Chapter 85: With Brains Like Yours, How Dare You Try Pickpocketing?

The thief tried to get up and run again, but Hu Zhaodi mercilessly tripped him once more.

After several failed attempts—either thwarted by Hu Zhaodi or blocked by the crowd—the thief finally broke down and dropped to his knees in front of her. “Miss—no, honored lady, I was wrong! This is my first day as a pickpocket, I swear! Please, just let me go!”

Hu Zhaodi narrowed her eyes, staring him down. “Are you sure today is your first day?”

“Yes, yes! Today is really my first time,” he stammered.

“Oh, I get it. Today’s your first time. So, how many times did you steal yesterday?”

“None! Today’s my first!”

“How about the day before yesterday?”

“Not even once!”

Hu Zhaodi’s tone grew colder, and her questions quickened. “And three days ago—any thefts?”

“No, none!”

“Then how many times did you steal yesterday?” she pressed again.

The thief, perhaps too nervous, blurted out reflexively, “Twice.”

Hu Zhaodi continued, “And today’s attempt—how many times is that now?”

“Uh, second time,” he mumbled.

With a crisp slap, Hu Zhaodi struck him. “Didn’t you say today was your first time?”

“I…”

She smirked coldly at him. “How long have you been a pickpocket? Tell me the truth.”

“Th-three days…”

Her voice rose sharply. “How long?”

The thief flinched, “Seven! Seven days—just seven days, really!”

“Stand up! We’re going to the authorities.”

“What? No! Please, honored lady, have mercy! I’ve got elderly parents and little ones at home, and we have no food left. I’m begging you, let me off just this once!”

Hu Zhaodi chuckled, sending a chill through him. “This is the harvest season. You’re telling me your family’s out of food? Where did it go? Did livestock eat it?”

“It… it was stolen, really! I swear!” he pleaded desperately.

“Oh, your food got stolen? Do you think I’d believe that?”

The crowd chimed in, shaking their heads.

“To think you’d say something like that—better hope no one actually steals your food when you go home!”

“Right! You’re a thief yourself—who’d believe your family got robbed?”

“Exactly. Hey, why don’t we find out where he lives? Make his story come true!”

Hu Zhaodi could tell he was a genuine novice—clumsy beyond words.

She held out her hand. “Hand over my money pouch.”

The thief quickly placed the pouch back in her hands, looking at her expectantly, hoping she’d let him go.

Hu Zhaodi shook her head with a wry smile. “With brains like yours, you have the nerve to be a thief? Aren’t you afraid of getting beaten half to death? Really, if there’s anyone I’d salute, it’d be you.”

The thief continued begging. “Honored lady, I’m really new at this! You didn’t lose anything in the end, so please, just this once?”

Hu Zhaodi shook her head firmly. “No way. Come along to the authorities with me—don’t make me use force.”

The thief’s gaze shifted as he gritted his teeth and suddenly lunged at her.

Hu Zhaodi reacted instantly, lifting her foot and kicking him square in the stomach, sending him sprawling. The crowd quickly stepped back, giving him room.

The thief lay there, grimacing in pain. Was this girl really only about ten? How could she be that strong?

After a moment, he struggled to his feet again, then, without thinking, turned and charged toward the crowd behind him.

The onlookers weren’t just there for show; the men clenched their fists, while the women prepared to claw at the thief.

But before anyone could act, Hu Zhaodi had already grabbed the thief by the hair, dragging him back.

Heh, long hair really did have its advantages in ancient times.

Though Hu Zhaodi managed to pull him back, the crowd, with their fists ready, surged forward, raining punches on the thief. Hu Zhaodi even got pushed out of the circle by the jostling onlookers.

She raised her voice, “Folks, I’ve got other matters to attend to. Could I trouble you all to take this pickpocket to the authorities?”

A young man in the crowd called out, “Don’t worry, little lady! We’ll take care of him and make sure he gets to the officials!”

Hu Zhaodi smiled, turned around, and signaled to Mr. Ji and the others to leave.

As they walked away, the elderly scholar couldn’t contain his curiosity. “Zhaodi, how did you notice the pickpocket?”

Hu Zhaodi laughed. “He’s been following us since we left the fabric shop. But he’s such an obvious novice—and unbelievably clumsy.”

“He tried to snatch my money pouch three times, and all three times I hit him on the head with a piece of fabric. Yet he still didn’t think to run.”

Mr. Ji nodded. “Definitely not the brightest. But Zhaodi, your silver notes are in that pouch. What if he had actually managed to escape? That would have been a big loss for you.”

“Uncle, I spotted him ages ago. Do you think I’d really keep the silver notes in the pouch? I’m not that foolish; I’d already moved them.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Still, Zhaodi, it’s better to stay cautious.”

Hu Zhaodi nodded. “Don’t worry, Uncle, I’m well aware.”

When the four of them returned to Fumanlou, Han Dongsheng had already arranged for the kitchen to prepare a lavish meal.

It was the dinner rush, and the main hall was packed with full of customers. Business was booming.

Wu Yinghai had also arrived, waiting for Hu Zhaodi in the back courtyard, chatting with Han Dongsheng.

Seeing Hu Zhaodi and her companions return, Wu Yinghai immediately led them to a private room on the second floor, while Han Dongsheng instructed the waiter to serve the dishes.

As they settled in, Han Dongsheng beamed at Hu Zhaodi. “Zhaodi, have you come up with any new recipes today for our chefs at Fumanlou?”

Hu Zhaodi laughed and shook her head. “Brother Han, I’m a bit rushed today. How about next time?”

“Of course, that’s fine!” Han Dongsheng grinned. “You don’t know how popular the dishes you taught us have become—they’re our top sellers now.”

Wu Yinghai chimed in. “Zhaodi, this guy Han here got lucky. Fumanlou is doing better than ever.”

Han Dongsheng, looking pleased, added, “And it’s all thanks to Zhaodi! Many customers come just for the new dishes. They say the more they eat, the more they crave.”

Wu Yinghai smirked. “Zhaodi, maybe I should open a restaurant too. I’ll invest the money, and you can train the cooks. We can split the profits fifty-fifty—what do you say?”

Hu Zhaodi could tell he was joking, so she nodded with a laugh. “I’ll think about it.”

Han Dongsheng shot Wu Yinghai a glare. “Brother Wu, that’s not fair! Are we still brothers or not?”

Wu Yinghai gave him a challenging look. “With Zhaodi here, you’re just optional. So don’t try to guilt-trip me with brotherhood—how could a brother compare to a sister?”

Han Dongsheng placed a piece of honey-glazed roast goose in Hu Zhaodi’s bowl, grinning. “Brother Wu, don’t forget, I met Zhaodi first.”

Wu Yinghai shrugged. “So? Even if I met her later, she wouldn’t deny me as her brother.”

Hu Zhaodi: “…”