After calming myself down, I replied to Lao Mi, "Okay, I just made plans to have lunch with her today. I'll send you a WeChat video chat when I meet her later..." After thinking for a moment, I added, "I've been too busy lately and didn't remember that tomorrow is Grandpa's birthday. I'll transfer 1,000 yuan to you later. You and Mom can use it to buy Grandpa some things... This video chat can't be given as a birthday present!"

"Don't you know what the old man wants? ... Nothing is more practical than this."

I didn't say anything. After Old Mi reminded me not to forget about it, he hung up the phone.

Looking at the surging water before me, I recalled some memories from my childhood when my grandfather would take me fishing by the river. I never imagined that he would be eighty years old in the blink of an eye! I remember him telling me that if he had any regrets in his life, he would have none; if I could settle my marriage before he passed away, it would be the icing on the cake for him.

Actually, that's what the older generation thinks. I also think I've tried my best, but for our generation, feelings are a kind of shackle. Maybe I'm a bit slow, but I still haven't found a way to break through this shackle.

While thinking about all this, I also transferred 1,000 yuan to Lao Mi via WeChat. For me now, this is the only way to show my respect to my elders.

...

A moment later, Peach, who had finished her work at the bar, came over to me. She sat down next to me, lit a cigarette, and then asked, "What did you two talk about with Tie Nan when you went out drinking last night? Why did he act like a completely different person when he came back?"

"I didn't say much, we just talked about Coach Ma, and I felt really sorry for this guy."

"Isn't it a bit late for you to say all this now? After all, they've already given us the deposit."

"People often only truly understand things after reflecting on them... We were indeed frightened by what happened a few days ago, but once things have calmed down, are you willing to leave this inn?... Or, will your worries be completely avoided once you arrive in Chongqing?"

I don't know what you mean by all this?

"Let's not talk about you, let's talk about me... Think about the whole story of why I came to Dali. First, Wang Lei gave me 190,000 yuan. I used that money to start this guesthouse with you and your friends. Now the guesthouse is very valuable. I made 400,000 yuan from selling it. Then I used that money to go back to my hometown to buy a house and find women. I never mentioned why Wang Lei gave me that money in the first place... Tell me, isn't that the situation now?"

"yes."

"From my perspective, do you think I can live with myself like this?"

Peach took a deep drag on her cigarette but didn't say anything.

I continued, "Now that I've talked about me, let's talk about you... Even if you go to Chongqing now, so what?... Your past is there for all to see, and no one can deny that fact!... How many of your former guests will actually come to Dali? It's practically a zero-sum game. If any of them do come to Dali, out of over 8,000 guesthouses and 2,000 hotels, what are the chances of them staying at our guesthouse?... And even if they do choose to stay at our guesthouse and recognize you, do you think they'll say it in public? After all, going to nightclubs isn't exactly a respectable thing to do. They might even be bringing their families with them, trying to avoid you, let alone bring this up. Besides, they haven't really had any grudges against you, so why would they be so relentless?"

"so what?"

"If your past is exposed in Dali, it won't change anything in Chongqing... After all, it's an extremely rare occurrence. If it does happen, you can only say it's fate, and you can't escape it no matter where you go!"

Peach covered her face with her hands in anguish, and choked out, "I was just so scared... I know I can't keep this a secret forever."

I patted Peach on the shoulder and comforted her, "Don't put so much pressure on yourself... If you really don't like being in the public eye in bars, we can just hire another bartender."

Peach finally looked at me and asked, "Are you really not planning to transfer the inn?... We've already received their deposit."

"If everyone thinks this inn can continue to operate... then let's compensate according to the agreement."

"This is a sign of dishonesty."

“I know, but no one can guarantee they'll never do something they'll regret... But I admit it, we were wrong, and the compensation is the price we have to pay... The key now is your attitude.”

Perhaps it was because Tie Nan and she had argued so fiercely, and after my persuasion, Tao Zi finally relented and said to me, "Let me think about it."

"Yes, give me an answer sooner so I can give Sun Jiwei a reply sooner. The longer we drag this out, the less fair we are to him."

"I know……"

...

After chatting with Taozi, I sent Ye Zhi a message asking where we should meet. She said she would come to Longkan to find me. This was one of the few times she was willing to come to Longkan on her own initiative, which saved me the trouble of taking a taxi or riding a motorcycle.

Twenty minutes later, Ye Zhi drove the car to the entrance of our inn. The moment she opened the car door, I subconsciously looked inside and saw that there were indeed two suitcases inside. So, the only time we had left together was for one meal.

I asked her, "Where are you planning to stop for a break today?"

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