She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!

Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Must You Marry Your Savior After Being Rescued from the Water? (Part 15)

”Where do you think you’re going?”

Shi Wen and Qin Cheng glanced over and saw a man fiercely demand, as he chased them with a knife.

”Cousin, run!” Shi Wen shouted, knowing this man didn’t have much knowledge of their situation.

Qu Shao had told her this man knew nothing and was a cripple, a refugee he picked up to use. Recently, he had been cooking here. Facing him, she should be able to escape; this man’s knife had never tasted blood and he didn’t dare kill. Once found out, she’d just grab Ying Bairong and run.

But... she hadn’t found Ying Bairong yet. She didn’t even know where he was.

Anger surged in Shi Wen’s heart, but she couldn’t let herself be caught.

Qu Shao feared the arrival of the authorities and had already withdrawn with his men, leaving everything up to her.

Shi Wen wished Qu Shao was hiding nearby to help, but knew it was impossible.

Qu Shao wouldn’t return, and she didn’t know where Ying Bairong went. She and her cousin couldn’t allow themselves to be caught; they needed to return home first.

Shi Wen felt weary; after a whole day, this was the result, and she was on the verge of exploding with anger.

The cripple behind them relentlessly pursued. Shi Wen and Qin Cheng ran their original route, exhausted, gasping for air.

Reaching a hillside, Shi Wen and Qin Cheng rushed down it without hesitation.

”You are not allowed to leave.”

It was the cripple’s voice.

Shi Wen was perplexed; wasn’t the cripple supposed to have difficulty descending the hill?

While fleeing, she glanced back and saw the cripple brandishing his knife, following them.

At the bottom, Shi Wen and Qin Cheng were sore all over, but had to keep running; they didn’t want to be caught by the persistent cripple.

”Stop, don’t run!” The cripple was anxious. His benefactor had instructed him to watch over these people, but they escaped, and now, how would he explain?

Even if he died, he wanted to bring them back!

Shi Wen and Qin Cheng continued to flee while Ying Bairong quietly slipped away. He was unfamiliar with the path, but seeing a trodden path, he dared not wander aimlessly and simply followed it. Hearing the urgencies of knocking earlier, he thought to attempt an escape. With confidence in his face’s value to others, even if recaptured, it wouldn’t be fatal, he reckoned.

Might as well gamble it, what if he actually escaped?

Surprisingly, it went smoothly.

As he exited, he memorized the route, not intending to abandon Qin Cheng. He was unarmed with no skills, and not a match for the bandits; it would be better to escape and report to the authorities, leaving such matters to the County Magistrate.

Qin Cheng’s appearance wasn’t bad; the bandits likely wouldn’t kill him immediately, which would buy some time.

He vaguely heard voices and quickly hid in the bushes, fearful that the bandits had returned.

”This place seems desolate,” Shen Xuan remarked.

”Young Master, this seems to be an old route to a bandit lair. I accompanied the County Magistrate here before,” an officer said.

Back in Lanru County, there wasn’t just one bandit group, but several.

Shen Xuan understood, could the bandits be returning?

”Stay alert, all of you,” he instructed, gesturing to the officer who spoke earlier, ”Come forth, how capable are you? Dare to scout ahead?”

Before the officer could respond, Ying Bairong rushed out from the bushes.

Ah Chen had already sensed there were people there but paid no mind.

Lin Daming naturally noticed too, casually darting a look before focusing on protecting his daughter from unexpected dangers. Of course, he’d also protect Shen Xuan, since he was the County Magistrate’s son. The County Magistrate was a good official, and protecting his son was proper.

Seeing someone rush out, Lin Daming had initially intended to reach for his waist-slung machete, but upon seeing who it was, lowered his hand.

Ying Xiucai?

Ying Bairong didn’t particularly like the Lin Family father and daughter, but he didn’t dislike them either.

But seeing them now, he genuinely sighed in relief.

He was saved.

Upon hearing mention of the County Magistrate, he knew it was fine; these were officers, not bandits. He rushed out eagerly.

Knowing Shen Xuan was present as he had attended banquets by the County Magistrate’s invitation, saved him some explanation.

Ignoring his disheveled state, rescue was urgent. Quickly, he bowed to Ah Chen and the others before breathlessly saying, ”I was captured by bandits too, just managed to escape. Let me guide the way.”

”You two, support Ying Xiucai,” Shen Xuan instructed, ”Anyone has water or dry food? Give some to Ying Xiucai.”

Ying Bairong was immensely grateful, parched and famished. He hadn’t had a sip all day. Grabbing the water, he guzzled a few mouthfuls, nibbled some dry food, and felt significantly stronger, leading the group to the prior location.

Finally not hungry, he recounted his tale.

”How did Second Young Master Shen know I was captured here?” Ying Bairong wondered. Did his family report it? It was only half a day; they likely hadn’t realized his absence.

Shen Xuan, holding a leash, glanced sidelong at Ah Chen, then quickly away, responding, ”Miss Lin escaped from the bandits and reported to the authorities this morning,” He shook the leash, ”We found the location through the scent of Miss Shi’s belongings.”

”So Miss Shi was captured?” Ying Bairong inquired, frowning, ”These bandits are brazen, capturing me because a female bandit wanted me as a captive husband.”

”Ying Xiucai, you’ve been through an ordeal,” Shen Xuan comforted, ”My father will likely scour the area to teach these restless ones a lesson.”

Life in Lanru County was good. His father was an honorable official; being a bandit in such good times was senseless.

Shen Xuan mused about all the prescriptions he had accumulated—perhaps giving them to his father would be wise, since he was a good official. But the complexities of ancient society made him cautious; gifting them might bring unforeseen dangers to their family. Perhaps stability was the best course.

Oh well, future considerations depend on circumstances.

Ying Bairong naturally trusted Shen Xuan’s words, feeling somewhat relieved.

The group reached the original place, but Shi Wen was nowhere in sight.

The dog named Xiangfu darted toward another direction, Shen Xuan couldn’t hold it, so he let go, watching it dash off.

They followed, guided by Xiangfu’s barks.

Ah Chen kept pace, genuinely curious about the events here.

Upon seeing Ying Bairong, she realized Shi Wen’s plan had failed since he’d managed to escape on his own.

They soon reached a slope, finding Shi Wen and Qin Cheng bedraggled, being dragged back by the cripple, who clutched a shiny knife.

He muttered, ”Finally caught you two back; if you had escaped, how would I explain to my benefactor? My benefactor just wants a couple of beauties; cooperate, and good days await.”

Ah Chen’s eyes flickered with a smile; this person seemed uninformed and not practiced in martial arts.

Shen Xuan happened to see her smile and pondered, why did she smile?

[Could she be the fabled ”plastic sister”?] the system chimed in.

Shen Xuan: [Miss Lin doesn’t seem the type to mock others casually; surely there’s another reason. Upon closer thought, today’s events are rather odd.]

The area near the house didn’t seem frequently used.

Did the bandits really capture so many just to find a couple of attractive people? Where did they go now? So many mysteries.

Never mind, those are concerns for his father.