Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 354: Going to the Countryside（2）

Chapter 354: Going to the Countryside（2）

Seeing the arrival of guests, a tall, acne-faced male server quickly helped Assistant Lee with the luggage. The female server, an average-looking girl around 5’4", wasn’t strikingly beautiful or unattractive, but her friendly voice and immediate sense of warmth made her quite likable.

Naturally, Damien Sterling, Emma Hart, and their two children were given the large suite on the second floor of the wooden guesthouse, while Mrs. Harris stayed in the adjoining junior suite. Assistant Lee and the driver were assigned a double room on the first floor.

After they settled in, the elderly man who had greeted them led them to dinner. "Our town is small, just a bit larger than a village. As long as you remember the general layout, you won’t get lost," he assured them, pointing the flashlight toward a large wooden house less than a kilometer away.

Residents of Peach Blossom Town typically ate early. Most had dinner at five, with a few eating as late as six or six-thirty. The wooden house served as the town’s nighttime entertainment hub, featuring a small bar, dance performances, and late-night snacks, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

"I apologize for any inconvenience. We prepared in a hurry due to the time constraints, so please forgive any shortcomings," the old man said, clapping his hands as a signal for the servers to bring out the food.

The meal consisted of homestyle dishes: seaweed egg drop soup, stir-fried wild vegetables, ginger scallion roasted chicken, steamed fish, and freshly picked mushrooms. They drank partridge tea, known for its liver-cleansing properties.

The flavors were unique and exceptional, the chicken and fish were incredibly fresh, clearly home-raised and recently caught. The chef’s skill was evident, as the meal was devoured within twenty minutes by Emma Hart and her family.

Seeing his guests enjoy the food so much, the old man felt a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction.

The place where Emma Hart and her family dined was on the third floor of the large wooden house. Apart from the servers stationed by each pillar and the elderly man who had guided them there, the area was free from any interlopers.

On the second floor, middle-aged men and women played cards, chatted, and drank tea, creating a noisy environment. Yet, if one listened carefully, snippets of their conversations could be heard—stories of children leaving town or someone knocking on doors late at night.

The first floor’s central area was bustling with older women rehearsing a "song and dance show," which was essentially square dancing or bamboo pole dancing. Surrounding them, children ran around energetically.

After dinner, Damien Sterling and Assistant Lee gathered around the table, quietly assessing whether the place was worth investing in. The two babies were fast asleep in their strollers, while Mrs. Harris and the driver chatted softly nearby.

Seeing the women and children on the first floor having a blast, Emma Hart felt the urge to stretch her legs. Using the excuse of needing to use the restroom, she made her way to the first floor. She playfully engaged with the children and bought some grilled pork trotters from a nearby barbecue stand, treating the kids.

The people of Peach Blossom Town were simple and pure-hearted. The children thanked Emma profusely, and she quickly bonded with them, joining their old-fashioned games like cat’s cradle and hopscotch. The adults noticed her presence but did not interfere; instead, they nodded and smiled before continuing their dance.

Meanwhile, Damien Sterling and Assistant Lee took a break from their discussions, sipping tea and glancing downstairs. Seeing his wife become the center of attention among the children made Damien feel both amused and exasperated. Initially, he thought of bringing her back, considering she was the wife of Sterling Group’s president and should maintain a certain decorum. But on second thought, he realized there was no harm in it.

"Grilled chicken! Delicious grilled chicken!" a burly man at the barbecue stand called out. Every night, he prepared dozens of servings of this popular treat.

Emma Hart, a true foodie, couldn’t resist such a delicacy. The enticing aroma and the man’s call lured her in, and she joined the children in buying some grilled chicken. The grilled chicken, sprinkled with pepper, cumin, and the owner’s special sauce, was the most sought-after nighttime snack.

With a fresh serving of grilled chicken in hand, Emma ran up to the third floor, eager to share it with Damien and the others.

Mrs. Harris, Assistant Lee, and the driver each took a small piece of chicken, and after tasting it, they all praised it enthusiastically.

"Come on, Mr. Sterling, you should try this too!" Emma Hart teased, holding the delicious grilled chicken close to Damien Sterling’s nose to tempt him.

Damien turned his head away in disdain, saying, "This junk food is best avoided."

Emma, not pleased with his attitude, forced a small piece of chicken into Damien’s mouth. Surprisingly, it tasted even better than the signature grilled chicken he had at upscale restaurants.

The large wooden house offered a variety of nighttime snacks—grilled pork trotters, sausages, lemon tea, coffee milk—but none could compare to the popularity of the grilled chicken. It was a family business, now in its thirteenth generation.

After making Damien take a bite, Emma deliberately shared the rest of the chicken with Mrs. Harris and the others, purposely excluding Damien. From his slight glances, she could tell he was already hooked, which made her inwardly delighted.

Let’s see you look down on common food now; this beats the monotonous steak from your fancy restaurants any day, Emma thought.

By eight o’clock, the people in the wooden house began to disperse. The elderly man informed them that Peach Blossom Town residents went to bed early, and those leaving at eight were the latest to retire. The town followed a rhythm of rising with the sun and resting at dusk.

The elderly man and Assistant Lee each held a flashlight, leading the way back. Emma Hart and Mrs. Harris carried the sleeping children, while Damien and the driver supported them.

Back at the guesthouse, Emma and Damien soon began competing for the bathroom.

Damien, eager to wash off the strong barbecue and smoke odors, quickly undressed and headed into the shower.

"You must be a Virgo! Seriously, what are you so afraid of?" Emma teased from outside the bathroom, her tone laced with mockery.