Chapter 11: The Hanging
Chapter 11: The Hanging
"In broad daylight? What a disgrace!" Chen Mu exclaimed as he approached the two men from the Crimson Gold Gang.
Despite not wearing his patrol uniform, both men recognized Chen Mu, as he was the only patrol officer in the nearby alleys. The Crimson Gold Gang had occupied the area for some time, so they were familiar with him.
"Brother Chen, it's only right to repay debts. We can't just let them off, can we?" one of the men said with a forced smile, showing no fear.
If they had encountered a senior patrol officer, it would have been a different story. But Chen Mu was just a low-ranking patrol officer, and they had a mutual understanding—a simple nod was all it took for them to pass by each other.
"How much do they owe?" Chen Mu asked calmly.
The two men exchanged glances, and one of them shrugged, "Not much, just about half a tael of silver."
"Alright, let the person go, and you can leave," Chen Mu said, tossing a silver bean worth about half a tael.
The men were surprised, but after a moment, they picked up the silver bean and bowed to Chen Mu, "Since Brother Chen has spoken, we'll give you face. We'll leave the person to you."
Although they had received more silver for selling the granddaughter of Old Wang to a brothel, they were just low-level thugs in the Crimson Gold Gang. If they caused trouble with Chen Mu, it might not end well for them.
"I know it's not much, but it's all I have. I'm old and crippled, and I can't provide for my granddaughter anymore. Brother Chen, if you need someone to help with chores at home, please take her in. I trust no one but you now..." Old Wang said, his eyes filled with tears.
Chen Mu sighed inwardly. He helped Old Wang up and said, "Uncle Wang, there's no need for this."
Old Wang trembled as he held Chen Mu's hand and then pulled his granddaughter's hand, placing it in Chen Mu's. "I'm too old and crippled to take care of Wang Ni. If you need someone to help with chores at home, please take her in. I trust no one but you now..."
Having lost his children and his livelihood, unable to work and struggling to feed himself, Old Wang had considered arranging a future for his granddaughter. But his distant relatives were like wolves, and he feared for her safety.
Chen Mu hesitated, considering the situation. Honestly, he hadn't planned for this, and in the past, he would have refused outright. He was already struggling to support his younger sister, so taking in an unrelated young girl seemed impossible. However, on the one hand, he now had the silver he needed, and on the other hand, he would soon have the means to move to a new residence, where a maid or servant would indeed be necessary.
Chen Mu wasn't one to hesitate, but his concerns were twofold: firstly, Wang Ni was very young, around ten years old, and secondly, he didn't know her temperament and whether she might cause trouble.
Seeing Chen Mu's hesitation, Old Wang became more determined. If Chen Mu had other intentions, he could agree and then sell his granddaughter elsewhere, even making a profit. There was no reason to hesitate.
"Brother Chen, I know times are tough, and everyone is struggling. I don't have much, but I still have the deeds to those two old houses, which should be worth a few taels of silver. When I pass away, they'll all be yours..." Old Wang said, tears streaming down his face.
Some neighbors, eavesdropping at their doorways, couldn't help but feel envious. Old Wang was in his twilight years, and they knew he didn't have long left. Once he passed, not only would they get the house deeds, but his granddaughter would grow up, and they could sell her for more silver.
They couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, knowing that they couldn't have driven away the Crimson Gold Gang. They attributed Chen Mu's luck to his status as a poor patrol officer.
"That won't be necessary," Chen Mu said, having heard Old Wang's offer. After some thought, he made a decision. Having helped this far, he might as well see it through.
Whether Chen Yue treated Wang Ni as a sister or a maid, at least she'd have some company. He didn't want to overthink it.
"No, no... I want it, I want it," Old Wang insisted, placing Wang Ni's small hand in Chen Mu's and hobbling back home with his cane.
Chen Mu considered it and decided not to say more. He wasn't going to covet Old Wang's two old houses, and he could leave them for Wang Ni in the future. Many things could change, and he'd deal with them as they came.
Wang Ni stood there, trembling, her sobs having ceased, and her tears gradually drying. She was still too young at this age, and everything was left to Wang Lao Han's decision. Her small hand was placed in Chen Mu's hand by Wang Lao Han, and she didn't even dare to pull it back.
"Yue'er, how about you and Ni'er living together from now on?"
Chen Mu released Wang Ni's hand and turned to look behind him. He didn't know when Chen Yue had been peering through the half-open door, leaning against it.
Chen Yue blinked and glanced at Wang Ni, saying, "Okay, brother makes the decision."
"Mmhmm."
Chen Mu nodded and looked at Wang Ni, whose emotions had stabilized. He spoke gently, "Ni'er, what about you?"
In fact, he hadn't met Wang Ni before. The meal at Wang Lao Han's house was something that happened before he came to this world. At that time, Wang Ni was even younger, only six or seven years old, but she still remembered him.
"I... I'll listen to Grandpa..."
Wang Ni spoke softly, her head lowered.
Chen Yue, who was behind the door, heard this response and showed a smile that went unnoticed. If Wang Ni had answered, 'I'll listen to my brother,' then this little sister would need to be more careful. This was good as it was.
Chen Mu also nodded slightly at this response. Taking in someone was no joke, even if she was young. But with no ulterior motives or schemes, she was the best fit to keep Chen Yue company.
He waited at the door for a while.
But no matter how long he waited, Wang Lao Han's figure never appeared.
Gradually, Chen Mu sensed that something was amiss. His face changed, and he immediately headed towards Wang Lao Han's house. When he arrived at the doorstep, the door was ajar. He pushed it open, and what met his eyes was a pair of legs hanging in mid-air. One of the legs had a bare ankle, dry and purple. On the dilapidated chair beside it lay a page of a faded deed.
Chen Mu froze in his tracks and looked up. A complex expression appeared in his eyes.
"Grandpa!!!"
Wang Ni's shrill voice came from behind him.
The little girl rushed into the house and tightly hugged Wang Lao Han's hanging legs, crying her heart out.
Wang Lao Han was dead.
"Why did it have to come to this?"
Chen Mu sighed in his heart.
Perhaps he had been unwilling to think about it before, but Wang Lao Han was indeed unable to continue living. He had lost his children, had no means of livelihood, and was crippled. But Chen Mu never thought Wang Lao Han would be so resolute.
Perhaps he was afraid that Chen Mu wouldn't want to take in Wang Ni, so he ended his life this way, also handing over the deed to Chen Mu.
Maybe Chen Mu was too selfish. If he had said a few more words and offered some silver to Wang Lao Han, he might not have chosen death... After all, the three years he had spent in this world had thoroughly changed him.
Chen Mu patted Wang Ni's shoulder, his eyes showing apology, "I didn't expect Uncle Wang to be so distraught. If only I had come to visit earlier."
Wang Ni didn't speak; she just kept crying.
She cried for a long time. Finally, she wiped her tear-stained eyes and said, "No, it's not Brother Mu's fault. Brother Mu saved Ni'er; Brother Mu is a good person..."
A good person?
Perhaps.
Chen Mu shook his head, patted Wang Ni's small head, then stepped forward and lowered Wang Lao Han's body.
Wang Lao Han's funeral was extremely simple. His body was wrapped in a straw mat and taken outside the city to be buried in a spot, the only difference from the burial ground being that it wouldn't be eaten by wild wolves, and there would be a small mound of earth to mark the grave for future visits.
After Wang Lao Han was wrapped in the straw mat, Wang Ni didn't cry again, though her eyes remained red. From then on, she listened to everything Chen Mu said, including the silent funeral arrangements and staying with Chen Yue. She also obeyed his instruction not to follow him out of the city.
The people in this world were all incredibly resilient.
Even a ten-year-old child only needed half a day to accept the fact that her parents and grandfather had all passed away.
After all, in ordinary families, living to fifty was already considered a fortunate age. Wang Lao Han had lived to fifty-nine, making him one of the oldest in the nearby alleys.
At home.
"Alright, don't be sad anymore, Ni'er. From now on, you'll sleep with me."
Chen Yue sat on the bed, her big eyes observing Wang Ni.
Wang Ni nodded lightly.
Chen Yue smiled slightly, "But you have to remember a few things. First, do whatever your brother says without question. Second, don't ask about anything. If you see something strange, act as if you didn't see it. As long as your brother doesn't mention it, don't ask and don't get involved. Got it? Otherwise, I might get angry."
As she spoke the last sentence, Chen Yue still smiled sweetly, revealing two small tiger teeth, but it was strangely intimidating.
"Yue, Sister Yue..."
Wang Ni was a little scared, shivering slightly.
But Chen Yue hugged her and caressed her head, her voice soft, "It's okay, don't be afraid. Sister is just telling you this. As long as you listen to Sister, nothing will happen. Brother works hard, and we shouldn't add to his burden. Brother is very capable, and following him will lead to a good life."
"Mmhmm."
Wang Ni's nose turned sour, and she didn't know what she was thinking, but a few more tears fell.
Chen Mu wasn't aware of what had happened at home.
After handling Wang Lao Han's body, he continued his patrol duty at the City Guard Station.
(End of Chapter)
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