Chapter 37 Keeping the Appointment
It rained heavily for two days in a row. Fan Xiaoxiao hadn't expected the weather in Guqu Town to change so suddenly. Fortunately, Old Zhao had enough firewood to continue drying the mung bean noodles they had made over the past two days. The money for the firewood was paid to Old Zhao at the market price.
That day, looking at the relentless rain outside, Aunt Wang asked Fan Xiaoxiao hesitantly, "Girl, are you sure you made an appointment with the Ji family for today?"
Fan Xiaoxiao, who was putting on her raincoat, said without turning her head, "Yes, it's today."
"With this heavy rain, you're planning to go to the Ji family's house like this?"
Ms. Fan asked with some concern, but Fan Xiaoxiao replied nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? We've seen all sorts of storms, this is nothing. Besides, the most important thing in business is integrity! We agreed to meet today, so it's today."
Aunt Wang and Madam Fan exchanged a glance. Seeing that they couldn't persuade Fan Xiaoxiao, they said nothing more. Just then, Uncle Wang's voice came from outside: "Er Ya! Are you ready? We're leaving now!"
"Hey! They're here!"
Fan Xiaoxiao responded from inside the house, put on her straw hat, and then carried the prepared materials out the door.
The rain was pouring down, and there were hardly any people around in the town. Fan Xiaoxiao and Uncle Wang were the only two people walking on the street. The rain obstructed their vision, so Fan Xiaoxiao could only follow closely behind Uncle Wang. The two of them walked with difficulty for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and finally arrived at the address left by Madam Ji that day.
When they arrived, the gatekeeper was idly fidgeting with his hands when he suddenly saw two people wearing raincoats and straw hats, their clothes dripping wet. Startled, he quickly stood up and asked, "Who are you?"
Fan Xiaoxiao wiped the water off her face, took off her straw hat, and said to the gatekeeper, "Young man, please inform the Fan family that we have arranged to visit Ji Prefecture today."
Upon hearing Fan Xiaoxiao's name, the gatekeeper remembered the master's instructions and exclaimed, "Oh! You must be the Fan family's wife and Master Wang that Third Master mentioned! I thought you two wouldn't be able to come in such heavy rain! Third Master instructed that you two should wait for them in the flower hall after you arrived! Please come in with me."
After entering the Ji family's residence, one had to pass through a charming little garden and then walk through a long corridor to reach the Ji family's flower hall. The gatekeeper led the two to the outside of the flower hall, and just as they were about to go in, Uncle Wang stopped them, saying, "Hey! Young man, we're both still soaking wet! Can we just go in like this?"
The gatekeeper was taken aback, not expecting this at all, and was hesitating about how to respond when a clear voice rang out behind them: "Uncle, please don't be so reserved. Just come in. But you two are all soaking wet, so please don't catch a cold. If you don't mind, would it be alright if our host provided you with a couple of sets of dry clothes?"
Uncle Wang and Fan Xiaoxiao turned around, and the person behind them was none other than Ji Yushu, who had come to the stall that day!
He walked over with a smile, followed by a servant and a maid, each carrying two sets of clothes. A hint of admiration flashed in Fan Xiaoxiao's eyes. This man truly lived up to the description of the Jade-Faced Strategist in the book! Even though they had only just entered the place, he clearly had already prepared those two sets of clothes, just waiting for them to change into if needed.
"In that case, we thank you in advance, Young Master Ji."
(End of this chapter)
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