AWB Chapter 196 She wanted to know his background
Chapter 196 She wanted to know his background
Chapter 196 She wanted to know his background
After the Awakening of Insects, seeds begin to be planted in waves, but the Grain Rain that people have been hoping for has not arrived.
Then, some people got impatient and sent a second batch of seeds.
With great anticipation, I watched helplessly as the river completely disappeared from the land.
Then, as the days went by, prices rose uncontrollably.
No matter how powerful Lu Jian was, he could only barely keep the situation of exchanging children for food from happening later.
However, the three cities, led by Lincheng, present a completely different picture.
They not only had more food than they could eat, but also had surplus water to irrigate their farmland.
But how could Wang Qingyan let someone else benefit from this?
Besides the forces that were completely subservient to him, even the people of the three cities had to abide by many conditions if they wanted to use water.
In other places, and among other people, anyone who dared to steal water was killed without mercy.
Moreover, there are too many things that don't require the Wang family to get involved; those who have benefited will naturally rush to solve their problems.
If they come across anything new or interesting, they'll be the first to present it to Wang Qingyan, hoping to win his favor and bring good fortune to the whole family.
Therefore, not only Baili Ce, but also Jiu Er's life was filled with all kinds of flattery and unreality.
"Look, it's just a little water, yet it makes them forget who their ancestors were. So the things you care about are really not important at all."
Baili Ce gave Wang Qingyan a cold look and ignored him.
"He's already received it," said Jiu Er, pointing to someone queuing for water below the city gate. He was beginning to enjoy the feeling of being able to decide life and death with a flick of his wrist.
Seeing the man being dragged out on the spot, gagged, and pulled into a dark alley, Baili Ce couldn't help but prop himself up.
But Wang Qingyan pressed her back down from behind, saying, "I brought you here to watch the show, but don't become the show itself."
Once settled, Baili Ce knew that he was telling her in the most extreme way just how bad the situation was, and that they had no chance of winning.
"He just wanted to get more water."
"Only families of three or more can receive one bucket of water per day."
"He's just a man. Ordinary people only take a bath a few times in their lives. How could he need two buckets of water a day? And why would he need to come and collect it every day?"
"It's clearly greed; they want to store the water for other uses."
"..." Silently pulling down the hand on his shoulder and leading the person to the front, Baili Ce looked up at him, unsure whether he should continue or give up.
Crouching down to look into her eyes, Wang Qingyan asked gently, "What's wrong?"
"I want to know about your past."
She spoke with conviction, but there was not a trace of desire in her eyes to know about his past.
It seemed like he was just mentioning it casually, and he didn't care at all whether he wanted to talk about it or not.
But he still asked, "What is A-Zhu going to use in exchange? After all, this is very important information."
Bai Li Ce naturally wouldn't give him a friendly look. "I'm all your people, and you control my joys and sorrows. What else is there to exchange?"
The words may be harsh, but they are the truth.
"Then let's leave it for now. We have to satisfy your curiosity first, don't we?"
If she could, she would rather not be curious.
But seeing that after he returned to his residence, he suddenly had the idea to add a clause to the "water restriction order," Baili Ce couldn't help but say, "Now is the farming season. Seedlings need water to grow and vegetables need water to grow. Why restrict their water use like this?"
[Those living alone should collect water every other day]
How is this any different from murder?!
Most people living alone are vulnerable and isolated. If a family of several people kills them and steals their water quota, who would know?
Furthermore, wouldn't people living alone feel jealous seeing others receive water every day? Would they cause trouble?
Wang Qingyan refused to implement the newly added regulations immediately, citing valid reasons: "Firstly, there is a unified time for irrigating farmland."
"Secondly, all the fields are now managed by designated personnel, so why would these people without land need so much water?"
"I just feel that if I were in their shoes, as an ordinary citizen, I would also want to survive."
Wang Qingyan chuckled, "Good girl~ With me here, how could you have ended up in such a state?"
He patted her head as he spoke, reassuring her not to overthink it, "Don't worry, if anyone is dissatisfied, they are free to go and appeal to the imperial court; I won't stop them."
"..." The land in the three cities all belonged to wealthy farmers, gentry, nobles, and high-ranking families. He certainly didn't care about the lives of the common people.
Should we go and seek refuge with the imperial court?
Not to mention the lack of food and water, people would die within a few days.
Even considering the long distance, not many people could make it to the capital.
But if you say too much, Wang Qingyan will only ask in a serious tone, "Didn't I give them free water?"
Such a great kindness and generosity should be appreciated by others.
Anyone who objects is simply greedy.
Fortunately, it's almost here.
Pulling onto Wang Qingyan's sleeve, Baili Ce could no longer smile as charmingly and brightly as before, but her gentle touch made Wang Qingyan's heart itch with desire. "Then tell me about your origins."
Looking at her calm and docile appearance, Wang Qingyan's lips curled into a malicious smile.
Unfortunately, she's not in good condition right now and can't do anything reckless.
"Okay~" But it's okay to just try it a little bit.
And so, outside the window lay a room bathed in crimson light, the intertwined scents of moonlight, flowers, and jasmine spreading into Baili Ce's heart and brain until her limbs went weak and her breathing became disordered, only then did the man finally stop.
"Is it any better?"
"Snapped!"
His left cheek immediately turned red, and even a little blood trickled from the corner of his mouth... But when he touched his face, he could still feel her burning warmth in his palms. "This should feel better now."
"..." Bai Li Ce didn't want to listen anymore.
He pulled her back to sit down. "From the moment I opened my eyes to this world, I disliked everything here, but to survive, I had no choice but to be an obedient son..."
As he recounted his story, Baili Ce abandoned his intention to confront him directly.
Since I'm no match for him anyway, why bother provoking him?
"You have parents too?" After listening for a while, Baili Ce couldn't help but ask curiously.
Wang Qingyan frowned. "What are you talking about? I can't just appear out of thin air, can I?"
"But..." Some people can indeed remember things from before the age of three, but isn't it too strange to have memories from infancy?
Most importantly, even if it was a soul transmigration, the memories he described did not match any era she was familiar with.
It's like reading some knowledge and memorizing it.
Unless, of course, those memories, or some of those memories, were not his at all.
But Baili Ze didn't tell him that. "Then your parents, them?"
Seeing her trying her best to hide her panic and avoid his gaze, Wang Qingyan held her hand tightly without caring, "You've probably been reincarnated several times already."
"..." This means that Wang Qingyan wasn't bragging that day; he really did live six lifetimes and seven reincarnations.
Bai Li Ce's palms involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat... Although he knew that time travel was a very mysterious thing.
But this is too mystical. "Then... what's your original surname?"
Gently open her hand and wipe away the light sweat. "Of course, I'll call you whatever I used to be, but most of the time, nobody cares what my name is."
In his past, even sitting down to catch his breath was a luxury; no one would have cared whether he had a name or not.
"Then you..." Bai Li Ce clenched his fists in fear, his jaw clenched so tightly he didn't even know how to relax.
Seeing her like this, Wang Qingyan had no choice but to interrupt her with a kiss, "Azhu."
Bai Li Ce trembled.
He cupped her face in his hands, trying his best to comfort her and force her to face him. "You can know about my affairs, of course, but are you sure you can continue listening?"
"..." Bai Li Ce felt his heartbeat getting faster and faster, and his face turned visibly red.
But my body was frighteningly cold...
With a "slap!" he knocked Wang Qingyan's hand away and rushed outside in one stride.
After catching his breath, Wang Qingyan followed her outside and saw her leaning against the railing, panting heavily. Not only were beads of sweat rolling down her forehead and nose, but her vest was also soaked with water...
He knew she wouldn't be able to continue listening.
But he underestimated her.
"Is your body truly your own, or someone else's?" After a long silence, Baili Ce suddenly asked.
Not satisfied, she turned around again, enduring her physical discomfort, and forced herself to confront the question, "What exactly are you?"
"..." This was the development he had hoped for, but since she actually asked, Wang Qingyan didn't dare to say anything.
Finally, they could only catch each other as they swayed precariously, and their voices softened with distress, "I know you've always cared about this."
No matter how shameless, domineering, and inhumane he was, he could still tell whether Baili Ce's closeness was willing or forced into numbness.
He simply had no other choice.
“But Ah Zhu, I never did this to humiliate you.”
He held her tightly, genuinely afraid she wouldn't show him any mercy. "I'm... begging you to love me."
"And I also want to tell you that in all my years of life, even in my most wretched moments, I have never been touched by anyone."
Not even once.
"So, Ah Zhu, my love is pure, and I am pure too."