0p0 Chapter 382 The Taste of Humanity, As the Year Approaches
Chapter 382 The Taste of Humanity, As the Year Approaches
Yun Dan smiled and waved her hand, politely declining the consul's additional arrangements.
"No need for that. We just need a friend who can speak the Chinese language to guide us."
Being familiar with the roads here will make it easier for us to find a place to stay.
After saying that, she took out two small silver ingots from her sleeve.
One was handed to the consul, and the other was given to Aji who was standing next to him.
"This is a thank-you gift. Thank you for your help along the way, and thank you to Brother Aji for helping with the translation these days."
The consul was about to decline, but Yun Dan smiled and said, "When you're traveling, it's fate that you meet someone. The consul will definitely accept this small token of appreciation."
Holding the silver ingot in his hands, Aji's face flushed red, and he stammered, "Miss, you're too kind. I... I can't accept this..."
"Take it."
Yun Dan patted his arm: "You've helped us a lot, this is what you deserve."
Seeing her resolute attitude, and remembering that the three of them were all martial arts masters, the consul no longer refused.
Then he said to Aji, "Since you say so, young lady, you may accept it."
"For the next few days, you will keep these distinguished guests company."
Aji carefully tucked the silver ingot into his pocket and nodded vigorously: "Yes, Uncle Tong."
Finally, the consul told Aji to spend the rest of his time with Yundan and the other two.
After disembarking, the four stepped onto the cobblestone path of the dock.
Yun Dan couldn't help but squat down, touch the ground with her hand, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
This was a feeling she had longed for for eight long years.
Yun Dan stood up and suggested, "Let's find an inn to stay at first."
Then I'll buy a few nice clothes and then go shopping properly.
Aji led Yundan and the other two to a restaurant with the words "Welcome Guests" written on its signboard.
Red lanterns hung at the entrance, making it look very grand.
"Miss Yundan, Uncle Leng, Uncle Zhang, what do you think of this restaurant?"
Yun Dan looked at Leng Xiyue and Zhang Sanfeng and asked, "What do you think? I'm fine with either way!"
They both followed each other's wishes and were not picky.
The four of them could tell from the outside that the inside was already packed with people.
The sounds of various conversations could be heard rising and falling outside the restaurant.
As soon as the four entered the restaurant, a waiter warmly greeted them.
"Please come in, esteemed guests! What would you like to eat? Our restaurant has fresh seafood, plump crabs, and the finest Shaoxing wine!"
Aji went up and spoke with the waiter.
Then the waiter led Yun Dan and the others to an empty table to sit down.
Yun Dan found a table by the window, sat down, picked up the menu but didn't order anything.
"Three bowls of rice, please! The whitest and most fragrant kind!"
Then bring out braised fish, steamed crab, chicken soup, five pounds of beef... oh dear..."
It turned out that Zhang Sanfeng, who was sitting to her right, flicked her forehead when he heard her eating beef again.
After letting out a soft "Oh dear," Yun Dan could only obediently say, "Bring me whatever you have here!"
After Aji explained the situation to the waiter...
The waiter smiled obsequiously at Aji and said, "Are these three gentlemen from out of town? Our rice here is quite expensive; a bowl costs one tael of silver."
Aji explained it to Yundan.
Yun Dan pretended to reach into her bosom, but actually took out a small silver treasure from her spatial storage and slapped it on the table.
"Is it enough? I'm not short of money!"
The waiter's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed, saying, "Enough, enough! Please wait a moment, sir, it'll be right there!"
Leng Xiyue shook her head helplessly as she looked at her bold demeanor.
"You silly girl, you're already so extravagant as soon as you get ashore."
"Oh, Uncle Leng, we've finally made it out, of course we should have a good meal!"
The waiter was very quick, and soon brought out a table full of dishes.
The braised fish has a bright red color and a thick, rich broth;
The steamed crabs were all large and plump.
The stewed chicken soup had a layer of golden oil floating on top, and the aroma was irresistible.
What Yun Dan found most tempting was a bowl of rice, each grain distinct and steaming hot.
She took the bowl and served herself rice, then served Zhang Sanfeng and the other two a bowl each.
"Eat up, eat up!"
Yun Dan picked up her chopsticks and first placed a large crab on Leng Xiyue's and Zhang Sanfeng's plates.
Seeing that Aji hadn't touched his chopsticks yet, she picked up another piece of chicken and put it in Aji's bowl.
"Aji, eat up, don't be shy with me."
She took a big mouthful of rice herself and sighed with satisfaction.
"This is the kind of food a human being should eat!"
Leng Xiyue took a sip of the chicken soup and smiled, "It is indeed much better than the sea fish on the boat."
Pedestrians carried New Year's goods to and fro on the street; some sold Spring Festival couplets, while others carried lanterns, creating a joyous atmosphere.
“Aji,”
Yun Dan swallowed the food in her mouth and asked, "How long until the New Year?"
With his mouth full of fish, Aji mumbled, "Today is the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, and there are only four days left until New Year's Eve."
Everyone is preparing to buy New Year's goods, that's why there are so many people outside.
"There are only four days left until Lunar New Year's Eve?"
Aji nodded and said, "Yes, everyone has been busy all year, and we're all looking forward to being able to eat as much meat as we want during the New Year's Eve dinner."
Upon hearing this, Yun Dan was momentarily stunned.
"Why do we have to wait until the New Year's Eve dinner? Is it so hard to eat meat at other times?"
Aji said softly, "It's difficult. We farmers are lucky if we can fill our stomachs on weekdays, let alone expect to eat meat often."
Only during holidays and festivals would the family be willing to buy half a pound of meat to stew or stir-fry a pot of vegetables, just to satisfy their cravings.
He paused for a moment, then laughed again, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"I'm lucky; I can catch fresh fish to eat on the sea when I go on a boat with Uncle Tong."
Each time they returned from a sea voyage, they would receive a tael or two of silver as payment.
Yun Dan was secretly astonished. One tael of silver was nothing more than the price of a string of sugar paintings for her.
But for Aji, it was almost a month's worth of wages for running the ship.
She couldn't help but ask, "How long does it take you to go out to sea and back each time?"
This is my second time traveling on a ship.
After thinking for a moment, Aji said, "This time it took twenty days, last time it took twenty-six days."
"It's been almost a month, and they've only given us one or two taels of silver?"
Yun Dan frowned, her tone puzzled: "This is too little."
Aji, however, didn't think so. Instead, he said seriously, "I'm only fifteen years old this year, and I'm already much better off than many people in the village by earning this much money."
"My neighbor, Erzhu, is already twenty. Even if he toils in the fields for a year, he might not save a single tael of silver."
"Okay, if you think it's worth it, then so be it."
Yun Dan agreed verbally, but in her heart she had other ideas.
After spending the last few days together, she noticed that although Aji was still a teenager, he had a very genuine and down-to-earth personality.
He speaks and acts honestly and sincerely, without any ulterior motives or petty greed.
It would be a real shame if such a good child were to spend his whole life working on boats and in the fields.
Yun Dan gazed at the figures coming and going outside, silently making plans in her mind.
Perhaps we should think of a way to help him find a better way out.
It's better than this kind of life, braving the elements and struggling to earn a meager living.