Volume One, Chapter 17: Not Only Beautiful in Appearance but Also Kind at Heart

She was so intent on saving the woman that she completely ignored the vast difference in strength between herself and the elderly lady.

Failing to pull her back, she stumbled and nearly fell overboard herself.

At the critical moment, a sudden strong force pressed against her back, accompanied by a thud, as someone grabbed her from behind and yanked her away from the brink of danger.

The elderly lady was saved as well, safely seated back in her place.

Shen Sisi was still shaken, a cold sweat soaking her back.

The elderly woman looked pale and shaken, lips trembling, still struggling to recover from the shock.

Holding little Niuniu, Shen Sisi gasped for breath, about to thank her rescuer when a voice from behind cried out, “Hua Ge, your hand…”

She turned her head toward the sound. The young man just behind her was grimacing in pain, clutching his wrist.

This injured man was robust, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes—handsome in a straightforward, righteous way.

Beside him stood a skinny youth, with slender limbs, looking like a child who hadn’t yet grown up.

Just now, it was this man who had timely intervened, pulling her and the elderly woman back onto the boat.

That muffled thud was probably his wrist hitting the chair—just the sound alone made one wince.

Shen Sisi saw his wrist was already purple and swollen in a large lump; the injury was serious.

“Are you okay?” she asked with concern.

The man hadn’t spoken when the young boy beside him puffed up angrily, “Does my brother look like he’s fine to you? His hand was already injured, and he made it worse trying to save you.”

“Enough, Xiao Jiang. As long as they’re safe, that’s what matters,” Cao Hua whispered, bearing the pain.

He looked up and glanced at Shen Sisi out of habit—and froze completely.

Such a beautiful girl!

Her face was small, skin fair and tender, with eyes so clear and bright they sparkled like dewdrops. She looked delicate and soft, like a flower bud about to bloom. Without exaggeration, she was more radiant than any woman he’d ever met in his life.

Seeing the elderly woman fall into the water, she had instinctively reached out to save her.

Not only beautiful, but kind-hearted as well.

Cao Hua grinned foolishly, staring at her lovely face, and surprisingly, the pain in his hand seemed to lessen.

“You okay?” Cao Hua asked softly in return.

Shen Sisi shook her head, “I’m fine, but your hand… it’s swollen…”

“A minor injury. It’ll be fine soon,” Cao Hua said, twisting his wrist as if it hurt nothing, though he secretly inhaled sharply.

Dong Xiaojiang glared at him fiercely. “Hua Ge, stop trying to be tough… Your wrist was sprained yesterday and still swollen today, and now you’ve hurt it again. What if you end up crippled?”

“Crippled, my foot!” Cao Hua wished he could kick the brat into the bottom of the boat.

“Brother, I was wrong, spit, spit, spit—kids say stupid things. Bad things don’t work, but good ones do…”

Watching this pair of goofballs, Shen Sisi couldn’t help but laugh, then took a small bottle of medicinal oil from her cloth bag.

“This ointment is homemade. It reduces swelling and promotes blood circulation. Use it to rub your wrist.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Cao Hua’s eyes—it was made by her own hands…

He stared at the bottle as if it were a precious treasure.

“This is embarrassing…” he said politely.

“Take it. Thank you for saving me,” Shen Sisi said, handing him the bottle and advising, “Apply it at least twice a day until the skin turns red from rubbing.”

Cao Hua held the bottle carefully, nodding repeatedly, “Okay, okay, got it. Thank you. My name’s Cao Hua—Cao as in Cao Cao, Hua as in China. What’s your name?”

Shen Sisi smiled faintly but did not answer. Instead, she looked toward the bow of the boat. “We’ve arrived.”

She helped the elderly woman ashore and sat with her on a large stone by the riverbank.

The old lady’s eyes were moist with tears as she clasped Shen Sisi’s hand, thanking her over and over. “Thank you, young lady. If not for you, I’d have fallen into the river just now… In this bitter cold, I’d have either died or gotten seriously ill!”

Shen Sisi patted her hand comfortingly. “Auntie, the one you should thank is Brother Cao, who saved us.”

“But wouldn’t he only be able to reach you if you pulled me first?”

She thought for a moment. That made sense. “In any case, be more careful next time. Don’t get distracted…”

The old woman showered them with endless gratitude, insisting on treating Shen Sisi and Cao Hua to a meal.

“My name is Xu Jinhua. Everyone near South City Gate knows me. I’m not a bad person—I just want to thank both of you for your great kindness.”

Cao Hua had already disembarked and was a little awkward around Shen Sisi, staying with her and the elderly woman.

Hearing Xu Jinhua’s offer of a meal was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Just as he was about to agree, Dong Xiaojiang loudly refused. “We don’t have time to eat… My brother is very busy; he’s the head of the dock unloading crew, managing a whole lot of people…”

Cao Hua glared and bumped him hard. “If you stayed quiet, no one would think you’re mute…”

“Did I say something wrong? Weren’t you just rushing to the dock to discuss business?”

Cao Hua shot Dong Xiaojiang a warning look, signaling him to shut up.

Hearing they had matters to attend to, Shen Sisi gently declined Xu Jinhua’s invitation. “Auntie, I’ll have to pass on the meal. I have other things to do as well…”

Without lingering, she picked up Niuniu and walked along the stone steps.

Only a few people remained, staring blankly at the fading figure.

Cao Hua gripped the bottle of medicinal oil so tightly his fingers nearly crushed it.

Finally, Dong Xiaojiang realized, “Hua Ge, you don’t like this woman, do you?”

“Get lost!” Cao Hua, if not for his injured hand, would have long since beaten him up—a useless fool who could only cause trouble.

Dong Xiaojiang said sourly, “Don’t keep staring. She already has a child. You can’t be that kind of scoundrel who ruins families…”

“I think you’re the real scoundrel…”

This little episode didn’t affect Shen Sisi. Instead, Dong Xiaojiang’s words reminded her.

Jiangcheng was a port city!

Its shipping industry was thriving, connecting the capital to the special economic zone. It was the most important hub in between.

Whether heading south or north, or east toward the sea, ships would pass through Jiangcheng for supplies.

Previously, Lin County’s specialty timber was shipped upriver to Jiangcheng for sale outside the province.

Hence, many people came and went here, and the black market was larger than anywhere else.

Even though market patrols cracked down daily on profiteering and risky trades, the allure never diminished.

Entering the black market, Shen Sisi quickly pulled her scarf over her face and shielded Niuniu’s cheeks before venturing in confidently.

She wandered through the stalls, dazzled by the variety.

Truly worthy of being the provincial capital’s black market—far superior to Lin County’s.

Besides the usual clothing, shoes, daily necessities, meat, and eggs, she saw many unfamiliar goods from other regions.

Medicinal jellies, ginseng, and pickles from the north.

Beef, mutton, and dried fruits from the northwest.

Mountain produce and Chinese herbs from the south.

Seafood and sea salt from the east.

Even electronic products from the port city were displayed on small stalls.

Everything imaginable was there, glittering and abundant.

Everyone whispered quietly, afraid to draw attention.

Originally, Shen Sisi had come to the market to look for business opportunities.

But after a tour, she grew more and more discouraged.

Walking aimlessly, she was suddenly called by someone.