The cart fully came to a stop after the 1 hour 30 minutes ride. They were now surrounded by other marketers both those selling and those buying. They were no much crowds as of now, so the market looked a bit empty exception of the few who had just arrived. The women each came down slowly, each carrying out their loads except Zheng ShanShan who had no load except for a small purse. The women stretched their backs, whispered among themselves, gave Shanshan a judging look and dispersed quickly, each carrying their loads and heading to the market centre leaving only Shen Anran with her mother.
Shen Anran discussed with her mother on some things to prepare before she comes back from the market then turned around to head into the market centre. Zheng Shanshan who was at a loss, stopped her, sighed, she tried to look pitiful and spoke, "ah, Anran," she squeezed some tears, "actually, I," she turned towards Liu Meilan after she considered that she shouldn't act pitiful to Shen Anran. "Ah, auntie," she cried loudly. She looked pitiful as if she was bullied. Mr Xu who was still cleaning the cart, took in this scene and sighed. He had also heard the rumors but why was this girl holding onto the mother and daughter? Very soon school will open and students will look for what to fill in their belly. He waited for a while but Zheng Shanshan couldn't bring herself to say anything, she didn't know what to say. He became visibly angry but didn't see it in his place to correct her or scold her. He didn't want to be the talk of the town. He could only carry his discomfort in his heart. Zheng Shanshan was only crying loudly, clutching tight her purse. If anybody paid attention, they might think the mother and daughter were bullying the crying girl. Shen Anran glanced at her coldly. A very cold look. She was already annoyed. She saw that this girl only came here today for a motive so she didn't try to comfort Zheng Shanshan, she felt the girl had brought it upon herself. She snorted and walked away after sharing a brief understandable look with her mother.
Liu Meilan didn't say anything, she could only walk to the stall with her loads and Zheng Shanshan walking behind her. Zheng Shanshan smiled. She felt finding out the truth was within her reach. She pretended as if she didn't know if to follow at first but then she followed. She cleared her tears and sniffed in a few times. She didn't even offer to help Liu Meilan, she walked as if, the madam in front was owing her.
They walked and passed so many places and her eyes did the sucking in of everything she came across, keeping it in her memory. She sniffed again loudly, this time for Liu Meilan to hear.
As Liu Meilan walked past the familiar places, she felt calm and confident. She knew that somethings can never be kept hidden. She also guessed that Zheng Shanshan had a motive in coming to the county, to perhaps really seen what the mother and daughter were doing. As she walked down the lane, she saw people were already arranging their goods. The opposite stall owners were already at their door, opening their stall. When she came closer, she saw a handsome young boy and a woman who perhaps was his mother, she assumed that they were the owners of the stall. She soon arrived at her door and they both exchanged glances and greeted each other. The time was some minutes past 7.
"Ah madam," Wang Shulan called Liu Meilan, she was now standing inside their stall and decided it was a good thing to know more about their neighbor, hence the greeting. "How's the business going?" She asked with a slight smile on her face.
Liu Meilan turned, surprised, she looked at Wang Shulman, smiled and replied, "business is going fine, how's your side?" She asked back after some pondering.
"Ah, same here too," Wang shulan replied smiling, her face relaxed. She had a favourable impression of this woman and she had also seen her daughter, what a pretty girl. With that thought, her eyes moved. She looked at Zheng ShanShan who stood there, looking sulky and had a pitiful expression on her face. Her posture was also a bit off as she stood there waiting for Liu Meilan to open the eatery. Was this girl also this woman's daughter? Wang Shulan thought. She was about to ask Liu Meilan when she saw that Liu Meilan had already opened the door and had entered the shop. The girl too sauntered inside hastily. She shrugged her shoulders, decided to ask next time and turned inside
She saw that her son had begun cleaning the tables and the chairs after sweeping and packing up the dirt to the trashcan. She walked to the kitchen, glanced at the clock and carefully began preparing the things needed according to Li Yichen's instructions.