Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 404: Looking for Mother

Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Looking for Mother

On July 21st, Chi Sheng brought Yuanbao to Yan City.

Although the journey wasn’t too exhausting, spending over ten days on the water was taxing.

Yuanbao didn’t seem to have the same energy she had when they first set sail. Nestled in Chi Sheng’s arms, her little face looked pale—it seemed like she might be sick.

"Big Brother, is Yuanbao okay?" The one speaking was their fourth-in-command.

Seeing the little girl like this, he felt uncomfortable.

Even adults found traveling this much exhausting. It was even harder on a child.

"She’s fine."

Chi Sheng shook his head, lightly patting his daughter’s head.

Rather than rushing to the county government office, the group found an inn to rest.

After all, they were here on business; they couldn’t exactly go to their meeting all dirty.

The next morning, Chi Sheng and Yuanbao, along with a few others, split up to gather information.

Their mission was to find out about the court’s actions and Yan City’s economy.

With a meeting spot arranged, a jug of wine, and Yuanbao by his side, Chi Sheng headed towards Sanwei Residence.

He remembered that the manager of the place was a lovely lady—if they could establish a good business relationship, it would secure their livelihood in the future.

"Dad, are we going to see Mom?" Yuanbao rested her head on Chi Sheng’s chest, her little face looking noticeably red from the sun.

"Mmhmm." Chi Sheng covered Yuanbao from the sun, quickening his pace.

Lao Da was among the earliest staff members and had now become a minor supervisor.

Zhang Yun was an honest man. He always followed behind Wang Sheng, learning new duties and responsibilities.

As it was noon, Sanwei Residence was bustling with patrons, waitstaff weaving their way through the crowd.

It was very hot outside, the sun baking the stone floor. The huge crowd inside the tavern led Chi Sheng to wonder: Aren’t they hot?

Upon stepping inside the tavern, he felt a chill and the heat of the sun seemed to dissipate.

"How many in your party, sir?"

"Two."

As Chi Sheng responded, his eyes swept over the main hall.

In each corner of the room was a water tank, emanating waves of cold air.

"Right this way, sir," The waiter gave an explanation with a smile, noticing Chi Sheng’s gaze.

"It’s so hot outside. The ice was specially arranged by the manager. With it, the room stays a lot cooler."

Chi Sheng was mildly astonished at the sight of the large water tanks.

Ice was quite expensive, and there were four tanks of it just in the main hall. This place wasn’t cheating its customers, was it?

Seeing his confusion, the waiter added proudly, "Our manager uses a lot of ice. Every day, we need more than thirty blocks of it in our restaurant!"

A big block of ice costs almost a tael of silver. Only a generous manager like theirs would be willing to spend that much!

Where else in Yan City could one find a place where you could enjoy ice in the summer for just a wen coin?

"That much?" Chi Sheng’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

With a daily cost of over thirty taels of silver, this restaurant must have been flourishing.

"Sir, what would you like to eat? It looks like the little missy is a bit overheated. Our Ice Fruit Pudding is a crowd favorite, especially among children. It can help lower body heat. Would you like to order one?"

"Let’s have one then." Chi Sheng nodded without rushing to find the manager.

"Alrighty!"

Sitting by the table, Yuanbao looked somewhat better as she blankly stared out the window.

"Dad."

"What’s wrong?" Chi Sheng took a sip of tea before pouring another cup for Yuanbao.

"Have some tea first."

"Does Brother Xiaoqi really not like me?" After pondering for a month and a half, the little girl finally voiced her worries.

"Why would you think that?"

Chi Sheng paused, his tea halfway to his lips, surprised at Yuanbao’s words.

He had always thought his little girl’s moodiness on the journey was because of discomfort from the travel or sickness. Could it be because of Xiaoqi?

"Dad, I’m already five years old." Yuanbao pouted, her eyes reddening.

She didn’t want to be sad, but she felt awful whenever she thought about Xiaoqi not liking her.

"I’m not a baby anymore. I know Xiaoqi doesn’t like me."

"You’re just a kid. Do you even know what liking someone means?" Chi Sheng sighed, somewhat helpless. These children were growing up too fast and losing their childhood innocence.

They had started thinking about love and relationships at the age of four or five.

When Yuanbao was three years old, he thought she was just excited to meet someone new, hence her fondness for Xiaoqi.

Looking at it now, it seemed entirely possible that she had genuinely liked Xiaoqi.

And which young girl thinks about marriage at the tender age of five?

Chi Sheng was worried—his brow furrowed with concern.

"I know!" Yuanbao’s answer was full of reproach, her lips pouted high. Her round eyes stared at Chi Sheng.

She was almost five years old, after all!

Seeing his daughter in that state, Chi Sheng was at a loss. Fortunately, the waiter had arrived with the Ice Fruit Pudding just in time to distract Yuanbao.

"Here is the Ice Fruit Pudding from our restaurant. Enjoy your meal." The waiter placed the bowl in front of Yuanbao, smiling as he continued, "If you need anything else, feel free to call me."

"Waiter, may I ask if your manager is here? I have something I need to discuss with her."

Chi Sheng thanked the waiter before asking another question. He felt that if he kept arguing with Yuanbao about this topic, he may not convince her.

What was a child doing understanding love and affection?

As for these messy things, it’s better to push them off until later.

"Well..." The waiter hesitated.

"Brother, could you help me find my Mom? Tell her that Yuanbao misses her." Yuanbao looked up at the waiter with teary eyes, her request near impossible to refuse.

"Well, wait a moment please." The waiter scratched his head and didn’t refuse.

However, when he reached the back courtyard, he ran into Wang Sheng.

"Li Zi, where are you going?" Wang Sheng asked Li Zi, his apprentice, who was a clever boy.

"Master, there’s a man outside with a little girl looking for the manager." Upon seeing his master, Li Zi breathed a sigh of relief and recounted everything.

"Really?" Wang Sheng furrowed his brows, feeling a bit puzzled.

Their manager had just gotten married a few days ago. Could this little girl, claiming to be looking for her mother, have any ulterior motives?

Wasn’t it just like Li Jun, who was jealous of their current good fortune? He had been spreading rumors and gossip about their manager.

In the end, even the tavern he worked at was investigated, which led to the discovery of a smuggler selling illegal salt.

"Yes, the little girl said her name was Yuanbao. She wanted me to help her find her mom."

"Yuanbao?"

Wang Sheng paused at hearing the name—he recognized it.

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