Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart skipped a beat. He rushed into the kitchen, grabbed the kitchen knife, and immediately turned to run out.
In his memory, his house was at the northernmost part of the village, and not far from the village was a patch of wasteland where Chen Qiao'er often went to dig wild vegetables.
Chen Xiaobei shouted several times at the top of his lungs, but there was no response.
Damn it, he thought, this is bad. He turned around and ran towards Chen Ermao's house.
When he arrived, the door to Chen Ermao's house was tightly shut, and no one was home.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Xiaobei quickly changed direction and ran toward the village outskirts.
He recalled what Chen Ermao and the others had said—about selling Qiao'er to Zhao Yuanwai in the county. If they really had taken Qiao'er, they would be heading to the county. There was only one road from Hetou Village to the county, so if he followed it, he could catch up.
Sure enough, after running for about two miles, he saw a donkey cart ahead.
On the small cart were Chen Ermao, Monkey, Er Leng, and two outsiders, all squeezed in tightly. Monkey and Er Leng each held onto Qiao'er's arm, with one pressing her mouth shut.
It seemed that Chen Ermao and his group had come prepared—they had planned this all along and were ready to forcibly take her.
Chen Xiaobei silently thanked Aunt Xiumei for the timely warning.
If he had waited until he finished with his work to go looking for Qiao'er, he probably wouldn't have caught up.
At that moment, the people on the donkey cart noticed Chen Xiaobei chasing after them. Monkey shouted loudly, "Ermao, hurry up, hurry, Chen Xiaobei is catching up!"
Chen Ermao turned around and saw Chen Xiaobei, holding the kitchen knife and gaining ground. His heart tightened, and he immediately raised the whip and harshly lashed the donkey's rear.
The donkey was already weak and pulling four or five people, and the road was rough and uneven. How fast could it go? Seeing that Chen Xiaobei was getting closer and closer, Chen Ermao stomped his foot.
"Hurry, you guys, get down and stop him!"
With that, he reached over and grabbed Qiao'er.
Monkey, Er Leng, and the other two young men looked at each other before reluctantly jumping off the cart.
Monkey pushed Er Leng forward.
"Er Leng, stop him."
Chen Xiaobei waved the kitchen knife in his hand and pointed at them. "I've already promised to give Chen Ermao two taels of silver in three days. Why are you still trying to take Qiao'er?"
Monkey chuckled, "Don't you understand this, brother? Selling Qiao'er will get us five hundred wen, enough for you to live well and eat well..."
Before he could finish, Chen Xiaobei swung his kitchen knife again and took another step forward. "I said no! Don't force me!"
Looking at Chen Xiaobei in front of him, standing with righteous indignation, Er Leng couldn't help but feel a wave of surprise.
What happened to the Chen Xiaobei in front of him? The other day, when he heard that Qiao'er could be exchanged for five hundred wen, he was so happy his mouth almost reached his ears. He could hardly wait to make a move.
But why was he trying to stop them today?
And today, his aura was completely different from before.
Especially those eyes—Chen Xiaobei's eyes used to be wandering, devoid of spirit, but today, they were firm and filled with determination and viciousness.
Seeing that they still wouldn't move, Chen Xiaobei grew anxious and swung the kitchen knife at Er Leng, aiming a direct strike at his head.
As the saying goes, the bold fear nothing, and the reckless fear nothing at all.
Seeing this, Er Leng yelped and ran, holding his head.
When he ran, the others scattered in all directions.
A bunch of cowards.
Chen Xiaobei muttered a curse under his breath, striding forward quickly, continuing to chase.
Chen Ermao had managed to urge the donkey cart forward a little. When he saw that Chen Xiaobei was gaining on them, he knew that today, no matter what, he wouldn't be able to take Qiao'er away.
In desperation, he threw Qiao'er to the side of the road and shouted loudly, "Xiaobei, brother, I was just playing with you! Take Qiao'er back, but don't forget my ten copper coins."
At first, Chen Xiaobei had intended to catch up with Chen Ermao and teach him a lesson, but when he looked at the fallen Qiao'er on the ground, he held back.
Sometimes it's important to show mercy. He spared Chen Ermao today, hoping that Ermao would also learn to show restraint.
Qiao'er, lying on the ground, saw her brother and immediately screamed, crying bitterly and desperately.
Chen Xiaobei gently picked up Chen Qiao'er as if she were the most precious thing in the world, unwilling to let go for even a moment.
As he walked, Chen Xiaobei made a silent vow.
He would protect Chen Qiao'er from now on and never let her suffer even the slightest bit of fear.
Not far from the road, a figure rushed toward them.
It was Chen Dachun, the son of Aunt Xiumei next door.
Dachun and Chen Xiaobei had grown up together, naked as children, and their relationship was very close.
When he reached Chen Xiaobei, Dachun grinned and said, "Thank God, Qiao'er is fine."
"Big Brother Dachun, thank you," Chen Xiaobei said, stepping forward and gently tapping Dachun on the shoulder.
Dachun waved his hand. "No problem, no problem! Why are you being so polite? My mother said you should come to our house for some vegetable porridge tonight."
According to Chen Xiaobei's memory, dinner in this time was eaten very early. People finished eating before it got dark, then went to bed, saving on lamp oil.
Aunt Xiumei was already waiting at the village entrance, and when she saw the three of them return safely, a smile appeared on her face.
"Come on, let's go eat at my place."
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment, then ran into his house to grab three wild chicken eggs. He couldn't show up empty-handed.
When Aunt Xiumei saw him take out the eggs, her face was filled with surprise.
"Ah, where did you get these? These are really precious!"
Chen Xiaobei could only casually respond, "I went into the mountains and cut a branch, and just happened to find a few."
Aunt Xiumei's so-called dinner was some wild vegetables with a little bit of porridge made from some unknown kind of flour.
There was no oil or salt, and the taste was, of course, quite bland. But Chen Qiao'er still ate it with great relish.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei felt a pang in his heart. It was clear what Qiao'er must have been eating regularly.
After finishing one bowl of porridge, Aunt Xiumei placed her bowl down and began chatting. "Xiaobei, you really need to look after Qiao'er these days. I heard that Zhao Yuanwai in the city spent a lot of money to buy a pair of young boy and girl to accompany his deceased grandson as burial companions."
Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiaobei broke out in a cold sweat.
"Good grief, lucky I caught up in time. If Qiao'er had gone to the county, would she still be alive?"
"Thank you, Aunt Xiumei, if it weren't for you, Qiao'er would have been in danger." These words came from the bottom of his heart.
Aunt Xiumei changed the topic. "Xiaobei, you're already seventeen, it's time to find someone who cares for you."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei was left speechless. "Aunt Xiumei, look at my situation. Not only do I have no bride price, but I don't even have a place to sit. How can I get a wife? I can't have a new wife bringing gold and silver to my house, can I?"
Aunt Xiumei chuckled. "Well, there actually is such a good deal. In the neighboring village of Cui's, Cui Fugui is marrying off his daughter. He doesn't want a bride price at all and is even giving away dowries."
When he heard Cui Fugui's name, Dachun couldn't help but interject, "Mother, that Cui Hongyu has killed three men already. Are you trying to harm Xiaobei?"