Yang Ruxin shook her head: "You canât represent them, you can only represent yourself." These children may be young, but because theyâve always lived at the bottom of society, theyâve seen the cold and warmth of human nature. Therefore, they are not lacking in wits; otherwise, they couldnât survive. She wants to help them, but she doesnât want them to become her burden. Regardless of the time and place, she never acts as a pushover.
"Iâll listen to you." Xiaoba suddenly stepped up, looking up at Yang Ruxin, "Iâll listen to you from now on."
Yang Ruxin looked at this little girl, somehow reminded of Sini and Erya from earlier times. Similarly skinny and frail, yet both had a pair of bright eyes desperately yearning for love, making her heart inexplicably soften.
"If we follow you, would you sell us in the future?" Old Third frowned, looking at Yang Ruxin. She was ten years old, a girl, naturally aware of a girlâs fate.
"I donât keep useless people around me." Yang Ruxin slightly raised her eyebrows.
"But we donât know anything right now..."
"Itâs okay if you donât know anything now. I can give you opportunities to learn." Yang Ruxin shrugged, "Reading and writing, playing instruments, chess, painting, martial arts, accountingâwhatever you want to learn, I can let you... as long as you have skills, I will naturally find you useful. How would I bear to sell you then?"
All the childrenâs eyes brightened.
"So, your future is up to you." Yang Ruxin added a final word.
"Weâll follow you." All the children felt a glimmer of hope in their hearts.
Yang Ruxin nodded slightly: "Now I have your first task. Only if you do it well can you stay by my side."
"Just say it." Boss perked up upon hearing this.
"I know there are Twelve Stores in Beijing, all housing the cityâs noble and wealthy. In the coming days, I need you to carefully monitor the movements of these Twelve Stores, especially the Gu Family at Xuanwu Store, particularly the couple Gu Sheng..."
"Okay." Boss nodded, "Weâll keep a close watch."
Coming out of the ruined temple, Yang Ruxin let out a breath.
"The madamâs heart softened again." Du Juan sighed. In truth, dealing with these little beggars, one could just make them work and give them silver, but the madam wants to take on their future now.
"Sigh." Yang Ruxin sighed, "Looking into Xiaobaâs eyes, I thought of Mengmeng and Lanlan from back then." She glanced at Du Juan, "Back then, our family was just as desperate, so I canât help but soften my heart... I canât help the whole world, but within my abilities, I will lend a hand when I encounter them. Of course, it also depends on whether theyâre worth it..."
"Itâs also fortunate that madam can earn silver, otherwise..."
"Donât worry, no matter how many people I take on, your dowry wonât be depleted." Yang Ruxin suddenly mischievously lifted Du Juanâs chin.
"So imprudent." Du Juan hurriedly stepped back two steps, rolling her eyes ungracefully.
Yang Ruxin laughed happily.
Du Yunpeng also chuckled from behind.
"Letâs go, time to shop." Yang Ruxinâs mood brightened, waving her hand, "Thereâs plenty of fun stuff in Beijing. Letâs buy a lot and have Uncle Youcai take them back."
So, the three of them embarked on a spree of endless shopping.