Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 1071 - 522: Beggars (Part 8)_2

"Originally, I thought this week would be quite plain, and a warm body would be good enough in winter. I never expected your porridge to be so thick, and you noticed our pitiful state, kindly instructing the manager to give my sister an extra bowl. That's how we managed to survive last winter."

"Back then, I thought when we prospered one day, my sister and I would definitely repay you."

"Is it Little Fourth?"

"Ahhh—" Little Fourth immediately understood and began to wail chaotically, acting like a fool with consummate skill.

"I just heard that the mansion is giving out porridge again, so I specifically brought my sister here. Old Mrs. Cheng, we're not here for porridge today, but to thank you for your kindness, for saving our lives."

"My sister and I are just beggars, and we only get to see you once a year at this time. You look... you look just like the Bodhisattva in paintings, truly with a Bodhisattva's heart!"

An Youyou's words made Old Mrs. Cheng smile radiantly, shaking with emotion as she repeatedly told her attendants, "Did you notice? I've worshipped Buddha for years, given porridge annually, not for fame but to save these poor children."

"Good child, don't kneel anymore, stand up." Old Mrs. Cheng signaled her servants to help An Youyou up, "Your sister's leg..."

"Broke two years ago, no money for the doctor, the bones grew wrongly, making it difficult for her to walk, so she can only crawl. The doctor said to fix it, the bones need to be broken again to heal, requiring three silver coins. After a year's worth of begging, I've saved dozens of Copper Coins, in a few years we'll have enough money for my sister's leg."

"Good child, such a foolish child, this ailment can't wait. I've practiced Buddhism for years, strive for kindness, can't bear such a tragic event. Last year, you sisters survived on my family's porridge, it's fate between you two and our Cheng Family."

"Jade." The old lady called over the maid who was dressed in noticeably better fashion. "Reward these two children with three... no, five silver coins. Let this child take her sister. Also, get them some hot food, grab two pieces of sugar, see if there's an old jacket to give them."

"Yes, Old Madam." Jade quickly went to carry out the task.

Old Mrs. Cheng grinned at An Youyou, "Good child, you and your sister will be blessed in the future."

Then Old Mrs. Cheng ignored An Youyou and cheerfully spoke to her granddaughter-in-law beside her, "Did you see? This is the reward of worshipping Buddha, never ignore doing small good deeds. There are too many poor people in this world, when we have the ability, we must help them."

"Grandma, you truly have a Bodhisattva's heart. What the little beggar said was right, you also resemble a Bodhisattva in paintings a bit." The granddaughter-in-law responded quickly.

Old Mrs. Cheng smiled brightly, "Where, just you knowing how to speak flattering words."

Then Old Mrs. Cheng sat back in the rattan chair with a smile, as if the scenes at the mansion entrance only had An Youyou and Little Fourth as the unfortunate ones. Other beggars, without even cotton clothing, trembling in thin attire, emaciated, pallid and frail, truly pitiful, dared not utter a word when the managers scolded them.

Qin Huai finished watching the entire performance of An Youyou, awarding her 100 marks for this acting.

The precise grip on the psychology of the audience, every word touching Old Mrs. Cheng's heart, professing not to beg but to express gratitude, yet each sentence was about selling misery. The expression was sorrowful, and the voice contained no wails, moreover, seizing the point that Old Mrs. Cheng was a believer in Buddhism and indulging in flattery wildly.

A professional actor.

If she doesn't strike it rich tonight, then who will?

With Old Mrs. Cheng's orders, the staff dared not misappropriate, genuinely giving An Youyou 5 silver coins and a large pack of food.

An Youyou opened the food and glanced at it, absolutely sumptuous for a beggar. 8 white steamed buns, two boiled corns, 6 eggs, and 5 baked buns. The old lady said to bring An Youyou two pieces of sugar; the staff indeed brought her two pieces of malt sugar and four dryish pastries.

Adhering to the principle of doing a complete job, An Youyou thanked repeatedly, grabbed her things, and left, moving on to the next house to continue her performance.

After a day of acting, An Youyou ended up with bruised noses from bowing, those who knew it figured she was out begging today, while the clueless might suspect she got into a gang fight.

An Youyou's 12 small brothers all had roles, each with their own characters, each with their own special performance, among which Little Fourth, due to being young and having superb acting skills, accompanied An Youyou in three performances.

The whole day, An Youyou secured 37 silver coins, two gold leaves, a handful of silver beads, and some scattered Copper Coins and foreign currency, an abundance of food items beyond count.

Although the food obtained was all staples, such as buns and baked buns, there were no meat or vegetables. Perhaps the wealthy families thought beggars didn't need vegetables, only staple foods to fill their bellies.

Wealthy families are both generous and harsh, sometimes offering silver coins, other times a crippling beating. Close to 10 PM, An Youyou decided not to go to Fu Ji to find Jiang Weiguo (Qin Huai guessed Jiang Weiguo should be off-duty by this hour) and led her 12 small brothers home in a grand procession.

Perhaps due to the New Year's ambiance, along An Youyou's way home, it was extraordinarily rare that houses were not tightly closed and dark. Many had lights on, and now and then cheerful voices echoed, making one feel warm in the cold wind.

Little Fourth, having performed three scenes today, could barely count as instrumental, successfully edged out Little Ninth on their way home and, close to reaching home, dared sniff the air and ask, "Boss, are we really eating pork knuckles tonight?"