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墨書 Inktalez
After the spring began, Mother planned to buy seeds and fertilizer when she returned home. Lin Xiao figured she needed at least a month to get by; eating in the cafeteria was no problem for her.
Last night, I checked the opening hours of the Provincial Museum, and it’s open from the first to the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. I could earn at least four or five hundred a day working as a tour guide for foreigners.
Lin Mu exclaimed, "That's a lot!"
Lin Xiao quickly interrupted, "You can't do that! Civil servants aren't allowed to take on side jobs. What if someone sees you? How about I—"
"Come on," Lin Mu replied. "Your English is good, but you can't just read from a script." Lin Xiao knew that Lin Mu was a typical science and engineering type, not good at storytelling. By then, she would be wearing a disposable mask, so most people wouldn't recognize her anyway.
Lin Xiao had thought about this issue; compared to the risk of being recognized, getting through this tough time was the most important thing. From New Year's Eve until the fourth day of the new year, Lin Xiao had guided seven or eight foreign tourists. Since there were many people, there weren't enough guides in the museum, so she also took on a few domestic groups.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, Lin Xiao received her last pair of guests. She thought to herself that once this was over, she wouldn't come out again; after all, the longer she stayed, the greater the risk of being recognized, and those from out of town should be heading back soon.
Fortunately, she had a good day with a foreign couple who were interested in local folklore and had a pleasant conversation with Lin Xiao. They even added each other on WeChat. After talking for an hour, they ended up spending over four hours together. Lin Xiao accepted their payment, but they insisted on giving her extra as a tip.
Seeing them slip her extra cash made her pause; she asked them to wait for a moment and hurried to the museum's gift shop to buy a cultural product as a gift for them. The couple was delighted with the pair of lucky dolls they received and kept giving Lin Xiao thumbs up.
After bidding farewell to the couple, Lin Xiao prepared to change clothes in the museum's dressing room before saying hello to her deputy director.
As she turned around, she saw Li Hao standing on the museum steps watching her.
Li Hao had never seen Lin Xiao looking so youthful; she wore a festive traditional red Hanfu with a short jacket and long skirt. A deep brown hairpin held her hair in an elegant bun, and her outfit highlighted her classical beauty.
Lin Xiao held onto a small bee figurine she had taken off earlier and wondered what to do now. When she said goodbye to her guests just moments ago, she had removed her mask. If it weren't for Li Hao saving her brother earlier, she might have slipped away without hesitation. But now what?
"Is this how you practice your English?" Before Lin Xiao could think of a response, Li Hao approached her.
Earlier, while admiring a painting, he had heard Lin Xiao guiding her guests next door while they looked at "Spring River Evening Scene." The voice sounded like hers; when he turned to take a closer look, he realized it truly was her.
"Lin Shuji! Are you here to visit the museum too?" Lin Xiao didn't want to answer his question directly. "Have you finished your tour?"
Li Hao was a PhD in history and loved museums more than almost anything else. Listening to Lin Xiao's explanations today opened up a whole new perspective for him.
"You don't look like it's your first time guiding," he remarked. "You guided for an hour? How much is that?"
Lin Xiao felt her face flush bright red.
"I can't accept your money." Lin Xiao wanted to pack the little bee away. "If it's just you, I can manage without a microphone."
Li Hao didn't want her to carry that thing around with him either.
As they entered the museum, a Light Guide approached them. "Lin Xiao, a new guest, huh?"
Lin Xiao smiled and replied, "Yes."
They encountered a few more guides but didn't feel like greeting them.
"You know them?" Li Hao found this a bit strange.
Lin Xiao briefly explained that she had visited the Provincial Museum before while passing through.
"Secretary Li, please wait a moment. I'll change my clothes quickly." Without waiting for Li Hao's response, Lin Xiao headed to the changing room.
When she came out, she was back in her usual attire: a black down jacket, black pants, and a pair of black ankle boots, her hair tied back in a low ponytail.
At first, it was Lin Xiao who was explaining things, but as they continued their tour, it became clear that Li Hao knew much more than she did.
During the visit, the distance between them closed significantly; the hierarchical relationship faded away, and Lin Xiao felt much more at ease.
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