Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 1390 - 1212: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

Chapter 1390: Chapter 1212: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

"So, should I repay the boat fare to you later?" Xia Dabao said.

My mother said that I couldn’t let Long Aixi pay for everything, as it would seem like I had no self-respect.

"No need, Abao. You’re a guest at my home, it wouldn’t be right, in any sense, to have you pay everywhere. If I let you pay, my parents would surely blame me, saying I don’t know how to treat guests properly. You wouldn’t want me to be scolded by my parents, would you?" Long Aixi said with a smile.

"But my mother said..."

"Your mother is just worried I would look down on you, that’s why she asked you to pay. It’s all out of politeness. But just think about it, I stayed at your house for over a month, eating and drinking, have I ever given your parents any money? If I had, wouldn’t that have been distant? Likewise, I can’t take your money. Let’s call it even," Long Aixi continued, "Besides, I’ve already paid the boat fare. If you give me the money now, it would make me look stingy."

Meanwhile, the boatman was hurrying people to board: "Anyone for Xiangli? Xiangli? Are there any more for Xiangli?"

Long Aixi quickly answered, "Yes, right away!"

After responding, he grabbed Xia Dabao’s hand and helped her board the boat.

There were quite a few people heading to Xiangli, and with the boatman’s call, those ready to board all crowded on, but Long Aixi protected Xia Dabao, even making a little space around her so that she wouldn’t be bumped into.

Once on the boat, Long Aixi led Xia Dabao to a less crowded area, then took out a kerchief from her bag to pad the boat’s deck with, "You sit here for a while, I’ll be right back."

This boat had no seating, so passengers had to sit on the deck. Of course, they could also stand by the railings to enjoy the river view.

As it was Xia Dabao’s first time traveling so far, she naturally stayed put. Once Xiao’ai left, she folded up the kerchief, stood up, and checked her surroundings.

Almost everyone that needed to be on the boat had boarded, and now it was quite lively on deck. There were porters, people with children, and groups of two or three. They all searched for the best spots to settle down and then told the children around them not to wander off.

Not knowing where Long Aixi had gone, Xia Dabao naturally searched for him among the crowd.

He had a distinct look, and Xia Dabao quickly spotted that figure in white, exuding an air of nobility – Long Aixi – conversing with the boatman, and the boatman had begun to look for change.

Hadn’t the fare already been paid?

She probably pretended otherwise just so I wouldn’t insist on paying the boat fare myself.

How thoughtful of her.

My mother often said, with things such as these, if the other person means well, or it’s about saving face, it’s best not to expose them. So she spread the kerchief back on the deck and sat down again.

Soon, Long Jiaxi came back, saying, "I was just asking the boatman where the toilet is. Turns out, there’s an outhouse on the boat, Abao, do you need to go? If you do, I can take you there?"

How considerate he was.

They had set out early in the morning, and it was now close to noon. It was indeed time for a break, but Xia Dabao hadn’t drunk much water that day and didn’t feel the urge. She shook her head, "I don’t need to just yet. I’ll let you know when I do."

"Alright, let me know when you need to. Oh, and I asked the boatman – we won’t reach Xiangli until tonight, so we’ll need to stay over in Xiangli for one night!"

"Okay!" Xia Dabao responded, and then she took eggs out of her parcel and handed two to Long Aixi, "Have something to eat first; you can’t go hungry. My mother says being on an empty stomach could make you seasick."