Gong Feicui's face immediately turned red: "Mind my ass! Do whatever you want, just don't disturb my meal!"
"That's fine then." Du Sanniang looked at Xiao Zuo with seductive eyes. "I'm timid, so I need to ask each one individually before I feel at ease, lest the other women hate me."
"Being hated by women only proves your charm, so what's there to fear? Besides, everyone is too busy admiring a beauty like you to hate you." Amidst laughter, the two lifted the curtain and went out.
Gong Feicui's face flushed red and then turned pale, clearly indicating that she was extremely angry, but she had to suppress her anger.
That Xiao Zuo has caused so much harm. I sighed inwardly. Suddenly, Baili Chenfeng put down his chopsticks, stood up, and lowered his voice, saying, "I'm going to check out the lower deck. Are you coming?"
I hesitated for a moment, then looked out the window and saw Xiao Zuo and Du San Niang chatting happily on the deck. Her father was probably busy in the back as well. It was indeed a good opportunity to investigate, so I nodded to Baili Chenfeng.
The sun had fully risen, shining on the shimmering water, creating layers of hazy light; everything seemed perfectly calm…
Volume 1, Chapter 4: A Sudden Turmoil (2)
Section Two: Who's the Sentimental One?
Because they need to transport large quantities of goods, the Yellow River ferries are usually designed to be extremely simple in order to save space.
Take the ship we're on, for example. The cabin is so simple that there's no decoration or furnishings whatsoever, not even a single piece of extra wood. Our group of over fifty people sitting inside feels like we've been buried in a square wooden box.
Thinking about this made me feel increasingly uncomfortable. Not long after Feng Qiansu and Baili Chenfeng left, I also put down my chopsticks.
"Young Miss, are you going to stop eating after eating so little?"
I heard Jin Zhao and Yu Cui's voices behind me. I grunted and stood up, saying, "This godforsaken place is really unbearable. I'm going outside for some fresh air. You guys go eat, you don't need to come with me."
I had long heard of the captivating beauty of the Yellow River's banks, but alas, the boat was moving too fast, and we had already reached the middle of the river. As the saying goes, there was no village in sight and no shop in sight. I stood at the bow of the boat and looked into the distance. Apart from the boundless Yellow River, I could only occasionally see one or two green oases on the water. Although the grass was lush, there was nothing to see... Oh well, I was in a bad mood anyway, so even if it were a fairyland, I wouldn't be interested.
There was no one at the bow; presumably, Xiao Zuo… that bastard and that flirtatious boatwoman were at the stern.
Hmph! I thought his dissolute lifestyle was just a facade, but who knew he was a frivolous and impetuous scoundrel to the core... Oh well! I misjudged him. From now on, I'll have nothing to do with him.
Thinking about it this way, I realized that Xiao Zuo had suffered more losses, and I suddenly felt much lighter. Then I remembered those scaffolds.
The raft, also known as a sheepskin raft, is the oldest means of transportation on the Yellow River. It is typically made of fourteen inflatable sheepskin tubes tied side-by-side to a crisscrossing wooden frame. The size can vary, and large rafts used for long-distance cargo transport can even consist of hundreds of sheepskin tubes linked together. Compared to other modes of transportation, it is maneuverable, lightweight, and extremely safe, resistant to running aground or hitting reefs.
If a group of ghosts in the mountains were to cause trouble underwater, and they managed to breach the boat, that seemingly insignificant raft would be my lifesaver, even though I can't swim.
I leaned against the gunwale, the river surging before my eyes, my mind preoccupied with those rafts... No, I had to see with my own eyes that those rafts were still safely towed behind the boat before I could feel at ease.
Although that bastard was at the stern, I went there to check on my life-saving raft, not to see what he and that boatwoman were doing! Don't forget, I've already made up my mind to have nothing to do with him anymore!
As I repeatedly emphasized this determination in my mind, I rushed to the stern of the boat, and the first thing I saw was Du San Niang's father.
This old man, who is clearly a filthy spitter, is now inexplicably clean and is actually mopping the floor with a mop.
Behind him was a bucket of water, and Xiao Zuo and Du Sanniang were standing next to it, chatting about something. The atmosphere was quite lively. When they saw me suddenly run over, Du Sanniang glanced at me and said with a coquettish smile, "Oh! What's making Miss Gong in such a hurry?"
That's strange. Am I that close to her? Or does she just put on this friendly act with everyone?
I put on a cold, stern face, said nothing, and walked straight to the gunwale, sticking my head out—but apart from the surging, rolling river, there was no sign of the boat.
How could this be! Feng Qiansu clearly told me that she personally witnessed the fifty iron cavalrymen tying the rafts to the stern before boarding the ship!
This was quite a shock. My face changed drastically, and I was about to shout when I heard Xiao Zuo say calmly, "It's over here. How could you see it from across the deck?"
"Where are they?" I lifted my skirt and rushed over, peering over to him—and sure enough, there were several boats following the boat, drifting with the current. I counted them, and there were exactly ten.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile involuntarily crept onto my lips. But when I casually turned my head, I met Xiao Zuo's smiling eyes. I immediately pulled a long face, stiffly turning my head away. My gaze swept over the rows of tables, and suddenly something felt off—why was he standing right in front of them? Could it be that he…
Just as he was wondering, he heard Du Sanniang scold, "So, young master is worried about these boats! I was just saying, the scenery is the same at both the bow and the stern, why did you have to come here!"
Xiao Zuo laughed and said, "Below the Yellow River, there are many water ghosts. As for what to worry about, it is natural."
"Ghost? What ghost?" Du Sanniang patted her high breasts with her fair hands and said in a coquettish voice, "Young master, please don't frighten me. I'm most afraid of ghosts."
She started to sway unsteadily halfway through her sentence; by the time she finished speaking, she was completely nestled in Xiao Zuo's arms.
Well, well, well! I've really seen something amazing today. There really are such shameless women in the world!
Of course, Xiao Zuo was no good either—not only did he put on a very pleased look, but he also boldly stretched out his claws and grabbed Du San Niang's hand.
Perhaps he was too impatient and squeezed too tightly, because Du Sanniang immediately cried out "Ouch!"
Xiao Zuo looked apologetic and said softly, "Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry. But please don't shout again. I'm a very timid person. If you shout and scare me, I might accidentally crush your delicate little hands, and I'll be heartbroken."
I had already turned to leave, but when I heard something strange in his words, I turned back.
Although Xiao Zuo's expression was gentle, his hands were tightly gripping Du San Niang's pulse points, and his eyes flashed with a sharp, razor-like light. Looking behind me, he said indifferently, "If you don't care about your wife's life or death, just warn me."
Wasn't Du San Niang's husband not on the boat? I was stunned for a moment, then turned to look behind me—there was only the old man mopping the floor behind me. Although he was indeed pursing his lips and gathering his breath, looking like he wanted to "speak up and warn," he was clearly Du San Niang's father... This Xiao Zuo is really inexplicable!
To everyone's surprise, after hearing Xiao Zuo's words, the old man actually calmed his breathing and said in a deep voice, "Young master has good eyesight."
Good heavens! Good heavens! He admitted it? He really is Du Sanniang's husband!
I turned and stared at Xiao Zuo, but I couldn't utter a single word; I was utterly dumbfounded.
This looks a bit silly, and Xiao Zuo couldn't help but laugh when he saw it.