inferior to the two scums. The onlookers were watching the cute little kitty standing up to the two intimidating crooks was quite amusing to them.
"Little brat, what were you saying? You want to report us to who?"
One of the crooks looked down at the tiny little girl. She was facing him, showing that she wasn't afraid. Her cute little button nose was up in the air to make up for her missing height. The man got closer to the tiny girl to prove that she was much smaller in size. Ying Momo didn't want to hurt her own pride as she tip-toed to compete with the man. But no matter how much she did, she can only reach his waist.
"To the local authorities. Child abduction is a crime."
"You're still a thousand years too early to butt into other people's business. Why do you want to die so early?"
When Wenwen and her brother heard what the man said, they became a bit afraid for Ying Momo. The little girl has gotten herself involve with their mess and now she will meet a horrible ending. She timidly backs away and lower her head. The shady looking man saw her actions and a nasty grin spreads across his face. This little girl was very pretty. If he can catch her with the other brats, selling them will get him a fortune. He will be eating delicacy such as birds nest soup for the next five years. He thought about it more. He can have a taste of that other little girl but save this beauty for a rich official. Those officials were the most corrupted. Most of them have the most twisted minds. He's been in the slave trade business for too long. He knows every inhumane way how those old scums had torture those unlucky kids.
The man looked at the pretty little girl who had now lowered her head. She was hiding that beautiful face away, but he won't let this chance get away. Seeing Ying Momo timidly lowering her head while trying to be brave was very amusing to him. Her actions looked coquettish and cute to the two disgusting scums. It ignited their most inner sins and greed. She was the right fit for some perverted high officials. She will make a lot of money. He approaches her gently and reaches out to grab her cute little chin.
"Come here, uncle didn't mean to scare you. If you come here, I'll let them go." He says to lure Ying Momo towards him.
Ying Momo was surprise. Will they really let them go? If she takes their spot instead, she knows that she is more likely to survive. And if she goes, she can be an insider in the slave trader business. And her grandfather will be able to find her. She just hopes that grandpa will find her soon or she might not have a good ending. As long as these two kids get away from here, they should be safe. The little boy seems to be intelligent. He surely will find a safe place for them. Ying Momo just need to distract these two.