“Sir, are you interested in buying them? The young one, if raised for another two years, could serve tea and water, and the older one could be a maid for laundry and cooking—she’s decent-looking, too. Right now, they’re starving, but after a few good meals, she might regain some beauty. If you’re interested in anything else in the future…”

　　The Boatman gave a knowing look.

　　“Buy them?”

　　Eric Bennett stroked his chin, hesitating for a moment.

　　“Alright, let’s buy them. Go ask if she’s willing to come with us. No need for any indenture contract, and they won’t be registered as low-class. Just consider it as me hiring her, paying her a monthly wage. She can do laundry and cook—eating out all the time is just too unsanitary. Those greasy, pitch-black stoves make me want to vomit.”

　　The Sorcerer Bennett said with a wave of his folding fan.

　　He really did need a maid right now. Little Grace was a maid from the inner quarters, and aside from serving people, she didn’t know how to do anything else.

　　Little Grace, standing beside him, hurried over, but it was obvious they couldn’t communicate. The woman spoke the local dialect, while Little Grace spoke Beijing Mandarin. It was like a chicken talking to a duck. Only when The Boatman went over to translate did they finally understand each other, which left Eric Bennett rather frustrated. This issue had left a deep impression on him lately. In five days, he’d traveled over a thousand kilometers, crossing three provinces, and almost everywhere he stopped, there was a language barrier. The inn staff were fine, but trying to chat up a girl on the street was nearly impossible.

　　After a brief conversation, the woman immediately brought her child over to kowtow to him.

　　“Sir, she says she only wants to sell her child, to give her a chance at life. Her husband went to the capital for the exams, failed, and never returned—he hanged himself. Her in-laws, hounded by creditors, drowned themselves. If you take in this child, she’ll use the money to pay off the debts and then plans to drown herself to follow her husband in death.”

　　The Boatman translated.

　　“Uh, that’s so tragic?”

　　“Sir, every year, plenty of failed scholars hang themselves or drown. Every time the results are posted in the capital, the charity morgue has to take in a new batch.”

　　Little Grace explained.

　　“She’s a virtuous widow, then!”

　　At this moment, a bystander Green Worm beside Eric Bennett, also fanning himself, chimed in.

　　“Why don’t you take her in?”

　　Eric Bennett said in surprise.

　　“Well, I already have a wife and children at home.”

　　Green Worm replied awkwardly, trying to hide the patch on his long gown with his arm.

　　“Then why are you talking nonsense?”

　　Eric Bennett said disdainfully.

　　“Tell her, I’m from the capital. She can work for me for now, and when I’m done with my business, I’ll take her to the capital with me. Doesn’t she want to bring her husband’s remains back before jumping into the river?”

　　He then said to The Boatman.

　　The latter quickly translated, and the woman, overjoyed, prostrated herself on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, even pressing her daughter’s head down to kowtow as well. Of course, she had no idea that the next time this man went to Beijing, he’d be leading troops to kill and burn, and by then her husband’s bones would be long gone.

　　“You filthy whore, so you ran here! We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Trying to run away from your debts?”

　　Just then, two men suddenly burst out from the crowd. One rushed over and yanked the little girl away, while the other glared viciously at the woman. Clearly, these were the creditors, waiting for the deal to go through before jumping out to collect their money.

　　The woman looked at Eric Bennett with pleading eyes.

　　“How much does she owe you?”

　　Eric Bennett asked.

　　“Fifty taels of silver.”

　　The man holding the little girl replied.

　　At his words, the woman’s pleading gaze grew even more desperate.

　　“Show me the IOU!”

　　Eric Bennett demanded.

　　The man handed over the IOU.

　　“You think I can’t read? This clearly says ten taels.”

　　Eric Bennett said, looking at the note.

　　“Sir, it’s compound interest.”

　　Little Grace whispered.

　　“Huh?”

　　Only then did Eric Bennett remember the usurious loans of this era. But compounding to five times the original amount was outrageous. It showed that the man who hanged himself in Beijing had struggled for years. If he hadn’t hanged himself, maybe the creditor would still have some hope—after all, what if he passed the exams next time? Fifty taels then…

　　Even then, fifty taels would be a stretch. It wasn’t easy to land a real job in these times.

　　Feeling a bit sorry for the hardships of Green Worm and his ilk, Eric Bennett wordlessly took out five gold leaves from his shoulder bag and, with a flourish, tossed them at the man, shouting, “Get lost! Don’t let me see you again!”

　　The man immediately put on a fawning smile, quickly let go of the little girl, snatched up the gold leaves from the ground, and left, bowing and scraping.

　　“Sir, you gave too much—four and a half would have been enough!”

　　Little Grace quietly reminded Eric Bennett.

　　“Uh, come back here, damn it, don’t run!”

　　Those two would be fools not to run for it.

　　“This brother is truly public-spirited and righteous—admirable!”

　　As Eric Bennett was brooding, a nearby Zombie Costume smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. Judging by the long-legged bird on his chest badge, Eric Bennett couldn’t identify the species with his level of knowledge. The man looked to be in his thirties, fair-skinned, plump, and prosperous—not at all unpleasant.

　　Am I really public-spirited and righteous? I honestly just didn’t know what I was doing!