When they reached the first floor, Zhou Wang first introduced Miao Ying to Su Yajing.
After greeting Su Yajing, Miao Ying seriously memorized her appearance.
This was something Jiang Qingkui had taught her in private. As Zhou Wang’s driver, if she were to be made permanent, she would be very much involved in Zhou Wang’s personal life in the future.
And to handle these relationships appropriately, just remaining silent was not enough. It was necessary to have a basic understanding of those close to Zhou Wang.
In fact, Jiang Qingkui herself was also doing this, just that she never directly asked Zhou Wang, because she thought that was the dumbest way.
After the two women got to know each other, Su Yajing took Zhou Wang to the room facing the door on the first floor, which was the place where Zhou Wang had previously seen some noise.
Just as they arrived, several men and women walked out. The leading man was wearing ethnic clothing, showing clear local characteristics.
Seeing these people, Su Yajing quickly pulled Zhou Wang to the side, looking a bit fearful.
Once the group communicated in a dialect Zhou Wang couldn’t understand and walked away, Zhou Wang looked at Su Yajing questioningly, "Who are these people..."
"The man leading them is the landlord of the inn. He’s been coming a lot lately because of some contract issue, and he’s been arguing fiercely with my aunt!"
Su Yajing quietly explained, "They always come in a big group; sometimes I’m worried they’ll get upset and smash the inn..."
"It’s their own property, so they probably wouldn’t. Besides, what era are we in anyway?"
Zhou Wang found it funny and softly comforted her, "There’s always a way to discuss things if there’s a contract, no matter what the dispute is."
"Brother, you have no idea. Some locals are so difficult, and they love forming cliques. The previous landlord even tried to harass my aunt..."
Listening to Su Yajing’s complaints, Zhou Wang didn’t know what to say.
Although he tried to comfort Su Yajing with reasoning, Zhou Wang knew deep down that many matters weren’t about who was right.
The ecosystem in Li City was somewhat unique. Due to various restrictions, although most inn owners here were from other places, they usually had to lease or contract. Encountering a local with a conscience could indeed lead to many issues.
If contracts could really solve everything, there wouldn’t be so many disputes...
Just before they entered the room, Su Yajing, seemingly remembering something, quietly pulled Zhou Wang aside.
"Uh... Brother, my aunt might have a tiny bit of prejudice against you. If she says something that upsets you, just ignore her. She’s not a bad person at heart, just maybe a bit sharp-tongued."
"Huh?" Zhou Wang was taken aback and asked puzzledly, "She’s never met me before, so why would she be prejudiced?"
"Because I told her I got a boyfriend, and maybe it didn’t quite match her expectations... There are some rather complex reasons involved, not your issue, Brother. I’ll explain it to you slowly when we have time, okay?"
Su Yajing cautiously suggested.
"Okay, got it."
Zhou Wang nodded, pinching Su Yajing’s cheek, "Don’t worry, I’m not that childish. I won’t argue with elders."
Hearing this, Su Yajing finally smiled and led Zhou Wang by the hand into the room.
Inside the room, converted into a combined living room and front desk, a woman was sitting behind the counter, chatting with another girl who looked like a service attendant.
This beautiful woman, appearing to be in her early thirties, was probably Su Yajing’s aunt.
With a simple white shirt and jeans, her hair was tied up, her features subtly enhanced with light makeup, and she had a slender figure with an attractive face. Her skin was slightly tan, and her eyebrows faintly resembled Su Yajing’s, though she had a more mature allure.
Compared to Su Yajing, she also had a bit more of a "fierce" aura.
Especially since, as Su Yajing and Zhou Wang walked in, she was scolding someone, making it particularly noticeable.
"Xiao Xia, how many times have I told you to carefully inspect before returning the deposit? Look at how bed number 103’s sheets are ruined; did you think just covering it with the quilt makes it invisible?"
"But... but the guests in 103 said they had a plane to catch, and didn’t you, Boss Lady, say we should run our business by reputation and consider the guests’ needs..."
The service girl, called Xiao Xia, quietly explained.
"Didn’t I also say it only applies to decent guests? Seems like you only heard the words ’guests’, huh? Do you think everyone who enters is a guest? Some aren’t even people!"
Yajing’s aunt tapped the table and loudly said, "I think you should stop being called Xiao Xia and rename yourself to Little Lobster!"
"Ah, Boss Lady, why?" Xiao Xia asked, bewildered.
"Because you’re small, deaf, and blind!"
With that, her aunt gave her a playful flick on the head.
"Pfft!"
Su Yajing couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that moment, and Zhou Wang also had a grin.
The laughter caught the woman’s attention. She glanced at Su Yajing and Zhou Wang, her eyes pausing for a moment on their clasped hands, after which she gave Xiao Xia a severe glare.
"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and go clean the room unless you want to skip meals!"
"Oh, oh..."
Holding her head, Xiao Xia ran off with a face full of grievance, but she gave Zhou Wang a curious look as she passed, obviously charmed by his looks.