Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

Chapter 605: Chapter 605, Speak Without Hesitation (6 more updates)

This thought, however, was fleeting.

Xie Zhinuan had someone bring everyone over, as she also had some matters to discuss with them.

When the women and children arrived, they all appeared nervous and uneasy.

Lu Yuyu’s eyes were rolling around, and despite the puffiness of her face, her fox-like eyes were somewhat enchanting.

Xie Zhinuan glanced at her and did not look any further.

"Actually, I’ve called you here because there’s something I want to discuss with you!"

"..." The crowd was puzzled.

"Here’s the thing, you all need to survive in the future, and I have some work here that you can do. Hiring outsiders is the same as hiring you; I can give the silver to whoever earns it!"

The crowd was surprised.

The children were even more astonished.

Xie Zhinuan continued, "Now, I have two options here, and both are based on first getting you back in health, so whether you choose option one or two, it doesn’t matter!"

Upon hearing that Xie Zhinuan wanted to treat their illnesses, some of the women couldn’t help but tear up, sobbing softly.

Having been captured by bandits and tortured for a long time, they certainly had many health issues. Some even frequently felt a persistent pain in their lower abdomen and an itching in private areas, but the bandits would not call for a doctor since their lives were not considered important.

They were there merely for gratification and childbirth; all else was secondary.

Some looked at the children who had never been taken care of since birth. They didn’t know who their own children were, whether they were alive or dead.

Their hearts were cold as iron.

But even the hardest heart is not born that way, it’s just that in such an environment, where one’s own survival is uncertain, there’s no room to care for children. Now, with someone showing concern, the buried conscience began to awaken, and that small amount of motherly love started to revive.

Xie Zhinuan watched, exhaling softly.

This is womanhood.

Oftentimes, weak and without support, bullied with no way to fight back, only able to silently endure on their own.

"What I’m thinking is, first, we’ll nurse you back to health, and then you can work to earn money. I’ll provide food, shelter, and even two outfits with shoes and socks. You can leave anytime you want. The second option is to sign a contract. I will hire someone to teach you carefully. I’ll still provide for your basic needs, but initially, you won’t receive any silver, and you may not leave at will. Regardless of which option you choose, I won’t make things difficult for any of you, so you don’t need to worry!"

"..."

Everyone was deep in thought.

Trying to decide how to choose.

Naturally, the women wanted to earn money and then be able to leave.

The children looked to Shitou.

Shitou was their leader, knew more than they did, and was smarter than they were. They didn’t know how to choose, but Shitou surely did.

Shitou was also looking at Xie Zhinuan.

He didn’t quite understand what this beautiful girl wanted to do. Was she pitying them out of sympathy, empathy?

If it were up to him, he would definitely choose the latter; being carefully nurtured versus casually earning silver was not the same.

The former means one would always be an insect, living at the bottom of society, while the latter, if one works hard and is truly cared for, presents an opportunity to soar to the heavens and become extraordinary among people.

"May I ask a few questions?" Shitou asked.

Xie Zhinuan looked at Shitou.

Seeing him like this, she actually smiled.

She was not surprised by the women’s choices; she was, in fact, more interested in nurturing these children.

Even if, in the end, kindness was repaid with ingratitude, she would simply consider the silver spent thrown into a pond, without even hearing a splash.

"Ask away. As long as I can answer, I will not conceal anything!"