Scumbag Chapter 165 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (31)

In her past life, Jin Yuping had started by selling sesame oil noodles from a street stall. This time, she planned to retrace her steps and

In her past life, Jin Yuping had started by selling sesame oil noodles from a street stall. This time, she planned to retrace her steps and set up a stall again.

She had never been one to endure hardship, but after months of kneeling to chant sutras and picking coal in the mines, she had toughened up.

The only bad thing was that Jin Yuping had carried too many black coal blocks, so the gaps between her nails were all black. No matter how much she scrubbed with soapberries, some of the grime wouldn’t come.

She had to trim her nails painfully short before they looked presentable again. After all, when selling food, cleanliness was paramount.

Once she was properly groomed, Jin Yuping set up her stall on a street near the Wei Family’s residence.

Mingting immediately saw through the Female Lead’s ploy.

If he wanted to go home, he would definitely take this route… And thus, he would inevitably see this resilient woman, supporting herself through honest labor!

A noble young lady reduced to selling noodles on the streets. With such a pitiful, tragic backstory, if it were the original owner, he would probably be led by the nose.

But Mingting wasn’t having it. He simply spurred his horse and rode past without even glancing in her direction.

The weather outside was already freezing, so who would eat noodles outdoors in such freezing weather?

Sesame oil noodles aren’t like soup noodles, which come with a steaming hot broth that warms your stomach when you drink it.

These noodles cool down the moment they’re tossed in the sauce after being cooked, leaving one chilled to the bone. Eating them without getting an upset stomach would be a miracle.

So even though Jin Yuping’s sesame oil noodles were cheap, the hurried passersby still rarely stopped to buy from her.

The few who stayed to eat were only there because the vendor was a pretty woman.

Jin Yuping guarded her noodle stall, shivering from the cold.

[Serves her right!]

Fengtian spat in disdain.

"She had never suffered such hardship when setting up a stall in her previous life. Back then, the soldiers under the original owner’s command kept coming to support her, and everyone ate her noodles every day. Soon, the Female Lead made a small profit.]

Mingting explained.

"Later, the original owner helped her secure a shop, so she no longer had to endure the wind and rain. If you think about it, the Female Lead didn’t actually spend much time as a street vendor."

"She set up the stall just to establish an image of self-reliance. She kept saying she wouldn’t rely on others or accept help from the cannon fodder, but in the end, she still freeloaded in a roundabout way… and even managed to make it seem like a fresh, original approach."

[Hahaha! Boss, that’s such a perfect way to put it.]

Fengtian laughed so hard it clutched its stomach.

Without the cannon fodder’s help this time, it wondered how long the Female Lead could last.

Fengtian bet Jin Yuping could hold out for ten days, but after just seven days, she fell ill.

Back in Tongzhou, Jin Yuping had been seriously ill and never fully recovered.

Later, she traveled all the way to Ning’an, endured so much hardship in the mining area, and spent days braving the cold wind at her stall. Soon, she was burning with fever and couldn’t get up

What surprised Fengtian was that, even in such terrible conditions, Jin Yuping somehow managed to survive.

Her tenacious vitality was like that of an unkillable cockroach.

Soon, the first lunar month ended, and Mingting had to leave for coastal military training.

Qingming Festival was approaching, which meant the Eastern Sea pirates would soon be active again. After this, he wouldn’t have such leisurely days anymore.

Before leaving, Mingting ordered Old Wu to arrest Jin Yuping and throw her back into the mining area.

Since he wouldn’t be at home, who knew what trouble this couple might stir up? Jin Yuping was better off staying in the mining area.

When Old Wu arrived at the mining area and saw Shi Jing, the first thing he did was break his other leg.

"It seems like you didn’t take my warning seriously last time. The Count said you should keep your woman under control and stop her from running around, dirtying his sight."

“What, did you think my words were just wind in your ears? What were you trying to pull by setting up a stall right under the Count’s nose? Are you trying to be a ‘Sesame oil noodle beauty’?"

Old Wu instructed the overseer to keep a close eye on them and not let Jin Yuping leave the mining area again.

“Yes, yes! This lowly one will make sure she doesn’t step out again." The overseer nodded hurriedly, then turned around and pointed at Jin Yuping and scolded her. He told her that she must pick up 100 jin of coal every day, otherwise, she wouldn’t get any food.

“What right do you have to do this? I’m not a prisoner!"

Jin Yuping struggled, very indignant.

"Not a prisoner?" Old Wu bared his teeth in a grin, "Just based on what you said, do you believe that I could make you a murderer by causing a death at your noodle stall?"

Seeing the scar on Old Wu's face, Jin Yuping shuddered with fear.

She had no idea where Mingting had found such a ruthless soldier, but she believed this man was vicious enough to do something so lawless without hesitation.

A wise person knows when to yield, so she’d better lower her head for now!

When Old Wu returned and reported that the matter was settled,, Mingting looked him up and down, which made Old Wu feel guilty.

“My Lord, what’s wrong?" Old Wu’s heart pounded like a drum.

“You like Miss Xiao Huan? Since when?"

Mingting asked.

Old Wu’s words at the mining area had been reported to him by Fengtian. Normally, Old Wu wasn’t this aggressive, but his sudden hostility toward Jin Yuping made Mingting suspect only one thing.

Caught off guard, Old Wu’s face turned beet red.

While everyone usually called him Old Wu, he was actually just 26 years old. His scar also made him look fierce, but he wasn’t a bad person.

“Speak up! If you truly like Xiao Huan, I can act as your matchmaker." Mingting thumped Old Wu’s chest, "You’re a grown man. If you like someone, just say it… no need to act like a shy maiden."

Spurred by Mingting’s words, Old Wu straightened his back.

"Yes, I like Xiao Huan. The last time you sent me to deliver things to her, I took a liking to her."

She was pretty and literate, and Old Wu had been smitten at first sight.

“If My Lord is willing to be my matchmaker, my life is yours!"

“Who wants your life? Live well, get married, have kids, get promoted and become an official in the future! Just don’t let the girl down!"

Mingting acted quickly and really went to the kindergarten personally to matchmake Xiao Huan.

Xiao Huan also had an impression of Lao Wu. She wasn’t young anymore, as having spent years serving Jin Yuping, she’d missed her prime marriageable age.

Xiao Huan originally thought that she would be an old maid all her life, but she didn't expect that someone would secretly admire her.

With Mingting as the matchmaker and Xiao Huan had no other family, marrying one of the Count’s trusted men was an excellent prospect for her.

Besides, Old Wu was tall and straight as a pine tree, giving her a strong sense of security, so Xiao Huan soon agreed.

Before Mingting left, they held a lively wedding for Old Wu and Xiao Huan, with Mingting even attending and giving a gift.

Only after becoming a bride and having a new home did Xiao Huan feel completely at ease. She no longer had to worry about her former mistress coming to her house and saying that she was a runaway slave.

She had a man now, and Old Wu would protect her!

This time, when Mingting departed, Huiniang and their son saw him off a long way.

“Take care of yourself! Stay safe! The battlefield is ruthless, so you must be careful!" Huiniang knew Mingting would be gone for a long time, so she was very worried.

“Don’t worry! I’m the Ever-Victorious General!"

Mingting pinched his son’s chubby little face. Little Maomao was too young to understand his father was heading to war, so he just giggled and drooled.

“I’ve already submitted the petition to name him heir. From now on, Maomao is the successor to my Count of Dingyuan’s Mansion."

“Don’t say things like that.”

Huiniang felt his words carried an ominous tone, as though he might not return and was entrusting the Count’s Mansion to their son.

“I promise I’ll come back safely."

Mingting understood that postpartum hormonal changes made women more prone to overthinking, and his words had been misinterpreted by Huiniang.

After repeated assurances, Mingting got on his horse.

"Three years, give me three years, and I’ll return to stay with you two!"