Chapter 17
After dinner, Ye Tianhui went to pay the bill. Gu Shizhang sat at the table and watched her pay the bill calmly.
This meal was not cheap. Generally, it would only cost a few Hong Kong dollars at a roadside stall, but this meal cost more than 60 Hong Kong dollars.
Normally, the wages of ordinary workers in Hong Kong can be more than 2,000 Hong Kong dollars a month, so this meal cost a coolie a day's wages at the dock.
Ye Tianhui couldn't help but sigh. She found that if you are willing to spend money, you can eat delicious food. If you don't spend money, the food you eat at a roadside stall will not taste good, so you still need money.
After she paid the bill, she saw Gu Shizhang smiling at her. That smile was quite meaningful, and even a bit of schadenfreude.
Ye Tianhui raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at Gu Shizhang in confusion.
Could it be that this person let her treat him, and he wanted to watch her pay the bill and watch the fun from the side?
What kind of thinking is this...
Gu Shizhang smiled and said, "Is it too expensive and cost you money?"
Ye Tianhui: "It's okay, you are good to me and help me so much, I just treat you to a meal, it's all my duty."
Gu Shizhang smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll take you home."
The two of them walked out of the restaurant.
As soon as they left the restaurant, they found that it was raining outside. The drizzle was pouring down, and the asphalt road was already shiny. It was late, and the street lights were on, and the light was dim.
Ye Tianhui looked at the rain, thinking that it was not too heavy, so she could just rush out. The bus stop sign over there could block the rain, so she would not get wet when she got on the bus.
Who knew that at this moment, Gu Shizhang somehow conjured up a three-fold umbrella.
Ye Tianhui looked at him in surprise: "Where did you get it from?"
Gu Shizhang only had two words: "Magic."
Ye Tianhui snorted: "Cheating!"
Gu Shizhang pressed his thumb lightly, and the umbrella opened steadily. It was a big umbrella, protecting both of them, and they walked to the bus stop together.
At this time, the original prosperity on the street had dissipated a lot, and only a few pedestrians hurriedly walked by with umbrellas on the street that had lost its bustle.
With the lights interlaced, the whole street seemed to be covered with a layer of gauze with a hazy glow.
The two walked together under the umbrella. As they walked side by side, the misty raindrops fell at their feet. Ye Tianhui saw that their shoes were very close to each other.
He was wearing leather shoes, and she was wearing sports shoes that she had recently bought.
Ye Tianhui looked at them and felt a little dazed.
If she didn't turn her head to look at the man beside her, she would feel like she was dreaming back to her hometown and would think of all the things that had happened.
She still remembered that year when the saint was still the crown prince, he went to the border to inspect on behalf of the late emperor, and she was the one who accompanied him all the way to protect him.
It seemed to be a night like this. They came out of the post station, but they encountered rain. At that time, she held an umbrella and wanted to hold it for the prince, but he took it instead.
The rainy night was chilly, and she was afraid that the prince would catch a cold, so she took off her cloak to protect him from the cold.
But the prince looked at her but did not take it.
She looked over in confusion, only to see the darkness and displeasure in his eyes, with a bit of offense.
She did not understand what was wrong with him at the time, and even felt that his temper had become particularly strange since he was appointed as the crown prince.
She could only bow her head respectfully and said nothing.
After a long time, she finally sighed and said, "Hui Hui."
"Hui Hui" is her nickname, and her family has been used to calling her that since she was a child.
But after she joined the army at the age of thirteen, no one called her that except the elders in her family.
When she heard the prince call her like that, she was just shocked.
The young and noble prince finally took the cloak she offered with both hands and put it on.
Later, he always looked at her with a distant and indifferent look.
"Miss Ye, are you cold?" The voice suddenly came from the side, light and polite, as if it was just a casual question.
Ye Tianhui was stunned, and her thoughts were instantly pulled back to reality.
She pursed her lips mechanically, and then said, "It's not cold."
Gu Shizhang looked at her silently, as if he wanted to see through her, and then he suddenly smiled.
In the cold night, she looked at him smiling, and her heart shrank slightly.
Regarding his guess, she was suspicious, denied, and then suspected again after denying, and it was repeated like this.
Gu Shizhang took off his coat at this time and handed it to her: "Put it on."
Ye Tianhui heard this and just looked at him without reacting.
Seeing that she didn't move, Gu Shizhang raised his hand and put the coat on her.
In the misty rain, the refreshing breath of men instantly enveloped her, as if it was the fragrance of some kind of shower gel, which was very comfortable to smell.
She raised her eyelashes and looked at Gu Shizhang in the dim night, but saw that he was also looking at her with his eyes down, with a calm expression on his face. She
met his gaze and whispered, "Why did you give me your coat?"
Gu Shizhang was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "Maybe I was afraid you would be cold..."
His voice was low and gentle, and Ye Tianhui was startled when she heard it.
She took a step back abruptly.
The subconscious retreat made her retreat outside the umbrella, and the cool raindrops hit her face.
Through the misty rain, she looked at him under the umbrella.
The clear outlines of his facial features. And the slightly sharp lines, all of which were so vivid and familiar.
It would have been fine if they were far away, but now he was so close, almost enveloping her, stirring up the emotions buried in her soul.
Gu Shizhang walked up to her and covered her with an umbrella, his tone was quite helpless: "What's wrong?"
Ye Tianhui shook her head: "Nothing."
She subconsciously clutched her coat tightly, it was his, with his breath and body temperature, very warm.
She whispered: "Let's not take it anymore, I'm not afraid of the cold, give your coat back to you, I don't want to wear your coat."
She was a little incoherent, but she was clearly expressing her refusal.
Gu Shizhang held an umbrella and looked at her. She even stuttered.
After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly laughed: "Don't be like this."
Ye Tianhui blushed and felt a little embarrassed: "What if I don't?"
Gu Shizhang: "It's just a coat. As a man, I should have some manners. I can't watch a woman wearing thin clothes next to me. This doesn't fit my style."
As he spoke, his eyes showed innocence, and he smiled helplessly: "Can you at least give me a chance to show my gentlemanly manners?"
... It seemed to make some sense.
Gu Shizhang coaxed in a low voice: "Let's go, otherwise it will rain heavily and we will all get wet."
Ye Tianhui: "Okay."
Gu Shizhang walked forward with her holding an umbrella.
Although the umbrella is larger than ordinary umbrellas, it is still a bit cramped for two people to share it. When they walk side by side, their shoulders are almost touching.
She was wearing Gu Shizhang's suit jacket, and the sleeves of the suit jacket would occasionally brush against his arms.
She felt that everything was very subtle.
It was obviously his suit jacket and his shirt, but now the jacket was on her and the shirt was still his.
She even had the illusion that she was being hugged by him.
At this time, she heard Gu Shizhang say: "Listen to this song, do you like it?"
Ye Tianhui's brain paused for a moment, and her attention shifted from the sleeves of the suit to her ears, so she heard a song coming from the coffee shop next door.
It was a very sweet and soft voice, as ethereal as silk, and it had a special kind of mournful sadness in this rainy night.
She thought for a moment and said, "It's okay. It sounds nice and lingering. I've never heard such a song before."
In her previous life, she was a general with weapons and horses, and in this life, she is a female worker wrapped in blue and green clothes. Perhaps she will never be able to sing such a soft and sweet tune.
Gu Shizhang: "Do you understand it?"
Ye Tianhui shook her head: "I can understand most of Cantonese now, but if it's spoken too fast, or the pronunciation of the lyrics is not clear enough, then I can't hear it."
Gu Shizhang: "This seems to be a song from a TV series two years ago. It was sung by a well-known female singer recently. It's called "Jingjing". Do you want to hear the lyrics?"
Ye Tianhui looked at him curiously: "You actually know it?"
Gu Shizhang: "Of course, the lyrics are about the stars in the sky. The general idea is, Jingjing, Jingjing, lonely, like a cold star in the sky, for Looking for my mother, drifting alone in the vast sea of people."
Ye Tianhui recalled the tune: "No wonder I feel sad when I listen to it, isn't this me?"
Gu Shizhang looked sideways at her: "Why are you alone?"
Ye Tianhui thought of her biological father, the Ye family, and the "mother" from the mainland: "I am drifting alone in the vast sea of people."
Gu Shizhang laughed dumbly: "What nonsense are you talking about, I think you are the luckiest person in the world."
Ye Tianhui: "How could it be!"
At this time, a gust of wind blew, cool and wet, Gu Shizhang slightly turned sideways and blocked it without leaving a trace.
Then he said: "You have been in Xiangjiang for a few days, and you have already made friends. The person who is accompanying you for dinner today is your friend from the mainland? You are very familiar with him."
Ye Tianhui: "It can be considered a friend from the mainland. I can't say how close I am, but it's just a few acquaintances."
Gu Shizhang: "Oh, not familiar? You even invited him to dinner."
Ye Tianhui looked at him suspiciously, feeling that he was a bit careless.
She said: "That's because he did me a favor. Besides, we are both from mainland China and have met before. Isn't it nice for us to make friends and help each other?" I invited him to dinner, and it only cost ten Hong Kong dollars for the two of us. I invited you to dinner, and it cost sixty Hong Kong dollars! "
She emphasized the "sixty Hong Kong dollars" very clearly, and then said: "That's completely different. The money I use to treat you to dinner can treat him to ten meals!"
Gu Shizhang laughed: "Then I'm getting a great deal."
Ye Tianhui: "You have to remember, for me, money is the only standard to measure friendship."
Gu Shizhang thought for a moment: "Then my friendship is worth sixty Hong Kong dollars. "
************
Arriving at Ye Tianhui's residence, Gu Shizhang took a look and saw the old buildings in disarray. From a distance, he could see clothes drying on the walls of each house and makeshift kitchens built in the corridors. There was a small hut built with a canvas shed under the building. Next to the hut, an old man was squatting next to the garbage and eating with a bowl.
In the misty drizzle, people were talking animatedly, playing mahjong, and discussing horse racing, which could be heard downstairs.
There was also the sound of an old lady arguing with someone in Cantonese, and the curses were deafening.
Gu Shizhang: "Are you used to living here?"
Ye Tianhui: "It's pretty good. The people are nice and they treat me very well. "
Ever since she beat up that gangster, everyone who saw her would call her "girl" affectionately. Even the prostitutes on the building looked at her with admiration. As for the grandmas who rented the house, they were eager to bring her food.
Gu Shizhang nodded: "Which floor do you live on?"
Ye Tianhui: "Seventh floor.
" Gu Shizhang: "Do you want me to take you upstairs?"
Ye Tianhui shook her head quickly: "No, there are too many people here. If anyone makes any movement, everyone will know."
Gu Shizhang: "Oh?"
Ye Tianhui: "If you take me home, they will definitely misunderstand."
Gu Shizhang asked: "Misunderstand what?" "
Ye Tianhui wanted to say that she mistook me for dating, but she also realized that it was a bit ambiguous to say so.
She looked away and said lightly: "Maybe she mistook me for Lou Feng."
Gu Shizhang was stunned for a moment, then bowed his head slightly and gritted his teeth and said: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Ye Tianhui smiled: "How are you going back?"
Gu Shizhang: "I'll take the bus, it should be very convenient."
Ye Tianhui was about to take off her coat, but who knew that Gu Shizhang raised his hand, and the slender hand fell steadily on Ye Tianhui's shoulder, stopping his movement.
Ye Tianhui looked at him in confusion.
Gu Shizhang: "It's cold now, it's easy to catch a cold, don't mind, wear it first, and return it to me when you buy a new coat."
Ye Tianhui: "Aren't you cold?"
Gu Shizhang: "Nothing, I'm not cold. I'll give you the coat, and I'll take the umbrella back."
Seeing this, Ye Tianhui didn't hesitate: "Okay, if it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll go shopping for clothes, and I'll return it to you after I buy it."
Gu Shizhang nodded: "If you have any ideas about the lottery, you can tell me. I will help you analyze it. "
Ye Tianhui smiled: "Okay, I will ask you to join me in the discussion when the time comes, otherwise I will be really unsure."
Gu Shizhang: "As for job opportunities, I will help you find out."
Ye Tianhui: "Yeah!"
Gu Shizhang: "Then I will leave?"
Ye Tianhui smiled and said: "Be careful on the road!"
Gu Shizhang: "I think you are a bit chaotic here, you go upstairs first, I will watch you go upstairs."
Ye Tianhui nodded, she said goodbye to Gu Shizhang again, and then ran into the house and went upstairs.
Gu Shizhang stood there, watching Ye Tianhui raise her hands, both hands protecting her head, and rushing towards the corridor.
There seemed to be a couple kissing under the eaves on the side, but she didn't care, as if she didn't see it.
When she rushed into the corridor, he could no longer see her.
His sight slowly moved up and slowly landed on the seventh floor.
On the hazy rainy night, relying on the weak light, he could see a row of open corridors on the seventh floor. The corridors were crowded with makeshift stoves, and the tenants cooked in the corridors.
He saw that many rooms were lit, but only two or three bedrooms were dark. He just didn't know which one she lived in. He
held up an umbrella and watched silently. When another gust of wind blew by, he saw a figure seemed to appear in the corridor on the seventh floor, and the figure seemed to wave at him.
He pursed his lips and smiled, and waved to her.
Following the rain curtain, the two people waved, and he made a gesture to leave, and she closed the door.
After the door was closed, the light quickly came on.
The slightly dim light was tranquil and warm in the misty rain.
Amid the dripping rain, Gu Shizhang stared at the light silently for a long time, until the light went out, and then he finally turned around.
He walked out of the alley, and a low-key business car was parked in the rain mist.
A man in a suit and leather shoes was holding an umbrella, waiting in front of the car.
The other party lowered his head and respectfully stepped forward to hold the umbrella for Gu Shizhang.
Gu Shizhang nodded without any expression, and then got into the car.
*************
After careful study and consideration, Ye Tianhui started betting again. This time she wanted to bet HK$1,000, so that she could still have HK$3,000 left for living expenses, which was considered quite comfortable.
Even if the HK$1,000 was gone, she would not be destitute.
After studying the items she was about to bet on, she took the HK$1,000 and divided it into ten parts, betting HK$200 at each betting station, all according to the strategy she had formulated.
She went to ten betting stations in this way, and fortunately there are betting stations everywhere in Hong Kong now, which is very convenient, otherwise she would not be able to run around.
Holding a large stack of lottery tickets, she put them away and went to the streets of Mong Kok. It was late when she went there, but the night market had just started. The streets under the neon lights were the busiest, with shops lined up and crowds of people. It was said that this place was the city that never sleeps in Hong Kong.
However, the clothes here were too ostentatious, with exaggerated leather jackets, fancy Hawaiian shirts, and wide shoulder-length clothes. Ye Tianhui couldn't accept it for a while.
It's not easy for people to break through themselves. She couldn't imagine herself wearing such clothes.
In the end, she picked out two nice-style sweaters, a women's suit jacket, and three pairs of pants. These clothes were not cheap and cost her more than 100 Hong Kong dollars. However, Ye Tianhui felt that with these clothes, she could cope with it for a while.
After returning home, she washed all her newly bought clothes and washed Gu Shizhang's coat, thinking of returning it to him later.
Gu Shizhang also quickly replied to Ye Tianhui. He contacted the Hong Kong Benteng Stables, which was invested by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and built seven or eight years ago. It is the largest stable besides the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Gu Shizhang said, "Compared to the stables at the clubhouse in Happy Valley, this place was built in recent years, so the standards for pureblood horse breeding and training are higher and more complete. It almost copied the highest standards in the UK. Currently, some wealthy people in Hong Kong have their racehorses trained in the Pentium stables. If you go there, you should be able to learn a lot."
Ye Tianhui was naturally excited when she heard this: "That's great, are you sure you can go? " Is it done?"
Gu Shizhang looked at her excited expression and said with a smile, "Don't be too happy too soon. I just introduced you to an opportunity. Whether it will succeed or not depends on you."
Ye Tianhui: "What do you mean?"
Gu Shizhang: "You need to take an exam. You can only enter after passing the exam."
Ye Tianhui was speechless for a moment: "Another exam? Why do I have to take exams everywhere? What are they for?"
Gu Shizhang: "Physical fitness test and language."
Ye Tianhui frowned when she heard the language.
She is not good at English, and she is not good at Cantonese. In this aspect, she can never compare with the local people in Hong Kong.
Gu Shizhang: "The physical fitness test includes cardiopulmonary function, balance, hand-eye coordination, flexibility and grip strength. There are a total of eight physical fitness tests. At the same time, height and weight will also be considered indicators."
He glanced at her and said, "You are relatively thin, so there should be no problem."
Ye Tianhui: "Is there a requirement for weight?"
Gu Shizhang said, "Although you are applying for the position of stable assistant, they hope that the employees they recruit have greater flexibility, so they will require it according to the standards of jockeys. Jockeys have weight."
Ye Tianhui understood. Through the previous rules about handicap, she roughly understood that the weight of the horse is also a key factor in the competition. From this, it can be inferred that the weight of the jockey is of course a major deciding factor.
Especially in a short-distance race like this, where the inherent physical advantage of the participating horses is offset by carrying weight, a rider carrying a few pounds more can almost drag down a healthy horse.
She thought for a moment : "I feel I should be fine with the physical fitness and the like. My weight should be within a reasonable range. If it's not possible, I can adjust it a little. It's the language. What is the language test about?" Gu Shizhang smiled at Ye Tianhui: "Of course it's English."
Ye Tianhui: "English?"
She was a little confused: "I'm just a jockey. I just ride a horse. Why do I need to be tested in English? Horses can't understand English!"
Gu Shizhang: "Horse racing originated in the UK. If a jockey doesn't understand English, he will lose some opportunities. Of course, you can also... I think this is a disadvantage or prejudice, anyway they want to test English."
He looked at her with a smile and asked: "How is your English?"
Ye Tianhui was a little frustrated: "Not very good..."
She said helplessly: "We also studied English, but I have never learned it very well, our English teacher's level is not good, and the school doesn't pay much attention to it."
Gu Shizhang: "That won't work, you have to be able to have daily conversations, otherwise you won't be able to pass the test, and then you won't be able to apply for the job successfully."
Ye Tianhui: "It's so difficult..."
It turns out that it's not so easy to get into Hong Kong.
Gu Shizhang: "You can't be so discouraged, you should at least prepare well and cram, maybe you can pass it."
Ye Tianhui puffed up her cheeks and said helplessly: "What should I do? You teach me? Didn't you get a certificate in the UK and go to South Africa? You must be very good at English, right?"
Gu Shizhang listened and smiled: "My English may not be very good, but I have no problem with daily conversations and equestrian-related terms. After all, I have been exposed to it in the environment of the horse farm. But you don't want to learn, so forget it."
Seeing that he looked a little cold, Ye Tianhui hurriedly said: "Then you teach me, at least let me pass the exam."
Gu Shizhang: " Oh, you really want to learn? It's not easy to learn, and I'm very strict."
Ye Tianhui: "What else... I want to find someone else to teach me, but no one teaches me, and I just know someone as good as you."
Gu Shizhang raised his eyebrows slightly: "Really?"
Ye Tianhui was sincere and serious, and she almost swore to the sky: "Really! You are the best!"
Gu Shizhang suddenly smiled, and his black eyes were full of interest: "Okay, then I will teach you English, but you have to treat me to dinner again tomorrow."
Ye Tianhui: "Okay."
Gu Shizhang: "I think you are a little reluctant, right?"
Ye Tianhui: "No."
She felt that Gu Shizhang was a very cunning person, but there was nothing she could do, she really needed his help.
She had no choice but to say, "I'm not reluctant, I just can't bear to give it up. After all, I'm poor!"
Gu Shizhang looked at her frowning, worried and distressed look, and smiled, "Didn't you win a sum of money?"
Ye Tianhui muttered, "I did win, but I'm also afraid that I'll lose in the end!"
She held her chin and said helplessly, "I see that you have high requirements for food. A meal costs tens of Hong Kong dollars. Wouldn't I soon be broke?"
Gu Shizhang smiled and said, "Look how worried you are."
Ye Tianhui blushed and snorted, "A penny can make a hero fall, you know? Even if I have a lot of kung fu, I can still... Go steal or rob? I don’t have any job!”
Gu Shizhang coaxed, “Actually, you don’t have to worry, I’ve asked around, although their treatment is average, but the employees eat for free inside, so as long as you succeed in getting in, you don’t have to worry about food and drink.”
Ye Tianhui: “Really?”
Gu Shizhang nodded: “They are very strict in selecting employees, not just anyone can go, and the selected employees are also well trained, and naturally there are various preferential benefits.”
Ye Tianhui: “That’s great!”
She knew that the food in this kind of place was probably much more upscale than what she ate at roadside stalls, and upscale food was delicious.
Gu Shizhang smiled and said, "Let's go to a nearby park and find a quiet place. I will teach you spoken English first."
**************
Gu Shizhang has a nice voice and speaks fluent English.
Ye Tianhui doesn't understand English very well, but she knows that his accent is very good.
His teaching attitude is quite good. He doesn't laugh at her awkward and stiff English. He patiently teaches her and corrects her pronunciation carefully.
After reciting a dozen English sentences four or five times, Ye Tianhui finally got used to it. Gu Shizhang taught her some English related to equestrianism, such as rein, gieth and saddle. Of course, he also taught her some knowledge about equestrianism and some English movements, such as heels down, shoulders back and half halt.
These words were not easy for Ye Tianhui, but fortunately she still knew some of them. It was not difficult to remember them based on this. It was just that the pronunciation and usage required Gu Shizhang to teach her slowly.
Gu Shizhang taught her for a whole afternoon before she felt better.
As a result, Gu Shizhang gave her another radio: "You can receive some English radio programs. You can listen to them when you have nothing to do."
Ye Tianhui: "Okay."
Gu Shizhang smiled and said: "I learned a lot today. Let's go and have dinner."
Ye Tianhui: "What to eat?"
Gu Shizhang tilted his head and looked at her with his dark eyes: "It depends on what you want to
eat." He smiled and added: "I'll treat you."
Ye Tianhui hurriedly said: "No, no! You have helped me so much. As long as I still have money to eat, I will treat you!"
Gu Shizhang: "I'll treat you this time, otherwise I'm afraid that my net worth of 60 Hong Kong dollars will fall by a few limits."
********
Gu Shizhang did get the recommendation assessment opportunity this time. He gave Ye Tianhui a training invitation letter, which detailed the things that needed to be prepared, and then he left.
From what he said, the horsemen would be very busy with the recent horse racing. He had no work for a while and happened to take a day off. Now he probably has to work overtime.
Ye Tianhui naturally understood and said that she would go.
Before leaving, Gu Shizhang stopped again and looked at Ye Tianhui.
Ye Tianhui: "Hmm?"
Gu Shizhang smiled at her and said implicitly: "I just got paid this month, and I have some money on hand. If you need anything, I can lend it to you temporarily without charging you interest."
Ye Tianhui smiled: "No, I should have enough to spend!"
Gu Shizhang reminded: "Please take a look at the notes of this document. You still need to prepare some clothes."
Ye Tianhui: "Okay, I'll take a look. I'll do whatever they ask me to do!"
Gu Shizhang glanced at her, and then said nothing more and left first.
After Gu Shizhang left, Ye Tianhui opened the interview notice and read it. There was a brochure in it that gave a detailed introduction to the Benteng Racecourse, as well as an analysis of the job content and prospects of her position, etc. It also mentioned the content of the assessment she would receive and introduced a list of items that should be prepared.
Ye Tianhui took a look and found that riding pants, riding boots, tops and non-slip and sun-resistant gloves were needed. It was also mentioned that if there were no special requirements, helmets could be omitted, and the racecourse would provide helmets for the interviewees.
She looked at the list and felt helpless for a moment. If a poor person couldn't afford these things, wouldn't he be disqualified from taking the exam?
So those who could go to such a racecourse to take the interview must have some connections and money, right?
But in order to get in, she had no choice but to buy them.
She took the list and took the bus to the mall and went to the equestrian-related counters. It turned out that these things were very expensive. A polo top that looked ordinary would cost one or two hundred Hong Kong dollars, or even hundreds of Hong Kong dollars!
It's too bad...
Ye Tianhui studied it and realized that she had no choice but to buy the riding pants and boots. However, she could replace the gloves and tops with ordinary gloves and ordinary T-shirts of similar styles, which would save some money.
She bought a few discounted items and finally it was her turn to look at riding boots.
These riding boots were the biggest and most expensive. She first visited a brand store that looked very famous, thinking that she would learn more about them first, and then pick a pair with a good value for money.
The clerk saw that she was dressed in an ordinary way and naturally didn't pay much attention. When she opened her mouth to ask him, he spoke in mainland Chinese. He was still smiling, but that smile clearly showed tolerance and contempt.
Ye Tianhui understood this and ignored it. Anyway, she was just looking at it and couldn't expect too much. If no one introduced it to her, she would look at it by herself, as long as they didn't chase her out.
She soon discovered that riding boots also come in a wide variety of styles, and there are many different materials. For example, leggings are divided into leather and cloth, and riding boots are divided into pure leather and leather. If leggings and riding boots are both made of real leather, the price will be very expensive.
Because this is a well-known brand, the leather is very good and the style is also beautiful.
Ye Tianhui saw a girl next to her trying on a pair of boots, and she looked really heroic after putting them on.
She thought about buying one like this when she has money.
In fact, she also had to wear boots when riding a horse in her previous life, and they were all made of top-quality leather, a gift from the emperor. As for the workmanship, it was a good craft cultivated at home, and it was comfortable to wear.
But now those are just thoughts, things are different now.
As she was watching, she saw several guests coming in, and suddenly she heard the waiters become enthusiastic, with a bit of flattery in their words.
Ye Tianhui looked over and happened to see Ye Wenyin.
There were four or five people in the group, because it was Ye Wenyin and her friend, both of them were dressed in gorgeous fashion, and there were two or three maid-like figures following behind them.
The waiters respectfully invited Ye Wenyin and her group to the VIP area next to them. From what they said, Ye Wenyin had ordered two sets of riding boots in this store, and she came here specifically to try them on.
At this time, the waiter took out two pairs of riding boots and introduced them to Ye Wenyin enthusiastically: "This is purely handmade, using top-grade Nile crocodile leather. Miss Ye, take a look here--"
The waiter introduced how comfortable and luxurious these riding boots are, and how comfortable and supportive they are that ordinary riding boots cannot match.
As she was talking, Ye Wenyin looked up and happened to see Ye Tianhui.
She looked at Ye Tianhui in surprise: "Why are you here like this?"
Her voice was soft and slow, with a bit of surprise.
When she said this, the waiter beside her was good at observing people's words and expressions. Naturally, they realized what Ye Wenyin meant, and they hurriedly explained with a smile: "This lady just came to take a look, she is not our guest here."
Another waiter came forward: "Miss, is there anything else you need?"
Although he spoke politely, his tone was very obvious, that he wanted to drive Ye Tianhui away, obviously thinking that Ye Tianhui was a bit shabby and staying here would be unsightly.
Hearing this, Ye Tianhui wanted to leave immediately. After all, she really didn't plan to spend money to buy anything, so she didn't want to be despised here for nothing.
Who knew that Ye Wenyin called Ye Tianhui with a smile: "Have you eaten the snacks I gave you that day?"
When she said this, several waiters next to her were a little surprised. They didn't expect that Ye Wenyin actually knew Ye Tianhui.
Ye Tianhui looked at Ye Wenyin's smiling face and said, "Thank you, Miss Ye. It's delicious."
Ye Wenyin nodded and said, "You like horse riding. Do you want to buy some riding boots?" Ye
Tianhui said, "I do plan to buy one, but they are too expensive here. I can't afford it. So I just came here to have a look and broaden my horizons. I'm thinking of buying another one somewhere else later."
Seeing this, Ye Wenyin sighed and said to her companions, "She is from the mainland. It's rare that she grew up in a place like the mainland and she knows equestrianism. I think it's not easy."
The female companions and maids next to her, as well as several customers from nearby shops, all looked at Ye Tianhui curiously.
They all had some experience. When they saw someone, they would first look at their clothes, the materials and the workmanship.
They could tell at a glance that Ye Tianhui's clothes were cheap, even worse than the clothes of the maid of the Ye family. Everyone's eyes were filled with sympathy. One female companion asked curiously: "Are you not able to eat enough in the mainland? Have you seen a horse before?"
Another female companion said: "Probably not. How can there be horses in the mainland?"
Everyone thought about it and laughed together. Ye Wenyin smiled and said: "A few days ago, I saw on TV that it was mentioned that these mainlanders came here. It was really not easy. I also mentioned it to my second aunt. With her approval, I donated some clothes to the shack. It can be regarded as doing my part."
Everyone listened and laughed: "Wenyin, you are really kind-hearted. No wonder everyone says you are so good."
Ye Wenyin looked at Ye Tianhui and said with a gentle voice, "If you like riding and can't afford riding boots, I can give you riding clothes and riding boots. Although I have used them before, they are good and definitely better than those cheap ones you buy outside."
Seeing this, the waiter also smiled and complimented, "Ms. Ye is really kind! Your riding boots are all custom-made from us. They are good no matter what you take out. It is our honor to have a customer like you." As she
said, she looked at Ye Tianhui, "Why don't you thank Miss Ye?"
Ye Tianhui has always had nothing to refuse for the kindness of others.
She doesn't care about self-esteem, nor does she have the sensitivity of the poor, nor does she have too much sense of morality. If someone kindly gives her something, she will definitely not refuse it. As long as she needs it, she will accept it all and be grateful.
But now, with everyone's discussion, she still felt a little subtle discomfort.
It was as if she was a monkey that jumped out of the mountains. Everyone looked at her as if she was an alien, curious and sympathetic, giving alms condescendingly, and publicly and loudly showing off their kindness in front of everyone.
Everyone was looking at her, as if waiting to see her say thank you, waiting for her to burst into tears of gratitude and accept the old riding boots given by Miss Ye.
She was a little rebellious.
She chuckled and said, "In the mainland, we have certainly seen horses. How can there be no horses in such a vast land? It's just that we don't race horses. As for boots, we naturally wear them."
She looked at the carefully customized handmade crocodile boots on the side and smiled, "We just don't wear this kind of boots."
When she said this, everyone looked at each other, and there were subtle expressions on their faces.
A female companion beside her said with a smile: "No way, what are you wearing? Are you going to ride in straw sandals?"
Straw sandals?
Everyone became curious and asked what straw sandals were, and then they all laughed.
Ye Wenyin didn't laugh. She looked at Ye Tianhui inquiringly, and then said: "Don't laugh, it's just pitiful."
At this time, everyone else also looked over. After all, it was rare to see a northern girl in such a shopping mall. Everyone was curious to see the excitement.
As everyone was looking at her like a monkey, Ye Tianhui said, "For riding boots, we use either cowhide or sheepskin. If you are just riding for fun, you can wear sheepskin boots. Sheepskin is soft and light, and comfortable to wear. But if you are riding for a long time, you can wear cowhide boots. Cowhide is strong and wear-resistant, and durable."
Everyone was a little surprised to hear this, but she seemed to understand it very well.
Ye Wenyin frowned slightly and stared at her closely.
Ye Tianhui felt that Ye Wenyin was paying special attention to her.
She continued with a smile: "Riding a horse is a technical job. It's not a beauty pageant for young ladies, nor is it a show. It must be durable and practical. Of course, not everyone understands this. For example, some people with good economic conditions don't know what riding a horse is, or even don't know how to ride a horse at all. They only know to be particular about it, such as using silk or other expensive materials. They just think they are superior to others, but in fact, they are just showy. That kind of shoes will fall apart after a few days of wearing. It's better to say that she is here to pretend than to say that she is here to ride a horse."
When she said this, everyone's face changed slightly. After all, her words instantly offended a lot of people, from customers such as Ye Wenyin to the waiters in the store, and even those who were watching the excitement on the side, all of them were implicitly belittled by her.
One of Ye Wenyin's female companions curled her lips and said with a smile: "She is just a northern girl, what should she know? Why do you come here to pretend? If you can't afford it, just say so directly. Who can laugh at you?"
The waiter also said: "Do you know what Nile crocodile skin is? It is a crocodile from Africa. The leather here is specially supplied to Hermès luggage. Have you seen it? Do you know what Hermès is?"
Ye Tianhui said coldly: "I really don't know what Nile crocodile skin is, but I know that this thing is not suitable for making riding boots."
Everyone laughed at this: "Do you understand? This is high-end handmade customization!"
Ye Wenyin looked at Ye Tianhui who was talking eloquently, and said nothing, just watched silently from the side.
Ye Tianhui glanced at the boots and said, "This Nile crocodile leather has delicate texture and a shiny and translucent surface. It really looks good. This kind of leather can be used to make beautiful shoes for daily wear, which is naturally perfect. However, the Nile crocodile skin is too fragile and easy to crack. It is easy to crack due to friction during daily riding."
She smiled and said, "Think about it, you are riding a horse, and suddenly, your shoes crack. Don't you feel embarrassed? It's like using a golden hoe to farm. You think you are really luxurious and beautiful, but in fact, it looks good but is useless. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell that you are an amateur."
When she said this, the girls present were naturally very angry. Ye Wenyin saw Therefore, they advised: "Forget it, we won't bother with her, ignore it, it's better to have less trouble than more."
However, Ye Wenyin's good temper made several girls angry, and one of them even stepped forward and questioned: "What do you know? You told me that Nile crocodile skin will crack?"
The two waiters naturally felt greatly insulted: "You are slandering our products. Our products are top-grade Nile crocodiles. Hermes uses this material. The strength of this leather is five times that of cowhide. How can it crack?"
Ye Tianhui: "Oh, do you believe it? You just pull it and the boots will crack?"