Chapter 1377: A small inn on the border
Shi Li woke up from a nap and glanced at the windowsill out of habit.
The table was clean, nothing was more, nothing was less.
She sat up unhappily, changed her clothes and washed her face.
In the blurry bronze mirror, the girl's face was reflected as it gradually grew brighter and brighter, which was totally different from the skinny girl back then.
Shi Li touched her cheek and chuckled, then picked out a pair of bright red coral earrings from her dressing box and put them on.
The teardrop-shaped earrings swayed with her steps, making her smile more beautiful and graceful.
Walking out of the bedroom, Shi Li leaned on the railing as usual and looked down, only to find that the first floor was surprisingly lively at this time.
There was a petite girl in Zhou Lingyu's group. She was sitting on a stool with her head down, and was being asked about her well-being.
The girl was very attractive, with a willow-like figure and a pair of slender eyes on her fair face. She looked like a snow fox that accidentally got lost in the mountains, pure, innocent and alluring.
Her weak and harmless appearance made the usually reserved Zhou Lingyu lower herself in front of her and speak softly.
After looking for a while, Shi Li walked down the steps confidently and said with a loud laugh, "It's really strange. Normally, my little inn doesn't see many guests all year round, but these past two days, new guests have been coming in non-stop!"
Everyone's attention was drawn to look over, including the weak girl.
She seemed to be very shy. When she heard the voice, she hid behind Zhou Lingyu again and again, lowering her head and trembling.
Zhou Lingyu subconsciously protected her.
Yuan Shang, who had been watching the show for a long time while eating melon seeds, came over and told Shi Li all the details of the girl without her even asking.
"Mr. Zhou went out for a while and brought back the unconscious Miss Tang. He said she accidentally got separated from her family. It was really pitiful."
Yuan Shang said "pitiful" but his eyes were full of ridicule.
"It's not so pitiful to meet a man like Mr. Zhou who is kind and gentle to women." Shi Li glanced at Zhou Lingyu and Miss Tang jokingly and said with a smile.
The two spoke in voices that were neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone in the lobby to hear.
Zhou Lingyu's face changed, and he opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a suppressed sob behind him. Looking back, the girl, who was as weak as a willow in the wind, had her shoulders trembling slightly, and it was obvious that she had been trying hard to suppress her fear.
His attention was immediately drawn to her, and he frowned and whispered something to comfort her.
Shi Li looked for a while and found that the people Zhou Lingyu brought were the same as him. They felt very pity for the Miss Tang who suddenly appeared.
She shook her head secretly, too lazy to say anything more, looked away, and saw Ah Heng wiping the dust honestly in the corner, and couldn't help laughing again.
The inn, which had been deserted for a long time, suddenly became lively. It was much more interesting and a good way to kill time.
Shi Li didn't want to pay any attention to Miss Tang at all. Anyway, she had Zhou Lingyu's care and concern, so she had nothing to do with her.
But the other party didn't think so. Later in the evening, Miss Tang actually came to the door on her own initiative.
"Madam, I can't find my family at the moment. Could you please have pity on me and take me in?" Tang Rouzhi stood in front of Shi Li, looking timid.
Shi Li really didn't expect her to do this, so she just smiled and said, "Ms. Tang was brought back by Master Zhou, how can I take her in?"
"Boss, don't get me wrong. Young Master Zhou and I just met by chance... Boss! My mother is a cook. You can send me to the kitchen. I will do my job well!"
Tang Rouzhi spoke earnestly, and her narrow eyes became misty as she spoke, as if she had been bullied by someone.
Want to go to the kitchen?
Shi Li raised her eyes and looked at Tang Rouzhi again, her gaze sweeping over her hands.
The fair hands were folded together, and a few thin calluses could be vaguely seen on the palms, as if he was really used to working.
"Yuan Shang, go call Susu over and ask her if she needs anyone." At last, Shi Li smiled and lazily instructed the young man standing next to her.
Yuan Shang was stunned for a moment, as if he was reluctant to move. He took two steps forward and then stopped, looking at Shi Li hesitantly as if he wanted to say something.
"Boss lady, can you please tell me..."
"It's okay, go ahead." Shi Li interrupted, nodded at him, and gave him a reassuring look.
Yuan Shang had no choice but to walk towards the kitchen, looking back every few steps.
Then he called Xu Su over in a hurry.
"Madam boss!" Xu Su walked over hurriedly with a spatula in her hand, looking puzzled.
Shi Li was getting bored waiting there, so she took out a handkerchief and tied a knot, then pointed at Tang Rouzhi and said to Xu Su, "She wants to stay with us and help you in the kitchen, what do you think?"
Hearing this, Xu Su frowned and looked at Tang Rouzhi.