Chapter 1149: Return Journey

Liu Chuxue mimicked the locals' tone: "All thanks to Mazu's protection."

Grandpa Afu was stunned for a moment, then laughed along, for now, though everyone thought it, no one dared to say it aloud.

Thinking of the little girl who fell into the water today, and then of Qi Shufang, Liu Chuxue asked as if by chance: "Grandpa Afu, what's the situation with that little girl who fell into the water today?"

Before Grandpa Afu could speak, his grandson sitting at the bow opened his mouth: "Xiangbao is Aunt Shuying's daughter; that troublemaker is her stepmother."

Grandpa Afu glared at his own grandson but did not contradict him: "Xiangbao is the granddaughter of Seventh Grandmother in the village. Her mother was the daughter Seventh Grandmother bore late in life, and she had four older brothers above her. She was doted on and raised by the family since childhood, later married into the town. It's just that Shuying was ill-fated; last winter, while going to the city on business, she met with an accident.

When spring came, Seventh Grandmother's son-in-law came over, saying someone needed to care for Xiangbao. Others introduced a Miss. Alas, that Miss, you probably saw her today; just by looking at her eyes and brows, one can tell she is not an honest person."

At this, Grandpa Afu's grandson interjected: "Today, when Xiangbao fell into the sea, wasn't it that woman's scheme? Ali and the others saw it clearly. That woman threw Xiangbao's most treasured glass bead onto the beach just as the waves receded, making Xiangbao go pick it up herself. That's how Xiangbao was swept into the water by the waves."

While they were speaking, the boat had already docked. Having experienced the events of this morning, Liu Chuxue dared not delay their return time, fearing the sea might turn fickle again.

Grandpa Afu had his grandson help Liu Chuxue move her things to the corner of the building in front of the pier. Liu Chuxue gave the reason that she didn't want to obstruct others, as someone would come to pick her up in a moment.

After watching Grandpa Afu and his grandson depart on the boat, she tossed the paper bag containing two taels of White Rabbit milk candy onto the boat. Two taels of White Rabbit candy amounted to only about twenty pieces: "Thank you for bringing me here. Have this candy to sweeten your journey."

Seeing his grandson's eyes sparkle with gold at the mention of candy, Grandpa Afu found it hard to say no or to return it: "Young lady, come again next time you have the chance. I'll have the women in my family make you something delicious."

Liu Chuxue smiled and waved at them: "Good."

Watching the boat disappear in the distance, she hurried back to where she had left her things. Although she had kept a close watch and no one had appeared near her belongings, people not far away had been glancing over frequently. In these times, caution was best.

Avoiding the staff in the distance, she walked briskly toward the corner piled with goods. After confirming it was safe, she stored everything except the woven bag of dried seafood she had prepared in advance and the small basket of fresh seafood into her spatial dimension.

Taking advantage of the staff walking away over there, she quickly carried her things and left the area, fearing those people might come over out of curiosity to inspect and cause her trouble.

The pier was not far from the bus station. She had asked beforehand when she arrived; there was a bus at a quarter past three. If she hurried now, she would just make it.

With her great strength, she carried the things there in one go. By the time she arrived, quite a few people were already seated on the bus. The driver was tying down luggage on the roof. Seeing her about to carry her things onto the bus, he directly blocked her way: "Hand the luggage up; putting it inside takes up too much space."

She naturally had no objection, but still reminded him: "Driver, the basket contains fresh seafood. Please arrange a suitable spot for it."

That driver, having likely seen this often before, replied: "Rest assured, I'll definitely put it in a good spot for you."