Li Zhi went forward and greeted Lin Shan and Gu’er.
Lin Shan recognized Li Zhi.
"Right, right, silly . It’s Xiao Zhi! I heard you started working at the station. You’ve really made sothing of yourself, made your dad proud. Good for you! How is it? Are you settling in okay? Why are you studying here too?"
Lin Shan looked at Li Zhi earnestly. He didn’t ask why Li Zhi was there; since he knew Gu’er, he must be attending night school. But why would Li Zhi be attending night school? The subjects offered here didn’t really align with police work.
"Hehe, Uncle Lin, Gu’er and I are in the sa class. I’m just here studying for fun in my spare ti."
Li Zhi smiled, his gaze shifting slightly to glance at Gu’er.
Gu’er’s expression was natural. She kept a smile on her face and listened quietly, but inwardly she was a little surprised. ’When I first t Li Zhi, I thought he had such an upright and honest face, he could play a good guy or a cop in a movie. I never expected him to actually be a police officer. But, just as Dad said, why would a cop be studying business administration? It’s not like he’s going into business.’
Gu’er was slightly curious, but she didn’t ask. Other people’s business was none of her concern.
"Haha, so you’re in the sa class as Gu’er. In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to look after her. Co over to our place when you’re free, and say hello to your dad for ."
Lin Shan didn’t press the matter either. Just like Gu’er, he felt it was soone else’s business.
Li Zhi was inwardly displeased. ’I caught him red-handed, and he still has the nerve to invite over? Isn’t he afraid I’ll expose him?’
"Sure, Uncle Lin, I’ll definitely co over, as long as I’m not a bother."
Li Zhi nodded and smiled brightly, but his eyes were cold. He thought Lin Shan was a real hypocrite.
Lin Shan exchanged a few more pleasantries with Li Zhi, who then said his goodbyes, explaining that he needed to get his bicycle.
anwhile, Lin Shan looked at Gu’er and asked, "Gu’er, where’s your bicycle?"
"Dad, when I got here, all the spots were taken, so I couldn’t find a place to park. I ran into Li Zhi, and he showed where to park in the courtyard. Wait for a mont, I’ll go get it and then we can head back."
Gu’er hadn’t spoken, just listened to them exchange pleasantries. She could tell that Li Zhi and her father weren’t that close, but their fathers probably knew each other. However, she got the feeling that they weren’t on the best of terms.
Gu’er’s words startled Li Zhi. ’What did Gu’er just call Lin Shan? Dad? Isn’t she supposed to be his mistress? How could she call him Dad? This is impossible!’
’Lin Shan’s daughter is nad Lin Sui’er, and she’s only fifteen. Gu’er looks way older than fifteen, and she’s nothing like what the rumors say. So what...?’
"Uncle Lin, is Gu’er your daughter? Isn’t your daughter nad Sui’er? I’m confused."
After a mont’s thought, Li Zhi turned back around and asked. He had to know what was going on.
"Oh, Sui’er is my second daughter. Gu’er is my eldest. She got lost when she was a child and was away from us for a long ti. We only recently brought her back ho."
Lin Shan didn’t hide the truth; there was no need to. Gu’er was his daughter, and it was sothing to be open about. While he wouldn’t go around announcing it to the world, he would certainly tell anyone who asked, making it known that Gu’er was his child.
Li Zhi was not expecting that answer. So Gu’er was really Lin Shan’s daughter.
’Gu’er, Sui’er... their nas do sound like sisters. He said Gu’er was lost as a child. She looks about eighteen or nineteen, so she must have disappeared more than ten years ago. I’ve never heard Dad ntion this, so he probably doesn’t know either. That ans... I completely misunderstood the situation earlier.’
Li Zhi didn’t doubt Lin Shan’s words. He knew Lin Shan wasn’t that kind of man and wouldn’t stoop to such behavior.
’Thank goodness I ca back over. If I had gone ho and told Dad, it would have caused a huge misunderstanding.’
Li Zhi blushed slightly. He had almost made a complete fool of himself.
"I had no idea Gu’er was your daughter, Uncle Lin! Congratulations to you and your family on being reunited. Don’t worry, Uncle Lin, I’ll treat Gu’er like a little sister and take good care of her."
Li Zhi adjusted his attitude.
Lin Shan nodded. He didn’t take it seriously, assuming Li Zhi was just being polite.
Gu’er and Li Zhi retrieved their bicycles and waved goodbye to each other. Gu’er then followed Lin Shan ho.
The streetlights on the way back were dim, and one stretch of the road was completely dark. But Gu’er wasn’t afraid at all. With Lin Shan, with her father, by her side, she felt completely at ease.
On the way, Lin Shan told Gu’er a little about Li Zhi.
Li Zhi’s father was with the municipal bureau. He and Lin Shan used to be in the sa district and had worked together before, which was why Li Zhi knew him.
Li Zhi had beco a police officer by passing the exam on his own rit, though of course, his father’s connections must have played a part.
Gu’er just listened without saying much. She didn’t know Li Zhi well; it was enough just to be aware of who he was.
When they arrived ho, Lin Shan opened the door. As soon as they stepped inside, Chen Fengjiao ca out from an inner room.
She was in her pajamas with her hair down, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She had clearly been asleep and woken up when she heard them arrive.
"You’re back? How was class? Are you getting used to it?"
Chen Fengjiao asked Gu’er in a low voice.
"It was good, Mom. You don’t have to wait up for anymore. Just get so rest. I don’t want to disturb everyone’s sleep because of ."
Gu’er felt a little guilty, thinking she had disturbed Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao’s rest.
"It’s fine, it’s fine. I can’t sleep until you’re back anyway. Now hurry, go wash up and get to bed."
Chen Fengjiao insisted it was no trouble.
After washing up, Gu’er lay down on the bed. She replayed the day’s events in her mind and soon drifted off to sleep.
After that, Gu’er settled into a routine.
During the day, she sold mushrooms and various other mountain goods.
Hazelnuts were in season, and Uncle Zhao brought over several burlap sacks full of them. The villagers also cracked pine nuts out of their cones and sent them over.
After the outer husks of the hickory nuts were removed and they were cleaned, Gu’er had the villagers roast a portion of them to sell as well.
Hickory nuts were extrely hard, unlike regular walnuts. Even soone with a very strong grip usually couldn’t crack them by hand. Gu’er herself couldn’t break them open even with a brick, which shows just how tough they were.
To eat the hickory nuts, they had to be soaked in water overnight. Then, when roasted in a large wok in the village, each nut would split open slightly. After that, they could be easily pried open to get to the nutat inside.
There wasn’t much at in each hickory nut, but it was incredibly fragrant and tasty. Gu’er thought they were much more flavorful than regular walnuts.
People in the city had eaten large hazelnuts and pine nuts before, but almost no one had ever tried hickory nuts. Gu’er cracked open a bunch for people to sample, and after tasting them, many were eager to buy so.
Gu’er slowly built a reputation for selling her mountain goods. She usually sold her wares at three different locations, rotating between them. On days when she didn’t show up at a particular spot, custors would actually go to the local gatehouse looking for her. This made Gu’er incredibly excited, as it ant people truly recognized and appreciated her products.
After a full and busy day, her evening classes also went smoothly. Gu’er was a very attentive student. Whenever there was sothing she didn’t understand, she wasn’t afraid of being laughed at and would ask the teacher questions until she finally got it.
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