Chapter 324 The Wild Woman on the Other Side of the Sea
Ye Shenggê learned the next day that A Liang hadn't found any useful information. There were no missing girls in the county either. This only made Zi Yisheng and the others more curious about the woman's origins.
Wang Fengling was still assigned by the village head to look after the wild woman. Before she reached the storeroom, she heard shouting from inside.
The wild woman was on the verge of tears when she saw the aunt enter. She had been shouting so much that her throat was almost hoarse.
"Auntie, did you save me?"
Wang Fengling felt a pang of sympathy seeing the girl, who was so dirty she was unrecognizable. She quickly handed the bowl of corn porridge she was holding to the woman.
"Drink some porridge first, and we'll talk later."
The wild woman endured the pain in her leg and sat up. She didn't bother with politeness, just cupped the bowl and began to eat ravenously.
"Slowly, slowly, be careful, it's hot."
She finished the bowl of porridge in a few seconds, then licked her still somewhat dry lips with lingering satisfaction. She took out a handful of money from her pocket and pressed it into Wang Fengling's hand.
"Auntie, thank you. This is all the money I have. Please see if it's enough to cover my medical expenses and food. If not, I'll give you more when I contact my family, okay?"
Wang Fengling had thought the girl was a refugee, so she was surprised she had money. She also felt relieved, as their brigade couldn't afford to care for an injured person.
"Auntie, where is this place? Did you save me?"
"This is Bai Rong Brigade. You collapsed at the foot of the mountain and were found by the village children, who then rescued you. Young lady, where are you from, what's your name, and why did you collapse here injured?"
Wang Fengling had a task to perform. The brigade couldn't casually take in someone of unknown origin. If they couldn't get any information, they might have to send the girl to the public security bureau.
"My name is Qi Xuan. I'm from across the sea. I was returning with my grandfather to find relatives when we accidentally got separated. Then, unfortunately, I injured myself on the mountain, which is why I fainted here."
"Across the sea!"
Wang Fengling couldn't sit still. This was someone who had crossed illegally. Their brigade didn't dare to harbor such a person.
"Um, young lady, you rest well for now. I'll go back and make you some more food."
"Ah, oh, thank you, Auntie!"
Wang Fengling walked out, feigning calmness. After closing the door, she immediately ran home.
"Old man, old man, something big has happened, come out quickly."
The village head, hearing his wife's shout, rushed out without even putting on his shoes.
"What is it, what is it? Tell me slowly."
Wang Fengling knew the seriousness of the situation. She whispered into her husband's ear.
Upon hearing it, the village head slapped his thigh.
"This is bad, what should we do?"
Wang Fengling watched her husband pace back and forth. She quickly ran back into the house to get his shoes for him.
"Should we ask our son? He'll definitely have a solution."
"Yes, I'll go find Wentao, but he left yesterday!"
Wang Fengling gave her husband an exasperated look and pointed in the direction of the Ye family, reminding the man who was in a panic.
In fact, A Liang had been guarding nearby when Wang Fengling went to see Qi Xuan. After overhearing Qi Xuan's information, he returned to the Ye family.
Zi Yisheng and Ye Dad exchanged glances upon hearing about Qi Xuan. This was trouble, big trouble.
"This person can't stay here. Regardless of whether Qi Xuan is a good person or not, it's not suitable for her to stay here any longer."
"Should we involve the relevant departments?"
Ye Dad pondered for a moment and shook his head. He seemed to recall someone named Qi from across the sea.
"I'll go and ask first."
Ye Dad left directly, leaving everyone else bewildered.
Qi Xuan no longer had the mind to consider her current situation. She didn't know where her grandfather had gone. They had agreed to wait by the sea, and now Qi Xuan regretted her disobedience.
When Ye Dad entered, he saw a dirty girl pounding on the bed. She didn't even notice him until he was right in front of her.
"Ahem."
Qi Xuan was startled and looked at Ye Dad with confusion.
"Who are you?"
"Do you know Qi Luquan?"
"Qi Luquan, you know my grandfather!"
Ye Dad sighed, looking at the little girl who had no sense of self-protection, and felt a headache coming on.
"I do. Where is your grandfather now?"
As soon as Qi Xuan heard that he knew her grandfather, her face lit up with a smile.
"Uncle, it's great that you know my grandfather. I've lost him. He said he'd wait by the sea if we got separated, but now I've broken my leg. Can you help me find him? I've run out of money, and I'm waiting for him to rescue me!"
Ye Dad's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Did he regret leaving immediately?
"I'll arrange for you to be housed on the mountain. Do you understand your current situation?"
Qi Xuan shook her head blankly. Why would she need to stay on the mountain?
Ye Dad wanted to scratch his head. How did Qi Luquan raise such a naive, sweet, and silly girl? No, a silly, dirty, and simple girl was more like it. After desperately calming himself down, he spoke.
"My name is Ye Huaijin. I had dealings with your grandfather before. Your identity is not suitable for public exposure now, and you are an undocumented resident here. If discovered, you will be arrested. So, I will arrange for you to hide first, and we'll talk after I find your grandfather.
From now on, don't speak, don't ask. Just listen to me. I won't harm you."
Qi Xuan, who had opened her mouth to speak, immediately closed it and nodded obediently.
Ye Dad breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that if he heard Qi Xuan speak again, he might be tempted to hand her over.
Ye Dad turned to leave and met the village head and Ye Mu'en on the way.
"Village head, I need to discuss something with you."
After hearing Ye Dad's unreasonable yet reasonable explanation, the village head quickly agreed. He also handed the money Wang Fengling had given Qi Xuan to Ye Dad and left, shaking his hands. He claimed to have never seen anyone named Qi Xuan.
Ye Dad looked at the money in his hand, gritted his teeth, and gestured to his son with his chin.
"You take her to the mountain. There's a cave there where she can stay. I'll have your mother and sister take some bedding and other necessities there."
"I'm not going. You know I didn't take care of her on the mountain. If she sees me, won't she go crazy? Dad, who is she, anyway?"
Ye Dad kicked Ye Mu'en impatiently.
"You don't know how to cherish a woman at all. No wonder you're still single."
"I'm glad I don't cherish her. She's a big trouble. Are you really going to get involved?"
Ye Dad nodded solemnly.
"We must get involved. If I don't, you'll be responsible for taking care of her. I still need to go find that old man."
Ye Mu'en had no choice. His father had taken on the task, so he had to accept it. At worst, he could knock out the wild woman.
Ye Mu'en went back and called his sister out. Of course, Zi Yisheng also accompanied them. As a son-in-law, Zi Yisheng should help.
Ye Shenggê entered first. It was easier for women to talk to women.
When Qi Xuan saw Ye Shenggê, she was stunned.
"You're so beautiful, much more beautiful than our Mountain Ancestor."