Chapter 94 Departure Back to the City

"Stop looking, they left long ago!"

Grandpa Liu said with displeasure, "What a fine young lady! It's really unlucky that she's stuck with these scumbag relatives. Unfortunately, as an outsider, I can't get a word in edgewise."

Liu Dahong's eyes narrowed, he spat on the ground and said angrily, "Pah, he ran away after asking for my help. I should have voted for him in the first place."

"Auntie, I can't help with Gu Xun's matter, and Aunt Wu can't help Jiang Nan with finding a job either. It's getting dark, and the roads are slippery from the rain. If you don't have anything else to do, hurry back while you can still see the road!"

"Yunxia, ​​my mother is at least your elder. Is this how Aunt Wu raises her children, turning guests away with her words?"

The conflict escalated into a disciplinary dispute, involving the innocent Aunt Wu. Yun Xia was truly enraged and picked up a broom to beat someone up, but was stopped by Grandpa Liu. She blinked slightly and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Yun girl, if we really start a fight, they will have the moral high ground.”

After saying that, he picked up the bamboo broom standing behind the door and swung it forward fiercely. The bamboo strips were powerful, and the Jiang family members were so frightened that they retreated one after another.

"What a terrible thing! Lan Qin has been dead for many years, and you still dare to come here and gossip about her. Get out, get out of here!"

The voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout several courtyards.

"Old Liu, you...you're talking nonsense."

The neighbors, drawn out by the loud voice, clung to the doorframe, their strange gazes frequently fixed on the Jiang family. Years ago, the scene of Old Master Liu chasing after the gossipy woman with a sickle in hand had been passed down through generations.

No matter how the mother and her two children explained, the neighbors wouldn't believe them. Instead, they laughed and mocked them, revealing their dark past. Seeing that continuing the commotion would only bring them no good, Liu Dahong, her face ashen, dragged her two unfortunate children away.

The energetic old man, carrying a bamboo broom, head held high, strode back to the courtyard like a victor.

"Grandpa, your martial arts skills are as good as ever!"

"You rude brat, go cook!"

After being harassed by the Jiang family, they missed their mealtime. Upon hearing this, Yunxia offered to help Liu Qing, and the two turned and went into the kitchen.

"Young man, when did I remember seeing you before?"

Gu Xun's heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard and stammered, "Oh, really?"

"My eyesight is still excellent. You think that just because you wear platform shoes, change your style of dress, and wear two masks, no one will recognize you?"

The young man straightened up slightly and said respectfully, "Grandpa Liu, there is a reason for this disguise. I hope you will not tell anyone."

The old man waved his hand dismissively and said, "I saw you in Luzigou half a year ago. You were wearing a mask and fighting with a group of men. You looked like you were about to kill someone. Don't worry, I don't have time to talk about you with others."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xun breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the other person had never seen his true face.

"Oh, it's just a friendly sparring match, Grandpa Liu. Please rest first. I'll go check on the kitchen." After saying that, he waited for the man to nod before turning and going to the kitchen.

The rain stopped overnight, and for two consecutive days, it was sunny with a scorching sun that dried up the surface moisture, and the mountain road returned to its original state of being so dry that dust mist rose up.

At the entrance of the clinic in Chestnut Village, Gu Xun rode his motorcycle and said goodbye to the group.

"Why don't you wait a bit and come back with us this afternoon?"

“You guys take the bus, I ride the motorcycle, even if we ride together we won’t be able to talk. Yunxia, ​​why don’t you take my car and head back early?”

Not wanting to be disheveled in the wind, Yunxia shook her head, "No, Hongchi can't carry all these bags."

"Then take a look at this. Tie a bamboo pole to it, and it can carry any amount of cargo."

Seeing the two chatting idly, Uncle Zhang stepped forward and reminded them, "Young Master Gu, if you don't leave soon, it will get hot."

"Hey, we were having such a good chat that we almost forgot the time. See you in the city, Yunxia."

After saying that, he waved his hand, turned the handlebars, and the red car sped away from their sight with a roar.

"Pah, I ate a mouthful of dirt."

“Yunxia, ​​once Hongchi makes a move, you should turn your back, hold your breath, close your eyes, and if possible, wear a hat.”

"Hey, Uncle Zhang, you seem to have a lot of experience."

If it weren't for seeing them off, they would have turned and fled the moment the Red Chi started moving.

Uncle Zhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he said guiltily, "Aren't all motorcycles like this?"

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she went back to the Liu family courtyard to pack her luggage. Old Master Liu prepared a large bag of local specialties for her to take back to the city so that her family could try them.

"Here, this bag contains salted duck eggs. They've been pickled long enough that every single one is guaranteed to be oozing oil."

The ducks that grow up eating grains and clam meat lay particularly large eggs, almost the size of small goose eggs. Thinking of a husky wagging its tail, I happily accepted the eggs.

In the afternoon, Bai Ye, covered in sweat, finally returned from the neighboring village. He quickly wiped himself down, changed into clean clothes, and, pulling his wheeled suitcase, followed Yun Xia and Jiang Chao to the Chestnut Village platform.

Upon seeing Bai Ye, Liu Dahong put on a fawning face, asking all sorts of questions: Are you hot? Do you want some water? Or do you want to sit down and rest?

She followed him all the way to the platform. The young man was very good-natured and didn't say a word of anger. He just smiled and politely declined her invitation.

"Boss Bai, I heard that your family runs a shoe factory. My daughter is strong and hardworking. Could you please arrange some work for her?"

"Brother Baiye, Sister Nan is amazing! She's always trying to learn new things and she can even design new shoes. Hiring her is definitely a good deal!" Little White Rabbit Jiang Yue twisted her clothes, her eyes filled with nervousness and anticipation.

Yunxia rolled her eyes at the little white rabbit, thinking to herself that this was true friendliness. She would call everyone "brother" this and "brother" that, in a coquettish and soft voice that gave people goosebumps.

"I'm sorry, shoe designers either graduate from prestigious universities or have studied abroad. Jiang Nan, whom you mentioned, obviously does not meet the recruitment requirements. As for employees, I'm very sorry, one person for one position. If one comes in, one person has to be fired. I can't help with this."

"Then... pick an older person, have them resign so that Nan'er can take their place." Perhaps it was the boy's good temper that emboldened Liu Dahong to make such a direct request.

The boy had a smile on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

“We can’t just quit like that, we should keep our own jobs. As for Jiang Nan finding a job, let her do it herself. The car’s here, so I’ll take my leave now. Uncle Zhang, Yun Xia, Jiang Chao, let’s get in!”

The dilapidated minibus stopped at the station. Several people worked together to carry their large and small bags of luggage onto the bus. Bai Ye was at the back and was the last to board.

Concerned about his daughter's future, Liu Dahong was still unwilling to give up. He clung to the car door, saying, "Boss Bai, think about it again. Nan'er might do it. If you don't believe me, ask Jiang Chao. Doesn't your cousin know what his sister is like?"

"Auntie, I don't know," Jiang Chao said quietly as he packed his luggage.

"You silly child, how can you not know the difference between close and distant relatives?"

"Get on if you want, get off if you don't. Time to close the door!" The driver wiped the sweat from his face hastily and said impatiently.

"Excuse me, please get off the bus so as not to waste time."

The boy smiled and slammed the car door shut. His chubby, dark hand was caught in the trap.