Chapter 374 Shengge's Birthday
A banquet was held at noon, and the Ye family set up a full three tables.
Ye's mother, with a sense of ritual, dragged out a large "special" cake.
Ye Mu'en also specifically found thin, small candles to stick into the cake.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
As the birthday song was sung, Ye Shengge saw a scene from her past birthdays at this moment. Her eldest brother had also held the cake and walked towards her singing the birthday song.
Ye Shengge quickly closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and made a wish!
Her wish was still for the health of her whole family, and to be able to accompany each other until the end of their lives.
"Woo~~~"
Blowing out the candles, happy birthday!
This year's birthday was the one with the most people accompanying Ye Shengge. Just one dish served by each person would be enough to make Ye Shengge full.
After the meal, it was time for everyone's gifts, which was Ye Shengge's favorite moment. She liked opening them one by one like blind boxes, anticipating surprises.
Zi Yisheng saved his gift for last, and his gift naturally had to be saved for last to highlight his uniqueness in Ye Shengge's heart.
"Only two more years, I feel like time is passing too slowly. Ouyang is already ahead of me."
Ye Shengge played with the last box in her hand and followed along with the complaint.
"Yes, they're all taking advantage of me. It's because I'm too young."
"It's not your fault, I'm just too impatient. Let alone two years, I can wait even twenty years."
Ye Shengge finally opened the box. It was a white jade hairpin carved with a hibiscus flower.
"Did you carve this too?"
"Yes, I'm trying hard to engrave all your future jewelry myself. Today's gold and jade necklace was also made by me, it's just that my craftsmanship isn't good enough yet."
This damned possessiveness, not even letting go of jewelry.
"Thank you, I really like it."
Ye Shengge prepared to hide all the jewelry she had collected before, otherwise, one day they would all be replaced by those he made.
Time flew by, and Bai Rong's brigade welcomed the first workday of the new year. Even Zi Yisheng participated, and Ye Shengge naturally resumed her pastoral life.
"Little Aunt, let me tell you..."
Qi Xuan and Chen Tangtang were also tagging along, and they, like Ye Shengge, became the most special existences in Bai Rong's brigade.
Now everyone knew that if they wanted to live well in Bai Rong's brigade, they had to marry into the Bai or Zi families, or the Ye family. Look at the new arrival, Zhi Zhi, who had soared to success and no longer had to work in the fields under the sun and wind every day.
"Really? You've already scouted the path?"
Qi Xuan proudly patted her chest, this was her forte.
Chen Tangtang was also privy to their secret and had an excited and curious look on her face.
"Shengge, are you really going to be a thief?"
"Hey, what a thing to say. We are clearly going to rob the rich and help the poor. I've investigated thoroughly. The Chen family in the county, relying on the influence of the man his sister married, bullies the locals and commits all sorts of evil. Such people must be punished."
Recently, everyone at home had started to get busy, especially with the reopening of the mine on the West Mountain. People like Asen were on duty in shifts on the mountain every day, and even Zi Yisheng would spend half of his time on the mountain.
This gave Qi Xuan an opportunity to sneak around the county, getting to know it thoroughly, and even knowing who had a mistress.
"But we won't have a chance to go out at night, will we?"
Qi Xuan smiled sinisterly.
"That depends on your skills."
Ye Shengge pointed at herself. This was impossible. Asen and the others also had someone on guard at night. If they just opened the main gate, they would be caught.
"I... I can't. I'm the most strictly guarded at home. You know I was kidnapped once."
"We're not sneaking out, we're going to openly have them follow us, and we'll have an extra lookout."
Ye Shengge hugged a lamb born earlier that year. She was really itching to experience the feeling of being a flying hero that Qi Xuan talked about.
"How about this, I'll say you're going to punish evil and promote good, and I'll just watch?"
Qi Xuan disdained her aunt's cowardice. What was the point of watching? Clearly, a dose of anesthetic could knock out a whole crowd, and she had the skill of using silver needles to acupuncture points. Why not use them? This kind of thing was only meaningful if she did it herself.
Ye Shengge was genuinely moved and pushed the lamb into Qi Xuan's arms.
"You guys watch the sheep, make sure they're well-fed, and go ask now."
The real heads of the family, her elder brother and Zi Yisheng, were on the mountain. If she just asked a little, it should be fine.
The West Mountain was sealed off again, and there were Zi Yisheng's men guarding the road, so there was no danger going up the West Mountain.
Chen Tangtang looked at Ye Shengge's imposing back with some trepidation.
"Qi Xuan, I think you'll be the most miserable."
"Why? I just made a suggestion, and besides, it won't be dangerous if someone follows us. One must experience different lives."
Chen Tangtang grabbed a handful of grass and fed it to the lamb, pouting her lips.
"Different lives. My life is already different now. I used to think I'd go to the factory after high school and be a worker for my whole life. Who would have thought that I'm now in the countryside feeding sheep and basking in the sun, living a leisurely life."
Qi Xuan rolled her eyes at Chen Tangtang. This girl was content with what she had, as long as there was food and drink, she could lie around and enjoy herself every day. But she had good luck. Ouyang was also a doting husband who wouldn't let her do anything, only feeding her constantly.
"Smug, unmotivated, and not doing proper work."
As soon as Ye Shengge entered the mountain, Zi Yisheng knew. He came out of the mine and saw her.
"What's wrong? Are you bored staying down the mountain?"
"Was today smooth?"
"It was alright. We've dug out more than twenty baskets."
Zi Yisheng was sensitive and understood Ye Shengge well.
"Did something happen? Why are you hesitating? Is there anything you can't tell me?"
Ye Shengge thought about it. She had only made a suggestion. Whether it was approved or not depended on the leaders.
Zi Yisheng listened to Ye Shengge's words, which poured out like firecrackers, and had only one thought: he needed to send Qi Xuan far away.
"Can I go?"
"What do you think?"
"I think it's worth a try. Can't they send someone to follow us?"
Zi Yisheng felt that he should try a different approach.
"Have you considered how you'll get away with the stolen goods?"
Ye Shengge nodded vigorously. She wasn't just acting on impulse. She had a brain.
"I was thinking of preparing a cart near the Chen family's house, and then Qi Xuan and I would quickly push the goods away. We'd also need a broom to sweep away any traces left by the cart, so that the police wouldn't be able to find anything."
Actually, if she acted alone, she wouldn't have to go through so much trouble. With a wave of her hand, everything would disappear without a trace. She supposed that real flying heroes must have some skills, after all, they really disappeared with things on their backs.
"Well considered. What will you do with the money and valuables you obtain?"
"That will be up to Qi Xuan to solve. She said she wants to distribute them overnight to the truly poor."
In fact, Ye Shengge felt that she could keep some for herself, as she deserved compensation for her efforts.
Zi Yisheng looked very satisfied and approving.
"Did you agree?"
"I agreed. I'll accompany you there personally tomorrow night."
"Really!"
"Really."
Ye Shengge happily threw herself into Zi Yisheng's arms and kissed him on the cheek.
"I knew you were the best. I'm going down to feed the sheep now."
Zi Yisheng smiled, touched his cheek, and his expression quickly turned grim.
"A'long, let Qi Xuan have a good look around the Chen family tonight. Supervise her to distribute the stolen goods to each family, but don't help her."
"Understood."
That night, when Qi Xuan was called out, she was still excited.
"Why did Little Aunt go without me?"
"Are you going or not?"
A'long yawned, his tone impatient.
"Yes, how could I miss it?"
Qi Xuan immediately jumped onto the bicycle A'long was riding. When they arrived at the Chen family's door, which she had visited many times, she didn't see Ye Shengge.
"Where's Little Aunt?"
"It's not time yet. She's looking around somewhere else."
Ye Shengge was also brought back home at this time, having been coaxed by Zi Yisheng to his house for some romantic time.
Qi Xuan waited until she was tired, especially when the lights in the house were extinguished.
"Why isn't Little Aunt coming yet?"
"Maybe she got delayed by something. Are you still going in?"
"She must have lost her nerve at the last minute. Never mind, since I'm here, I can't go back empty-handed. A'long, let's cooperate, shall we?"
A'long had germophobia and pushed the approaching Qi Xuan away with a finger.
"I can help you keep watch. I've already prepared a small cart for you."
"You're a true friend. I'll give you some of the spoils after I've robbed this family, okay?"
After saying that, Qi Xuan put on her gloves, took a running start, and leaped over the courtyard wall. Her movements were very agile.
"She's quite capable."
Qi Xuan approached the windowsill of the main bedroom and quietly listened to the sounds inside. The snoring made her relax. She took out a sharp, thin knife from her waist, inserted it into the gap of the door, and wiggled it left and right to open the door.
A'long, who was following quietly, wanted to whistle at Qi Xuan's actions. This was no ordinary skill; it would take at least ten years of practice.
Qi Xuan quickly slipped into the room, sprinkled some anesthetic powder on the person in the bed. Little Aunt's medicine was definitely effective.
She repeated the process in the other rooms. All seven members of the Chen family fell into a coma.
Qi Xuan swaggered and took out a sack from her handbag, sweeping through the rooms one by one. She didn't miss any spot, not even the stinky shoe insoles, mouse holes, or under the bed planks.
A'long was truly impressed by Qi Xuan at this moment. It seemed she had visited the Chen family many times.
She stopped after filling half the sack. Qi Xuan picked up a shovel from the yard and started digging under the large tree in the yard. Soon, she unearthed a large jar. She also dug up an oil-paper-wrapped package near the outhouse in the yard.
With a rustling sound, she put everything into the sack and swaggered out the main gate with the sack.
A'long followed closely behind, cleaning up some traces before arriving at the place where the cart was parked.
"Push it."
"It's just one sack, why push it?"
A'long nodded. Whatever she said, so be it.
"Alright, let's start distributing."
"Ah! I have to distribute it myself? This will take a long time."
A'long crossed his arms, his tone somewhat teasing.
"You have to see things through to the end. Let's go, time is tight and the task is heavy, and I want to go back to sleep."
Not long after Qi Xuan carried the sack out, she realized something was wrong. She turned and looked at A'long, who was supervising her like a prisoner.
"Little Aunt didn't even come tonight, did she?"
"Mm."
"You were deliberately following me?"
"Mm."
"You're from Little Aunt's husband's side, and you were sent out, which means this was all arranged by Little Aunt's husband. Is this a punishment for me?"
"You're not entirely wrong."
"Just because I dragged Little Aunt along, they're giving me a solo lesson."
"It's not exactly a lesson, just fulfilling your wish."
Qi Xuan threw the sack on the ground and sat on the roadside.
"You can't do this. I just made a suggestion, and now I have to distribute a sack of goods tonight. Little Aunt's husband is too inhumane. I should at least know who truly needs help."
A'long remained unmoved and urged her cruelly.
"I quit. I'm going home now."
After saying that, Qi Xuan really left, leaving the sack on the ground.
A'long had no choice but to pick up the sack, put it on the bicycle, and chase after her. He couldn't let anyone get into trouble.
However, all the way, A'long rode his bicycle slowly behind Qi Xuan, not offering her a ride, nor complaining about delaying his sleep.
"You're so rude, not even offering me a ride. You're not loyal, and I even brought you food before."
Qi Xuan grumbled, and A'long listened. But to give her a ride, forget it. After all, he hadn't completed Master Zi's mission, so she had to walk back the whole way as a punishment.
When Qi Xuan passed by the Zi family's gate, A'long stopped her.
"Your Little Aunt's husband is waiting for your report on the battle."
Qi Xuan instantly felt her feet stop hurting and the sweat on her body dry up. Her lips drooped.
"A'long, is it possible for me not to go?"
"Go in."
"A'long, you have no conscience."
"Be quiet. Wei Liu is on night duty tonight. If it's too noisy, your mouth will be covered."
Zi Yisheng looked at the sack of items brought back without saying a word.
"Master Zi, Qi Xuan did not complete her mission tonight, so I punished her by making her walk back from the county."
"Mm. Qi Xuan, since you like being a俠盜 (xia dao - chivalrous thief) so much, you should do as you say. Let me think, your abilities are probably being wasted here. I plan to send you to a big city. Those places are much richer than the Chen family."
Qi Xuan knew this was Little Aunt's husband's punishment for her dragging Little Aunt into it.
"Little Aunt's husband, can you give me a chance to seriously correct my mistake?"
"Do you really want to correct your mistake?"
"Yes, absolutely."
Zi Yisheng usually didn't have the time to educate people who were ignorant, but this time it involved his little girl.
Zi Yisheng nodded and handed Qi Xuan a piece of paper from the table.
"This is a list of suitable families in the county that I've investigated for you. You'll visit one family a day. Once you've stolen from all of them, this matter will be considered over."
Qi Xuan looked at the paper in her hand and carefully counted them one by one.
"Little Aunt's husband, isn't this a bit too much?"
"Not at all, only ten families. I've investigated them, and these people are a hundred times more detestable than the Chen family you stole from, and they've all taken lives."