Chapter 19: The Little Thief

Early the next morning, Wan Shun woke Yu Yan and told her to pack up. Yu Yan was in good spirits, thinking she could finally be discharged from the hospital. Instead, Wan Shun led her to the bus station, leaving her completely baffled.

“Xiao Shun, what are we doing here?” she asked.

“We're going to the county seat. Be careful where you step, godmother.” Wan Shun supported Yu Yan and made sure to board first, securing a prime spot: the first row by the window.

Hot on their heels, a crowd of people burdened with all manner of bags and baskets squeezed onto the bus. Soon the vehicle was packed to bursting. Chickens, ducks, and geese clamored noisily, and even at such an early hour, the stifling air was thick with a pungent, acrid smell.

Yu Yan hurried to open the window, taking several deep breaths to quell her nausea. Only when her stomach settled somewhat did she continue, “Why are we going to the county? Aren’t we going home?”

Wan Shun, sitting beside her, shielded her from the jostling baskets and poles. Yu Yan was injured and couldn’t withstand being crowded. Her head had been shaved and bore several wounds. Wan Shun had found her a hat to wear, but still, the scars across her body were impossible to hide. Even before the bus started moving, the cramped space had turned her pale with discomfort.

Wan Shun hadn't expected Yu Yan to get so carsick, and so severely at that. But the bus had already started moving—it was too late to get off.

“We’ll go back after we take care of things. Rest your head on me and try to sleep a little. It won’t feel so bad if you’re asleep.”

Yu Yan was truly unwell, too weak to speak. She slumped against Wan Shun’s shoulder, half-conscious. The bus lurched and jolted over the rutted dirt road, bouncing so violently it felt as though her stomach might leap out of her mouth. Bent over and retching, her face turned ashen, and nothing brought relief.

Wan Shun couldn’t bear to watch. With no villages or shops in sight, she called out, “Driver, we need to get off here.”

“We haven’t reached your stop. If you get off now, there’s no refund,” the ticket lady said, frowning.

“We don’t need a refund. Please stop the bus.”

The ticket lady pursed her lips and told the driver to pull over. Wan Shun helped Yu Yan off. No sooner had they stood than their seats were grabbed by others—Wan Shun didn’t mind; in these times, snatching seats was a fact of life.

But as they reached the door, Wan Shun sensed something amiss—a pickpocket was reaching into her pocket. She almost laughed in disbelief. Where she’d lived before, only big players had any standing—petty thieves wouldn’t have lasted a day. Yet here she was, being targeted by a mere cutpurse.

She spun around and kicked the thief so hard he flew into the crowd, howling in pain.

Several people around them were knocked over as well and started cursing. Not knowing what the pickpocket had done, they saw only Wan Shun’s sudden outburst and blamed her for the disruption.

“What’s all this commotion? If you’re getting off, then get off,” the ticket lady snapped.

Wan Shun ignored the others and cast a glance at the thief. “You’re lucky today—I haven’t the time. Next time, you won’t be so fortunate.”

The thief glared at her, clutching his stomach in agony.

Wan Shun sneered and helped Yu Yan off the bus. The doors slammed shut and the bus roared away, leaving a trail of dust.

Yu Yan sank to the ground, sweat streaming down her face—overheated and miserable, but looking a little relieved.

“Godmother, have some water. If I’d known you’d get this sick, I wouldn’t have brought you on the bus.”

Yu Yan sipped a little and waved the bottle away. “It’s not your fault. I’m just no good, not cut out for comfort. Xiao Shun, is there something you need to do in the county? I’m just holding you back. You go on ahead—I’ll rest here and make my own way home.”

Wan Shun shook her head. “I’m taking you to the county to see a doctor. There’s no rush. Rest a while, and then I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

Yu Yan grew anxious. “A doctor? I’m perfectly fine. Child, don’t waste money for no reason. Let’s just go home, right now.” She tried to pull Wan Shun along.

Wan Shun didn’t budge. Her voice was calm but tinged with sorrow. “The doctor already told me about your condition. You won’t tell me and insist on bearing it alone—I won’t force you. But you need to understand, if you die, I’ll have no family left. That’s fine for me. But Jiang Yingzhi will have lost his mother. His father’s actions have already made him extreme. If his mother is tormented to death by the villagers, do you think he won’t do something even worse?”

“I don’t care, I’ve been an orphan for years. I’m used to being called a bastard, used to having no kin. But Jiang Yingzhi? Who knows if his fragile heart can bear it?”

Yu Yan’s heart twisted with pain. She hugged Wan Shun and patted her back. “Silly child, you’re not a bastard. You’re my precious goddaughter. Don’t listen to gossips. Ignore them. I’ll do as you say—let’s go to the hospital. But don’t say such heartbreaking things anymore.”

Wan Shun grinned. “Alright, I won’t. Come on, I’ll carry you to the hospital.”

Fearing Wan Shun would say something else distressing, Yu Yan said nothing more, obediently climbing onto her back.

There were still nearly forty li to the county—under the blazing sun, no one could endure the heat for long. Seeing Wan Shun’s face redden from the sun, Yu Yan felt both guilty and pained.

“Xiao Shun, if a car passes by, let’s take it. Walking like this is too hard.”

Wan Shun, not wanting Yu Yan to suffer again, replied, “There are no more buses—only one runs from the commune to the county each day. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll catch a tractor going by.”

Tractors were bumpy but open, less likely to make her carsick.

Yu Yan agreed.

But after walking a long way, they saw neither vehicles nor people. It was too hot—hardly anyone ventured out.

“Xiao Shun, let me walk. I’m alright now. It must be hard for you to carry me.”

Wan Shun hesitated, then set her down. The two women supported each other and walked slowly. Yu Yan’s health was poor—after a short distance, she was breathless, but stubbornly refused to be carried again.

Fortunately, before long, they encountered others. Unfortunately, these men were up to no good.

The leader, a cocky young man, grinned maliciously. “Little wretch, you made me wait long enough.”

Seven or eight more men stood behind him, brandishing sticks and laughing menacingly. They looked every bit the highway thugs—and that’s exactly what they were.

After the tragedies with her husband and son, Yu Yan was easily startled. She tensed up instantly, fear in her eyes, but still instinctively stood in front of Wan Shun, wanting to protect her despite her terror.

“Don’t do anything foolish,” she pleaded. “If you have something to say, we can talk it out.”

The thugs burst into laughter, as if she’d told a joke.

“We can talk, sure—if you cooperate.”

Yu Yan guessed they wanted money, but she had none. She fell silent, unable to answer.

Wan Shun’s heart tightened. She squeezed Yu Yan’s hand reassuringly. The leader was the same pickpocket she’d kicked on the bus—he wasn’t here for money, that much was clear.

“So, what are you waiting for?” she asked.

The pickpocket sneered. “What am I waiting for? When you kicked me on the bus, did you ask? Playing dumb now is too late.”

Understanding dawned on Wan Shun. “Oh, you’re that thief. So, one kick wasn’t enough? You want another?”

Yu Yan was utterly confused—when had they run into a pickpocket? When had Xiao Shun kicked anyone? She’d been too sick to notice anything when they got off the bus.

Anxiously, she whispered, “Xiao Shun, they’re here for revenge? Run and get help. I’ll hold them off.”

Wan Shun patted her hand, signaling her to stay calm.