The Amusing Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Dad and Daughter-Chapter 130

They had just entered the town when a horse came charging recklessly toward their mule-drawn cart.

Was Old Gu Six the type to tolerate such behavior? Of course not—unless it was his own daughter, why should he yield?

In a flash, he leaped up and delivered a kick that sent both the rider and the horse flying.

"Bang!" The man and horse crashed into a roadside stall selling clay figurines.

Old Gu Six muttered, "Not good," and quickly strode over to kick both the young man and the horse back onto the road. He then handed some silver to the stall owner as compensation.

The stall owner, intimidated by Old Gu Six’s fierce appearance, didn’t dare accept it and shrank back, on the verge of tears.

If only he hadn’t set up shop today after tripping that morning—hadn’t that been an omen?

Old Gu Six left the silver on the wrecked stall and walked away.

The young man, Shen Hao, had been riding alone through the bustling market. Now, lying on the ground moaning in pain, no one dared approach him.

Who would? The man had just kicked a horse flying—who could claim to be tougher than a horse?

Too bad for the magistrate’s son. Why couldn’t he have stayed in the county town instead of galloping around here?

Well, now he’d met someone who could put him in his place.

The mule cart swayed past Shen Hao and disappeared into the distance. Only then did someone finally step forward to help him up.

"Young Master Shen, are you all right? Let this humble man take you to the clinic."

Shen Hao clutched his leg and nodded, too pained to speak. His leg was broken, and in his heart, he cursed Old Gu Six’s ancestors eighteen generations back.

He swore that once he recovered, he’d make that man pay.

Seeing the middle-aged man struggling to support Shen Hao alone, another bystander stepped in to help—though he left them at the clinic’s entrance.

Inside the clinic, a young man hurried out with his head down, failing to notice Shen Hao and his helper at the door.

The three collided in a heap. A sickening "crack" echoed—the sound of a bone breaking. The young man had landed on Shen Hao’s leg, worsening the injury.

Shen Hao let out a howl of agony and passed out on the spot. The middle-aged man, Ye Dazhuang, panicked—what if his good intentions had backfired?

He immediately seized the young man trying to flee and shouted, "Everyone, bear witness! This man knocked Young Master Shen down! Now that he’s unconscious and needs treatment, this man can’t just walk away. Isn’t that right, neighbors?"

No one had thought to blame Old Gu Six earlier, but with Shen Hao unconscious, the stakes were higher. Now, they had to pin the blame on the one who’d caused the fainting.

The crowd quickly chimed in: "That’s right, that’s right!"

Some recognized Ye Dazhuang and sided with him, as did others who’d seen him around town.

Newcomers drawn by the commotion, after hearing the story, also agreed.

The clinic’s assistants rushed to carry Shen Hao inside. If anything happened to the magistrate’s son here, they’d be in trouble.

Ye Dazhuang stayed outside, gripping the young man who kept trying to escape.

Then someone in the crowd recognized him. "Hey, isn’t this the owner of the Chen General Store?"

"That new shop in town?" another asked.

"Yeah. His old mother always minds the store—what a shrew! Went once and never went back."

"Ye ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Dazhuang, why waste time holding him? Let’s just take him to the County Administration Office!"

The speaker’s eyes gleamed with excitement, as if eager to see the Chen family suffer.

Ye Dazhuang considered it—he wasn’t some idle troublemaker who could afford to stand around all day.

He nodded. "Then I’ll trouble you all to lend a hand."

"No trouble at all! Come on, let’s go!" The eager volunteer grabbed Chen Jiannan’s arm and twisted it behind his back, forcing him along.

Chen Jiannan wailed and struggled, his face pale. How had a simple collision turned into a trip to the County Administration Office?

Ye Dazhuang smacked his head. "Quiet! You knocked down the magistrate’s son—you think we should take the blame for you?"

To the crowd, he added, "Wait here. I’ll check on Young Master Shen so we can report properly to the magistrate."

"Go on, go on!"

The mob held Chen Jiannan outside the clinic, taunting him.

"Heard you dumped your fiancée to chase after Master He’s bastard daughter? Trading a wife’s child for a concubine’s—real classy!"

The crowd roared with laughter. "Maybe he just likes the concubine-born ones!"

Inside, Doctor Li wiped sweat from his brow and pulled Ye Dazhuang aside. "Dazhuang, Young Master Shen’s injury wasn’t serious at first—a couple weeks’ rest would’ve fixed it. But now, after this second hit, his right leg won’t heal right. He’ll likely limp for life."

Ye Dazhuang reassured him. "Don’t worry, Doctor Li. This won’t fall on you. We’ll take that man to the County Administration Office and explain everything. Just keep Young Master Shen stable until the magistrate sends for him."

"Good, good. Make sure they know it wasn’t my fault!"

"Of course." Ye Dazhuang hurried out, found an oxcart, and the group hauled Chen Jiannan off to the county seat.

Old Lady Chen wailed and threw herself on the ground, but nothing helped. She had no choice but to follow.

Meanwhile, Old Gu Six took Chang'an to a quieter, shabbier inn where business was slow but the owner stubbornly kept it open.

The owner doubled as both innkeeper and waiter—no money to hire help.

When a wolf-like dog leaped from the cart, he stiffened.

"That’s our family dog," Old Gu Six explained. "Raised alongside my daughter. We brought it along for the trip. It’s just big—very gentle, won’t bite."

(Unless provoked, he added silently.)

Though still uneasy, the innkeeper didn’t refuse a paying guest.

Money was hard to earn, and beggars couldn’t be choosers. Even if it was a wolf, he’d pretend it was a dog.

Old Gu Six booked two upper rooms and ordered two bowls of plain noodles for show—they’d eat from Chang'an’s secret stash later.

"Dad," Chang'an said, munching an apple on the windowsill, "how much pocket money do you have left?"

Two upper rooms? He must’ve been saving up.

"All gone, spent every bit today," he said, patting his chest where two small silver pieces and five copper coins were still hidden. The money from selling sweet potato vines and potato seeds had been left at home—he hadn’t brought it with him.

"Why are you so nervous? It’s not like I’d confiscate it," she said, her conscience clear. She had never skimped on her father’s pocket money.

Old Gu Six coughed awkwardly. "No, you’re mistaken."

Considering the wealth stored in his daughter’s space, the meager sum he had was probably beneath her notice.