I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 349: Chapter 306: Should Have Checked the Almanac—A Miscalculation! (Make-up for the 29th)

Turning back, Yang Zhi volunteered to help repair the bicycle. Xie Yunhai understood his intentions and naturally agreed. After all... money, he had plenty. Why earn extra money? Naturally, to make his life more comfortable.

After a while, the bicycle wasn’t fixed, but instead, a storm swept in again. Looking at the time, it seemed like it would be dark by the time they were halfway back.

Director Xu took the opportunity to say, "Why not rest here for a night?"

After some discussion, they agreed. But Director Xu had some urgent matters and couldn’t accompany the siblings over.

When out and about, claiming to be siblings made things easier.

The two arrived at the entrance of the hostel, where a woman, seemingly in her thirties, blocked the doorway, "Looking to stay? You’re too late, no rooms are available. Come back tomorrow."

The siblings exchanged a glance, frowning internally: Who is this woman? So rude, even if you’re in charge here, you shouldn’t block people so discourteously.

But while out and about, Xie Yunhai didn’t want to cause trouble. Before figuring things out, he usually stayed calm and asked politely, "Sister-in-law, my sister and I came from afar to visit family. Now we haven’t found them, and it’s getting late. Could you find us a room as an exception?"

Unexpectedly, Xie Yunhai’s words made the woman even more disdainful. Just as she was about to mock them, Director Xu arrived. He was accompanied by an older aunt, who had a badge on her chest that read hostel attendant, indicating she was staff too.

"Brother Xie, there’s no room left, right? It’s unavoidable. This place, though remote, attracts many visitors, especially with this weather delaying people. Of course, it’s fully occupied. Luckily, I have some favor here. ... I’ve already spoken with Aunt Wei. She’ll rearrange things to definitely find you a room."

Jiang Mingyue and Xie Yunhai exchanged a glance when no one was watching, understanding clearly. Director Xu was playing tricks; he probably left on purpose earlier, and the woman blocking them was likely in on it, just to appear now and solve the problem.

All one can say is, it’s really shady down below!

Xie Yunhai immediately clasped his hands in gratitude, "Thank you! Thank you! Someday, when you come to Nanxi City, I’ll host you warmly, showing my appreciation for today’s help."

"Don’t mention it!"

Ugh! Arm in arm like good brothers, while internally engaging in defensive calculations against each other.

Even the two attendants were stunned.

Check-in went smoothly, fifty cents per room; they reserved two rooms and only needed to show the introduction letter, which Xie Yunhai had sorted out in advance.

Jiang Mingyue also noticed the aunt processing their check-in, named Wei Ju, aged forty-eight.

While Jiang Mingyue waited for the keys, Xie Yunhai escorted Xu Guoping out and slipped a pack of Yunyan cigarettes into his pocket, seeing Director Xu smile exceptionally brightly.

"Brother Xie, I appreciate your savvy ways."

"Don’t mention it! Don’t mention it!"

Their mutual understanding was evident.

For such situations, Xie Yunhai was used to it. Many maintain a facade, but in private won’t uphold it for benefits, especially if it doesn’t breach principles. Offering convenience for a benefit is no big deal.

Though, the tactics are excessive! Xie Yunhai didn’t mind because he already calculated ahead, planning to let them gradually return the favors later!

Jiang Mingyue hadn’t received the key, as Aunt Wei’s granddaughter suddenly started crying.

"Sorry, I’ll be right back."

Jiang Mingyue was quite helpless. The efficiency of this era was truly "impressive!"

What else could she do but wait?

Unexpectedly, the woman from before wandered over again. Jiang Mingyue thought she was going to speak to her but was surprised when she just passed by, muttering, "Unchaste! Using your looks to lure men everywhere, probably sneaking off for dates behind your boyfriend’s back!"

Her voice wasn’t loud, more like mumbling, but Jiang Mingyue’s sharp ears heard it all clearly.

Jiang Mingyue’s face turned dark, "You must be out of your mind. Did water flood your brain? I suggest hospitalization!"

The Lou-surnamed attendant’s back stiffened, pausing for several seconds before continuing to sweep the floor.

Jiang Mingyue: "..." Not only pretending others are deaf, but she acted deaf too!

Truly amazed! Encountered a weirdo!

"Apologies for wasting your time, here are your keys," Aunt Wei hurried over, apologizing repeatedly.

"No problem!" Jiang Mingyue felt she had a really good temperament.

The hostel had two floors, with their two adjacent rooms on the second floor.

As the pair went upstairs, Lou Changqiu flashed over, "Aunt Wei, didn’t they get one room?"

Aunt Wei rolled her eyes, "Two keys, obviously two rooms. Lou Changqiu, let me advise you, if you’re aiming for advancement, don’t mix personal feelings with work. Understand the distinction?

Your sister-in-law flirts everywhere, that’s your family business, unrelated to our guests. Don’t see a pretty girl and equate her with your sister-in-law’s face; not everyone is that patient. You might hit a wall, and crying for three days won’t help."

The woman, though unwilling, still replied hesitantly, "Got it!"

The two opened the room and looked around. There was an old peony bedspread, a long table and wooden chair against the wall, curtains so thin they were nearly useless, allowing enough light through to read or write. Upon inspecting the glass windows, they found several broken panes, some old and others new, likely damaged by today’s fierce wind.

It’s still possible to stay here, as long as the door’s locked she can enter the space.

"Yueyue, look, the window glass is broken here too, that’s not good, let’s go and change rooms."

Just like that, Jiang Mingyue was dragged back to the first floor.

Perhaps it was a case of bad luck, as Lou Changqiu was the one minding the desk again.

Seeing her with her head lowered, Xie Yunhai bent his finger and tapped, "Comrade, please switch us to two different rooms. Our room is uninhabitable, the window glass is all broken. What if thieves sneak in through the window at night and steal things? Wouldn’t you have to compensate us? You saw it yourself, my watch is worth several hundred and includes industrial vouchers. If the guesthouse compensates us, they’d have to put the blame on a few of you, right?"

Lou Changqiu furrowed her brow, unwilling but recognizing the reasoning. Yet, glancing up and noticing the girl beside him, with her fair skin contrasting against her rough hands, a nameless anger welled up within Lou Changqiu.

"Live here if you want! I’m telling you, even if we had available rooms, we wouldn’t switch them for you. What could you do about it?"

"Oh dear! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!" Wei Ju hurried over, repeatedly apologizing and pushing the trouble-maker Lou Changqiu aside. "Don’t listen to her. Sorry, two people just checked out, I’ll switch them right now."

Xie Yunhai and Jiang Mingyue: Such a small guesthouse hiding so many tricks, deliberately giving them a bad room because they seem easy to bully!

The siblings displayed their displeasure.

Aunt Wei knew trouble was brewing, and hurriedly apologized with a smile, "Sorry! The rooms are indeed half-vacant, guests prefer the large dormitory for a dime a night, leaving single and double rooms often empty. But today’s weather is unusual, we thought we’d wait a bit for full occupancy, reserving better rooms for later to keep guests. I’m really sorry! It’s solely my idea, and I apologize to the two of you!"

Wei Ju bowed deeply to the pair as she spoke.

The siblings weren’t the type to be unreasonable; although still uneasy, they didn’t make things difficult for Aunt Wei.

This time the room was still on the second floor, but inside everything was satisfactory, at least better than before.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Aunt Wei proactively brought a hot water kettle to the two rooms, filling them with boiling water. Others didn’t get this treatment and had to request, there were only three kettles in total and they had to be available.

Jiang Mingyue didn’t rush to use the kettle, planning not to return it, serving as a lesson to Wei Ju.

Not wanting to fuss with Aunt Wei, knowing she genuinely aimed to retain guests and held no personal grudge against them.

Room matters settled, it was still early, and the siblings contemplated the bicycle matter, locking the door before heading downstairs.

Aunt Wei saw them coming down and promptly stuffed Jiang Mingyue’s pockets with sunflower seeds, which made Xie Yunhai relent. By the door, two children around five or six years old were playing.

The little girl was dressed shabbily, but clean and tidy from head to toe, including her neatly braided pigtail. The boy playing with her looked about the same age, dressed decently but evidenced dirt marks on his pants and a runny nose, indicating he wasn’t very clean.

Kids, this is understandable.

Jiang Mingyue and her brother were about to leave, the little girl politely stepping aside, prompting Jiang Mingyue to look at her twice.

The girl was not shy, timidly lifting her little face, "Sister, you’re so beautiful, as pretty as flowers!"

Jiang Mingyue: "..." She liked this compliment! Overjoyed, she pulled out two White Rabbit candies from her pocket for the little girl.

Seeing the sweets, the little girl licked her lips, wanting them but still glanced over to Aunt Wei.

Aunt Wei felt a bit embarrassed, having acted improperly before felt guilty now, but faced with her granddaughter’s eager eyes, she relented, feeling sorry for her disappointment.

"Then take them!" To which Aunt Wei stuffed the remaining sunflower seeds to Xie Yunhai.

Xie Yunhai: "..."

"Thank you pretty sister, I’m Baihua’er."

Who doesn’t like mannerly, clean children?

Having given Baihua’er sweets, another boy eyed her expectantly, so Jiang Mingyue took out two more candies for him.

Though never taught, the boy mimicked Baihua’er, "Thank you pretty sister!"

"Good boy! Enjoy them."

She understands children’s yearning for candy at these times.

Originally, the situation should’ve ended here, but who knew there would be more trouble.

A voice called, soon followed by its owner.

"Baihua’er, how can you eat two pieces? Go on, give your candy to Xiao Guang. He’s a boy, what are you eating sweets for, girl? Don’t waste it!"