Chapter 216: Only You Can Save Me

Gu Fei had always rather admired Aunt Liu.

She was one of those rare, sensible people—straightforward in both word and deed. She probably wouldn’t do anything to make things difficult for Gu Fei.

Gu Fei thought for a moment and nodded. "In that case, you should come. It’s just that the work is plentiful and dirty—washing dishes, cleaning up. I’m just worried it’ll be too tiring for you."

"The wage is five hundred wen a month, and meals are included. How does that sound?"

Aunt Liu was overjoyed. Five hundred wen a month meant six taels of Silver a year, and that was all pure profit. Plus, she’d be fed at work, saving the family one person’s worth of food.

"That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Little—" She caught herself, laughing. "Hahaha, thank you so much, Manager Gu."

Gu Fei chuckled. Aunt Liu was certainly quick to adapt to her new role.

"So when can I start work?"

Gu Fei thought for a moment. "In a little over a month. We’ll probably need to do some staff training beforehand, but you’ll be paid starting from the first day of training."

Aunt Liu didn’t get hung up on what "training" entailed. She just beamed and said, "Alright, then. Just have someone let me know when it’s time to start."

At the entrance, Aunt Liu ran into Xing’er. She smiled and went on her way.

Half a month had passed since the day Xing’er had run her head into a pillar. She had now fully recovered. Thankfully, her aunt had pulled her back a little that day, so aside from a concussion and a minor scrape, she had no other injuries.

Shanzimama paid for the medicine, but Ms. Qian had adamantly demanded another two taels of Silver, claiming it was for Xing’er’s recuperation. Only after getting the money did she stop causing a scene.

Now, Xing’er was refusing to get married. She wouldn’t marry Shanzi, nor would she let her mother marry her off to anyone else. The matter had reached a stalemate.

Xing’er met Lian’er just inside the door and said, a little awkwardly, "I’m looking for Little Fei."

Lian’er stepped aside. "Miss Xiao Fei is in the back courtyard."

Xing’er lowered her head and hurried toward the back courtyard. Hearing footsteps, Gu Fei was peering out the doorway to see who it was. As Xing’er entered, while still several feet away, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a THUD before Gu Fei.

Gu Fei jumped in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"Little Fei, you’re the only one who can save me now." Xing’er began to knock her head forcefully against the ground.

Gu Fei rushed over and grabbed her. "Good heavens, what are you doing to your head? It just finished healing!"

Mrs. Chen’s brow furrowed for a moment, but she quickly smoothed her expression into a smile as she helped pull Xing’er up. "Get up, get up, you silly girl. How can you kneel to your own cousin? You’ll shorten her life doing that! If you have something to say, just say it properly."

Xing’er hesitated for a long moment before steeling her resolve. "I heard from Ju Hua that Little Fei is opening an inn in town and hiring people. I... I want to come work at your inn."

Gu Fei said nothing, simply watching her in silence.

Tears welled in Xing’er’s eyes. "My mother is dead set on marrying me off. I don’t want to get married now, but she can’t stand having me at home. I thought... if I could get a job and earn some Silver to bring home, she wouldn’t be able to say anything anymore."

Gu Fei lowered her gaze, finally speaking after a long pause. "The inn is hiring, yes. It’s not out of the question for you to work there."

"However, working in public like that... it can affect a young woman’s reputation."

Xing’er gave a bitter laugh. "What reputation do I have left?"

"As long as I can earn Silver, that’s all that matters."

Gu Fei held up a hand. "I’m not finished. There’s the matter of your mother. You need to clear it with her first. The last thing I need is to hire you, only to have your mother showing up every other day to cause a scene, accusing me of luring you away to work."

"If you want this job, have your mother come and speak to me personally."

Xing’er looked at Gu Fei with a pleading expression. "My mother... she wouldn’t dare to offend you. She’ll definitely listen to whatever you say. Could you please go and talk to her for me?"