Lin Yuan, who would be known as Merchant Yuan in the future, was only a young teenager at this age. He had great skill for trading and liked to accumulate wealth in order to be able to traverse between kingdoms freely.
That way, he wouldn't be involved with any wars and instead be protected.
Everyone only saw him as a merchant who were moved by the best profit he could get. He would not side with anyone, so they treated him as their bargaining chip and traded for what they needed. However, in reality, he was working for one person: Long Qian Xing.
It would all started by the time Lin Yuan lost his father in an accident. The novel never mentioned what accident it was but it happened in Fei Yang Kingdom. Even though Long Qian Xing would come, the event was glossed over at that time as it fast forward to Lin Yuan who was in slump and then Long Qian Xing extended his hand to help.
Since then, Lin Yuan took over the business from his father with Long Qian Xing helping him from behind. He would soon become someone untouchable in the land after a few years of accumulating wealth and growing his forces.
Except for some who knew him personally.
Nan Hua looked at the second man, who was called as Merchant Lin, on the ground. She never thought that this avalanche was the one that would kill Lin Yuan's father and changed his future. And without knowing anything, she had changed the future.
'Is this a good thing or not?'
Nan Hua didn't know.
She looked at the merchant on the ground but didn't try to turn the course back. There was nothing that she could do anyway.
"Young Miss Nan?"
The soothing voice called her out from behind. Nan Hua turned around and saw Long Qian Xing walked over. He looked pleasantly surprised when he saw the group but his expression darkened once more when he recalled where they were and the scene around him.
"Brother Long."
"Young Master Long," Nan Luo greeted formally. He would never want to acknowledge this man as his brother… even if his twin sister ended up marrying him in the future. Hmph!
Feng Ao Kuai and Feng Ao Si also greeted him respectfully. They were rather surprised to see him. Long Qian Xing also greeted them all formally in response before his gaze landed on Lin Yuan, who was looking at him with weird expression.
"General Nan is handling this situation. It'll be better for you to bring your father to the temporary houses." Long Qian Xing looked at Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan nodded. "Thanks… Young Master Long."
A smile formed at the corner of Long Qian Xing's lips. "I didn't do anything. If there's anyone who you should thank, that will be Young Miss Nan and her twin brother and cousins."
Feng Ao Kuai furrowed his eyebrows when he heard the way Long Qian Xing addressed them. Based on the normal etiquette, it was not normal for a man to address the woman first and refer to the males based on their blood relationship with the woman.
In fact, it was usually the opposite.
But with the way Long Qian Xing addressed them, he felt that the youth in front of him was a bit unfathomable. Why did he choose such unusual way to address them?
Lin Yuan's lips twitched but he nodded. He bowed down to Nan Hua, "Thank you very much for your help, Young Miss Nan. If you or your twin brother and cousins ever need my or my business' help, I'll definitely help you."
"That's too much, we're only helping out," Nan Luo quickly answered on Nan Hua's behalf. It was not really polite for her to speak out because of the current era's tradition where women would not usually interact with males.
Except for their husband or servants.
Or siblings and parents.
Lin Yuan nodded then he instructed the servants to carry his father along with Lin Sun. He had doctors too but he knew that the emergency state had passed. Internally, he was worrying about the fact that his father was passing by this area, so he rushed over.
To think that his deepest worry came true… Lin Yuan felt that his luck was really too bad.
As for what actually happened, he would ask Lin Sun about it.
"Young Miss Nan, would you help with the search?"
Nan Hua glanced at the pile of mud behind her and shook her head. The golden time had long passed. There couldn't be any more survivors within the huge pile anymore. Besides, she didn't know anyone from this area.
Long Qian Xing smiled faintly. "In that case, you should go and have rest. It's not good to stay outside for long."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Long. I'll go to rest now."
"Alright, I'll be going now." Long Qian Xing smiled then turned. He still had to instruct the few soldiers who were following him to help the survivors in this place. Besides, if he stayed any longer, Nan Luo would blow his top from having Long Qian Xing ignored him again and again.
Nan Hua then turned to look at her twin brother. "Ask the servants to distribute the excess food. Don't let the survivors starve. Just leave enough for us to eat tomorrow."
"Yes."
"I'll do it instead," Feng Ao Kuai said then departed. It was easier for him to give the instruction to the servants because he was more used to it.
Nan Luo pursed his lips but he then chose to follow Nan Hua. In any case, he wouldn't be able to help much, so it would be better for him to stay near Nan Hua and protected her.
Feng Ao Si scratched the back of his head then shrugged. He returned to their carriage and sat before the driver's seat. If they had to depart again, he would be the one to lead them.
"Hua'er why do you distribute our food?" Nan Luo asked curiously. It was by no means cheap but they did have a lot of food because they got some from Heng Xing City officials when they passed by.
Nan Hua looked at Nan Luo. "They need it."
One sentence.
It was extremely simple, a reason that anyone could think. However, would anyone be able to act in accordance to this one simple sentence? It was unlikely.
Nan Luo was silent for a while before he smiled brightly. "Hua'er is very considerate. You're the best!"
Considerate?
Nan Hua could never associate that word to herself. She knew very well that if she wanted this thing to end well, she had to make sure the survivors talked good about Nan Family. That way, their family would look a bit favorable in front of others.
But of course, what she wanted was for them to speak that the one who did it was the young daughter.
She wanted to hear what kind of rumors would spread.
Especially regarding Nan Hua.
Of course, another reason was to make sure that their good deeds were spread but the people here were only few people. They would not make any huge impact since the avalanche only hit several villages.
It shouldn't affect the big picture.