Chapter 4

Chapter 4

He froze, clearly not processing what was happening.

The surrounding crowd burst into laughter, and the other young men who had been chatting with him slapped his shoulder, guffawing.

His face flushed instantly, the heat climbing all the way to the tips of his ears. He stood rooted to the spot, so nervous he didn’t know what to do with himself.

Pressing my advantage, I gently shook his hand and called out in a low, pitiful voice, “Brother, I’m begging you…”

I gazed deeply at him. For a fleeting second, our eyes met before he hurriedly looked away.

Pure and shy-he was the type to blush just from holding hands.

At any other time in the past, I would have fallen head over heels for a guy like this. But now, in this hellhole, I hated everyone here equally.

His companion doubled over with laughter. “Mancang, you’ve got it going on! It’s always been the men picking the Pizi, but who would’ve thought a Pizi would pick you first!

“Li Mancang, you’ve never even touched a woman in all your years, have you? Look at how red your face is!

“Why don’t you just buy her? She can give your Granny a big, fat grandson.”

…

The commotion quickly drew Li Yushuan and his wife over.

When they saw that I had left the auction area without permission and run over here, their brows furrowed. They stepped forward and grabbed me. “You little bitch, what kind of tricks are you trying to pull now? I’m telling you, you’re not getting away!”

Since I had no outer clothes, their fingers pinched directly into my flesh. I gasped in pain as red welts immediately bloomed on my fair skin.

Just as I was being dragged away, a low voice calling out “Uncle Yushuan” stopped the man in his tracks.

I hurriedly looked up at the speaker, but he wasn’t looking at me.

“What is it, Mancang?” Li Yushuan waited for him to continue.

The man called Mancang finally flicked a glance at me.

His gaze broke away the moment it touched mine.

Then he spoke: “I want to buy her.”

Li Yushuan was stunned. The people who had just been joking about Li Mancang buying me were equally shocked.

No one expected him to actually do it. Not even me.

Li Yushuan scratched his head. “What did you say?”

“How much?”

Li Mancang’s voice was deep, possessing the rugged thickness of a country man.

“Now, now,” Li Yushuan laughed. “So you’re in a hurry to get yourself a wife too, kid?”

Li Mancang pursed his lips and remained silent.

Li Yushuan walked over and patted his shoulder. “You’ve grown up, boy. Heh, finally thinking about women.

“But look, our Li Village has always valued ‘filial piety.’ There are still plenty of bachelors in your uncles’ generation. It’s not your turn just yet.”

With that, he yanked me and continued walking.

I struggled desperately.

I looked toward Li Mancang again, my eyes pleading for help.

He turned his head away, avoiding my gaze.

“Brother!” I cried out again, my voice bordering on a sob.

His fists clenched.

“Uncle Yushuan. Name a price.”

The man stopped and squinted with a smile. “I really didn’t expect you to be such a romantic, Mancang.”

He pointed at me. “You want to buy her?”

“You’ve got good taste,” Li Yushuan said, licking his lips. “Kid, let me put it this way. Aside from being a bit thin, this girl is the prettiest of the lot. More importantly, she’s Yellow Goods. The price, naturally, won’t be cheap.”

Li Mancang remained silent, his expression dark and unreadable.

Li Yushuan held up two fingers. “At least this much.”

The people around them cried out, “Twenty thousand?”

“Mancang,” a young man with a buzz cut bumped Li Mancang’s shoulder. “You couldn’t afford that even if you sold your whole house, could you?”

“Mancang, Uncle Dagui and the others saved for years before they had enough to buy a wife. You’re still young. If you really want a woman, it won’t be too late to buy one in a couple of years.”

The villagers chimed in with their advice.

He lowered his eyes, looking somewhat shaken.

My heart sank inch by inch, and my lips began to tremble.

Just as I was about to struggle some more, an old man squeezed through from the direction of the auction area.

He grabbed me. “Hehe, so the little girl is over here.”

“I took a liking to her at first sight,” the old man said to Li Yushuan. “Yushuan, give your older brother a discount. I’ve been a bachelor for half my life. I finally saved up enough to buy a wife; I’m hoping to have a big fat son next year.”

I jerked my shoulder away from his hand, feeling so disgusted I retreated several steps.

“Of course, given our friendship,” Li Yushuan laughed. “How about this, Brother Li Zhong? I’ll give you a five thousand discount. If you want her, take her for fifteen thousand.”

The old man hesitated for a long while, looking me up and down. Finally, he said, “Fine. Fifteen thousand it is. Who told me to set my heart on her?”

“Aha, that’s why I say you have great taste, Brother.” Li Yushuan’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “Look at how fair and tender this girl is. She’ll definitely give you a healthy, fair-skinned son.”

Hearing this, the old man chuckled as well.

A wave of revulsion washed over me. I tried to hide, but Li Yushuan gripped my hand tightly and handed it over to the old man.

My struggles were useless. The people here possessed terrifying strength.

“Oho, the girl is quite stubborn.” The old man gave a sinister smile. “Let me tell you, I spent a lot of money to buy you. It wasn’t just to look at your face. If you dare to disobey me, see if I don’t break your legs.”

He dragged me away. I knew exactly what was waiting for me. I struggled with all my might, only to be pinned down by villagers who came to help.

At the very moment I was being dragged away by the crowd, I heard someone suddenly speak.

“Twenty thousand. I’ll buy her.”