Blossom in Adversity

C87. Breaking the Dao and Telling the Truth.

Chapter 87: Breaking the Dao and Telling the Truth

The inn was very warm, so Hua Zhi took a moment to adjust before stepping inside.

The waiter immediately greeted them and recognized Gu Yanxi, leading them upstairs. "We have reorganized everything according to your instructions. The sheets and covers have all been changed to new ones. Please take a look and see if it meets your satisfaction. The meals are also ready. Would you like them to be sent up now or later?"

Hua Pingyang couldn't help but glance at Gu Yanxi more, as he sensed that this young man had ulterior motives.

"Send up some hot water first, and then the meals in about fifteen minutes."

"Sure, I'll bring the hot water up to you shortly."

The waiter had a smile on his face, natural at doing business. Hua Zhi couldn't help but think about hiring him for her own shop.

"Oh, and open another room next to this one for Fourth Uncle. So he doesn't need to go back."

Hua Pingyang immediately agreed. Not only for today, but he planned to stay here for a few days with his niece!

"Alright, I'll go get the key for you."

The hot water was indeed scalding hot. There was a bucket of lukewarm water nearby, but Hua Zhi didn't want to use it. She gently wrung out the towel with her fingertips and placed it on her face. She let out a sigh of relief, feeling the exhaustion on her face behind the towel, where no one could see. She relaxed for a moment, revealing a tired expression on her face.

"Hua Hua, the food at this inn is delicious!" Shao Yao bounced in energetically. Her boundless energy made Hua Zhi wish she could absorb some of it with her Star Absorption technique.

"The meals have been brought up?"

"Yes, in Fourth Uncle's room."

Hua Zhi re-twisted the towel and covered Shao Yao's face directly. She teased her, "Do you know what it means to eat without cleaning up? You're a classic example."

"Hehe." Shao Yao rubbed the towel carelessly, intending to throw it onto the shelf. But then she saw Hua Zhi looking at her, so she obediently went to wash the towel and hang it up.

"Let's go."

Both doors on the left and right opened at the same time. Hua Zhi was a bit slow to react this time. She hesitated before nodding towards Gu Yanxi.

Gu Yanxi walked over and pointed to the room on her right. "Fourth Uncle will stay in this room."

The door was not closed, and Hua Pingyang was sitting at the table, waiting for them. There were several large pots on the table, each covered with a lid.

"Come in." Hua Pingyang stood up and lifted the lids one by one. A strong fragrance wafted out, with large pieces of meat and bones, even the vegetables were cut into large chunks.

"Don't be fooled by the appearance of the dishes here. They may not be as delicate as the fine cuisine in the capital, but the taste is not lacking at all. The chef here is the owner himself, and it's said to be a family tradition. It's really good."

Without saying much, Hua Zhi could tell the taste was excellent just by the smell. But perhaps she was too tired as it was well past dinner time, yet she didn't feel hungry. Instead, exhaustion was starting to show on her face.

After reluctantly finishing a bowl of rice, she looked up and noticed everyone was staring at her. She subconsciously touched the corners of her mouth, but there were no rice grains or vegetable debris.

Shao Yao set down her bowl with a big yawn and stretched lazily. "So tired, Hua Hua, let's go back to our room and sleep."

...

Certainly not acting at all, Hua Zhi appreciated Shao Yao's kindness. It was better to let Fourth Uncle think she was just sleepy rather than revealing how exhausted she truly was. She didn't want her family to feel indebted to her. Whatever she did, she did willingly, and no one could force her to do something she didn't want to do.

Hua Pingyang and Gu Yanxi sat facing each other, silently eating their meals. Soon, Shao Yao came over and said, "She fell asleep as soon as she touched the bed. I took her pulse, and it's just exhaustion. Finally arriving here and meeting the person she wanted to see, she couldn't hold back anymore."

Hua Pingyang felt the taste become tasteless, unable to swallow even the most delicious dishes. He forced a smile and said, "Sit down and eat before it gets cold."

Shao Yao enjoyed her meal immensely, even more so than the two men.

After dinner, the two men went to Gu Yanxi's room, and Shao Yao went back to keep an eye on Hua Zhi.

"Thanks to Mr. Lu's care along the way, I am deeply grateful," Hua Zhi said.

Gu Yanxi knew Hua Pingyang's character before he met Hua Zhi.

Having two Hanlin scholars in the family was indeed an honor for the Hua family, but for Hua Pingyang personally, it was a hindrance. The old master of the Hua family might not know that his youngest son was the most outstanding of his generation. But because there was already a Hanlin scholar in the family, Hua Pingyang's path to success was cut off.

This might have caused resentment in others, but not in Hua Pingyang. He served the Hua family diligently in his own way, even though most of the family members were unaware of what he did or couldn't understand his efforts.

When Gu Yanxi first learned about him, he saw Hua Pingyang as a truly intelligent person with a broad mind. Unfortunately, he was born too late. If he were the eldest son of the Hua family, he might have done even better than Hua Pingyu.

So when Hu Pingyang saw through something, Gu Yanxi wasn't surprised at all.

"Performing duties with the Hua family's salary is only natural."

"Is it just that?"

Gu Yanxi's eyes held a smile. "I'm not an ordinary person you can afford to hire. I offered my services to the Hua family with a purpose, but the timing is not right yet. Talking about these things is unnecessary."

Hua Pingyang didn't expect him to be so straightforward, which made him respect Gu Yanxi a little more. However, he still believed that no one was worthy of his Zhi'er. Even giving her to Shen Qi was because he thought that boy grew up under their watchful eyes, knowing the family well. He didn't expect to be deceived in the end.

Thinking of Shen Qi, Hua Pingyang gritted his teeth. He would deal with him when he returned! He would break his legs! A third time!

"The Hua family is probably avoiding all kinds of troubles right now. Do you dare to get involved?" Hua Pingyang sneered. "With Zhi'er's character, if she were to marry someone, she would carry the burden of the Hua family with her. Can you handle the consequences?"

"You left something for Hua Zhi, and she didn't touch it. After I helped her, she gave me a recipe for making ice, worth its weight in gold. Hua Fourth Master, for Hua Zhi, making money is never a problem. She has methods. Her thoughts are never about making money to support a large family, but about how to bring you back."

Their eyes met, neither avoiding nor retreating.

Hua Pingyang felt a tightness in his heart because of those words, but couldn't help but ask in a hoarse voice, "What are you trying to say?"

Gu Yanxi no longer restrained his pride. "I don't care about looks, family background, talent, or anything else. What I like is the devotion she shows to her family. I like her determination to be at the forefront, even if it means risking her life. I hope one day she'll see me as family and protect me. Compared to those with strong skills, she may seem fragile, but her strength is unbreakable. Many things that others regard as noble or extraordinary mean nothing to her."

Gu Yanxi took out the sharp hairpin he carried with him and showed it to Hua Pingyang. "She used this small item to fight against someone who escaped from under my nose. They almost perished together, yet even after losing half her life, she didn't retreat. Tell me, who can match such a woman?"

Hu Pingyang looked at the hairpin, his lips trembling. What on earth had happened to Zhi'er while they were away?