Chapter 51 The Spiritual Mouse

Chen Xin walked all the way to a secluded and quiet alley away from the main street. When she reached the door at the end, she naturally walked up and went inside.

“What are you doing, Xiao Yu’er?”

As soon as Chen Xin entered, she saw Fang Ziyu kneading a pale green dough on the stone table in the courtyard. The evening breeze rustled through the small bamboo forest in the yard, blowing Fang Ziyu’s green silk clothes, reminding her that the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching.

“Xin!” Hearing Chen Xin’s voice, Fang Ziyu raised his head, his eyes gentle and bright, and he greeted cheerfully.

“I’m making honey bamboo cakes. It’s my first time making them. Xin, wait a moment and try if they taste good.” Fang Ziyu said expectantly.

“Okay.”

Indulgently agreeing, Chen Xin also sat down on the stone stool and helped to shape a small delicate pattern, exquisite and delicate, making Fang Ziyu feel the urge to swallow it immediately.

“Xin, you shape them, I’ll take them to steam.” Fang Ziyu looked at the delicately crafted honey bamboo cakes and then got up, took a plate, and carried the finished cakes to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Chen Xin meticulously shaped each pattern, gradually reducing the dough in the plate until it was finished. At this moment, a sweet fragrance wafted from the kitchen.

Suddenly, Chen Xin flicked the last piece of dough in her hand with her fingers, shooting it out.

“Ouch-”

“Ow, that hurts.”

A beggar dressed girl about ten years old fell in the courtyard, her face covered in dirt and a piece of cloth draped over her body. Chen Xin glanced at her expressionlessly, then started to tidy up the things on the table without saying a word.

In the kitchen, Fang Ziyu wondered why she heard a stranger’s voice. Then she remembered Chen Xin was outside and started to steam the cakes with peace of mind.

After whimpering for a while, the girl suddenly realized that there was no response. This was someone else’s home. She had been wandering nearby, attracted by the aroma, and wanted to climb the wall to take a look. Unexpectedly, as soon as she sat on the wall, her forehead hurt and then she fell down.

Opening her eyes slowly and looking towards Chen Xin, she just saw this person, a woman, kneading dough. But smelling the increasingly fragrant scent, she really wanted to eat.

“Sister, did you make me fall down just now?” The girl slowly approached, pouting her buttocks.

Chen Xin remained expressionless, but she was quite surprised, still not saying a word.

Seeing Chen Xin not answering but just looking at her, the girl arrogantly said, “Of course it was you. I, Ling Shu, have traveled far and wide and seen many experts. What tricks haven’t I seen? Your technique is just like Master Huiji’s one-finger snap.”

Then, realizing something, she felt excited and asked, “Could it be that you are Master Huiji’s disciple?”

At this point, Chen Xin became interested, looking at the boasting beggar girl, her eyes twinkling. Finally, she stopped what she was doing and said, “That would disappoint you. However… who are the experts you’ve met?”

Hearing this, the beggar, who claimed herself as Ling Shu, immediately looked around nervously, “Um… well… none… I haven’t met any.” Seeing Chen Xin sitting there, looking at her indifferently, Ling Shu deflated her shoulders and answered truthfully.

“But I, Ling Shu, still have advantages,” she muttered softly.

Chen Xin, with her hearing spanning a hundred miles, naturally heard Ling Shu’s muttering. “Oh? What advantages?” she asked.

This question made Ling Shu straighten her back, feeling a sense of satisfaction, proud to say, “I’ve been in Xugu City for ten years. Although I dare not say anything else, I know all the little gossip. What others don’t know, I know. Let me tell you secretly, I found out yesterday that the mayor here wears a ^[1]“green hat” is a metaphor for a husband being cuckolded or cheated on by his wife. It implies that the husband is unaware of his wife’s infidelity, and the green hat symbolizes his … Continue readinggreen hat, and she’s having an affair with someone else’s husband.” Then, she leaned closer to Chen Xin and whispered obscenely.

Instantly, Chen Xin choked on her water, calmly asking, “How old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

Knowing her petite stature, Ling Shu couldn’t help but feel a little downcast. Who wouldn’t want to be tall and strong?

“Do you know who the owner of Fragrant Restaurant is?” Chen Xin changed the subject. She didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s pride, and she didn’t expect this girl, who looked about ten, to be much older.

Ling Shu scratched her head in thought upon hearing this, then her eyes lit up. “I remember. When I was in Xugu City, I saw the boss of Fragrant restaurant, Miss Xu from Xu family at the back door. She seemed afraid of being seen by others, sneaking around.” Ling Shu shrugged, having heard a lot of calculations in high-end mansions. Isn’t it just because she’s afraid others will know it’s her shop?

It turns out that the Fragrant Restaurant in Wuding Town is just a branch, and the main store is in Xugu City.

At first, Chen Xin had a good impression of Fragrant restaurant. Now, with competition, her leniency vanished.

Why did Chen Xin believe Ling Shu’s words? Simply because she understood one thing.

Beggars, especially in ancient times, were truly ubiquitous. People might despise or drive them away, but they wouldn’t guard against them.

So, sometimes people thought what they did was confidential and solid, but in fact, it might have been heard long ago by the beggars who huddled in corners.

Glancing at her, Chen Xin’s appreciation for talent surged. This mouse was very suitable to be her underground informant.

“Do you have a boss or little sister?” Thinking of the term “gang leader,” Chen Xin asked with interest.

Surprised by her question, Ling Shu asked, “How did you know we have a gang?”

“Guessed.” Chen Xin uttered two words, almost stunning her.

Ling Shu was speechless but relieved at the same time. If she could guess that, she knew that no one in the world would bother to pay attention to beggars’ affairs.