Ye Meng and Shi Zhi did a good job in Pingcheng's management. Lin Yan was more worried about the situation at Xu Hui's side.
Since he went to Qicheng, he has sent news twice a year to report that he is safe, but he has no idea of the progress.
It was already September 21st, and the cold season was approaching, which stopped Lin Yan from looking for someone.
She wandered around the streets of Pingcheng secretly observing people's reactions to the move to Nanhai Port City.
Many people look sad and indifferent. They are worried about the coming cold season and there is not enough food stored at home.
Lin Yan felt that Pingcheng was now the poorest place in the Sun Alliance. Poor people can be seen everywhere, struggling to make a living but unable to feed their families.
The policy is good, but it cannot take care of everyone. Not everyone can live the good life they expect.
When she reached an old woman, she stopped.
The old woman's face was full of grooves, her eyes were dull, her body was hunched and she was struggling to move forward, and her clothes were torn and dirty.
When she came across Lin Yan, the old lady noticed something was wrong. She didn't dare to look up and hurriedly moved to one side.
Lin Yan stretched out his hand to support her.
When passers-by saw this scene, they couldn't help but stop and watch.
The contrast between the two is too obvious. Although Lin Yan is low-key, his clean and slim black suit is a symbol of status.
Her golden hair is very dazzling in the sun, her fair skin, and her tall figure all highlight her uniqueness.
The onlookers looked horrified, and if they hit someone, it was because the old woman was unlucky, and she would probably end up miserable.
The old woman raised her head, and after a few seconds of recognition, she saw the person in front of her clearly. Her face turned pale and trembling with fear.
Lin Yan smiled and reassured: "Don't be afraid, let's sit on the roadside."
The old woman's eyes were dim and her hearing was not very clear, so she let Lin Yan lead her to sit under the eaves of the roadside.
The onlookers who stopped to watch were talking about it, not knowing why. According to the normal plot, the old woman will be kicked away or punched. If she is unlucky, she will lose her life.
This was the most common sight on the streets of Pingcheng in the past, a privilege reserved for the powerful.
Looking at the frightened old woman and listening to the comments of the people around her, Lin Yan said loudly: "Will Pingcheng be the same as before today? To be honest with you, I am new here and I don't know the rules here."
Enthusiastic Person A: "The Gu family was killed and Pingcheng was taken over by the Sun Alliance. Beating and killing people is illegal."
Good Samaritan B: "Isn't that right? Those people who used to be high and mighty now want to walk around with their necks hunched over. Some people don't believe in evil and just pretend to be the same as in the past. They beat people seriously in the street and were arrested and imprisoned. They were also injured. People lost money. Since then, the atmosphere has changed drastically, and we ordinary people dare to walk with our chests held high."
Participant C: "All the Sun Alliance are good people. People preach the law every day. Let us learn more and don't be fooled by others."
…
The crowd was buzzing with excitement. Lin Yan pursed his lips and smiled, "From what you said, the Sun Alliance is doing quite well. So are you willing to go to the Sun Alliance?"
Someone's mind was spinning quickly, "You're talking about the announcement just issued yesterday, encouraging people to go to Nanhai Port City."
Lin Yan nodded: "Yes, I've heard about it too, but I can't make up my mind for the moment."
"I heard that Nanhai Port City is very far away. If you go there, you won't be able to come back. I won't go."
"I won't go either. No matter how bad Pingcheng is, it is still our home."
…
"I want to go to Nanhai Port City." Hearing this sentence, Lin Yan looked over with lightning eyes and saw a thin woman.
With a weathered face, one looks like a person who has been beaten by life.
Someone ridiculed: "You crazy woman, you run so far and you're not afraid of dying outside."
The woman seemed unable to hear other people's cynicism and stared at Lin Yan, "Can I go?"
Lin Yan looked at the woman and analyzed from the crowd's comments that she was also a pitiful person.
Her family was ruined, and only she and her daughter were left to depend on each other. She was bullied by her neighbors and could step on anyone who saw her.
In the past, she was timid and did not dare to speak loudly for fear of attracting other people's attention.
Lin Yan asked softly: "What's your name? Can you take me to your home?"
The woman hesitated for a while before saying: "Zhang Daya."
"Where is your daughter? How old is she this year?"
Looking at Lin Yan's kind smile, Zhang Daya seemed to be inspired. This was the first time someone looked at her like this and treated her as a human being.
"Xiaoya is eight years old. Do you really want to go to my house?"
"I'd be happy to go if you agree."
After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Daya blushed and took Lin Yan to her house.
The onlookers were dumbfounded and did not understand Lin Yan's actions. Where does Zhang Daya have a home? It's just a grass shed, low and humid, living with a group of mice.
Lin Yan was mentally prepared, but when he saw the scene in front of him, his heart still clenched violently.
The thatched hut was leaking air everywhere, was low and dirty, and huge rats could be seen at any time. It stinked so much that it was not a place for people to live at all.
Lin Yan: "Have you always lived here?"
"No, it's not." Seeing Lin Yan's ugly face, Zhang Daya was a little scared, "Before giving birth to Xiaoya, I had a family and was kicked out."
"Where's the little girl?"
Zhang Daya got into the thatched shed and took out a ball of things wrapped in straw.
Lin Yan leaned over to take a look, as if he had been struck by lightning.
She suddenly turned her head to look at Zhang Daya. She had a gentle expression and was humming something softly, as if she was comforting the child in her arms.
Lin Yan opened his mouth with difficulty, not knowing how to speak.
Xiaoya only had a skeleton left. Judging from the size, she should have been born not long ago, but Zhang Daya didn't think so.
In her consciousness, Xiaoya has always been by her side. She is already eight years old. Is this a mental problem?
No wonder everyone called her a crazy woman just now, and no one mentioned Xiaoya. She was the only one who insisted on Xiaoya's existence.
Lin Yan was speechless when he met Zhang Daya's expectant eyes.
She is a mother, and she is still longing to take her children to Nanhai Port City to live a good life. For a moment, Lin Yan didn't know whether she was crazy or not.
There was a constant rustling sound, which was the sound of rats scurrying around.
For an instant, Lin Yan seemed to be in an empty world, speechless.
The sound of footsteps behind her brought her back to reality. It was the old woman she had just met on the road.
Lin Yan silently watched the old woman getting closer and closer, and took Zhang Daya's hand, as if to confirm something.
As if watching a mime, Lin Yan did nothing and watched them get into the hay shed.
After standing there for more than ten minutes, she slowly walked out of this abandoned area.
As we walked along, we could see dirty children everywhere with empty and numb eyes. They were completely naked and could not see their true appearance.
While walking, a sneaky figure stopped Lin Yan in his tracks.
He looked at the figure quietly, left the bloody child behind, and turned to leave.
She followed calmly.
