The young girl finally calmed down and recalled, “Yesterday, my mother and I were busy sorting out old clothes, washing them, and then laying them on the kang to dry. We worked until late at night, and I was so tired that I just… I just fell asleep here!”

Kevin Bolton nodded. “When I woke up, you were lying next to me, like a little kitten. I tucked you into the blanket. You little girl don’t sleep very well—you first stole my quilt, then got hot and took off your cotton-padded jacket.”

“Stop it, you’re embarrassing me!”

“If you don’t want me to say it, I’ll say it even more. Xiaoxue, you’re mine now. Don’t worry, that day will come soon—I’ll ride a tall horse to marry you and let you live happily as a noble lady.”

The girl’s heart was already fluttering. Listening to Kevin Bolton’s words, she lay on his chest, her soft curves pressed against Kevin Bolton’s chest.

“Brother Ke, you’re so good to me!” Suddenly, the girl remembered something and hurriedly said, “Brother, I’ll go decoct the medicine. Get well soon, I’ll… I’ll be waiting for you!”

The girl walked out of the room shyly. Kevin Bolton closed his eyes slightly, his mind filled with the girl’s every smile and frown. With a faintly happy smile, he drifted back to sleep.

……

“Sister-in-law, open the door, it’s me, Old Thompson.”

Mrs. Sullivan was busy cooking. Hearing the voice, she hurried to open the door. Outside stood a hunchbacked man, about fifty years old, with a ruddy, pitted face, a red nose, and wearing a tattered cotton-padded jacket whose original color was indiscernible.

It was none other than the blacksmith Master Thompson. His sudden visit surprised Mrs. Sullivan, but a guest is a guest. Mrs. Sullivan quickly smiled and said, “Big Brother Thompson, come in quickly, it’s too cold outside!”

After letting Liam the Blacksmith in, Mrs. Sullivan smiled a bit awkwardly. “There’s not much to eat at home, but if you don’t mind, join us for breakfast. Hui’er, set out another bowl and chopsticks!”

“Sister-in-law, don’t bother, I’ll just say a few words and go!” Liam the Blacksmith fumbled in his coat for a while and pulled out a few pieces of broken silver.

“I heard yesterday that Wan Baichuan came looking for trouble. Last night, a few farmers came to repay the money for their hoes—altogether three taels and five maces. I don’t have any other skills, and I can’t come up with more. Sister-in-law, please don’t think it’s too little!”

The Zhang and Liu families didn’t interact much, so Liam the Blacksmith coming to deliver silver was truly unexpected. Mrs. Sullivan was stunned.

“Big Brother Thompson, how can we take your money? Times are hard for everyone, and the New Year is coming. Save it to buy something for your children. As for the money, we’ll find a way…”

“Sister-in-law, say no more.” Liam the Blacksmith’s eyes suddenly reddened, his voice choked. “It’s been over twenty years. Back then, when disaster struck, my whole family was starving. It was The Bolton Brothers who gave us two dou of rice. Without that rice, I’d have fed the wild dogs long ago. I never said anything all these years, but I’ve always remembered it! This is all I can do. Sister-in-law, give me a chance to repay your kindness!”

Liam the Blacksmith stuffed the silver into Mrs. Sullivan’s hand, refusing to take no for an answer, and turned to leave.

In times of crisis, lending a helping hand—that’s a true man!

Kevin Bolton heard Liam the Blacksmith’s words and was deeply moved. Suddenly, he thought of something and hurriedly called out, “Uncle Thompson, wait a moment, I have something to ask you!”

Chapter 7 The Most Makeshift Caravan

Liam the Blacksmith stepped into Kevin Bolton’s room, the strong smell of medicine stinging his nose. Kevin Bolton had already gotten up and was sitting against the kang. The young man’s face was a bit pale, but his features were delicate and handsome, especially his bright eyes—scholarly yet resolute and heroic. Seeing this, Liam the Blacksmith couldn’t help but sigh.

“He looks just like him! Ah, if only The Bolton Brothers were still alive, who would dare bully you all!” Liam the Blacksmith shook his head in pain.

His late father had a good reputation. Kevin Bolton smiled and said, “Uncle Thompson, I have a money-making idea. I plan to go to the Guangning horse market, get some clothes and cloth to sell, and trade with the Tartars for fat sheep. With a round trip, I can at least earn enough to pay off our debts!”

“Good, good idea!” Liam the Blacksmith laughed. “But Guangning is more than a hundred and fifty li away. The journey is too far!”

Kevin Bolton smiled slightly. “Uncle Thompson, desperate times call for desperate measures. I have no other choice. I just thought of something—don’t know if you can help?”

“Heh heh, aside from blacksmithing, I don’t know much about business. I’m afraid I can’t help much!”

“I just need your blacksmithing skills! Help me make a few things. If we sell them for a good price, we’ll split it thirty-seventy!”

Liam the Blacksmith scratched his head and said, “Forget about splitting it. If we can really make money and help you pay off your debts, just give me back my capital.”

Kevin Bolton winked at Xiaoxue, signaling her to bring over the brush and ink. Holding the brush, Kevin Bolton felt a bit troubled. Although he had inherited the original memories and could write calligraphy, drawing with this thing was a bit of a stretch.

“Xiaoxue, go to the stove and get a piece of charcoal.”

Xiaoxue nodded quickly and ran to the stove, but there was none. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a shovel and scooped out a few glowing coals, then brought over a ladle of cold water.

Whoosh!

A cloud of white steam burst up, dust flying, a mushroom cloud rising. Xiaoxue stuck out her tongue in fright. But no matter how big the world is, Brother Ke is the biggest! She quickly grabbed a few pieces of charcoal and ran to Kevin Bolton’s room.