The Noble on the Donkey Cart

Zhuang Zhuang didn’t want him to leave so soon, and neither did Xiaoguo. It had been a long time since they last met. Of course, they had to spend some time catching up with each other.

Strongly agreeing with Zhuang Zhuang’s request, she said, “You should rest for a few more days.”

Qin Anming looked like he was put in a difficult spot. Although he really wanted to stay for a few more days, he inexplicably felt sorry for the few people who were still working hard in the noodle shop.

After much consideration, he would make a decision depending on the situation.

In a while, he would follow them to the county. If the shop was not too busy, he would rest for a few more days. If it was too busy, he would start work in the shop.

—-

After dinner, the three of them set off for the county in the donkey cart.

“Did Zhuang Zhuang bring his diary?”

In a while, they would be going to Mr. Kong’s place to deliver seafood. At the same time, they would hand in the homework that was assigned to Zhuang Zhuang before they left for the island.

“I did!”

Zhuang Zhuang patted his small backpack, looking very confident about his homework.

Xiaoguo and Qin Anming looked at each other and smiled.

“Then let’s go!”

According to the route, they will go to the noodle shop first, before heading to Mr. Kong’s house. Finally they will leave the county to make their way home.

At the entrance of the noodle shop, Ruyi was splashing water at the door. From afar, she spotted Xiaoguo’s donkey cart and also Qin Anming, who was driving it.

It had been a long time since she had seen him. Ruyi immediately put down the basin before proceeding to smooth out her hair and tidy up her clothes. After ensuring that she looked presentable, she came out and waited for his arrival.

Uncle Xu looked up at her as he did his accounts. He was feeling puzzled. He wondered what she was doing.

While driving, Qin Anming spotted Ruyi. He turned around and said, “Ruyi is at the door.”

Xiaoguo smiled when she heard that. She lifted the curtain and shifted herself out from the carriage. She started waving at Ruyi, who was looking in their direction.

“Ah!!! Sister Xiaoguo!!”

Ruyi was looking all coy initially, but when she saw Xiaoguo, she couldn’t keep up the act and laughed out loud while jumping up at the same time.

Her voice attracted the attention of everyone in the restaurant and they all lined up to welcome Xiaoguo happily.

The lively atmosphere instantly captured the attention of the people on the streets and in the shop. They were all trying to guess which big shot was sitting in the donkey cart.

Xiaoguo could feel the gaze from passers-by even though she was sitting inside the carriage. She quickly retreated into the carriage. Afraid that Qin Anming would feel awkward on his own, she pushed the thick-skinned Zhuang Zhuang out of the carriage. Two people feeling awkward together is better than one person facing it alone.

Zhuang Zhuang, who was pushed out of the cart, did not disappoint Xiaoguo. He calmly faced the people who were sizing them up.

However, Qin Anming was suffering by his side. He was not as thick-skinned as the boy. He blushed and looked at Zhuang Zhuang, who was right beside him. He wished he could stuff the rope into Zhuang Zhuang’s hands so that the boy could drive, then he could just hide in the carriage with Xiaoguo.

It seems that the Qin family members were all thin-skinned. Zhuang Zhuang had definitely inherited his trait from Jiang Danhe.

The more people looked at him, the calmer he became. He could even smile and look back at them.

They finally arrived at the entrance of the noodle shop. As soon as they stopped the donkey cart, Ruyi quickly walked over and lifted the curtain. She called out happily, “Sister Xiaoguo!!”

“…” Xiaoguo, who was trying to cheer herself on, was stunned. Looking at Ruyi’s smile and seeing so many unfamiliar faces looking at her, she dug her fingers into the seat cushion awkwardly.

The bustling crowd had long spotted Xiaoguo through the lifted curtain. But they instantly lost interest and went about their business.

Come to think of it, which high-ranking official would ride on a donkey cart?

“Sister Xiaoguo!” Seeing that she was not moving, Ruyi called out to her again.

“…Ruyi.”

Xiaoguo laughed awkwardly and wished she could cover Ruyi’s mouth. Why had her voice become louder after not seeing her for a while?

Dragged out of the car by Ruyi, Xiaoguo was instantly surrounded by a group of people. They started asking questions while she was still standing outside the shop.

“Sister Xiaoguo, when did you come back?”

“Sister Xiaoguo, is the summer resort fun?”

“Sister Xiaoguo, what’s there at the summer resort?”

“Why has Sister Xiaoguo been gone for so long?”

“Sister Xiaoguo, Sister Xiaoguo, have you become fairer again?”

“That’s right, that’s right. Zhuang Zhuang has gained weight again!”

“Sister Xiaoguo, you…”

“Zhuang Zhuang…”

Xiaoguo’s ears were about to explode from the bombardment. Ruyi, together with the few girls, were surrounding her like little sparrows and chattering non-stop.

They had so many questions. Before she could hear anything clearly, another question was thrown at her. There was no way she could make out what they were asking.

“Wait!” Xiaoguo couldn’t take it anymore. She raised her voice to stop them from asking more questions. When the crowd quietened down, she asked her own questions.

“If you’re all here, who’s in the shop?”

“Ah!”

The few of them exclaimed and scattered like birds. They just remembered that there were still people eating in the shop.

It was unfortunate for Old Uncle Xu, who was left alone in the shop. Just when he was coming out, he was stopped by some customers. Taking orders, settling the bills, cooking, and serving the dishes, he had to do them all. How he wished that he could become eight people at once to keep up with the tasks. His old bones were almost falling apart from juggling so many jobs.

After the group scattered, the air circulation became better. Ruyi, who was left alone, pulled Xiaoguo closer and said with a smile, “Hehe, they can stay in the shop. I’ll chat with you.”

After everyone left, Zhuang Zhuang and Qin Anming stood up and tidied up their messy hair and clothes.

They were feeling really speechless. The two of them were standing right there. Didn’t anyone see them? If it weren’t for the fact that the two of them were quick-witted and moved away from the crowd, they would have been trampled into pies.

The donkey at the side was also shaking the hair on its head. If it could speak now, it could be spewing vulgarities by now.

Xiaoguo followed Ruyi, who had free time on her hand. Zhuang Zhuang and Qin Anming followed closely behind them while carrying the wooden buckets. The four of them walked past the lively front hall and arrived at the backyard.

“This is seafood?”

This was the first time Ruyi was seeing seafood. She touched an especially ugly fish curiously and said in disdain, “Why are the fish from the sea so ugly?”

All fishes have two eyes and a mouth, but why do the fish from the sea look so unpleasant? They looked just like the demons in ancient books.

“They are not pretty, but they have fewer bones and tender flesh. This kelp can be made into cold salads or cooked with potato starch noodles. It’s very delicious.”

When she heard that the kelp could be used as an ingredient in potato starch noodles, Ruyi’s interest was piqued. She threw the sea fish back into the bucket and picked up the kelp beside her to study it.

Along the way, a few young girls in the front hall ran over one after another. They pestered Xiaoguo and asked her some questions.

Xiaoguo stood guard over a pot of water and told them a lot about the scenery, the sea and the island. She explained everything briefly. Not only was she satisfying their curiosity, but she was also saving time.

After all, there was still a bucket of seafood in the donkey cart. Xiaoguo was afraid that it would spoil, so she was hoping to send them over while they were still fresh.

Zhuang Zhuang could not escape from the clutches of the girls. His little face had turned red from their pinches. By the time he left, his face was completely red.

In the end, Qin Anming left together with them. Ruyi was very generous and gave him a few days off. She said that the shop had not been too busy recently and that the few of them could handle it themselves. Only then did he leave in peace with Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang.

The three of them bade farewell to Ruyi and everyone else. Soon, they arrived at Teacher Kong’s house.

This was the first time Qin Anming was paying a visit. He was extremely nervous. If Xiaoguo hadn’t held onto him, he would have already given up on visiting Mr. Kong.

The thought of meeting the Great Sage later made him tremble. How he wished he had never come. He put down the bucket and returned to the donkey cart to wait for Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang.

Zhuang Zhuang carried his small bag and ran happily to the door. After getting Xiaoguo’s approval, he knocked on the door.

He couldn’t wait to see Teacher and Mrs. Kong…

The elderly couple, who were enjoying the shade in the courtyard, exchanged curious looks when they heard knocking on the door.

They hardly have any visitors on normal days. Who could it be at this hour?

“I’ll get the door.”

Mrs. Kong stopped Mr. Kong, who was about to get up. She put down the fan and walked to the door.

“Who is it?”