Purchasing The Pair

As they walked further, they saw fewer vendors.

When they arrived at the gates of a huge building, there were two guards standing on each side with sabres at their waist.

Lu Ping trembled when she saw the menacing looks of these men.

A long time ago, she used to roam the streets on her own after she lost her family. If she had stayed there, she might have been taken inside as a slave. Seeing them reminded her of that life she used to live.

Wan Yan spoke to the men and they were immediately led inside, all the way to the lounge area where the manager met them.

"Yin Bo at your service, Masters, what can I do for you today? Are you here to purchase a slave? We have newly arrived ones!" The bearded, bulky man excitedly advertised to Sun Xun and Song Jia.

Just from their appearance, the manager assumed that they were from wealthy families.

"What are your requirements, masters?"

Sun Xun glanced at Song Jia who was now looking at the manager as if he was a dead person. It was obvious that she hated his guts.

Sun Xun shot Wan Yan a look. The latter nodded in understanding.

He already knew that the little brother was there for the pair of slaves.

"Mister Yin Bo, can you take me to where the new arrivals are? I will select two from them."

Yin Bo looked at Sun Xun and Song Jia then at Wan Yan. Seeing as neither Sun Xun nor Song Jia had any objections, he obliged Wan Yan. "Then if you could follow me, sir."

The two disappeared, leaving Sun Xun, Song Jia and Lu Ping in the room, neither one touched the tea that was served.

Moments later, they came back with the pair in tow.

Song Jia could see the bruised up appearance of the two, the young man having it worse. Chapped lips, sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, they were malnourished and beaten up.

Meanwhile, the young man gritted his teeth as he followed the manager and the man he's never seen before. The old man beside him could barely hold his weight, feeling weakened. They have not eaten yet for that day.

"Here are their certificates of servitude.. Is there anything else I can do for you, masters?" The manager was grinning from ear to ear. Wan Yan had just given him quite a reasonable amount of money.

"That will be all..you two, follow us.." Wan Yan called them over.

From start to finish, Sun Xun, Song Jia and Lu Ping didn't speak to the manager and the whole transaction was done by Wan Yan.

Song Jia wanted to beat up the manager's greedy face as soon as she saw him. She was disgusted at how he loved his position, selling humans.

Sun Xun felt her deathly stare on the manager and decided to make the transaction swift. Handing this matter to Wan Yan was not a big deal.

Lu Ping on the other hand felt her heart wrenched. She could not believe how miserable those people must have felt. She was indeed blessed to be sheltered by her mistress and her clan. If she was sold to other families, who knows if she would still be able to live comfortably.

Once the transaction was settled, they left the Slave Market with the pair of men who followed them obediently.

"What are your names?" Song Jia asked the two, her tone was gentle. It was not what the pair expected.

"I am called Cheng Zedong, Master." The old man struggled as he bowed to her.

"My last name is Xiong and my given name is Chen, Master." The young man cupped his hands to her.

"My name is Shi Jin, and her name is Lu Ping. You will be following me from now on."

"Yes, Master." Both bowed down to her, their faces devoid of any emotion. They've already expected for worse things to happen to them everywhere they go.

'Now, where should I let them stay? I can't bring them home with me. It would be strange to bring them looking this way.'

She glanced at Sun Xun once more. 'I'm starting to owe him a lot now..'

The latter noticed her stare and could guess what she wanted from him. 'Interesting. I wonder how she plans to pay me back..'

"Big brother.." She was feeling awkward having to borrow money from him.

"Let's go to that shop nearby.."

"Ah?" She followed the direction he was looking at. A Clothing store. 'How did he know that that's where I wanted to go?'

Sun Xun walked ahead, leaving the others to follow him behind.

The shop steward greeted them instantly, offering to show them around.

"Go ahead." Sun Xun turned to her.

Song Jia was taken aback. "Ah..alright.." Her eyes swept around the store.

"That one!" She found black robes that looked similar in style as to what Wan Yan was wearing. "Get me three of those. Also I'll take the blue with white inner. Four of those. And three of the brown ones."

When the shop steward gave her the total, she could only close her eyes and pledged to come up with a way to make money soon.

She could have waited until she got the money that she needed. But she didn't want those two to suffer further or be sold to others.

Sun Xun took out his pouch from space and handed it to her.

Song Jia felt the heavy weight on her palm. She only took out what was needed and gave it to the shop steward who handed her the spatial pouch with the clothes inside.

When they left the shop, Song Jia was about to return the pouch when Sun Xun shook his head.

"Use it."

"But--"

"Don't worry. I know how much was inside."

"Ah.. Okay! I'll pay you back soon, big brother, okay?!"

Sun Xun only nodded at her. "Where do you want to go next?"

She glanced at them. "To find an inn for them to stay at temporarily?"

Sun Xun nodded and waved Wan Yan by his side. "Look for an inn. We'll stay there. Also get the two a room for them."

"Yes, Master.." Wan Yan immediately left.

In the meantime, Lu Ping went to Song Jia's side. "Young Master, they probably haven't eaten yet."

Song Jia nodded and looked around for any food stalls.

When she found the one that they just ate at, she led them back there.

"Owner, I'll have two bowls of noodles and four bao buns."

"Young sir! You're back so soon?" He happily served them the bowls.

"Haha.. Can't help it.. Your cooking is excellent!" She praised him.

"Haha.. I'm honored by your praise, Young Sir!"

"Old Cheng, Xiong Chen.. have a seat and eat.."

The pair looked at each other. Looks of surprise filled their faces.

"Go ahead. We already ate it earlier."

Not waiting for another word, the two sat on the bench and wolfed down the meal.

"Aiyah! Don't be too in a hurry or you'll choke.. Owner, can you also give us some beverages?"

"I have tea, Young Sir."

"Tea for the pair, then… Owner, are you interested in cooking for a restaurant?"

"Haha.. that would be nice… Here's the tea.."