Chapter 9: Let's Run First!

"Sanlang, listen to me..."

Zhu Cuiying was about to explain, but she was interrupted by Qiao Xiaomai this time.

Qiao Xiaomai quickly walked up to Tong Sanlang, handed him the basket she was holding, and spoke loudly and quickly, "Brother Tong San, thank you for saving Dami today. I specially made a dish for you, please try it."

As she said this, she thrust the basket containing the brewed snail into Tong Sanlang's hands before he could refuse, then grabbed Qiao Dami and started running, "Brother Tong, our father is waiting for us to eat at home, we have to go!"

Qiao Xiaomai had no choice but to run. Zhuang Luhe's departure was indeed a disgrace for her and Qiao Dami. Although Zhu Cuiying was slandering them, she couldn't guarantee that Tong Sanlang wouldn't harbor any misconceptions.

Tong Sanlang's previous words seemed to help her, but there was also a hint of disassociating himself from the situation.

So now that Zhu Cuiying had been scolded, there was no need for her to stay any longer.

To avoid any misunderstanding, Qiao Xiaomai ran as fast as she could. She ran for a few minutes and finally stopped when she no longer could see Tong Sanlang's figure after rounding a bend.

Qiao Dami was panting as he held her hand and asked, "Sister, aren't we going to take our dish back?"

Even though it was a crude ceramic dish that was of no value, their family was so poor...

Qiao Xiaomai "..."

She had been so focused on getting away that she had forgotten about the dish!

If the Tong family returned the dish, Zhu Cuiying and others like her would definitely construe her actions as coquettish!

Maybe even Tong Sanlang would think so!

Moistening her lips, Qiao Xiaomai set down the basket she was holding and instructed Qiao Dami, "You go get the dish back, hurry up, I'll wait for you here."

Qiao Dami obediently responded and then ran towards the Tong family's house.

After ten minutes, Qiao Dami returned with Tong Sanlang following him.

Qiao Dami was holding a dish, and Tong Sanlang was carrying a sack.

Qiao Xiaomai was surprised and her peach blossom eyes opened wide in astonishment. What was going on?

"Sister!" Qiao Dami ran a few steps towards her, happily taking her hand and said looking up, "Brother Tong said he would lend us a sack of grain, and we can give it back when we have it."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaomai subconsciously asked, "Did you plead poverty?"

"No!" Qiao Dami quickly shook his head.

"Dami didn't beg, it was grandfather who initiated the offer." Tong Sanlang explained, "My grandfather, the village chief, has an obligation to help his fellow villagers in times of difficulty."

Qiao Xiaomai "..."

How did the village chief know that her family had run out of grain?

Unknown to her, before she went home, Qiao Changshun had already inspected the flour jar at home, and the women who were watching the scene at the door saw it.

So not only did the news of Zhuang Luhe running out on them spread throughout the village, but also the fact that she took away all the family property.

"Thank you, Brother Tong, but my family is getting by for the time being. If we really run out of food, I'll ask Brother Tong for help." Qiao Xiaomai said.

Searching the previous host's memories, she found that the village head had never offered a hand when the Qiao family faced difficulties in the past. What did he want to do by helping so actively this time?

Moreover, with her around, the Qiao family could get through this difficulty. Debt of gratitude was the hardest to repay, it wasn't owed if it could be avoided.

With that in mind, Qiao Xiaomai took the dish from Qiao Dami's hand and put it back in the basket. Then she took Qiao Dami's hand and started running, "Brother Tong, we're going home! Our father is waiting for us to eat!"

Tong Sanlang, holding a sack of millet, was left speechless "..."