NOVPUB
Chapter 548: Chapter 548: Going Abroad 1
Gu Hongwei watched the two of them leave with a frown, only exiting the airport after their plane had taken off. Looking up at the plane disappearing into the sky, his face showed a hint of worry.
After all, they were going abroad, and he had no idea if they would be able to find their way around. Tong Yao was capable of communicating in English, but Guo Jinnian lacked a formal education and didn’t understand the language. If she were to get separated from Tong Yao, she might just end up lost in a foreign country.
The more Gu Hongwei thought about it, the more worried he became. He should have given Guo Jinnian a few written notes. If she got lost, at least she could use the notes to ask for directions and avoid being stranded abroad.
In contrast to Gu Hongwei’s worries, Guo Jinnian was thrilled beyond words. Looking at the clouds outside the window that seemed within arm’s reach, she felt like she had entered an unreal paradise.
"Yaoyao, I never imagined that I would one day be thousands of meters above ground, travelling to another country."
Tong Yao squinted and laughed lightly, "After we’ve made some money, you’ll be able to go to many more places. You could even fly home from Kyoto whenever you want."
Guo Jinnian, full of curiosity, asked, "How long would it take to fly from Kyoto to my home?"
Tong Yao pondered for a moment before uncertainly answering, "About an hour."
Guo Jinnian took Tong Yao’s words at face value. Seeing the blond-haired, white-skinned individuals seated nearby, her eyes shone like two little stars, "Yaoyao, look, foreigners!"
Tong Yao was amused by Guo Jinnian’s excitement. If she hadn’t been with her for so long and didn’t understand Guo Jinnian’s personality, she would have difficulty imagining that Guo Jinnian had retained a childlike nature, acting like a child in front of familiar people.
As she thought about this, she laughed and said, "After we’ve arrived abroad, ninety percent of the people we encounter will be foreigners."
Guo Jinnian regretfully said, "We should’ve brought a camera. It’s such a rare trip, we’re at a loss if we don’t take pictures. If I were to say I’ve been abroad, people would think I’m bragging."
Tong Yao smiled warmly, "I did bring a camera. It’s in the bag. Once we land, wherever you want photos, I’ll take them for you. We just need to develop the film when we get back."
Guo Jinnian was astonished, holding onto Tong Yao’s hand in excitement, "Yaoyao, you are like a worm in my stomach, you understand me so well. If I were the emperor, I would make you my empress, and you’ll be the only one in the whole palace."
Tong Yao burst into laughter, "Alright, stop blabbering. Rest a bit so you won’t feel queasy on the flight."
Guo Jinnian struck her chest in reassurance, "Don’t worry! I never get carsickness, I won’t suffer from airsickness... Whoa, the clouds outside are so beautiful."
Guo Jinnian’s self-confidence was soon put to the test. Not only did she get airsick, but it was also rather severe. Luckily, Tong Yao restrained her from eating too much before boarding, so even though she felt very uncomfortable, she didn’t vomit.
Guo Jinnian still hadn’t recovered by the time they landed and left the airport. The combination of jet lag and airsickness felt like it had drained half her life away.
Although Tong Yao was pregnant and didn’t get airsick, she too felt a tad unwell due to the jetlag.
Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Guo Jinnian felt as if she had landed on a different planet. She couldn’t understand the foreign languages spoken around her, and even the typically bold Guo Jinnian felt a bit scared. She instinctively clung to Tong Yao, finding comfort in her presence.
Contrarily, Tong Yao seemed much calmer, conversing with people in fluent English, showing no signs of stage fright. Guo Jinnian felt as if she was meeting Tong Yao for the first time, only now realizing that Tong Yao was far more well-rounded than she had thought.
Gazing at Tong Yao with admiration in her eyes, Guo Jinnian felt the charm of education for the first time. Her family had always said that for girls, getting an education was useless. Guo Jinnian had never agreed with them, but she hadn’t held any particular passion for education either, not until now. At this moment, she felt like a deaf and mute outsider, unable to understand what others were saying, and they didn’t understand her either.
Guo Jinnian, like a child afraid of getting lost, clung to Tong Yao’s clothes. After listening to Tong Yao’s conversation with a foreigner, she curiously asked, "Yaoyao, what did he just say?"
Tong Yao softly replied, "I was asking him about exchanging currency."
Guo Jinnian then remembered that the currency used here was different from theirs, and they needed to exchange their money to spend here.
Following the man’s instructions, the two of them arrived at a place to exchange currency. Tong Yao changed all the money they had into foreign currency, then handed most of it over to Guo Jinnian for safekeeping.
She solemnly instructed, "Safeguard this money, be careful not to get it stolen. In a foreign country, we need to be more careful with our belongings. Try not to flaunt our wealth."
Guo Jinnian nodded and quickly stowed away the money. Carrying such a large sum made her see everyone here as potential thieves.
Tong Yao hailed a taxi, mentioned the address they were heading to, and Guo Jinnian asked, "Yaoyao, why is the driver’s seat on the right?"
Tong Yao explained, "That’s according to their traffic regulations here, it’s the same in many countries."
Curiosity in her eyes, Guo Jinnian asked, "Yaoyao, have you been abroad before? How do you know so much? I originally thought that I would have to take care of you, but now, it seems like I’m the liability."
With a straight face, Tong Yao spouted a lie, "I learned some things about foreign countries from books, and when I heard that Ahchen was going abroad, I started paying more attention to international affairs, to make sure I wouldn’t be clueless once I came here."
Guo Jinnian gave Tong Yao a thumbs-up, "I admire you, if your husband wasn’t as handsome as Pan An, I would beat my chest and stomp my feet in protest. Only a man with both good looks and intelligence deserves you."
Tong Yao pinched Guo Jinnian’s cheek, "Don’t talk so much nonsense." 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
The two of them admired the totally different architecture from what they were used to on their way and finally arrived at the entrance of the academy where Si Chen was studying. Tong Yao handed the taxi fare to the driver, walked up to the gate guard to inquire about something, but they were asked for ID before she could.
As soon as they found out Tong Yao and Guo Jinnian were neither students nor tutors of the academy, they were not allowed entry and were told to wait outside the gate.
Tong Yao didn’t insist on gaining entry but led Guo Jinnian to a conspicuous, open space outside, "Let’s wait here! Ahchen will see us when he comes out." She was beaming with joy at the thought of seeing Si Chen.
Guo Jinnian nodded and complained, "The people here really lack human kindness!"
Tong Yao chuckled. After waiting for over an hour, they didn’t see Si Chen, but Zhou Minyue, who had also gone abroad for further studies. Tong Yao recognized her almost instantly.
Zhou Minyue looked more fashionable than when she was in China and was accompanied by a foreign medical student. They chatted amiably, the couple exuding full confidence and charisma.
