OBS Chapter 347 She actually got seasick!
Chapter 347 She actually got seasick!
Everyone agreed, and seeing that there was nothing more to see, they gradually dispersed.
The man was unwilling to accept this, so he glared at his wife and said angrily, "Since we're divorced, don't ever set foot in my house again!"
After saying that, he walked away cursing.
Several soldiers turned their gaze away from the man who was walking away and began to persuade the woman.
"Your ex-husband is a scoundrel. We think his character is really not good. Now that you have successfully divorced, we think you shouldn't go back to pack your things, otherwise you will definitely be harassed by him again. Do you have anywhere to go now?"
The woman shook her head sadly, "My parents have both passed away, and there's hardly anyone left in my family. My eldest brother and sister-in-law... My sister-in-law always looked down on us, and she won't allow me to go back to my parents' home after the divorce."
Even if you have nowhere to go, it's still a million times better than staying in that den of wolves and tigers. Even if you have to beg for food, as long as you're not being vented on by a gambler every day, life is still bearable.
"Gentlemen, you need not worry about this woman. We have already taken up too much of your time; we cannot delay your business any longer. Please leave now."
The soldiers saw that although the woman was ordinary, she was very well-mannered, gentle and polite, and they couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
"Sigh, if it weren't for the fact that we already have a cook in our office and don't need many people for the time being, we would have liked to introduce you to the office's logistics department."
"Yes, yes, what a pity!"
Lin Xiaotang smiled and said, "It's no pity. We can let this auntie work as a cook at our Qianzhenlou. Our milk tea shop is also short-staffed. We can arrange whatever position she is suitable for."
However, the milk tea shop is outside the restaurant, so it has to be in the public eye every day. I'm afraid my aunt's gambling ex-husband might retaliate against her if he loses money again. I think it's better if it's in the kitchen, so he won't see her and won't be able to do anything to her.”
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited in the woman's eyes, and she knelt down and kowtowed to Lin Xiaotang.
"Thank you so much for saving my life, young lady. And thank you even more for taking me in. From now on, I will do my best to work hard at the restaurant. Thank you so much..."
Lin Xiaotang was simply helping someone in need when she happened to hire an honest and hardworking cook, which could be considered a stroke of fate.
She comforted the woman and then told her mother to take her home first.
Before leaving, the woman thanked the soldiers profusely one last time before following Liu away into the distance.
The officers and soldiers had become quite familiar with Lin Xiaotang after a few encounters. Although Lin Xiaotang was young, she performed remarkably well, always giving people a different kind of surprise. The officers and soldiers became increasingly polite to her.
In addition, there was another reason: Gu Minghuai was Lord Yang's nephew. Just now, Young Master Gu rescued Lin Xiaotang and exchanged a few words with her, which was enough to show that they knew each other before. Therefore, the soldiers dared not slack off.
As the soldiers were about to leave, they were about to salute Gu Minghuai when he desperately winked at them, signaling that they should not expose his identity.
Several officers and soldiers stretched out their hands together, then withdrew them all at once. To cover their embarrassment, they scratched their heads, touched their noses, patted their shoulders and legs, and straightened their clothes. In short, it was very unusual.
Seeing the unnatural expressions on the officers' faces, Lin Xiaotang asked in confusion, "What's wrong, gentlemen? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, no, the matter has been resolved, and we should head back now. There's still a lot to do at the yamen, so let's say goodbye for now."
Several officers and soldiers chimed in, their forced smiles creating a rather comical scene.
Lin Xiaotang was a little confused, but smiled and said goodbye to them.
"We apologize for troubling you gentlemen today. The yamen is busy, so we will not take up any more of your time. Please take care."
So, the officers and soldiers turned and left together.
Liu Cai'er glanced at Gu Minghuai, then at her niece, and said with a smile, "Xiao Tang, we've been here for quite a while today. I don't know if your father and uncle are busy enough at the restaurant. Your aunt is a little worried and has to go back and keep an eye on things. We probably won't be able to shop today, but we can come back to shop another time. You two have been apart for so long, why don't you show this young master around and help him get familiar with the place?"
Lin Xiaotang and Gu Minghuai were not familiar with each other. Even if they knew each other, it had been two years. What was there to say about a long-awaited reunion?
She tugged at her aunt and whispered, "Auntie, don't go! I don't know him well. Aren't you afraid I'll be kidnapped by a stranger?"
Liu Cai'er glanced at Gu Minghuai, smiled and said, "You silly girl, even if your aunt is a woman who has never seen much of the world, your aunt can tell at a glance that he is well-dressed, has an extraordinary temperament, and is skilled in martial arts. He will definitely be able to protect you."
You don't know him well, but the way he looks at you is very familiar. This young master genuinely wants to befriend you; don't disappoint him. Go on your way, your aunt is going back now.
Liu Cai'er smiled and instructed Gu Minghuai, "Please take Xiaotang around for a while, young master. This girl is carrying too much responsibility at such a young age. Others her age are playing and having fun, but she doesn't. It's really a headache. If you can make her happy, young master, that will be a great help to us. But remember the time, don't play for too long, and remember to go home early."
"I've remembered it, thank you for your guidance, Auntie."
Gu Minghuai smiled and bowed to Liu Cai'er, then followed Lin Xiaotang and Liu Cai'er's aunt, instantly closing the distance between them.
Liu Cai'er nodded in satisfaction, released her niece's hand, and turned to leave.
"Hey, hey, hey... Auntie, don't go, wait for me."
Lin Xiaotang reached out to tug at her aunt's sleeve, but grabbed nothing.
She sighed helplessly and could only look up at Gu Minghuai, only to see him smiling like a fox.
Lin Xiaotang stomped on Gu Minghuai's foot in anger, "Laughing...is it funny?"
Gu Minghuai immediately shook his head. "It's not funny, but I'm happy to meet you here. Don't you want to see me?"
Lin Xiaotang's lips twitched as she said, "We're not even that close. Why would I want to run into you? I'm tired and want to go home. If you want to come back with me, then come to the restaurant with me."
Gu Minghuai said with a half-smile, "Alright, stop pretending you don't know me. Although we haven't seen each other for two years, when we first met, I even carried you down the mountain. Did you keep the jade pendant I gave you safe?"
He didn't mention the jade pendant, and she had completely forgotten about it; the jade pendant he gave her had long been stored away.
When she first opened the shop, she almost pawned her jade pendant to raise capital.
She laughed awkwardly, "Don't worry, I've kept it safe. It just so happens that I ran into you. Come back to the restaurant with me in a bit, and I'll return it to you."
Gu Minghuai raised an eyebrow and said, "That was a gift I gave you specially, why do you need to return it?"
Lin Xiaotang looked at Gu Minghuai with an expression as if he were an idiot. "I can't accept a gift without doing anything in return. We're not related, we just know each other, but we're not close. How could I accept such an expensive gift from you?"
He had just thought the little girl was just being polite to him, but he never expected her to be so distant.
Ugh!
How heartless!
He had been thinking about that little girl for two years, but she only treated him as a passerby.
Gu Minghuai thought to himself, "There's nothing I can do. Who told me to fall for this little girl? She has a strong personality, is smart and opinionated, and not easy to please. I need to take a long-term approach and gradually win her favor to secure a place in her heart."
Besides, the girl is a few years younger than him. She's young and doesn't understand matters of the heart yet, so there's no rush. He has plenty of time to take his time.
Gu Minghuai smiled slightly, his eyes full of doting affection, and said, "There's no reason to take back a gift that's been given away. Once it's given to you, it's yours. If you don't want it, you can throw it away or smash it."
Actually, it was a birthday gift his father gave him when he was a child. He wore it for many years. When he met Lin Xiaotang, he didn't know why, but he gave it to her after just one meeting.
Looking back now, I realize that I must have fallen for the girl at that first meeting without even realizing it.
For the past two years, he has been learning martial arts from his master on the mountain. He has always been thinking about the little girl and wanted to master his skills as soon as possible so that he could go down the mountain and find her.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived in Dushui County, he met the little girl in the vast sea of people.
It seems this is fate!
No matter how the little girl treats him, he will not give up.
Lin Xiaotang was speechless. "Fine, whatever you say."
Gu Minghuai's smile widened. He reached out and pulled Lin Xiaotang along, but Lin Xiaotang asked, "Do you even know how to get to my house? Why are you pulling me like that?"
"I don't know. I'm just following my aunt's instructions to take you, little girl, to play some games that little girls your age should play. Just come with me, I would never cheat you."
Lin Xiaotang was preoccupied with researching new recipes and wanted to expand the restaurant, opening a chain in Beijing. She had no interest whatsoever in the activities that a little girl should be playing.
She resisted the whole way, but Gu Minghuai still managed to drag her to the destination.
Unexpectedly, there is a lake in Dushui County with mountains and lakes. Several small boats float on the lake, which is about the length of two streets. The boats are very luxurious and are decorated with red lanterns. Since it is daytime, the lanterns are not lit with candles, but this does not detract from the beauty of the boats.
Lin Xiaotang was captivated by the sight. She opened her mouth in surprise and exclaimed, "I've never seen anything like this before! I've only ever seen things on TV. And this ship is really made entirely of wood! The cruise ships on TV are all made of wood..."
Gu Minghuai was a little confused. He asked, "Xiaotang, where is the TV? Are the ships there the same as here? What is a cruise ship? Does it have wheels?"
Lin Xiaotang then realized that she had been so focused on her amazement that she had forgotten about Gu Minghuai standing next to her and had unconsciously uttered a modern word.
She quickly mumbled, "That's our local dialect. There are some words you haven't heard before, so you naturally wouldn't know them. It means 'big boat,' not as exquisitely built or beautiful as the boats on this lake," she said, "there's no comparison."
Gu Minghuai noticed Lin Xiaotang's comment that the ships built in her hometown weren't as exquisite or beautiful as those here, and he also noticed the look of surprise and excitement in her eyes.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as she was satisfied.
Gu Minghuai waved towards the lake, and immediately a boatman turned around, bringing an empty boat towards them.
Once the boat docked, Gu Minghuai immediately took Lin Xiaotang's hand and boarded the boat.
This time, Lin Xiaotang did not resist and let him lead her, because she was a landlubber, could not swim, and was somewhat afraid of water.
As soon as they boarded the boat, the boatman set off. The boat rocked with the waves, and Lin Xiaotang suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented.
She got seasick!
Lin Xiaotang felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if the whole world was spinning. She lost her balance and swayed, about to fall.
Gu Minghuai sensed something was wrong, so he immediately picked up Lin Xiaotang and carried her into the cabin, sitting her by the window.
"Xiao Tang, take a deep breath and try to feel your body swaying slightly with the direction of the boat. Do not freeze in place, as this will only make you more seasick."
Lin Xiaotang closed her eyes tightly and nestled in Gu Minghuai's arms. At this moment, she no longer cared about the proper distance between men and women. She said in a tearful voice, "I don't want to feel anything. Tell the boatman to turn back. I don't want to sit here. I want to go ashore."
Gu Minghuai had finally gotten a chance to be alone with Lin Xiaotang, how could he bear to go ashore like this?
So he patiently persuaded her, "Xiao Tang, your family has opened a restaurant, and as the business grows bigger and bigger, you will inevitably have to travel by boat. We are only on this lake, and the speed of the boat is already very slow. If we were to travel to other places, the speed of the boat would be very fast. If you don't get used to it in advance, what will you do in the future?"
Sure enough, when Lin Xiaotang heard that she would be traveling by boat to other places to do business and needed to get used to it in advance, she immediately calmed down.
Gu Minghuai is right. Nowadays, people can't afford to travel by sea if they get seasick. If they want to open restaurants all over the country in the future, they will have to travel by boat. At that time, they will have to travel over mountains and rivers, and the time spent on the road will not be just two or three days. In this era of backward transportation, it is common for it to take half a month or a month by land and water.
Could it be that a single boat could defeat her? Is this business only able to reach her doorstep at most?
Do not!
She is determined not to be defeated by any difficulties; no matter what the difficulties are, she will face them head-on!
So, she squinted and slowly opened her eyes, gritting her teeth as she sat up.
Gu Minghuai was overjoyed, thinking to himself that the little girl was indeed extraordinary, and that his method of persuading her had worked.
He supported Lin Xiaotang, asking with concern and anxiety, "How are you feeling now? Are you feeling any better?"
Following the method taught to her by Gu Minghuai, Lin Xiaotang tried to adjust her breathing and feel the frequency and direction of the ship's swaying.
Fortunately, the boat had just been turning around, so she felt quite dizzy at first. Now that the boat had turned around and was traveling steadily on the lake, she felt less dizzy.
Lin Xiaotang, who had been leaning against Gu Minghuai, slowly sat up straight, moved away from him, and created some distance between them.
Gu Minghuai felt a sudden disappointment when his arms went empty.
The little girl was clearly distant from him. He had to wait for her to grow up and pass the imperial examinations, and slowly earn a place in her heart, becoming an important person in her life. It was a long and arduous journey ahead!
In fact, Gu Minghuai was just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy, the age when he was just beginning to fall in love. He fell in love with a little girl and felt that he was not human, how could he have feelings for a little bean sprout?
But then he thought again that he wasn't a pervert, otherwise how could those childhood sweethearts who were betrothed by their parents grow up playing together?
Once he regained his composure, he saw Lin Xiaotang shake her head and stand up, leaning against the windowsill.