Chapter 231 - 198: Little Tuanzi’s Kindness

Chapter 231: Chapter 198: Little Tuanzi’s Kindness

If anyone at the market used money, Yang Wenxue and Zhao Wendong’s group would see it but turn a blind eye. It was a disaster year, and life was hard for everyone. With limited supplies, who wouldn’t want to trade them for food? As a result, only a few people used money and grain rations for trade.

Those who arrived early had already claimed the best spots on the threshing ground, laying out their goods and waiting for a good return. The latecomers found empty spaces in an orderly fashion and spontaneously set up their own things. While there had been a few quarrels earlier, the arrival of the Dragon King Pond militia changed everything. The sight of the red armbands on their arms and the weapons on their backs made everyone instantly more tolerant of each other.

The militiamen from Dragon King Pond all puffed out their chests and held their heads high. Wearing the red armbands for maintaining order instantly filled them with a boundless sense of responsibility and honor. Each person diligently took charge of their designated area and duties, conscientiously keeping the peace.

"Wow, there are so many people."

Perched on Zhao Wenwu’s shoulders, Little Tuanzi gazed around contentedly and sighed in amazement. Zhao Wenwu was the tallest, giving her the clearest view. Noticing his own son’s expectant gaze, Zhao Wenjun thought for a moment before picking him up, saving him from staring at the backs of adults’ legs. It was rare to see a whole family out like Zhao Wendong’s. Aside from those who lived in the Commune, there were few children among the people who came from elsewhere, and not a single elderly person was to be seen.

"Third Brother, why does everyone look so unhappy?"

Little Tuanzi’s question left Zhao Wendong momentarily at a loss for words. There were indeed many people, but the atmosphere was completely different from the lively bustle one would expect at a large fair. The entire market was shrouded in silence. People were unwilling to speak much, as if afraid of wasting precious energy. Most wore grim, worried expressions, for behind each of them were children and elders crying out for food, and families trapped in hunger.

"It’s because they haven’t seen you yet, Little Tuanzi,"

Lin Zhiyin, seeing Zhao Wendong remain silent, quickly comforted the little girl. "They’ll be happy once they see you."

"Really?"

Little Tuanzi’s eyes brightened, a lovely smile spreading across her face as she tucked her third sister-in-law’s words away in her heart.

"Let’s not push any further in. We’ll set up here, by Liangzi’s house."

Zhao Wendong’s group was carrying too many things. Their plan was to set up a stall first and then actively seek out trades—a two-pronged approach to acquire useful items their family lacked. Seeing that they had reached the edge of the market and the crowd was getting thicker, Zhao Wendong pointed to Liangzi’s house and made his suggestion.

"Sounds good."

No one objected to his arrangement. They placed their belongings on the roadside by the entrance to Liangzi’s house and began setting up their stall right there. Yang Wenxue’s team had been very thorough in their organization; it seemed the snow had been cleared from the entire market area of the Commune, including this spot. They were only halfway through setting up when Liangzi’s parents rushed out of their house to greet them.

"Hahaha, I thought that looked like you folks! Dongzi, you’re here! Why aren’t you coming inside!"

"Oh, Mrs. Dongzi, it’s been so many years."

Chen Yanmei hurried forward and took the hand Mrs. Dongzi offered, and the two women began to chat warmly.

"Come, let me introduce you," Chen Yanmei said to her. "This is our third son’s wife, Lin Zhiyin, and these are her parents. And this is our second son’s wife, Jin Xiuying."

"Oh my, what a pleasant surprise! Please, come inside and sit."

Lin Zhiyin held onto Zhao Wendong’s arm, smiling without a word. Wang Lulu also smiled and shook her head.

"We won’t stay to sit," Wang Lulu replied. "Dongzi is setting up his stall, so we’re helping him keep an eye on things."

"Alright, then we’ll go get you some stools and hot water."

After Liangzi’s father spoke, he and his wife went back inside and returned with stools from their house for Zhao Wendong’s group to sit on. They even boiled water for them to warm up with. Their stall wasn’t even fully set up yet, but it was already drawing a small crowd. It was simply too special. Although only a few items were displayed, they were incredibly eye-catching: all sorts of fish and various meats.

"Brother Dong!"

A young tough from another production team spotted a man in a sharp, officer-style wool overcoat and couldn’t help but do a double-take. Realizing it was Zhao Wendong, he rushed over to greet him.

"Hey, brother,"

Zhao Wendong smiled and responded warmly, recognizing him as one of the guys who had fought alongside him at the Wang Family’s Hut. ℴ

"Brother Dong, did the Old Master really write a scroll for you? You’re a fucking legend, Brother Dong! Oh, right, these guys are from my village. Come here, come here! This is Brother Dong!"

"Hello, Brother Dong!"

Several young men trailed behind the tough, greeting him respectfully. They all gazed at Zhao Wendong as if looking at their idol. Zhao Wendong smiled and nodded back at them.

"Hello."

"Brother Dong, wanna go walk around the market?"

The young tough invited him, but Zhao Wendong shook his head, pointing to the stall that Zhao Wenjun and the others were still arranging.

"You guys go ahead. I’ll come by in a bit."

"You got it! We’ll head out first then, Brother Dong. Give us a shout if you need anything!"

The young tough’s face was beaming as he walked away, his chest puffed with pride. Even from a distance, the excited shouts of the young men from his village could be heard trailing behind him.

"Holy crap, so that’s Brother Dong! The boss of our boss is a total legend. Just look at that presence!"

"No kidding! And Brother Dong is so nice, too. He even smiled at me!"

"Get lost! Brother Dong was obviously smiling at me."

Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu exchanged a look, their smiles a bit frozen. ’Something feels off,’ they thought. ’Didn’t our daughter say Zhao Wendong was just a small-time hoodlum? This doesn’t feel like that at all.’ They soon realized that things were indeed not so simple.

Zhao Wendong had been standing there for only a short while, but several groups of people had already come to greet him. Every one of them called him "Brother Dong," their faces filled with adoration. Zhao Wendong responded warmly to those who had fought alongside him in the past, and gave a smiling nod to the less familiar faces who came up to say hello. His presence commanded far more respect than even Yang Wenxue’s.