Chapter 27: Wealthy Family, Rainy Season!
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
No money? Her money pouch must have been stolen by a thief. Sun Mo analyzed as he walked over, handing the packet in his hand to the girl. These are osmanthus cakes. You can have them.
Lu Zhiruo looked up and threw a glance at Sun Mo. The girl didnt accept the packet and cowered back a little, avoiding his gaze.
Im not a bad guy!
Sun Mo tried to ease his tone.
Father said that all bad guys would say that.
Lu Zhiruo pretended not to hear what he had said.
If you dont dare to speak to strangers, why would you leave home by yourself?
This girl really didnt bring shame to her surname. She was like a newborn deer, cowardly and scared of strangers.
Lu Zhiruo remained silent, not saying a word, almost burying her entire head into her bag.
Sun Mo shook his head and turned to leave.
It was only until Lu Zhiruo heard the footsteps getting further and further away did she quickly look up. She saw the package placed at the side. After struggling for a few minutes, she then reached out her index finger and poked at it.
It was the scent of osmanthus cake!
He doesnt look like a bad guy. Should I eat some?
Lu Zhiruo picked up the package, but before she took a bite, she put it down again. I better not. He might be hiding in some corner, waiting for me to take the bait!
At the thought of this, Lu Zhiruo held onto her bag tightly and stood up. She tiptoed and looked around, only sitting back down when she didnt see anything.
Should I eat it or not?
Lu Zhiruo was hesitant.
Gurgle~
Her stomach was starting to growl again. Lu Zhiruo had been waiting here for one day and one night, ever since she lost her money pouch yesterday. She wanted to catch the thief but didnt manage to succeed.
Ill just take one bite. Even if there are sleeping drugs in it, I wouldnt fall from just that bit, right?
Lu Zhiruo couldnt stand the starvation anymore. However, when she opened up the package and ate the osmanthus cake, her ears pricked up, like a small deer that had heard a ferocious beast getting near.
The footsteps she had heard earlier were coming back.
This is bad! I really fell into the trap!
Lu Zhiruos face was filled with worry. She wanted to run away, but what if that thief happened to pass by when she had left? Wouldnt she miss the thief then?
The girl hadnt made her decision and Sun Mo was already standing in front of her.
These are buns that had just come out. Do you want to try one?
Sun Mo had casually brought the buns seller with him from the corner of the road. He then took a bite on one of the buns.
Lu Zhiruo glanced at the buns and then looked toward Sun Mo, assessing him seriously for the first time.
This person wasnt old, and his teeth were very white. He had a very gentle smile, which contrasted with the worry and reproach in his black eyes.
When she saw his gaze landing on her hand, Lu Zhiruos face flushed up, and she quickly hid the osmanthus cake behind her back.
Are you going to eat it or not?
The seller was feeling displeased. If it wasnt because Sun Mo had paid him a lot of money, he wouldnt care to make this trip.
Pa!
Lu Zhiruo quickly took one bun. She gave it some thought, took another, and then suddenly bowed toward Sun Mo.
Give me ten more buns! Sun Mo said, By the way, Im a teacher at the Central Province Academy.
After hearing this, Lu Zhiruos big eyes lit up. She instantly became less wary against Sun Mo.
Why are you sitting here by yourself?
Sun Mo stood under the roof, looking at the sky that was filled with dark clouds.
Drip! Drip!
The raindrops hit the umbrella, producing a deep and stifled sound.
I... Im trying to catch a thief.
After eating the hot buns, Lu Zhiruos hostility toward Sun Mo dropped even more.
Its raining, and there are so few people on the streets. Its harder to steal in this situation. Thieves would be laying at home and sleeping.
Sun Mo wanted to add that given her physique, even if the thief were to appear, she wouldnt be able to catch him.
Strength: 3. Youre really very weak.
Intellect: 5. Your brain is still alright, but why do you appear so stupid?
Agility: 3. What gave you such a heavy burden?
Endurance: 3. Weakling, go and train!
...
Looking at Lu Zhiruos data, Sun Mo couldnt help but glance toward her chest. He was then astonished. The girl was hugging her small baggage the entire time, blocking her chest. It was only now did Sun Mo notice that her chest was astonishingly big. Did she stuff two papayas in her clothes?
Potential Value: Extremely Low.
System, is it possible to have a lower potential value than this?
Sun Mo was speechless. Even Qi Shengjia, whose potential value was extremely low, would be able to spit in contempt when standing in front of this papaya girl. There was probably no one whose data could be as low as hers.
She already has such big papayas, so why would she need potential value? the system asked.
Sun Mo was stunned from the remark, but he had to agree.
Thats true!
Lu Zhiruo sighed and looked toward the cloudy and raining sky. It seemed that she wouldnt be able to get her money pouch back. At the thought of this, her expression turned sad. Thats something my mother left for me!
The girls shoulder trembled and she started sobbing.
Sun Mo couldnt bear to see this and consoled her, Maybe the thief who stole it is someone hardworking and cant bear to take a break even on a rainy day.
Right, right, theres this possibility!
Lu Zhiruo instantly cheered up and kept on nodding.
...
Sun Mo thought in his heart. (Theres really no one who can compare with your intelligence. Can you not take someone elses consolation seriously?)
Lu Zhiruo was scared of strangers, timid, and wary. However, once she started talking, she would let her guard down completely. Sun Mo didnt even try to find things out from her, but she already said a lot.
I came to Jinling to find a great teacher to learn from. But they dont want me!
Lu Zhiruo shared what she had been through and couldnt help but start crying.
(Given your aptitude, theyd be blind to take you in.)
Sun Mo shook his head.
The rain kept on pouring down, not showing signs of stopping.
What are you planning to do next?
It didnt make sense for her to keep on waiting out here.
Waiting for the thief.
There was a hint of stubbornness in Lu Zhiruos reply. Moreover, given that she didnt have any money, there was nowhere she could go to.
Youre better off going back home earlier.
Sun Mo took out his money pouch and pushed it to Lu Zhiruo. If she continued to wait here, shed probably even lose herself. Then Sun Mo turned around and left.
I cant take it.
Lu Zhiruo chased after Sun Mo, wanting to return the money pouch to him.
Take it as a loan.
Sun Mo waved his hand impatiently.
No. Father said that one shouldnt get undeserved rewards. Moreover, Ive already eaten the osmanthus cake and hot buns you gave me.
Lu Zhiruo was very stubborn, making a few attempts to stuff the money pouch back to Sun Mo. Then, after making another attempt, she suddenly cried out.
Its him!
Although this word didnt make any sense, given Sun Mos intellect, he immediately understood that Lu Zhiruo was referring to that thief. Therefore, he immediately followed her gaze.
A sloppy-looking young man was holding onto an umbrella and staying close behind an auntie.
Sun Mo was speechless. (Youre really hardworking. To think that youre not even taking a break on a rainy day!)
Dont run, return me my money! Lu Zhiruo shouted out loud.
Is this what they meant by having big boobs but no brain?
Sun Mo had wanted to remind Lu Zhiruo to not alert the thief, but it was too late. Thankfully, his reaction was fast enough and he had already darted out. At the same time, he drew his wooden blade and tossed it out.
The young man was a habitual offender. When he heard the cry, he quickly ran toward the closest alley. However, he hadnt run far off when the sound of slicing wind rang out next to his ear. Then, a wooden blade hit him at the back of his neck.
Pa!
The young man stumbled from the strike and fell to the ground.
Puddles splattered.
...
After Sun Mo rummaged through the thiefs home, he called the constables to take care of the case.
He had to say that with the title of a teacher, things progressed a lot smoother. He watched as a constable broke one of the thiefs legs and then acted very respectful toward him. Sun Mo was very pleased with this outcome.
Lu Zhiruo, who was wearing cotton clothes, hugged her small bag and followed behind Sun Mo like she was his tail. As she had managed to find her lost money, she started humming happily.
When they were nearing the school gates, Sun Mo turned back.
Lu Zhiruos head shrank back, her grip on her bag tightened, and her ears also pricked up. She was like a small deer that was listening to any movements, immediately escaping if something was amiss.
How long are you going to follow me? Sun Mo asked.
Lu Zhiruo avoided Sun Mos gaze and mumbled softly, I... I dont know.
Sun Mo couldnt understand what Lu Zhiruo was thinking about.
That... Teacher Sun, youre really amazing. How did you know that the thief would come back?
Lu Zhiruo blinked her eyes, looking at Sun Mo with an admiring gaze.
(How could I have known? I just mentioned it in passing to console you.)
Sun Mo couldnt get himself to speak the truth after seeing the girls gaze. He did feel a little proud to have such a beautiful young girl admiring him.
This is called conjecture! Sun Mo fabricated a story.
Thats so amazing!
Lu Zhiruos eyes gleamed brightly like the stars in the night sky.
Ding!
+5 favorable impression points from Lu Zhiruo.
Prestige connection with Lu Zhiruo initiated. Current state, neutral (5/100)
That cant be. You believe this?
Sun Mo was speechless. He looked at the girls innocent face and suddenly felt that he mustnt leave things as they were. Otherwise, shed definitely be swindled.
When they entered the school gates, the guard, Mister Qin, put out his head from the window.
Teacher Sun, this is...
From the young ladys dressing, Mister Qin could tell that she was clearly not a student of their school.
My relative.
Sun Mo passed him a packet of tobacco leaves that he had bought a long time ago. Although the guardhouses authority was very small, almost at the bottom tier in the schools hierarchy, it would be beneficial to keep a good relationship with them. Moreover, a packet of tobacco leaves was just about twenty or so coins.
Oh, she came to look for you for help? Or is she going to take part in the student recruitment meet?
Mister Qin immediately broke into a smile. It was no wonder that Sun Mo could sponge off Headmaster An. He really knew how to conduct himself. Amongst so many intern teachers, he was the first to give him, a guard, a gift.
After entering the school and looking at the passing students, Lu Zhiruo felt very anxious. She immediately went up a few steps and followed Sun Mo closer.
Intern teachers didnt have an office, so Sun Mo brought Lu Zhiruo back to the dorm.
Thats my bed, feel free to take a seat!
Sun Mo poured a cup of water.
En!
Lu Zhiruo nodded. However, as her clothes were drenched by the rain, she was worried that shed dirty the sheets. Therefore, she put her bag down by the bed and sat on it.
She kept her legs closed tightly and put her hands on her knees, behaving herself.
Sun Mos impression of the girl improved after seeing this. She was a sensible girl, but hed still have to ask about her plans. Otherwise, if her family were to come looking for her and blame him for human trafficking, hed be in trouble.