Chapter 4: If You Can't Do It, I Won't Accept It

“Ouch, I should have had him carry you back earlier,” the woman frowned briefly, then bent down to pat the girl’s head.

“Girl, girl?”

Huan Ya had been in too much pain to speak, but upon hearing the woman’s voice, she slowly gathered herself and propped up her upper body. Just as she was about to say something, her eyes caught a shadow around the corner. She clamped her mouth shut and, supporting her battered body, struggled to stand.

“Ugh!”

“What’s wrong? Your foot—can’t you walk?” The woman immediately regretted her words. “If you really can’t, I’ll take you back!”

“I can, Auntie, I can.” Huan Ya quickly steadied herself, ignoring the pain in her foot. Gripping the woman’s hand, she pleaded, “I can work! Please, Auntie, please take me with you!”

Seeing her like this, the woman sighed softly. “Alright, alright, come with me. I don’t even know if the ox cart is still here.”

Huan Ya dared not speak, enduring the searing pain as she limped behind the woman.

Every step felt like stepping on a blade, yet she felt happy.

She wouldn’t die. She wouldn’t be sent to the Orchid House. That was wonderful—truly wonderful!

“Why are you crying?” the woman asked, turning around, intending to ask the girl’s name, but instead seeing tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t tell me you regret it and want to go back?”

“No, no, no,” Huan Ya hurriedly waved her hands. The excitement tugged at the wounds on her hand and face, making her pale with pain.

“I—I’m happy.” She grimaced as she wiped away her tears. “Thank you, Auntie. Thank you.”

Then, she quickly handed over what she was holding. “Silver, silver.”

Seeing the misshapen silver ingot in her hand, the woman took it and weighed it. “Could this be five taels?”

Huan Ya’s face turned ashen. “I—I can earn money. Auntie, please don’t hit me. I’ll earn money and pay you back. In a year—no, half a year, half a year for sure!”

Fearing the woman would send her back, she suddenly knelt, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Auntie, I beg you, just please don’t send me back. I’ll do anything you ask.”

Seeing her pitiful state, the woman squeezed the silver ingot again. It wasn’t five taels, but two or three taels was definitely enough.

Still worried the girl might run away, she coldly said, “You say you’ll do anything I ask?”

Huan Ya nodded repeatedly, even as the wound reopened and bled, ignoring it.

“I’m good at working, and I know how to take care of people. When my father was sick and bedridden, I took care of him all the time. Auntie, please don’t send me away.”

Those words made the woman raise her eyebrows slightly. She thought of her own son, bedridden for two months, and realized this girl might be just what she needed.

“Alright then, I won’t send you back.”

She spoke, then deliberately threatened, “But if you don’t behave, I’ll send you to the Orchid House!”

Huan Ya shook her head emphatically. “No, no, I’ll be good.”

The woman was satisfied and asked her name and age. Learning she was only fourteen, a pang of pity stirred within her.

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