Chapter 247: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
After leaving the Diner Inn, Meng Nan invited Bai Zhi to the government office for a visit.
Before Bai Zhi could answer, Hu Feng let out a heavy cough. His cool, distant gaze swept over her. The look might have seemed casual, but to Bai Zhi, it carried a definite threat.
Bai Zhi gave a strained laugh. “Let’s skip it for today. I have to hurry back and find people to harvest the potatoes. Boss Chen is sending someone to pick them up first thing in the morning, and I can’t be left with nothing to deliver, can I?”
Meng Nan was very disappointed and muttered a dejected “Oh.”
Watching the carriage gradually disappear from sight, Jin Xiao’an heaved a long sigh. “I never thought potatoes could be made to taste like this. I’m afraid only Miss Bai has such skill. After we leave Qingyuan Town, I wonder if we’ll ever get to eat something this delicious again in our lives.”
Meng Nan shot Jin Xiao’an a glare and snapped, “Didn’t Zhi promise me she’d come find me in the Capital City someday? Didn’t you hear her?”
Jin Xiao’an wanted to say that she had only said *if* she went to the Capital City, she would definitely look for him. But what if she never went?
Seeing his young master’s expression, he decided it was best to keep his mouth shut, lest he ruin the good mood Meng Nan had just gotten back.
As they passed a bustling street, Bai Zhi suggested they buy a few things before heading back. Hu Feng stopped the carriage at a street corner where attendants were available to watch over vehicles for a fee. It was a convenience for owners who wanted to shop in the busy market without worrying about their carriages being stolen.
The moment the carriage stopped, four or five men swarmed around them, ranging in age from their twenties to their forties and fifties.
Each one was waiting for work, and they were all eager to land this job from Hu Feng.
After his gaze swept over each of their faces, Hu Feng handed the reins to a young man in his early thirties. “Please look after it.”
The young man was delighted and thanked him profusely.
As the two of them walked into the busy market, Bai Zhi asked Hu Feng, “There were so many men just now. Why did you choose the one who didn’t look particularly friendly?” She asked this because the man in his early thirties had a scar on his face. His smile wasn’t as bright as the others’, holding a sense of restraint, and his gaze was more timid in comparison.
However, if it had been her choice, she would have picked the same man. She was just curious about Hu Feng’s reasons for choosing him.
Hu Feng cast a cool glance at Bai Zhi beside him and said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover. The more someone tries to display a friendly and easygoing demeanor, the darker their true intentions are. Genuinely kind people don’t need to make a show of their character.”
“Is that all?” She raised an eyebrow. Hu Feng didn’t seem like the type to choose someone based on looks alone.
Hu Feng added, “Of course not. There were seven men in total. Three were in their early twenties, two were around forty, and one was around fifty. He was the only one in his early thirties.”
Bai Zhi’s lips curved into a faint smile. ‘He thinks just like I do.’
Hu Feng countered, “Now it’s your turn. Tell me why I ultimately chose that man.”
Bai Zhi bought two roasted flatbreads and handed one to Hu Feng. “There are many reasons. Including what you’ve already said, there are four points in total. First, his age is suitable. At thirty-something, he must be married, and his children likely aren’t grown yet. The fact that he’s out here doing this kind of work means his family is struggling financially. For the sake of his wife and kids, he’s willing to work harder than others. Furthermore, a man like him won’t cause trouble. With a young wife and young children, he wouldn’t do anything foolish, if only for his family’s sake.”