PFC Chapter 232 Who is this?
Chapter 232 Who is this?
As the night deepened, the waiter's slightly hurried but friendly knock on the door was heard from the inn, like the horn of dinner, floating slowly into everyone's ears.
Although the voice was light, it was enough to penetrate the heavy dream and awaken Xiao Zhixue to a moment of peace.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, vaguely aware of the passage of time.
As Zhou Shuqiong and I walked out side by side, the doors of the neighboring rooms opened one after another, as if it was a silent prelude to tacit understanding.
Xiao Zhixue's eyes swept across these villagers and her brows furrowed slightly, as if she had an unspeakable worry about this farce of men dressing up as women.
Even so, she still chose to remain silent and walked slowly down the stairs with the crowd, each step carrying complex emotions.
When the shopkeeper and the waiter saw this scene, their faces turned pale as if they had been electrocuted. They looked so panic-stricken as if they had encountered some ominous sign.
After all, ever since the bandit problem in Longfei Village began, no outsiders have set foot in this remote inn for a long time.
The guest we finally welcomed today revealed his true identity in such an unexpected way, which was very frightening.
The shopkeeper's fear grew like weeds in his heart, and he even mistakenly thought that those ferocious robbers had invaded again. In a panic, he hid under the counter, his body shaking as if a gust of wind could blow him away.
The waiter, who was about to ask everyone about their dinner choices, was frightened by the scene before him and immediately turned around and ran towards the kitchen, shouting those misleading words as he ran, making the atmosphere suddenly tense.
In the kitchen, the chef was concentrating on cutting vegetables. As the knife rose and fell, the pieces of food were neatly arranged. The waiter's urgent warning was like a thunderclap, instantly breaking the original calm.
The chef's hand holding the kitchen knife looked even stronger because of his anger. His fat face was full of indomitable spirit. The moment he rushed out of the kitchen with the knife in hand, he was like a wild beast about to charge.
Faced with the sudden appearance of the "robber", the villagers looked at each other, their hearts full of confusion and innocence. They had no idea why they had inexplicably become the cook's enemy.
Zhou Shuqiong gently tugged at Xiao Zhixue's sleeve, his eyes full of confusion and uneasiness, and asked in a low voice, fearing that this was an unprovoked disaster.
Xiao Zhixue stood up in a calm manner. She understood that only communication could resolve this misunderstanding.
She approached the chef with a warm and calm smile on her face, trying to clarify everything in the simplest and most direct terms.
However, the chef's anger did not subside. He stubbornly believed that all this was a cover-up, and he swung the blade in his hand towards Xiao Zhixue mercilessly, trying to prove his judgment with action.
At the critical moment, Xiao Zhixue showed extraordinary calmness and strength. She resolved the attack with ease and held the chef's wrist with just the right amount of force, which both demonstrated her strength and avoided unnecessary harm.
The chef's screams and distorted expression became the focus of everyone's attention at this moment, and also brought the scene into an awkward stalemate.
Xiao Zhixue kept smiling, and her words were clear and firm, which not only made her position clear but also hinted at the complexity of the matter.
When she loosened her grip, the chef stumbled back, the sharp pain a punishment for his reckless behavior.
Reluctant curses and insults were his only counterattacks, and in Xiao Zhixue's eyes, all of this was just a small episode.
Later, when Xiao Zhixue tried to restore normal order and asked for order, the absence of the waiter caused the whole scene to fall into a delicate balance again.
Her patience was limited, so she decided to go to the counter in person to question the boss. The knocking sound contained a force that could not be ignored, forcing the boss to face this difficult situation.
The boss's face was filled with helplessness and fear. Although his words to drive the customers away were tactful, they could hardly conceal the anxiety behind them.
Xiao Zhixue understood his difficulties, but she also knew that leaving at this moment would mean more difficulties and unknowns.
So, she chose to speak with facts and took out the pass, hoping to use it as a basis for persuasion.
Page after page of documents recorded the legality of their journey, and the official seal was like an authoritative guarantee, quietly proclaiming their innocence.
The innkeeper checked carefully, and his doubts gradually eased as the verification went deeper, but his tense nerves were still not completely relaxed. Years of experience had taught him to be wary of every possible trap.
In the end, the list on the second page became the decisive evidence. The densely packed names and seals silently told the stories of the journey.
The shopkeeper counted and verified until the last shred of doubt was dispelled.
His expression changed from initial vigilance to reluctant acceptance, and he nodded reluctantly at Xiao Zhixue's always gentle smile, as if admitting to himself that sometimes, appearances can really be deceiving.
Although he chose to believe it, the doubts in his heart did not completely dissipate, like a lingering mist in his heart.
"Assuming that you are not one of the notorious bandits in Longfei Village, then how did you get through so many obstacles and reach this remote Lianhua Town? You know, there is only one road leading here, and it has long been blocked by the brutal guys in Longfei Village. Could it be that you have used incredible courage to break through their iron wall?"
There was a hint of disbelief and subtle curiosity in the shopkeeper's voice.
Xiao Zhixue did not reveal anything about her heroic deeds in taking out all the people in Longfei Village alone.
Life is more important than anything else. Once this matter is leaked, it will probably lead to the intervention of the government. By then, it will undoubtedly be extremely difficult for them to get away with it.
In this strange place, keeping a low profile is the way to survive.
She made up a story lightly: "We did pass through Longfei Village, but at that time, we were escorted by a patrol of government troops. Those bandits dared not attack us under the eagle eyes of the government troops."
When these words came out, the shopkeeper's jaw almost dislocated, and his shock was beyond words.
Who on earth were these people, and how could they be escorted by the government troops? In his understanding, dozens of miles away from Lianhua Town was the prosperous Zhangzhou City.
Could it be that they have an unusual relationship with the governor of Zhangzhou and therefore received such an honor?
But looking at their attire, it was extremely simple and they didn't have the aura of rich kids at all.
What's more, Xiao Zhixue had clearly told them that they were refugees who came here to escape disaster.
The pass issued by the government is the most powerful proof.
But if they were really refugees, how did they get on this big ship to Zhangzhou Prefecture?
Faced with the shopkeeper's suspicious eyes, Xiao Zhixue just smiled lightly and did not pursue the topic any further.
"Boss, can we order now? We are all starving."
Her tone was gentle, and her smile was as gentle as spring breeze. The shopkeeper suddenly woke up from his dream and quickly waved to the waiter: "The guests want to order dishes, you go and serve them quickly."