Chapter 65

Chu Huan was completely at ease, smiling and saying, "You are the boss, and I am the helper. If the boss wants to see the helper, how can the helper dare to say no?"

Lin Lang covered her mouth and smiled, her expression bright and charming. She said, "There's no time today, so I've prepared a simple meal to thank you for helping me and Shengquan through a difficult time. I'll thank you properly later!"

Chu Huan replied, "There's no need to be so formal. Now that I'm a helper at Shengquan, I naturally won't let others ruin the place. If you really want to thank me, just give me a higher salary later!"

Lin Lang knew he was joking and smiled seductively.

After a brief separation, Lin Lang was delighted to see Chu Huan again. She had been a bit nervous, but Chu Huan's few words quickly eased the tension, and she felt more relaxed.

She was not an ordinary woman, having seen much of the world. She was graceful and poised, raising her hand and saying, "Please sit down!" After Chu Huan sat, she smiled, "It's a simple meal, not sure if it suits your taste, but every dish here has its share of oil, salt, and sauce...!"

Chu Huan understood her meaning, knowing she was referring to the time they spent together in the mountains.

Back then, they relied on the game Chu Huan hunted, which was cooked without oil, salt, or sauce, making it quite plain.

Chu Huan laughed, "But there's no wolf meat here that I like."

Lin Lang, fearing Chu Huan might misunderstand, quickly said, "Don't think too much of it. I ate every meal with satisfaction during those days. It was the best food I've ever had in my life!" Although she wasn't shy, her heart raced slightly, and her beautiful face blushed, looking very charming.

Su Bo had been silent all along. Realizing his presence was inconvenient, he smiled and stood up, saying, "Miss, a few dishes haven't arrived yet. I'll go check and hurry them up!"

Lin Lang understood Su Bo's intentions. Her heart beat faster, and she wanted to stop him, but her lips only moved, and no words came out.

Su Bo chuckled, stroked his beard, and went out, gently closing the door but leaving a small gap, intentionally not shutting it completely.

Although Lin Lang had invited Chu Huan for a meal to thank him, they were a man and a woman alone, and if the door were closed, it would look improper.

The room was left with just the two of them. Lin Lang felt more nervous than before, her full, soft chest rising and falling with her breath, her face flushed with the charm of a mature woman.

Chu Huan, noticing the tension, smiled and said, "Your eyes are still red. Did you suffer some injustice earlier?"

Lin Lang, hearing this, couldn't help but glare at him, saying, "Your eyes are red too...!" She reflexively took a handkerchief from her sleeve, dabbed at the corner of her eye, and then remembered something. It was the coarse handkerchief Chu Huan had given her earlier.

During the commotion at Baling Hall, Lin Lang had been both angry and hurt. Chu Huan had handed her the handkerchief, and she had taken it without thinking. Now, she felt it was inappropriate.

After all, it was a man's handkerchief, likely carried close to his body. Using it to wipe her tears seemed improper.

"Here... here, take it back..." Lin Lang extended her hand to return the handkerchief, but felt it was awkward since she had used it and it still had her tears on it.

Chu Huan, however, didn't seem to mind. He took the handkerchief and carefully folded it, meticulously and seriously. Lin Lang, seeing this, felt a tremor in her heart, thinking, "Why is he doing this? Could it be... because I used this handkerchief, he treasures it so much...!" Her heart raced as she saw Chu Huan put the handkerchief in his pocket, and her body trembled slightly, a hint of shyness in her eyes.

If it were another man, Lin Lang wouldn't have felt so constrained or had such a racing heart. But Chu Huan was different. They had shared a time of hardship, even having some physical contact. This made her very attentive to his every move, and he had become very special to her, unlike other men.

Chu Huan, putting away the handkerchief, smiled and said, "This handkerchief was given to me by my mother!"

Lin Lang responded with an "Oh," realizing that Chu Huan's careful handling was not because she had used it, but because it was a gift from his mother. She felt a bit disappointed for some reason.

But soon, she thought, "Since it's a gift from his mother, it's not just any item. But why did he give it to me...!" Her mind became a bit chaotic, and she scolded herself, "Lin Lang, what are you thinking? You're a widow, you shouldn't have such thoughts...!"

Chu Huan, of course, didn't know what was going through her mind. He picked up the wine bottle, filled two cups, and raised his glass, saying, "Boss, please take care of me in the future!"

Lin Lang composed herself, raised her glass, and smiled, "With you at Shengquan, we won't be bullied anymore!"

Chu Huan laughed, "Don't treat me like a bodyguard at Shengquan. Being both a helper and a bodyguard is expensive. You'll have to pay me double!"

Lin Lang smiled, "If you were really a bodyguard at Shengquan, I'd be delighted. But I can't pay you double. You said it yourself, you're a helper at Shengquan, and protecting the winery is your responsibility!"

Chu Huan deliberately sighed, "I've only heard that merchants exploit their helpers. It seems to be true!"

Lin Lang held back her laughter, "You know it now. Just wait for me to exploit you!"

Chu Huan smiled, like a gentle breeze, and they raised their glasses. Chu Huan drank his in one gulp, while Lin Lang took a small sip. Putting down her glass, she said seriously, "Chu... Chu Huan, in the capital, my family has several shops. Would you... would you be willing to go to the capital with me? I... I won't treat you unfairly!"

Chu Huan was taken aback, then smiled faintly, "Boss, there's no need to go to such trouble. My home is not far from Qingliu County. I'll visit my family whenever I have the chance. Going to the capital would be less convenient."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!" Lin Lang said urgently.

Chu Huan just smiled, "We'll talk about it later." He paused and changed the subject, "Boss, I heard you talking in the inner cellar earlier. Although I didn't understand everything, it seems Shengquan has some other troubles... You went to Taiyuan for help, so the trouble must be significant... Maybe I'm asking too much!"

Lin Lang understood his meaning, her expression turning slightly somber. She sighed, "I won't hide it from you. My last trip to Taiyuan was to ask the Lu family for grain..."

"Ask for grain?"

Lin Lang nodded slightly, "Yes. Taiyuan is the largest grain-producing area in the Great Qin. The old boss of the Lu family has a connection with my father. This time, my family encountered difficulties, so I went to Taiyuan to ask for grain."

Chu Huan frowned, puzzled, "Taiyuan is far from Yunshan. Buying grain from there would cost a lot in transportation. Although Yunshan's grain production is not as high as Taiyuan's, the grain market is not bad. Why go to such lengths?"

Lin Lang smiled bitterly, "Who says it isn't. But if I could buy grain in Yunshan, why would I go to Taiyuan?"

"Is there no grain to buy in Yunshan?"

Lin Lang hesitated, then shook her head, looking somber, "It's not that there's no grain to buy, but my family can't buy grain."

Chu Huan was taken aback, quite curious.

Lin Lang thought for a moment, then said, "Let's not talk about this. Now that we've reached an agreement with Taiyuan, we won't lack grain for brewing, and Shengquan won't close because of grain problems."

Seeing that Lin Lang didn't want to discuss it further, Chu Huan didn't press the issue. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of the food, and smiled, "I thought Master Zhang's cooking was average, but it seems he has some skill."

Lin Lang smiled, "Master Zhang's skills are good. My father once told me that the prosperity of Shengquan lies not in the bricks and tiles, nor in the inner cellar, but in the unity of everyone. So, I must treat the helpers well. Master Zhang is here because of his skills, to make everyone eat comfortably and work with strength."

"Comfortably?" Chu Huan smiled faintly, "Three meals a day of steamed buns, indeed, are quite comfortable!"

Chu Huan's words had a deeper meaning.

In the few days he had been at Shengquan, he had become quite familiar with the situation, especially the diet of the helpers. Chu Huan was not a lazy person, but the food at Shengquan was indeed very poor. The helpers, who did heavy labor, were mostly strong men, but their meals were never enough, and many were only half-satisfied.

Chu Huan had initially thought the boss of Shengquan was harsh, but seeing Lin Lang today, he felt she was not such a harsh person.

Lin Lang, hearing this, was taken aback, then frowned, "Is the food for the helpers always steamed buns?"

Chu Huan raised his glass, not speaking, but smiled faintly.

Lin Lang knew there must be a reason, stood up, and called, "Su Bo!"

Su Bo had been outside all along. Hearing Lin Lang call, he quickly pushed the door open. Lin Lang, with a hint of anger, said, "Go and call Master Zhang. I want to ask what the helpers eat every day!"

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PS: The college entrance exam is here. I won't say much more. Students taking the exam, give it your all, use your abilities to face this major challenge in your life.

This is a very important process in your life, perhaps determining your future. So, clench your fists, stand up, and do your best to repay your parents and teachers.

The new book ranking period is over. This is a period without recommendations. All the results can only rely on you, my loyal readers. Thank you all!