"Sister Cai, for the remaining few days, I’ll just wander around by myself. You’ve worked hard." Tang Yue felt it would be too much to have Cai Wanwan acpanying her everywhere every day. They’ve been out together for five days already, and Tang Yue was starting to feel restless.
"Xiao Yue, you’re being too formal with me saying that."
With a gentle smile, Cai Wanwan said, "Xiao Yue, I’m happy to help you. It’s rare for you to e here. Let me show you around Su City’s beautiful sceneries a little longer."
"No, Sister Cai, if you’re this enthusiastic, I might be too scared to e back next time."
Tang Yue quickly said, "Sister Cai, I’ve already found the fabric I was looking for. For the next few days, I plan to visit friends, so really, you don’t need to acpany me anymore."
"Alright then." Seeing that Tang Yue had made up her mind, Cai Wanwan didn’t insist further. When saying goodbye, Cai Wanwan handed over many bags to Tang Yue, much more than what Tang Yue had brought, making her gifts seem minor in parison.
"These are local specialties, you mustn’t refuse, or else you’ll make me feel like you look down on them."
Cai Wanwan insisted as she pushed them into Wu Xin’s arms, and what Wu Xin couldn’t carry was placed into Tang Yue’s hands.
"Sister Cai." Looking at all these things, Tang Yue said helplessly, "If you add any more, I won’t be able to carry them!"
"Alright, alright, no more." Cai Wanwan laughed and said, reluctantly, "Who knows when we’ll see each other again after this goodbye."
"Sister Cai, don’t worry. Let’s keep in touch and call often. You should visit Jing City when you have time."
Tang Yue warmly invited her.
"Sure."
Reluctantly, Cai Wanwan saw Tang Yue off to the car before turning to leave.
Tang Yue first went to the post office, packed all the gifts from Cai Wanwan, and shipped them back, before setting off for Dayu Town.
Dayu Town, a small town near Su City, had been expecting her visit. Zhao Xiangyang had already called her in advance, insisting that she must visit their home.
With the connection to Zhao Xiangyang and Sun Qing and their relationship to Zhao Xiangqian, when they visited Jing City, Tang Yue got to know Zhao Xiangyang well. She liked Zhao Xiangyang’s straightforward personality.
Since there was still time, Tang Yue thought she might as well visit Dayu Town.
She also brought along some local specialties and food that Sun Qing asked her to bring.
Wu Xin was pushing a large suitcase, mostly filled with food, while Tang Yue’s suitcase carried changes of clothes and some daily necessities for both of them.
Tang Yue first placed her things in the hotel and then packed separately the items for Zhao Xiangyang before heading out with Wu Xin.
Dayu Town, although just a town, was very prosperous and didn’t look like a small town at all. Walking down the streets lined with shops, many unique Su City handicrafts could be seen, and Tang Yue planned to buy more before returning.
Zaobao and Chenchen should like these little trinkets.
Zhao Xiangyang’s children’s clothing store was easy to find, just on the side of the street. When Tang Yue entered, Zhao Xiangyang was busy selling clothes.
The store, though small, was neatly arranged, and the decor was full of childlike fun. The bright colors plemented by warm lighting gave a very cozy feeling upon entering.
Tang Yue gestured for Zhao Xiangyang to continue with her work as she browsed around the store. The goods in this children’s clothing store seemed to be sourced by Zhao Xiangyang herself. Little Angel Children’s Clothing was mainly available in the city and hadn’t started in many counties yet.
Zhao Xiangyang had a keen eye; the small children’s clothes looked really nice.
Soon, more customers arrived, and Zhao Xiangyang had to attend to them, so Tang Yue also helped out.
When Zhao Xiangyang finished, she apologized, "Sister Xiao Yue, I’m sorry, I was busy just now."
"No need to apologize, business es first. Besides, I can wait a bit, but customers can’t." Tang Yue understood well, recalling her time running a store in Wangjiang County when she often ended up working like a top when visiting to see her uncle.
"Sister Xiao Yue, e home today. My parents know you’re ing and have already prepared the meals." Zhao Xiangyang eagerly invited her.
"That would be troubling Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao." Tang Yue felt a bit embarrassed.
Zhao Xiangyang took her by the hand, "Sister Xiao Yue, you can’t refuse. My parents have cooked especially, and you wouldn’t want to waste their efforts, would you?"
Meeting Zhao Xiangyang’s expectant gaze, Tang Yue sighed, "Did Sun Qing call you?"
"Hehe!" Zhao Xiangyang smiled at her without denying it. Her sister-in-law indeed called, so she had informed her parents early, who were likely waiting eagerly at home for them now.
Tang Yue no longer refused. Since she was here, visiting Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao was the right thing to do.
"My house is in a village, but not far from the town. We can take a boat, and we’ll be there soon." Zhao Xiangyang closed the store, picked up her son Luo Xiaosong, and returned to Dayu Village.
Sitting on a black awning boat in the southern water town, watching the ancient architectures, Tang Yue found it all incredibly novel.
"The scenery here is beautiful, isn’t it?" Zhao Xiangyang enthusiastically introduced Dayu Village to Tang Yue. Growing up here, she found it all monplace, but for Tang Yue from Wangjiang County, who later lived in Jing City, such water town scenery was likely a rare sight.
"Actually, the best time to visit is in March or April. When the drizzling rain falls, holding an oil-paper umbrella while walking on a stone arched bridge, the beauty of that moment is indescribable." Zhao Xiangyang described the scene, making Tang Yue yearn to experience it.
Standing at the bow of the boat, the chilly wind made Tang Yue pull her woolen coat tightly around her.
"How about sitting inside the boat?" Zhao Xiangyang suggested.
Tang Yue shook her head, "No, I want to look."
Having the chance to see it, she was reluctant to miss out. She asked, "Do you always use boats to travel?"
"Not always, there are both boats and roads. Look at the houses on both sides of the river; actually, behind them are alleys. Not all the houses are by the water." Zhao Xiangyang explained patiently.
Tang Yue was as curious as a child.
The two of them stood at the bow of the boat, talking and answering, with Zhao Xiangyang wearing a red jacket and Tang Yue in a cream-colored woolen coat. This red and white bination, along with Tang Yue’s appearance, made passers-by glance back at them.
They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t notice the admiring glances from those on the shore.
Among them, a man stood on the shore, unable to resist stepping forward quickly, following the boat along, seemingly wanting to see clearly if the person at the bow was Tang Yue.
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