Frankly, if it weren't for the young girl's age and her attire, suggesting she was around eighteen and not yet an adult...
I would have readily agreed.
After all, my money wasn't much, and I wanted to save where I could.
Saving five thousand yuan in one go was quite a sum, enough to accomplish many things.
But then I recalled the shopkeeper's wife's well-intentioned performance earlier, all to avoid leaving a bad impression on her daughter...
Gritting my teeth and steeling my heart, I directly shook my head and refused, "I'm sorry, little sister! I don't understand what you're saying!"
"Your mother and I weren't discussing anything about ten thousand or not, but rather how long I'd be staying."
Hearing this, the young girl immediately chuckled, "Heh heh~"
Her eyes, filled with disdain and scorn, looked at me as she said word by word, "Alright, outsider! Since you're unwilling to do business with me, I won't force you!"
"Good luck!"
With that, the young girl turned and left in a huff.
Initially, I thought this was just the impulsive act of a rebellious teenager, blinded by greed.
No matter how willful she was, she wouldn't genuinely go against her own mother and sabotage this deal.
But who would have thought that when the shopkeeper's wife returned after her rounds outside, informing me that her progress in acquiring the earth guns and earth cannons had been obstructed, I would finally realize...
I had underestimated the young girl! She was serious!
Without needing to guess, I knew that the verbal deals for both the earth guns and earth cannons had fallen through, undoubtedly due to the young girl's interference.
It was evident that this little delinquent held some sway and influence in the village.
Upon learning that all the obstacles stemmed from her daughter, the shopkeeper's wife let out a heavy sigh and recounted her difficult past...
The shopkeeper's wife's name was Fan Li, originally from Yunnan, who had married into Tongwei County.
The young girl, Fan Li's daughter, was named Fan Miaomiao. She was only seventeen and had dropped out of school after junior high.
Fan Miaomiao took her mother's surname because her biological father, Fan Li's husband Huang Qing, was sentenced to death for grave robbing shortly after Fan Li became pregnant.
Normally, grave robbing would result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but Huang Qing was apprehended during the severe crackdown period of the 1990s.
Huang Qing's grave-robbing gang was directly sentenced to death for stealing and excavating a national key protected ancient cultural heritage tomb, stealing precious cultural relics, and causing severe damage to them.
Not long after Huang Qing was executed, his parents, Fan Li's in-laws, passed away from grief over the loss of their son.
From then on, only Fan Li and her unborn child, Fan Miaomiao, remained in Huang Qing's family.
In other words, Fan Miaomiao was raised by Fan Li alone.
As the saying goes, a widow's door is prone to gossip!
In the rural areas of the 1990s, widows were heavily criticized by gossips and eyed covetously by other men.
In such an environment, it was already a difficult feat to raise Fan Miaomiao healthily and safely.
Naturally, Fan Li, who was barely making a living running the small shop, had no time to manage Fan Miaomiao's temper, let alone urge her to study.
When a child is left unsupervised from a young age, it's hard to learn good habits; it's easy to go astray in an instant.
Clearly, Fan Miaomiao belonged to the latter category.
To describe Fan Miaomiao using modern slang, she was a "problematic girl."
Fan Li said that Fan Miaomiao had been hanging out with the mischievous boys in the village since childhood.
Over time, her temper became exceptionally wild and defiant.
Scold her, and she'd scold back.
Hit her, and she'd fight back when cornered.
Disorderly, lawless, and disrespectful of elders!
Over time, Fan Miaomiao gained a notorious reputation.
After barely finishing junior high, she dropped out of school and spent her days with those wayward youths.
According to Fan Li, Fan Miaomiao had been pestering her to buy a mobile phone recently, and when she refused, that's why Miaomiao had tried to take over my business to earn money.
I asked Fan Li what kind of phone cost several thousand yuan.
Fan Li replied that it was something like...
Since Fan Li had verbally agreed to handle the matter of the earth guns and earth cannons for me, and now that progress was hindered, she was obligated to see it through.
Letting out a long sigh, Fan Li frowned and said with a wry smile, "This matter... might have to be postponed!"
"After Miaomiao's tantrum subsides, I'll try to sound out the villagers for you again."
It was evident that Fan Li... seemed somewhat intimidated, or perhaps even afraid of Fan Miaomiao.
A mother fearing her own daughter? And the daughter not even being an adult?
If this were to get out, it would be a colossal joke!
Fan Li's answer was met with my wry, silent smile.
For me, the sooner the matter of the earth guns and earth cannons was resolved, the better. Who knew when Xiao Tianci would catch up to this place.
Hiding in plain sight could only last so long; once the time difference passed, reality would have to be faced.
Just as I was about to reply, Fan Li added, "If you can't wait, then... go talk to Miaomiao!"
I was stunned and instinctively asked, "What did you say, shopkeeper?"
Fan Li shook her head with a dejected and helpless wry smile, then suddenly pounded her chest and sighed heavily, "Miaomiao has changed so much these past few years, and her temper has gotten worse..."
"I, I can't control her anymore!"
Hearing Fan Li's words, my brow furrowed instantly.
Every man for himself; heaven and earth will destroy those who don't act for themselves!
From my perspective, regardless of whether Fan Miaomiao was an adult or not, as long as she could help me acquire the earth guns and earth cannons, what if it meant doing business with her?
But the problem was, could this little brat... be relied upon?