Running Away (GXG) (GIRLXGIRL) (GL)

24

Zuo Yanzhen froze. She had no idea when her daughter became so
   close to this girl, but she was indeed the one who drove her
   home, after all. Thus, she didn’t say another word.

   Qin Haotian and Qin Julai were natural conversationalists. With
   their friendly praises and teasing, the meal was a warm and
   joyous experience.

   Right when they finished eating, Qin Haotian received a phone
   call before he even had a chance to place his chopsticks down.
   He glanced at his phone screen, then walked outside to take the
   call, not returning until a while later.

   In the meantime, Qin Juran and the others helped to tidy up the
   dishes and utensils. Qin Juran walked out of the kitchen to
   find Qin Haotian wearing a strange expression on his face. She
   walked up to him and asked, “What’s wrong, Dad?”

   Qin Haotian quickly tucked his phone away: “Nothing, nothing.”

   Qin Juran frowned: “I talked to you about all my problems, but
   now you won’t tell me when you have a problem?”

   Noticing her concerned manner, Ruan Nan and Qin Julai looked
   over towards them. Qin Haotian replied in a derisive tone,
   “It’s not a big deal. Earlier the health inspector came for a
   check, but he said that our design and hygiene didn’t meet the
   requirements. We’ve already made so many changes before, but
   it’s still no good. So, our current permit is about to expire
   soon, and they won’t grant us a new one.”

   Although he said it wasn’t a big deal, his deep-set frown
   revealed an unconcealable uneasiness.

   Health and hygiene were the most basic standards for the
   foodservice industry. Qin Juran assessed JuJu Tavern as a
   whole. Asides from some tiny details, there didn’t seem to be
   any issues with the interior design. Moreover, Qin Haotian and
   his wife were both clean people, so good hygiene wasn’t even a
   question.

   “You said that you’ve made many changes and it still didn’t
   work?” Qin Juran asked.

   Qin Haotian nodded.

   “It is really a design and hygiene issue?”

   Every industry has its superiors, each with their designated
   duties. As such, in this realm of duties, there are often both
   spoken and unspoken regulations.

   As Qin Juran said this, the implicit meaning behind her words
   was obvious. Zuo Yanzhen rushed over: “Ranran, you kids don’t
   need to worry about this. Why don’t you bring your friend
   upstairs to get some rest?”

   Before Qin Juran could reply, Ruan Nan pardoned herself to go
   outside to make a call.

   Two minutes later, Ruan Nan returned and walked straight
   towards Qin Haotian: “Uncle, I explained your family’s
   situation to a friend of mine. He said that you can receive a
   new permit by this afternoon.”

   Ruan Nan’s voice came out so calmly that she might as well have
   been talking about tomorrow’s lunch. Qin Haotian froze for a
   long moment, then his brows shot up: “Wait, Nannan, you’re
   joking with Uncle, right?”

   Ruan Nan let out a polite laugh, shaking her head.

   “No way, this–” Qin Haotian and Zuo Yanzhen shared a quick
   glance, then looked towards Qin Juran, expressions of pure
   disbelief plastered on their faces the entire time. “Such a
   large matter – and you were able to take care of it with a
   single phone call?”