jdhmnovel Chapter 172 Soothing the Employees and Treating the Elderly
Chapter 172 Soothing the Employees and Treating the Elderly
Gu Liuli nodded gently, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Yes, I originally thought that finding a reliable person to manage it would save me some trouble, but I didn't expect this to happen. These employees work so hard every day, they shouldn't be treated like this." As she was speaking, the young employee who had been scolded by the manager earlier walked over with red eyes. He bowed slightly, his voice tinged with nervousness. "Madam, sir, I'm so sorry to have spoiled your mood by showing you such a scene."
Gu Liuli looked at him gently and said softly, "It's not your fault. It was the shopkeeper's inappropriate actions. Don't worry, this won't happen again. By the way, I still don't know your name?"
"My name is Afu," the waiter Afu replied quickly.
Xiao Jingchuan asked gently, "Afu, how long have you been working in this shop?"
Afu scratched his head and smiled憨厚ly: "Reporting to you, sir, I have been working in this shop for almost two years, doing odd jobs. Although it is hard work, I am satisfied to have a livelihood. It's just that the shopkeeper has a bad temper and often beats and scolds us."
Gu Liuli felt a pang of pity and said, "Afu, just focus on your work from now on. If anyone bullies you again, just tell me. Xiaoyan and I opened this shop hoping that everyone could live in harmony and have a good business environment."
Afu's eyes shone with gratitude. He knelt down with a thud, his voice choked with emotion: "Madam, you and Miss Jia are both very kind people. I thank you for your kindness."
Gu Liuli quickly got up and helped him up, saying, "Get up quickly. A man's knees are worth more than gold; there's no need for such a grand gesture. Doing your job well is the greatest reward you can give us."
Afu wiped away his tears and nodded emphatically.
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the shop, as if people were arguing. Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan exchanged a glance, got up, and went to the shop entrance to investigate.
A group of people were gathered around the shop. In the middle were a ragged old woman and a boy of about seven or eight years old. Several fierce-looking men stood beside them, pointing and gesturing at the old woman and the boy with disdain on their faces.
"You two beggars, stop getting in our way and interfering with our business. If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now!" One of the men, a burly man with a face full of scars, roared fiercely. His ferocious face looked as if he wanted to devour the old woman and child in front of him alive.
The old woman trembled slightly and pleaded in a voice trembling with sobs, "Grandpa, please have mercy on us! My daughter and I haven't eaten for days, we're starving! Please, have mercy on us and give us something to eat, even just leftovers..." As she spoke, she instinctively reached out a withered, bony hand, trying to grab the hem of the big man's clothes.
The little boy clung tightly to the old woman's back, his small body trembling. His once clear and bright eyes were now filled with fear, helplessness, and the intense hunger born of a desperate craving for food. He timidly peeked out, stealing glances at the hideous-looking men, before quickly retreating like a frightened rabbit.
Seeing this, Gu Liuli's heart tightened, and a strong sense of justice welled up within her. Without hesitation, she strode forward, spread her arms, and stood firmly in front of the old woman and child. Facing the menacing men, she spoke righteously, "You grown men, how could you be so heartless, openly bullying a poor woman and child in broad daylight? What kind of audacity is this? Don't you feel ashamed?"
At the same time, Xiao Jingchuan, who had been silent all along, slowly raised his head. His cold face was covered with a layer of frost, and his icy gaze shot straight at the few burly men who didn't know what was good for them. His eyes revealed a chilling majesty, as if he would punish them mercilessly if they made the slightest move.
The burly men were intimidated by Xiao Jingchuan's sharp gaze, and involuntarily took a few steps back. Despite this, they maintained a facade of composure, muttering defiantly, "Hmph, don't try to scare us with the law! Here, we are the rules, we are the law! What can you do to us?"
At this moment, the surrounding people gathered around, pointing and whispering. One of the bolder people said, "These people are obviously not ordinary people. You'd better not cause any trouble."
Looking at the old woman and the child, Gu Liuli felt a pang of pity. She turned to Afu and said, "Afu, go to the kitchen and get some food for this old woman and the child."
Afu immediately responded and turned to run towards the kitchen.
Seeing that Gu Liuli was really going to give food to the old woman and the child, the burly men became enraged, and one of them reached out to grab Gu Liuli.
Xiao Jingchuan reacted quickly, grabbing the burly man's wrist and twisting it forcefully. The man screamed in pain, his face contorted in agony.
"You...you dare to lay a hand on me!" Upon seeing this, the other burly men surrounded them, ready to attack.
Just then, the hidden guards swiftly appeared and surrounded the burly men. Their eyes were icy, and they exuded a chilling aura.
Seeing that things were going badly, the burly men panicked and begged for mercy: "Sir, we were blind and didn't recognize your greatness. Please forgive us."
Xiao Jingchuan snorted coldly, released the burly man's wrist, and said, "I'll spare you today, but if I see you bullying the weak again, I won't let you off easily!"
The burly men scrambled away.
Just then, Afu came out carrying a large plate of food and two bowls of steaming soup. Gu Liuli took the plate and personally handed the food and soup to the old woman and the child, saying gently, "Eat quickly, don't go hungry."
The old woman's eyes were filled with tears of gratitude. She pulled the child and was about to kneel down when Gu Liuli quickly stopped them, saying, "No need for that, eat quickly."
As the old woman ate, she choked up and said, "Madam, you are such a kind person. My daughter and I have no way to repay you. We can only pray to God to bless you and your family with peace and prosperity."
Gu Liuli gazed quietly at the elderly woman and child before her, her heart surging with emotion. She pursed her lips slightly and said softly, "Grandpa, please don't be so polite. This is what we should do. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to this hot pot restaurant to find me."
Upon hearing this, the old woman was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She nodded repeatedly and said, "Good, good, good, young lady, you are such a kind person!" The little boy standing to the side, with his clear but timid eyes, looked at Gu Liuli and whispered, "Thank you... pretty sister." Although his voice was soft, it was full of sincere gratitude.
Gu Liuli smiled gently, a smile as radiant and beautiful as a flower blooming in spring. She gently reached out and stroked the little boy's head, as if conveying a warm and comforting force.
At this moment, the surrounding crowd witnessed this heartwarming scene and cast admiring glances at Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan. People whispered among themselves, praising the couple's kind act. Some said, "These two young people are truly kind-hearted; good people will surely be rewarded." Others echoed, "Indeed, such a good deed is something we should all learn from."
After the old woman and the little boy had finished eating, Gu Liuli took out some silver from her purse and handed it to the old woman, carefully instructing her, "Take this money and find a stable place to live, so that the child can have a peaceful life." The old woman's hands trembled as she accepted the silver, her eyes filled with gratitude. She kept saying thank you, and finally left slowly, full of thanks.
Gu Liuli turned and walked into the shop, just in time to meet Xiao Jingchuan's smiling gaze. The two smiled at each other, everything understood without words. Xiao Jingchuan stepped forward, gently took Gu Liuli's hand, and said softly, "Liuli, Heaven will surely see the good deed you did today, and I believe that good fortune will soon descend upon you."
Gu Liuli smiled and said, "Jingchuan, how can I remain indifferent to those who are suffering? I just hope that there can be less suffering and more warmth in this world." Yet, walking alone on the street, her heart was filled with bitterness.