“Pick me! I can wash clothes, cook, and be a good wife and mother!”
“I don't ask for much. Just take me back to help with the meals.”
Hearing these words from the gaunt yet still remarkably beautiful young girl before him, the tall man turned to look at her.
The fierce expression on his otherwise stern face made Luo Ge shrink back instinctively.
But in order to escape the leering men not far away, fill her belly, and survive, she straightened her back.
“Really, I'm very obedient.”
Her throat was terribly hoarse from lack of water, but her eyes were bright with determination as she looked at him.
Those men had been eyeing her for two days. She had hidden among the crowds, pretending to have companions, and escaped them for two days.
But from their gazes now, she feared they had seen through her act and knew she was alone. If she didn't find a way to leave, she was unlikely to escape being sold off to one of those dirty places.
Over the past couple days, many refugee women had already been sold by their own families or husbands in exchange for silver and bags of grain.
Many had died of starvation on the escape here. Now silver and full bellies were all that mattered.
That was the fate of women with families. As a lone refugee girl from a poor household, her fate would be even worse.
She had to seize every opportunity to get away and survive.
But with no registration and passes, she couldn't enter the city. After days without food, she barely had any strength left.
There was no escape.
The man before her was her only chance. She could tell he was also here to buy servants. And he too was sizing people up.
But unlike those other men, she sensed he was not evil.
Though his wooden expression looked fierce, she didn't get that nasty, sickening feeling of malice from him. Going with him might give her a fighting chance.
She had always had a sixth sense for good and evil ever since she was little. It had helped her avoid many bad situations growing up.
Over the past couple days, it was this sense that allowed her to hide among the kindhearted and survive. But hiding was only temporary.
Seeing the pensive look on the man, she couldn't help the pleading expression in her eyes.
Seeing her gaze, Gu Jinchen was taken aback for a moment, feeling strangely moved.
“Alright.” In the end, he uttered the words Luo Ge most wanted to hear.
A woman who could wash, cook, and care for children was just what he needed.
Though petite and frail, she would probably recover with some care.
She seemed bold and clever. Even when he wasn't home, she could probably protect the children.
“Thank you, kind sir."
Hearing his words, Luo Ge's eyes lit up. She obediently moved to his side and followed closely behind him.
“I have no family. I live by myself.”
Noticing him glance back in puzzlement, she explained softly.
She really had no family. She had grown up in an orphanage and lived alone even in modern times. In modern times, she was a small food blogger. With money earned from odd jobs over the years, she had bought an old house in the countryside. She filmed daily rural life and cooking videos for a living. She had simply gone to the market to buy ingredients to film a new recipe when she got into a car accident.
When she awoke, she found herself transported to this world. Fortunately she landed deep in the mountains where no one saw her sudden appearance. Otherwise she might have been accused of being a demon and killed on the spot.
Many villages were empty because of the famine, so she took clothes from abandoned houses as she traveled.
She tagged along with groups of refugees and eventually ended up here.
“I see.” The man of few words merely acknowledged her explanation and continued walking ahead.
Luo Ge had barely taken a few steps when she felt malicious stares on her - the group of men who had been eyeing her.
Sensing the gazes, her body stiffened briefly before she gritted her teeth and continued hurrying behind the man with eyes downcast.
As if also noticing something amiss, Gu Jinchen glanced back at the group of men. His commanding aura from years battling bloodshed and gore emerged, striking fear in all who met his gaze.
The men shrank back, inwardly cursing Luo Ge's wiliness. If only they had known she was an orphan girl, they would have already sold her off for money.
Beneath the bedraggled appearance, she had the makings of a great beauty. And she looked to be an untainted maiden. She would have fetched a fine price at the brothels. But the man she was with now was not one to be trifled with. What a pity, they thought.
...The man did not lead her into the city but headed straight for the main fork road at the city edge - the way back to his village.
As they walked, her vision grew blurry and her head dizzy from hunger pangs and starvation. But afraid that any sign of weakness would make him abandon her, she endured the discomfort and forced herself to keep up with him. Fortunately, he did not walk too fast.
Their village was not too far from the city. She followed him all the way in and met eyes with villagers they passed.
He eventually stopped in front of a farmhouse at the base of a hill at the edge of the village.
“Uncle! You're back!” Two young boys who had been playing in the yard immediately abandoned their toys and ran out, hugging the man's legs happily, voices soft and tender.
“Mm, come in.” The man nodded, patted the two sweet dumplings, and said to her, “Call them Auntie.” Not forgetting to teach the boys how to address her.
The two boys turned to stare at Luo Ge, seemingly shy at meeting someone new. Their little hands clung onto the man's pants, not quite daring to let go.
“Auntie.”
“Auntie.” They called softly in unison, eyes shining brightly with bashful smiles.
“Hello.” Luo Ge glanced at the man before smiling back at the two adorable boys with a nod.
Just as she was about to bend down and pat their heads, her vision darkened and she collapsed.
She had finally reached her limit.
Before losing consciousness, she could hear the boys crying out in alarm and the man reaching out to catch her.
Author's Note:
--------MUST READ↓↓↓
1. This is an alternative history novel not set in any particular ancient dynasty
2. This is a relaxed slice of life about getting rich and raising cute babies - no court politics
3. Mainly lighthearted, sweet, pampering themes - no abuse