Although the mute girl picked up by Aunt Liu had scars all over her face and her hands and feet were seriously injured, she was very diligent. After she recovered from her injury, she climbed out of bed and insisted on doing some housework, regardless of Aunt Liu's dissuasion.
Her hands were shaking when she first held a tea cup. Aunt Liu tried to persuade her not to do it, but she didn't listen. Now, she can help Aunt Liu knead the dough to make noodles.
Aunt Liu's husband died early and she had no children. This mute girl was diligent and caring. Unknowingly, Aunt Liu treated her as her own daughter.
"Aunt Liu, your girl's kneaded noodles are stronger than yours!" Old Li Tou, who often comes to the noodle shop, picked up a noodle and said to Aunt Liu.
"That child, I always advise her not to work too hard, but she just doesn't listen!" Aunt Liu was proud and distressed at the same time. Kneading dough is a job that requires strength. The mute girl's wrist was injured and she couldn't do it. Although others can knead the dough just a few dozen times, she has to knead it hundreds of times.
"Your mute girl is capable, but she has that face. Alas, it's a pity. If she had a good face, the person proposing marriage would probably have to cross the threshold."
Aunt Liu was not happy when she heard this. She put her hands on her waist and said, "It's better to marry a virtuous wife than to take a concubine! My girl is so good, so she doesn't have to worry about getting married. Those boys who care about their appearance have no idea." In terms of taste, my girl can’t even look down on them!”
"Yes, yes, you are right." Old Li knocked his head on the edge of the bowl, "Mute girl, give me some more pickles!"
The mute girl came out with a plate of pickles and was about to add some to Lao Li's head when Aunt Liu snatched it away.
"What are you talking about? You still want to eat the pickles made by my girl! Hurry up and leave as soon as you finish eating!"
"Okay, you're awesome!" They were all regular customers. Old Li Tou knew Aunt Liu's temperament and wouldn't argue with her. He finished sipping the noodle soup and stood up. Before leaving, he gave two more copper coins to the mute girl.
"Girl, your hairband is faded. Go buy a new one! Young girls should dress up well!"
The mute girl smiled at him. Although most of her face was destroyed by criss-cross scars, her eyes were moist and lively, and her smile was like two crescent moons.
What a pity, what a pity. Old Li Tou shook his head in his heart. Judging from his many years of experience, this mute girl was definitely a beauty before she was disfigured.
Aunt Liu's noodle shop will be open until the Jade Rabbit rises in the east, and when most people in the county have rested at home, she will close the stall and go home.
"Yum'er, let's go home early today." Aunt Liu said to the mute girl, "When I was buying vegetables today, Qian Huzi gave me two pieces of good meat. I'll make fried sauce for you when you get back!"
The mute girl started to put away the dishes and stove, and was about to put the stove on the donkey cart when a man came over and sat on the bench that had not been put away.
"Sir, we have closed the stall today. Will you come back tomorrow?" Aunt Liu said to this guest whom she had never seen before.
The guest first put his sword on the table. The people in Bishui Town are friendly and peaceful. There are very few quarrels on weekdays, and they have never seen fighting and killing in the rivers and lakes. Bishui Town is a remote place and has never been involved in disputes in the rivers and lakes. Aunt Liu saw that this man was full of emotions. He has a temperament that is not easy to mess with, so shut up quickly.
The guest took out a silver ingot half the size of a palm from his arms and put it on the table: "A bowl of noodles, less salt, no chopped green onions and no meat."
The mute girl had no choice but to put down the stove again, roll up her sleeves again, and follow the guest's instructions to order a bowl of noodles and bring it to him.
The guest picked up a piece of noodles with chopsticks, blew them to cool down, and then took a bite. Suddenly, a woman in red strode over and overturned the table, causing the noodles to scatter on the floor.
"You are still in the mood to eat noodles here!" the woman yelled.
The guest slowly took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the soup from his mouth: "Otherwise? Are you going to starve to death?"
"Do you still remember what you came to do?"
"Of course I remember."
"Then why don't you do it quickly!"
The guest stood up and picked up his sword from the ground.
"Please, Miss, look at what time it is and where this place is. Do you want me to knock on doors and ask?"