Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Old Male Who Spoke with Zhu Qingqing

"Then by all means, try," Lan Yin said indifferently, without turning back. "Try and see if I can take them away."

Han Fengyun smiled. "Since Clan Leader Lan is so confident, then I shall wish you... a successful journey."

"Of course, should you fail, feel free to seek me out in Han Ling City, Clan Leader Lan. I will be sure to lend you a hand."

...

Early the next morning, Zhu Qingqing got ready and went to wait at the spot where Yu An set up her stall.

There were already Beastmen lining up there. They were very surprised to see Zhu Qingqing.

"I told you I saw Qingqing yesterday, and you didn’t believe me! See? She’s out and about now."

"Sigh, that girl was so chubby and cute when she was little. To think she’d end up like this... Sigh!"

"If you ask me, the Clan Leader never should have taken her in. She just ate up so much of our food for nothing, only to turn out to be a useless female with no Fertility. And to think I shared my food with her every time I found some." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The one speaking was a young male. He had taken a liking to Zhu Qingqing long ago and had showered her with attention, hoping to become her Beast Husband.

But after she was tested and found to have no Fertility, he was kicking himself with regret.

Hearing these whispers, Zhu Qingqing lowered her head even further. She found an empty corner to wait for Yu An.

Soon, the familiar food cart appeared in her line of sight. Zhu Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and she stood up to go over.

But there were too many people, and she couldn’t squeeze through. Only after the Beastmen had formed a proper line did she carefully make her way over from the side.

"Zhu Qingqing, you stop right there!"

She had only taken two steps when several familiar, sharp voices suddenly called out from behind her. Zhu Qingqing shivered instinctively and stood frozen on the spot.

The people behind her quickly caught up, raising a hand to strike her. "You wretched female! You actually poisoned us and knocked us out! See if I don’t beat you to death!"

Zhu Qingqing squeezed her eyes shut, but the slap never came. Instead, Yu An’s voice sounded in her ear, "Who are you people? Why are you hitting someone for no reason?"

The peacock female, stopped by Yu An, saw who it was and immediately changed her tune. Her previous arrogance vanished as she began to wail, "Boss Yu, you don’t know! Yesterday, this wretched female Zhu Qingqing poisoned us and knocked us out! If our families hadn’t found us, we would have been eaten by wild beasts!"

Yu An’s gaze fell on Zhu Qingqing. "Qingqing, is that what happened?"

"N-No, it’s not!"

Zhu Qingqing frantically waved her hands, trying to tell the truth, but with so many people staring at her, she started to stutter again.

The peacock female seized the opportunity. "Look at her, she can’t even speak straight! She must be lying. Boss Yu, you shouldn’t speak up for a wretched female like her, one who harms her own clan members."

The others chimed in, adding fuel to the fire, and the onlooking Beastmen began to point and stare at Zhu Qingqing.

The color drained from Zhu Qingqing’s face, leaving it deathly pale. The more she heard their scornful or pitying words, the more nervous she became, unable to utter a single word.

"That’s enough!"

Yu An grabbed Zhu Qingqing’s hand and raised her voice. "We can’t just take one person’s word for what happened yesterday! Everyone, do you really believe that a child you watched grow up would bully others?"

"Besides, what ability does Zhu Qingqing even have to bully so many people at once, including a male with spiritual power?"

Warmth spread from Yu An’s palm into Zhu Qingqing’s body. Hearing these words of defense, she couldn’t help but start to cry.

’We’ve known each other for less than a day, and Boss Yu is already defending me like this. I... I really want to cry...’

"Boss Yu is right. Qingqing’s been timid since she was a kid. She’s strong, sure, but she can’t even beat a rabbit. On the other hand, Kong Qingqing and her friends... I heard from my kid that they often see them stealing the wild fruits Qingqing finds."

With one person speaking up for Zhu Qingqing, the others also began to change their minds. Encouraged by a look from Yu An, Zhu Qingqing mustered her courage and recounted what had happened yesterday.

She had a good memory. She recounted the entire incident, including all the nasty insults, leaving out only Han Fengyun’s presence.

But surprisingly, as she held Yu An’s hand and recalled those sharp, cruel insults, she found that they didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore.

The foul language made everyone frown. Even though they looked down on the "lazy" Zhu Qingqing, the words were truly awful to hear.

Feeling disgusted gazes fall on her for the first time, Kong Qingqing grew frantic. "Do you have any proof? What makes you think you’re right and we’re the ones lying?"

Zhu Qingqing opened her mouth, but then realized the place had been secluded. She really had no proof.

Seeing her expression, Kong Qingqing instantly became smug.

But before she could mock her again, someone in the crowd spoke up. "I heard it. I was here buying food yesterday, and I heard you say those things to Zhu Qingqing."

"I heard it too. I can also testify."

Yu An looked over and saw that the speakers were none other than Bai Rong and Ma Shu.

Bai Rong jogged over and greeted her.

"You’re all in it together!" Kong Qingqing reacted quickly, putting on a look of sudden realization. "Zhu Qingqing, even if you’re jealous that so many males pursue me, you don’t have to slander me like this, do you?"

Zhu Qingqing wanted to retort, but she was tongue-tied and didn’t know what to say.

Yu An threw up her hands and gave her a look like she was an idiot. "Slander you? With that kind of time, I’d rather go fry up a couple of orders of fried chicken."

"Don’t think everyone’s a fool. It’s crystal clear to everyone who’s more arrogant and domineering between you and Zhu Qingqing on a normal day."

With that, she waved her hand. "Alright, let’s not waste time on irrelevant people. Everyone, please get back in line."

Only then did the onlookers remember that they were here to buy delicious food.

The show was over; it was time to get in line before someone cut in front of them.

Kong Qingqing’s face flushed red, then paled. She shot a vicious glare at Yu An’s back, then grit her teeth and ran off, her companions leaving with her.

"Qingqing, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and come help."

As if waking from a dream, Zhu Qingqing said in a low voice, "Boss Yu, they aren’t people you can easily cross. You’ve offended them to help me. I’m afraid..."

"I’m not easily bullied either," Yu An said, handing her a wrap she had made that morning. "Don’t worry, they’re just a few small fries."

Her voice was full of confidence, which inexplicably put Zhu Qingqing at ease. After eating, she eagerly jumped in to help, working so hard that Han Li, who had come along, was completely out-hustled and left with nothing to do. She even took over the job of wiping the sweat from Yu An’s brow.

This time, Yu An had only brought Han Li with her. As they were packing up to go home, Bai Rong suddenly called out to her.

"Sister An’an, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Can we go over there?"

Bai Rong pointed to an empty spot up ahead. Yu An, not understanding, told Han Li to continue packing up while she went over with Bai Rong.

Ma Shu also walked over and stood a short distance away, as if keeping watch for them.

Yu An was completely confused. "Rongrong, what are you two...?"

Bai Rong glanced at Zhu Qingqing out of the corner of her eye and said seriously, "Sister An’an, do you really know Zhu Qingqing?"

"Kong Qingqing and the others really were poisoned yesterday, but it wasn’t by Zhu Qingqing. It was an old male. He seemed very familiar with Zhu Qingqing. Uncle Ma and I heard them mention you."

"I know that man. I saw him when my Beast Father took me to Han Ling City."

"Who?"

"The City Lord of Han Ling City, Han Fengyun."