Chapter 17
With Lu Bei's intervention and Du Meijuan and Shen Wentao deliberately changing the subject, the topic of Tang Yao finally ended.
Negative comments in the live chat were quickly overshadowed by other topics.
After lunch, the guests went for a nap, while Tang Yao went to her orchard. The fruit trees she had brought back seemed to have a different growth cycle than other plants in this world. They were now laden with heavy fruit.
There were red, yellow, and pink— looking exceptionally appealing.
Tang Yao casually picked an apple, wiped it clean with her hand, and bit into it. Crisp and juicy, it was as sweet as apple juice.
She used scissors to cut the apples one by one and put them in the bag beside her.
She planned to share some with Aunt Li and keep some for the guests at the guesthouse.
Thinking this, she walked back. Halfway there, Xiao Yue took an apple from Tang Yao. At Tang Yao’s prompting, she tasted it. The sweetness made her eyes squint, which amused Tang Yao.
The three robots were becoming more and more like humans. Tang Yao was no longer worried about them being discovered.
When she returned to her small building, Zhang Qing had been waiting for a while. She brought Tang Yao a burlap sack.
Although she couldn't see what was inside, Tang Yao smelled an earthy odor. The bag was opened, revealing a large bundle filled with dried goods—dried wood ear mushrooms, dried shiitake mushrooms, each individually packaged in a plastic bag.
“These are some dried goods my dad dried himself. They’re a local specialty. They’re not worth much, but they’re the best I can offer. My whole family is very grateful,” Zhang Qing said sincerely.
“Thank you, I really like them,” Tang Yao replied with a genuine smile.
Zhang Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid Tang Yao would think she was being too stingy.
Her father was deaf and mute, while her mother needed medication. Every penny she earned was spent completely.
Not only that, Zhang Qing also frequently suffered from online harassment.
Sometimes she felt she couldn’t take it anymore.
Tang Yao’s intervention to clear her name was like giving her a new lease on life.
After Zhang Qing left, Tang Yao took advantage of the quiet lunch break to deliver some apples to Aunt Li.
An unknown middle-aged woman was standing next to Aunt Li and the two were talking. Aunt Li's brow was slightly furrowed, as if she was somewhat troubled.
Seeing Tang Yao approach, the stranger's eyes lit up and she took a few steps towards Tang Yao.
"Perfect timing, the involved party is here. Ask her if she's willing."
Tang Yao was confused: "What's wrong, Aunt Li?"
"Nothing, Yao Yao, you should go back to your guesthouse if you have things to do." Aunt Li winked at Tang Yao.
"Oh, what's the rush, Yao Yao? I've come to tell you something good." The woman acted as if she were family, pulling Tang Yao, who was about to leave, back into the small shop.
Tang Yao pulled her hand away from the woman's.
"It's like this, Yao Yao, you're so lucky! You know the family that runs the flower cake factory in our town, right? Their son has taken a liking to you, so he asked me to come and put in a good word for him." The auntie smiled brightly. "That young man is handsome and his family is very well-off. They're probably the best-off family in our town. After you get married, you can relax and enjoy your life at home."
The auntie spoke with great enthusiasm, praising the family to the skies. If Tang Yao hadn't met the family's sleazy-looking son before, she might have actually believed it.
Moreover, Tang Yao disliked the auntie's choice of words.
"I already said Yao Yao is still young and there’s no rush," Aunt Li frowned.
"A young woman in her early twenties? Not young at all. I got married in my teens and already have a few children by that age," the older woman said dismissively. "That family said they'll manage your guesthouse for you. You just need to have a few more children with them. Life will definitely be much better than you running the guesthouse alone."
"This is getting more and more outrageous! What kind of society is this? If you think it's so great, let your own daughter marry into that family! Wanting a guesthouse and expecting Yao Yao to have a few more children for them? How can you be so shameless?" Even the usually mild-mannered Aunt Li got angry and tried to kick the woman out.
"Look at you! Why are you throwing a tantrum? They're well-off. Isn't it reasonable to make some demands? How much is that guesthouse worth? Is it comparable to their factory? If my daughter wasn't married, I'd definitely let her marry into that family and enjoy a life of luxury!" The older woman continued talking, but Aunt Li, no longer caring, grabbed a broom and chased her out.
"Don't regret it later! I'd like to see what kind of person you're looking for!!" The matchmaker, whose promise couldn’t be fulfilled, was furious and stood with her hands on her hips, cursing for a while before leaving.
Tang Yao helped Aunt Li close the door: "Don't be angry. There are all kinds of people. Try this apple, it's very sweet."
Aunt Li took the apple from Tang Yao, sat on the stool behind the cashier, and sighed: "I should have known. Someone would definitely try to take advantage of a young girl like you who is running such a big place all by yourself. It's shameless!"
"It's alright. I'm not someone to be bullied. Don't be fooled by the fact that there are only a few girls in the guesthouse; Xiao Yue and the others know kung fu."
Tang Yao's words diverted Aunt Li's attention.
After leaving the convenience store, Tang Yao's expression turned cold.
Trying to aim for the guesthouse? Go ahead and try.
In the afternoon, the guests held a discussion. On the table were apples Tang Yao had freshly picked at noon. Everyone ate them almost nonstop, exclaiming how delicious the fruit was.
Then, the director asked the usual question: why were they all on the show?
The answers were varied, but all positive. Even Lu Bei mentioned taking time to rest and recuperate.
When the camera focused on Xu Wan, she smiled slightly and said softly, "Actually, I'm here to find someone."
The live chat instantly erupted with question marks.
The director also asked the question for the viewers:
"Someone very important to my family. I can't say anything else, she's not in this industry."
Just then, a comment flashed across the screen: "She's here to find that illegitimate daughter of the Xu Family, right? Poor Xu Wan."
Although the comments were scrolling quickly, some people still caught it.
"What illegitimate daughter?"
"I think I've stumbled upon some incredible gossip."
However, the person who spoke earlier never answered again.
The guests were also puzzled, but their questions were answered when they were preparing to rest in the evening.
Tang Yao had arranged to have dinner with Zhang Qing that evening. When she went to find her, it was just as the production crew was wrapping up.
As soon as she appeared, the guests all saw her and they greeted each other.
One person, however, stood out. After Tang Yao finished greeting, she turned and saw Xu Wan's slightly reddened eyes.
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