Free Web NovelChapter 179: Chapter 179: I’ll Accompany You
Lin Zheng pouted, looking pitifully at Gu’er. After both Lin Shan and Gu’er pleaded on his behalf, Chen Fengjiao reluctantly relented. She had been worried and didn’t want Lin Zheng going to the village. But he was eager to go, and with Lin Shan and Gu’er’s assurances, she had no choice but to agree. Still uneasy, she insisted on seeing them off downstairs.
As soon as they got downstairs, Gu’er was dumbfounded by the sight of the silvery snowflakes. It was snowing! It was actually snowing today, and quite heavily at that. ’This... how am I supposed to get back to the village!’
"It’s snowing. Hurry and go back inside. You can’t go to the village in this weather. You can’t even see the paths there; you might get lost."
A flash of delight crossed Chen Fengjiao’s eyes. She was especially grateful for the weather. Her husband and daughter wouldn’t have to go to the village, and neither would her young son. ’This is great.’
Although Gu’er felt reluctant, she knew they couldn’t go to the village in weather like this. The roads in the village were difficult to travel. Unlike the paved asphalt roads in the city, they were all dirt paths flanked by ditches. If you accidentally stepped into one, it would be hard to get out. She couldn’t let everyone suffer just because of what she wanted.
"Then let’s not go to the village. Looking at this weather, we definitely won’t be able to make it back before the New Year."
Gu’er wouldn’t force the issue, but she still felt a little disappointed.
"Then let’s hurry back inside. It’s freezing out here."
Seeing that Gu’er had also given up on the idea, Chen Fengjiao was overjoyed.
"I want to go check on the gatehouse. I haven’t been over there recently, so I don’t know how the goods are doing."
But Gu’er didn’t want to go back up. She wanted to go for a walk.
Chen Fengjiao froze. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Shan shot her a look.
"You and Xiao Zheng head back up. I’ll go with Gu’er to take a look."
Lin Shan gestured for Chen Fengjiao not to say anything more.
Chen Fengjiao led Lin Zheng upstairs. Lin Shan, meanwhile, used his hands to tighten Gu’er’s scarf and said, "Let’s go. I’m free today. I told you I’d accompany you. Wherever you want to go, Dad will go with you."
The only part of her face visible, Gu’er’s eyes gazed intently at her father. Suddenly, a smile spread across her lips, and she linked her gloved hand through Lin Shan’s arm.
The snow fell as the two of them walked, exchanging a few words now and then. Their hats slowly turned white, but neither of them paid it any mind.
When they reached the gatehouse, Lin Shan looked it over.
"Not bad. That Jia Ming really has a good eye. This area is bound to develop in the future. This gatehouse wasn’t a bad investment."
This was Lin Shan’s first time at the gatehouse, but after looking around, he had to admit that Sun Jiaming had shown real foresight in choosing this location.
Gu’er smiled. She already knew that this place would indeed develop in the future.
"It’s organized well enough, but this stuff needs to be stacked higher. It’s too close to the ground; it’ll get damp."
As he spoke, Lin Shan started moving the goods to a higher spot himself.
Gu’er also pitched in. She could see that the items she had placed on the bottom were indeed a little damp.
After they finished moving everything, Lin Shan clapped his hands together and smiled with satisfaction, as if he had accomplished something monumental.
Gu’er watched Lin Shan. He was a government official—and not a low-ranking one, either. A District Head was a director-level position, yet here he was, helping her move mushrooms and pine nuts.
"Dad, don’t you get bored helping me with these little things?"
Gu’er asked.
"I’m your dad. When it comes to my child, nothing is a ’little thing.’ Forget this—I’d be happy even if I were just watching the door for you."
Lin Shan said this with great earnestness.
Gu’er was deeply moved. Across two lifetimes, she was truly feeling a father’s love.
"Is everything all right here now? Come on, we’re not going back just yet. Today, Dad will take you out to eat. Tell me, what do you want? We can even have a drink, just the two of us."
Lin Shan looked at Gu’er, his eyes full of affection.
"I want to eat something good. Let’s go wherever the food is best."
Gu’er wrapped her scarf back on, linked her arm with Lin Shan’s, and rested her head on his arm. Right now, she was Lin Gu’er, Lin Shan’s daughter. She didn’t want to think about anything else. She just wanted to be a daughter, relying on her father and acting a little spoiled.
"Alright, something good it is. Today, Dad will take you to eat the best."
Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s gloved hand.
In the wind and snow, Lin Shan led Gu’er forward as the two of them walked slowly. At that moment, the father and daughter were closer than ever, all awkwardness gone. Gu’er had accepted Lin Shan from the bottom of her heart.
The wind cut through her padded jacket, chilling her. The snow fell on her skin, cold and biting. But Gu’er’s heart was warm. freeweɓnovel.cøm
When Gu’er came back to her senses, she realized Lin Shan had brought her to a familiar place.
’Isn’t this the hotel?’
’Why did Dad bring me here?’
’He said he was treating me to the best, so he brought me to the hotel. But... this?’
Gu’er didn’t know what to say.
"Come on."
Lin Shan noticed his daughter had stopped walking and prompted her.
"Let’s go somewhere else."
Gu’er was hesitant to go in.
"Didn’t you say you wanted the best? This place is considered the best around. Don’t worry. It may be expensive, but Dad can still afford to treat you."
Lin Shan thought Gu’er was worried about him spending too much money.
’Fine. Since we’re already here, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong.’ freewēbnoveℓ.com
Gu’er steeled herself and followed Lin Shan inside.
The hotel supposedly wasn’t open to the public, but it would serve the wealthy, the influential, or the well-connected. Therefore, anyone who could walk in here generally knew someone important and could afford the prices.
Someone led them to a table.
It wasn’t mealtime yet, so there weren’t many people there.
A waiter brought over a menu, and Lin Shan handed it to Gu’er.
"Order whatever you want. You don’t have to worry about saving Dad’s money today."
Lin Shan smiled. He was happy to indulge his daughter’s wishes.
Gu’er took off her hat, scarf, and gloves, and flipped through the menu page by page. The items were truly expensive, much more so than at a small restaurant. But since they were already here, she decided not to be petty. Gu’er ordered a few dishes and then asked for two small glasses of strong liquor.
"So you’re really going to have a drink with your old man."
Lin Shan was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Gu’er to actually order alcohol.
"Didn’t you suggest it, Dad? Don’t tell me you’re taking it back now. I don’t care. You said it, so you can’t go back on your word."
Gu’er gave a mischievous smile and pouted, revealing a hint of girlish charm. It was a rare expression for her. Being with Lin Shan, she felt completely at ease.
"Alright, a drink it is. But that tolerance of yours..."
Lin Shan shook his head with a smile.
Gu’er chuckled as well. When the food arrived, the two ate and talked. Gu’er took a couple of small sips; her alcohol tolerance was terrible, so she only had a taste. She spent most of the time talking with Lin Shan. She knew that opportunities like this, to be alone with her father, would probably be rare in the future. She had moved out, and eventually she would marry Sun Jiaming. The moments for a father and daughter to sit together like this—eating, drinking, and chatting idly—would surely be few and far between. She understood this, and so did Lin Shan. So they both cherished the time.
"Lin Gu’er, what are you doing here!"
Just as Gu’er was smiling, listening to Lin Shan recount an amusing story, a violent, fierce voice suddenly rang out as someone charged toward them.
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Thank you to Xiao Wangsu and Xiao Bai Shu 45 for your monthly tickets. Chen Fengjiao is a very conflicted character. She wants to be good to Gu’er and wants the best for her, but she has her own hang-ups. Because Sui’er grew up right beside her, she inevitably favors her. But she has never wished any harm on Gu’er. On top of that, she hasn’t worked in many years, so her thinking and outlook have become narrow. She also has some psychological issues, so her train of thought isn’t always what you would call normal.
