Gu Youyou lifted the carriage door and descended first.
The man driving the carriage kept his head lowered. That demeanor was very familiar to Gu Youyou—it was like those retired soldiers she had hired from the army with a hefty payment in modern times.
Moreover, there was a sinister and oppressive aura, like the black-clad men in the dark of night.
"Thank you!" Gu Youyou said to him.
The man did not reply, simply waiting on the side with his head lowered.
Gu Youyou then looked towards the top of the carriage, where there was no one left. That person had left before they even entered the city.
Abao sprung out of the carriage and, seeing the unfamiliar carriage driver, did not exhibit its usual wariness towards strangers. It obediently stayed by Gu Youyou’s side.
Fearing it would frighten people, Gu Youyou even put a chain around its neck.
Although the chain posed no threat to Abao, as long as others saw that the dog was leashed and seemed safe, it was sufficient.
Xiang Chun and Lin Qianqing emerged from the carriage.
Xiang Chun immediately noticed that the carriage driver was not from Lin Residence and seemed to want to say something, but dared not.
It was Lin Qianqing who asked without any hesitation.
"Driver, how did you come to drive our carriage? Where is our family’s driver?" she asked.
The man clasped hands and said, "Miss Lin, please be at ease, he is unharmed. He will come to meet you when you return."
Lin Qianqing, still curious, asked, "Then what exactly happened on the road?"
"I beg your pardon, but I cannot disclose that," he responded.
After speaking, the carriage driver moved to the other side of the carriage and took it to where the horses were to be fed.
In a low voice, Gu Youyou said to Lin Qianqing, "Let’s not worry about it for now. We can ask our own driver when we get back."
Manxiu Building was a beautifully renovated three-story pavilion with carved beams and painted columns, exuding an ancient charm.
In this era, unless intentionally constructed as a tall tower, three stories was the maximum height for an ordinary person’s dwelling.
Miss Du greeted them, exclaiming, "Miss Lin, Doctor Gu, you’ve arrived! Please, come in quickly."
Gu Youyou gestured for Xiang Chun to present the gifts they had prepared. Miss Du accepted them with thanks and handed them to Cuiya to record in the book.
Lin Qianqing glanced at the meticulously renovated Manxiu Building, squinting and smiling, "Miss Du, congratulations! It’s indeed rare to see you so happy with such a smile."
Miss Du said, "You flatter me, Miss Lin. And I must thank you. Without you, there would be no Xintong today. To say that Doctor Gu and Miss Lin have given Xintong a second chance at life would not be an exaggeration."
Gu Youyou clasped her hands and said, "You are too kind, Miss Du. Seeing you so well today truly gratifies me. Today is a joyous day for the opening of your Manxiu Building; let’s go inside quickly."
"Yes, yes, let’s enter the house," Miss Du affirmed and then looked at the large dog led by Gu Youyou, her brow slightly furrowing.
"Doctor Gu, the dog you’ve raised is indeed very large," she commented.
Gu Youyou smiled and said, "It’s just big in size, actually very mild-mannered. Miss Du, I hope you don’t mind me bringing the dog here."
Miss Du looked somewhat intimidated by the dog, but still said stiffly that she did not mind.
Bringing Abao to such an occasion was indeed problematic, but Gu Youyou felt extremely anxious inside, always feeling safer with Abao by her side.
If she were captured, Abao might be able to send a message to Jin Zijin or lead the way.
Miss Du led them first to a guest room on the second floor, offered tea, and said, "I thought you might arrive a bit later, but didn’t expect you so soon. You must have started your day early. This place is very quiet. After the fatigue of travel, would you like to rest a while?"