Hai Shi.
At this moment, Song Qingchao and Bai You'an were eating crispy peach cakes on a tree in front of the warehouse.
She had snagged them from the kitchen as she passed by.
Song Qingchao, taking a bite of the cake, gestured to Bai You'an with her eyes to go.
Bai You'an, however, was staring intently at her bulging, chewing cheeks.
They were puffed out, like a little squirrel's.
Song Qingchao waved her hand in front of him, speaking in a breathy voice, "Go on."
She had insisted earlier on taking a bath and had just finished.
Feeling refreshed, she didn't want to get dirty again.
Bai You'an pointed at himself, "Me?"
"Yes, I believe in you," Song Qingchao nodded, feigning innocence. "Didn't you say you'd do the tiring work next time?"
She lifted her chin, stuffed all the peach cakes in her hand into her mouth, then pulled out a date cake. With bulging cheeks, she said nonchalantly, "Now is your chance to perform."
Bai You'an shook his head helplessly, then handed the black bean and radish bun in his hand to Song Qingchao.
"Eat slowly."
He then took out a handkerchief and placed it in her hand.
Afterward, he flicked several silver needles at the people below.
In the blink of an eye, the guards patrolling in front of the warehouse all collapsed, unable to even utter a sound.
Song Qingchao shook her head regretfully as she ate.
It really couldn't be blamed on her for raiding the place, could it?
Bai You'an glanced at her. "Let's go."
Song Qingchao waved the food in her hand. "No rush."
"It's cold out, and your hair isn't dry yet." Bai You'an chewed on a preserved fruit, casually got up, scooped Song Qingchao into his arms with one hand, and then leaped off the tree carrying her.
They walked with leisurely steps towards the inside of the warehouse.
Song Qingchao was already accustomed to Bai You'an's embrace.
She finished the last bite of her pastry, carefully wiped her hands with his handkerchief, and then stuffed it into her sleeve. "Thanks."
After Bai You'an put her down, both of them were shocked to see the herbs neatly arranged in the storeroom.
The Chang family had likely moved all the medicinal resources from the county town here.
Song Qingchao had never imagined that someone would profit from a natural disaster.
They hadn't just gone to snatch some snacks; they had also taken a look at the account books in the cashier's office.
The massive influx of income made Song Qingchao click her tongue.
The prices of the medicines here were even higher than what she had encountered at the Hundred Herbs Hall in Yixian.
At the same time, she was curious how a county town could have such a large turnover.
At these prices, even if it were life-saving medicine, it wouldn't sell this much in other counties.
As she rolled up her sleeves to get to work,
She suddenly remembered that it was Bai You'an, and her spatial abilities couldn't be exposed.
And so.
She turned her head to look at Bai You'an, who was studying the medicine packets, "How do we move it?"
Bai You'an's furrowed brow unfurrowed the moment he looked up.
He smiled softly. "I'll handle this tiring work."
Song Qingchao pursed her lips and turned around.
It felt quite good not having to do the work.
However, as Bai You'an went out to find a carriage, she used her space to throw all the medicinal herbs over the wall.
She wasn't someone so careless.
If she decided to steal, she would take everything.
Preparation had to be thorough.
Outside the wall, Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe'er were waiting with four carts.
They were systematically loading the herbs that had fallen from the sky onto the carts.
He had received a letter from his elder sister after arriving at the temple.
This was the second time his elder sister had sent him a message since receiving the Forget Worry incense.
He immediately borrowed four carts from the abbot and drove them over in two trips.
By the time Bai You'an returned,
He was stunned to see the empty warehouse.
"Where are the herbs?"
Song Qingchao leaned against a cabinet, nonchalantly saying, "Thrown over the wall."
"By yourself?"
"Mhm, I'm very strong."
Bai You'an's lips curved, then he slowly let out an "Oh."
"Then shall we go?"
Song Qingchao immediately objected, "Don't be silly, was my pigsty for nothing?"
She twisted her stiff neck. "Do you still have your calming incense?"
Bai You'an raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
He took out a few pieces and handed them to her in his palm. "What are you going to do?"
Song Qingchao took them from his hand, weighed them in her palm, and said, "Of course, let them experience it."
She giggled and bumped Bai You'an's shoulder, then grabbed a few tubes of smoke with her other hand. "An eye for an eye, Mr. Bai, any objections?"
"Your humble servant..." Bai You'an's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
He leaned in slowly, his tone changing abruptly, "Of course not."
Song Qingchao divided the items among them, and winked at him playfully, "Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
Bai You'an followed behind helplessly, watching her swing the tubes she held behind her back rhythmically.
"Miss Song's disposition has become livelier."
"Mhm... has it?" Song Qingchao looked up at the crescent moon in the sky. "I learned all this from you, Mr. Bai."
She turned around, smiling, and mimicked Bai You'an's leisurely manner, "Let's meet at the pigsty later."
"Okay."
Within two quarters of an hour, the area by the pigsty was piled with people.
Song Qingchao sat on the railing, her legs dangling lightly, scattering corn into the pigsty.
Noticing Bai You'an's return, she merely said softly, "Half a quarter slower than me."
Bai You'an smiled helplessly.
Then he bent down and piled the people on the ground into the pigsty like a stack of human bricks.
Song Qingchao frowned and grumbled softly, "Slow down, you'll crush the precious piglets."
Bai You'an sighed helplessly, but still replied with an "Mhm."
After everything was dealt with,
Song Qingchao jumped down from the railing and was about to drag Bai You'an away.
"The main gate is that way."
"I know," Song Qingchao said earnestly. "We're thieves, we leave over the wall, understand?"
Bai You'an chuckled deeply, his voice low and caressing.
"Okay."
Song Qingchao shook her head in disappointment, "You have no professional ethics."
As she climbed onto the wall, she also set a fire.
The warehouse was far from the main residence, so even if it burned, there would be no risk to human life.
Bai You'an's needles only sealed for an hour.
These people were about to wake up, perfect timing to put out the fire.
Bai You'an looked at the lineup below the wall, suppressing a smile. "You're quite well-prepared."
Song Qingchao patted her chest. "Great minds think alike, can't help it."
As she jumped off the wall, Song Qingmu hurried to meet her.
"Eldest Sister."
He pulled Song Qingchao closer to him while casting a sideways glance at Bai You'an.
Bai You'an smiled and lowered his head.
"Yes, then let's go quickly."
The group boarded the carts and headed towards the temple.
The empty carriages returned full.
Some rejoiced, while others despaired.
The Chang family, in chaos since midnight, couldn't find their patriarch, Old Man Chang.
It wasn't until the next morning.
When the cook came to feed the pigs, she discovered several people lying in the pigsty.
Thinking they were corpses, she dropped her basket and ran.
Her shout also roused the people in the pigsty.
When Old Man Chang opened his eyes, he found a pig's head in front of him.
He thought he was dreaming and closed his eyes.
But the damp sensation on his lips felt unlike a dream.
He opened his eyes again, and the pig sneezed, spraying unchewed grain all over his face, emitting a sour, foul odor. He immediately vomited.
After he was rescued, he discovered that he wasn't the only one lying in the pigsty!
He sat on a chair, banging his cane with all his might.
"Old Man Chang, the warehouse has had an accident..." The person beside him said this only after seeing his complexion improve. They weren't trying to anger him, but someone needed to be in charge of this matter.
Old Man Chang's face was grim, and he gritted his teeth, "Speak!"
"The warehouse where the medicines were stored caught fire, and everything was burned to nothing..."
His voice grew softer as he spoke, but before he could finish,
Old Man Chang fainted.
"Old Man Chang! Old Man Chang!"