Chapter 39 The Bottomless Big Fish

Qin Youtian sat down in confusion, unable to fathom what secret Hua Qinci was hiding.

“Chief Zhao, come over! Take a seat,” Hua Qinci beckoned to Chief Zhao, her gaze passing over Qin Youtian’s shoulder as she crooked her finger.

Chief Zhao smiled and walked over. The crowd remained puzzled, unsure how to proceed with their commotion. With Doctor Li’s continued persuasion, everyone simply looked anxious and at a loss for what to do.

“Waiter, bring some tea.”

“Coming!” The waiter, carrying a teapot, looked around at everyone as he poured tea and then stood aside to watch the drama unfold.

As they sipped their tea, Hua Qinci noticed all eyes were on her. She waved at Liu Bingbing, who was whispering among the crowd.

“You, come here.”

“Me?” Liu Bingbing, tugged by someone beside her, pointed at herself in confusion.

Hua Qinci nodded, and only then did Liu Bingbing step forward.

“Cousin-in-law, hee hee hee,” she cooed, leaning in playfully, but Hua Qinci quickly dodged away. “Help me persuade everyone to stop making a scene and go home for now. I’ll make sure someone brings the silver to the village this afternoon. It’s so undignified for everyone to be crowded here causing an uproar.”

“Why should I be the one to persuade them? I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not going!” Liu Bingbing fiddled with her braids, pouting and unmoving.

“My dear cousin, I’m asking you because I know you have the skill and the influence. Yet here you are, dragging your feet. Honestly, if you’d helped me resolve this, I might have considered your suggestion from last night. But it seems you don’t really see me as family. Fine, just forget it. Li—”

Hua Qinci was about to call for Doctor Li, but before she could, Liu Bingbing quickly interjected. With Liu Bingbing’s help, only a few of the younger villagers remained while the rest reluctantly left.

With fewer people, Hua Qinci felt much more at ease.

“Cousin-in-law, I managed to persuade them all to leave!” Liu Bingbing announced triumphantly, showing off her accomplishment.

“Very good! Thank you, cousin. Here, have a cup of tea.” Hua Qinci handed her a cup.

“Thank you, cousin-in-law.” Liu Bingbing, her heart fluttering at the thought of being with the one she adored, felt a burst of happiness and became much more affectionate. Qin Youtian, meanwhile, watched the two women in bafflement, unable to understand the peculiar ways of women.

He gave up trying to figure it out.

Hua Qinci, for her part, hadn’t noticed Qin Youtian’s reaction. What puzzled her was how a man with such a scarred face could drive a young girl to such infatuation—truly incomprehensible.

She sat calmly, waiting, because she believed she had done something yesterday that should shock certain people.

Yesterday afternoon, she had racked her brain for solutions and finally decided to try using the original owner’s medical skills to bait a big fish.

But to catch a prize like that, she’d have to land one in a single stroke—someone able to produce several hundred taels of silver on the spot.

She had considered several candidates over the past two days, but none seemed right. As time slipped away and inquiries proved fruitless, she was at a loss for what to do.

Just as she was losing hope, she spotted a beggar boy lying on the street. His thigh was covered with a festering, maggot-ridden wound that reeked so badly passersby pinched their noses and gave him a wide berth. If no one helped him soon, he would surely die.

Sensing an opportunity, Hua Qinci rushed over and swiftly treated him—removing maggots, scraping away the necrotic tissue, disinfecting, and reducing his fever.

She simply wanted to seize this chance to demonstrate her medical skill. As the saying goes, good wine needs no bush; true talent will draw attention, no matter how remote the location.

If she saved this abandoned beggar boy in full view of the public, word would surely spread and someone would come knocking at her door.

Her practiced hands soon won her praise from the onlookers. Later that night, she checked on the boy again; to her surprise, he could speak, move, and even hobble about.

Reflecting on all this, Hua Qinci sipped her tea with composure, awaiting the arrival of her “big fish.”

To be honest, she was still nervous—unsure whether the person she awaited would actually come, or if her display yesterday had drawn anyone’s notice.

Time ticked by; the wait was as long as it takes to finish a cup of tea.

Most of those who stayed behind were men, and their patience quickly wore thin.

Liu Bingbing lounged on the table, cracking sunflower seeds as she waited for the show to begin. Just because Hua Qinci had allowed her inside didn’t mean she could let go of past grievances.

“Qin family, it’s been twice the time it takes for a cup of tea. Are you just toying with us?”