Cheng Ying carefully rewrapped the tiger skin; this place was hardly safe enough to leave such a valuable item lying about carelessly.

“What’s the matter, little brother? Reluctant to part with it?” the old doctor asked.

Chi Wu pursed his lips. If he didn’t speak, the old man likely wouldn’t tell him. “That’s Yingzi’s dowry for later.”

The old man glanced at the two youngsters, then let out a long sigh. There really was nothing more to be said.

This item, left by her own father, wasn't it meant for his daughter? If it wasn't impossible, who would ever be willing to hand it over? “It looks like they’re from the county seat, and judging by their hands, they seem to have some means. Let me tell you two, that person didn't fool you; you’ve run into someone truly influential. Not many people these days can come up with that sum all at once.”

“Mm, my sister and I know,” Cheng Ying replied.

Chi Wu sighed; it meant they didn't know the people.

“Boy, don’t dwell on it. That much money—even if you did know them, what would you use to pay them back?”

Cheng Ying looked at the old man and said nothing. Never mock a poor youth. In a few years, this small sum would mean nothing to her. But she couldn't say that now; she needed this money right now to buy back a family heirloom.

She took Chi Wu’s hand. “If we have fate, we will meet again.”

With that, she lifted her chin to look outside. Chi Wu bit his lip and didn't look back at the old doctor.

The old man was stunned by the girl’s words. She truly intended to buy the item back someday.

Business at the old doctor’s shop was surprisingly good. While Cheng Ying and Chi Wu waited for the people, several patients came and went. It wasn't until about an hour later that the couple arrived.

Cheng Ying calculated the travel time; fetching the passbook from home and withdrawing the money should take about an hour round trip. They must be city folk.

The woman seemed anxious when she entered, immediately opening her purse without even looking around, aware that there were others present.

How sharp Cheng Ying was—she didn't even glance into the woman’s purse. I have nothing to do with you. She tugged Chi Wu to sit obediently. We don't even know you, okay?

The man quickly pulled the purse shut. Cheng Ying only stood up to look at their money once the room was empty again.

The man regarded Cheng Ying with admiration. This young girl had excellent self-preservation instincts.

“Auntie, don't worry. You rest for a bit first,” Cheng Ying said.

“It’s alright. I’m just anxious. Your Uncle’s back... I’ve spent so much effort, hoping it will be of some use,” the woman replied.

Cheng Ying understood that feeling. Even after spending so much money, whether it would work remained unknown. The woman was only trying it out, but seeing the deep affection between the couple and their solid financial standing—they didn't seem to care about the money, or no one would risk five thousand yuan on a gamble.

“Good people will be rewarded. Auntie, there’s no need to rush,” Cheng Ying assured her.

The old man came out and locked the door of the pharmacy. Only then did the woman reopen her bundle.

She asked Cheng Ying to count the money. Looking at the cash, Cheng Ying felt a headache coming on. Five thousand yuan—that was just half a bundle, and while it couldn't fit into her dimensional space, it was still quite cumbersome. But now there were five bundles, all in tens! Cheng Ying looked at the woman. Was she intentionally trying to make things difficult for him? Why were they all tens?

The man, thinking Cheng Ying had never seen so much cash, looked at them expectantly. “Child, this was just withdrawn from the savings bank; the bundles haven't even been broken. If you trust my wife and me, just count the bundles.”

Cheng Ying understood: the savings bank only issued small denominations, no large bills. Even sworn brothers settle accounts clearly. Cheng Ying counted the five bundles right in front of them.

She worried internally. The tiger skin could enter her space, but this money couldn't come near it. Getting it home safely would take some effort.

Cheng Ying finished counting. “Excellent, exactly five thousand.” She then brought out the tiger skin. “Please examine it carefully. Afterward, you’ll have no grounds to come looking for me.”

The man, just like Cheng Ying, examined the tiger skin closely. “Yes, it’s indeed very good. What a pity it’s gone.”

“Uncle, if this thing reappears, maybe it could fetch five thousand again,” Cheng Ying suggested, smiling.

All four of them chuckled. Cheng Ying continued, “If Uncle has fate in the future, perhaps the tiger skin will find its way back to us.” She looked at the man, who considered her words.

“Mm, it’s kind of you to say so, little girl. We’ll see about fate.” The man felt strange speaking with such depth to a young girl, wondering if she could even grasp the meaning. He wasn't sure how he ended up following her line of thought.

Cheng Ying looked at the couple and let out a breath of relief. She had the leverage of three thousand yuan already. If she happened to encounter these people again when she was successful, she would definitely reclaim the tiger skin—not for anyone else, but as a memento for her grandmother. Despite having secretly taken the skin, Cheng Ying felt immense pressure over it.

The woman carefully tucked the tiger skin away. The item they brought to wrap the skin in was far superior and high-class compared to what Cheng Ying had. Cheng Ying thought it could even be made into a nice quilt cover.

Cheng Ying looked at the money. “Elder, could you lend me a tattered bag?”

The old man looked at her. “Girl, sure.”

The woman offered, “No need, my bag is quite nice. You can use it.” Cheng Ying eyed the pure leather pouch; it was nice, but too conspicuous for carrying money—it would attract thieves. Cheng Ying shook her head. “Auntie, no need.”

The man asked, “Girl, shall I take you back? The amount I withdrew was large, and many people saw it.” He wasn't sure if they were being followed, but he trusted that in broad daylight, no one would dare attack them as a couple.

“No need, Uncle. We’re from the neighboring village; we’ll be home shortly.”

The old man found a ragged sack, complete with a patch. Cheng Ying took the sack, deliberately rubbed it on the dusty ground to soil it, had Chi Wu hold the opening, and swiftly scooped all five thousand yuan into the bag with both hands. Then, she used a piece of hemp rope to tie the mouth tightly.

The old man stared, dumbfounded. The girl’s demeanor was so casual, so unconcerned—she was taking a massive sum of money as if it were trash.

Cheng Ying felt her precautions were sound: the woman used a leather purse, and she used a burlap sack.

The man watched Cheng Ying, thinking, Truly, there are capable people everywhere. My wife just can't compare.

Cheng Ying took out a few packets of honeysuckle from the cloth bag, gave one to the woman, and gave the rest to the old doctor. “Thank you. My brother and I have met good people on our outing.” With that simple sentence, Cheng Ying slung the earth-stained, shabby sack over her shoulder and walked out.

Chi Wu carried the cloth pouch and followed her out.

Cheng Ying told Chi Wu to take her directly to the hospital in the county seat. Chi Wu was tense; the money they held was more than what an entire village possessed. Could he not be nervous?

“Shouldn’t we hurry home?” Chi Wu asked.

“To the hospital,” Cheng Ying replied. Cheng Ying moved so quickly intentionally. The man had mentioned how conspicuous the withdrawal was, and if the woman was being tailed, someone might be trailing them outside. If the two of them left first, it wouldn't attract much attention. Furthermore, the attention-grabber was the woman’s leather bag containing the money. It would only become conspicuous once the bag was full again.

The man looked at the closed pharmacy door. “Why don't we stay a while longer to help them out?”

“Those two kids are sharp,” the old doctor commented.

The three fell silent. They were indeed sharp, and their actions were decisive and clean. Such children were rare. They had truly encountered good people.

Cheng Ying had Chi Wu take her to the hospital. The two of them spent time in the restroom, and when they emerged, the bottom of the sack Cheng Ying carried was damp. To anyone looking, it seemed to hold nothing but local produce—a consequence of the two children dressing so rustically.

Chi Wu used all his strength, wishing he could fly home immediately, especially now that Cheng Ying’s clandestine behavior made him realize the danger: they were being followed by bad people.

Cheng Ying also felt jumpy; the man’s words had genuinely frightened her. Her mind felt fuzzy. “I think someone is behind us, maybe?”

Hearing Cheng Ying say that, Chi Wu nearly wet his pants. His legs pedaled mechanically, unable to move forward. “What do we do? What do we do?”

Cheng Ying said, “Even if someone is following us, we have nothing worth taking. We’re not going home. Regardless of whether we’re followed or not, we’ll find the closest village to the county seat and ride into it.”

Chi Wu couldn't comprehend such foolishness—avoiding home when in danger. Wouldn't going home be the safest option? Why make such a hasty decision? “What about later? What if we can’t find our way home?”

Cheng Ying felt immense pressure. After all, she was only a little over ten. If she were murdered and silenced, she would have dragged Chi Wu down with her. She felt frustrated. Chi Wu’s words ignited her anger. “What do we do? You’re the man, is that a question you should be asking? You’re supposed to find a solution, not cause trouble!”

After shouting, Cheng Ying didn't even look back. Chi Wu, jolted by her yelling, felt strangely reassured. Right, I’m the man in this situation. “Why don’t you take the money and go? I’ll ride the bike and lure them away.”

Cheng Ying felt her tone had been harsh. The pressure was too much, and why take it out on a child? “Lure who? We don’t even know if anyone is following us. Ride slower; there are many people heading home from work. If we hit someone, it’ll be more trouble.”

Cheng Ying continued, “There are so many people here; even if someone is watching us, they won't dare make a move.” Cheng Ying was seeing shadows everywhere, failing to consider that if there were genuine villains after such a large sum, they wouldn't be watching two ragged kids. Nowadays, no one would trust children with that kind of money.

Chi Wu found her logic sound; he was more afraid of being isolated.

Riding the bike with the burlap sack on her back, Cheng Ying kept her eyes darting around anxiously, hoping to spot a familiar face. But the chance of seeing an acquaintance in the county seat was slim. Cheng Ying wondered where all the people working outside had gone.

Then, Cheng Ying fixed her target: a group of about a dozen people wearing thick denim work clothes, riding bicycles.

“Wuzi, follow those people,” Cheng Ying directed.

Chi Wu trusted Cheng Ying’s instructions implicitly. He pedaled over to them. Cheng Ying didn't know where these people were going, but they looked like they were heading out of the city. Chi Wu, if not for his strong willpower, would have cried—where were they, would they ever find their way home, weren't they lost?

Cheng Ying, however, was relieved. These were workers from a large construction site or factory; following them was definitely the right move. Cheng Ying sighed in relief. Unless their luck had completely run out, they should be safe now.