Chapter 216 I Really Can't Sit Still
Caroline and the others came out of the pig farm's electrical room. There was no electricity theft, but the wiring inside the circuit breaker had severely deteriorated and could easily cause safety accidents. Oliver and Ulysses helped replace the old wires in the electrical room.
Honestly, it wasn't much work, and the materials were just leftover scraps from the utility truck. The pig farm owner insisted on giving them money, but Caroline politely declined.
Felix stood in the crowd, watching the power company workers head out. The pig farm owner had his wife pick a bag of melons from their field.
"Ms. Tudor, if you won't take money, at least take these melons. They're from our own field, nothing expensive. Try them, they're really sweet."
Caroline smiled and said, "A whole bag is too much. The three of us can't eat that many, and they'll spoil in the car this afternoon in the heat. How about this, we'll take three and eat them on the way, so nothing goes to waste. Sound good?"
With that, Caroline took three small melons from the bag. "Thank you."
The pig farm owner said, "You're too kind. I should be thanking you for fixing my electricity. If I'd hired someone to do it, it would've cost me at least a hundred or two hundred dollars."
"It's hot out, go back inside."
Caroline and the other two walked out of the pig farm one after another. Felix had just met them and was familiar with their faces. He asked, "It's noon. Aren't you going to rest and eat?"
"It's already twelve o'clock, you two must be hungry too." Only then did Caroline remember, she'd been so busy she forgot about lunch. She glanced at her watch and asked Felix, "Are there restaurants nearby?"
Felix said, "Yeah, there are two restaurants on the village street. The one at the end of the street tastes good but isn't clean. The one at the entrance is clean and sanitary, and tastes pretty good too. I'm actually meeting a friend there for lunch. I can show you the way, I'll catch a ride with you."
Caroline wasn't one to fuss. "Let's go, it's on the way anyway."
After getting in the car, Felix noticed a case of bottled water at his feet that had been opened, probably what they normally drank. But in this heat, the water bottles felt warm to the touch.
After several turns, they arrived at the village's only street. Passing by the small restaurant at the end, it really didn't look very clean. Several big trucks and cars were parked at the entrance, and the place was packed.
They drove forward for a while longer and arrived at another restaurant. Several people got out, Caroline glanced at the restaurant and thought it looked cleaner than the other one.
Eight or nine cars were parked at the restaurant entrance. Located at an intersection, it had a geographical advantage - passing vehicles looking for a place to rest would choose to eat here.
Caroline just didn't notice that one of the cars was Nash's.
You couldn't blame Caroline for that. Nash had been to their office many times, but always drove a company car. This time, he was driving his own personal car.
Felix pushed open the door and called out to the restaurant owner, "Got any empty tables?"
The restaurant owner said, "No empty tables. The dining hall and private rooms are all full. I don't know what's going on today, so many people."
Caroline paused mid-step. Before she could suggest going to the other restaurant, Felix invited them, "Ms. Tudor, if you don't mind, how about we share a table?"
Caroline said, "If it's not an inconvenience, let's share a table."
At this point, never mind being picky, all three of them were starving. Any place to eat would do.
Felix said, "Inside, second door."
Caroline said, "I'm going to the restroom."
Oliver and Ulysses also needed to wash their hands.
Felix pointed the way. "End of the hallway, men's room on the left, ladies' room on the right."
When Caroline came back from washing her hands and entered the private room, she saw Nash sitting at the table. Nash was startled when he saw her, looking surprised, "Ms. Tudor, how did you end up here?"
It was a round table with six chairs. Nash sat in the main seat inside, with two empty seats to his left. Felix sat on his right, with Oliver and Ulysses next to him.
Caroline pulled out the chair by the door and sat down. "We're here doing inspections."
Nash quickly stood up. "Ms. Tudor, don't sit by the door - that's where they serve food. You might get burned going in and out. Sit over here."
Seeing him pull out the seat next to him, Caroline politely declined. "This is fine. It's not convenient going in and out from inside."
Nash said, "Then at least move your chair this way. You could really get burned when they serve food."
Caroline symbolically moved her chair, you could hear the sound, but the position barely changed.
Felix chatted with Nash about things between friends, so Caroline didn't think much of it.
Caroline had just started to order when Nash stopped her. "Ms. Tudor, I've already ordered. Let's eat together."
Caroline said, "My colleagues and I are just here to share a table. Didn't expect to run into you. We eat fast, won't interrupt your conversation."
She said to Oliver, "Oliver, ask the owner what dishes cook quickly and order three portions."
Oliver understood and got up to leave the private room.
Nash said, "You're being polite with me over one meal?"
Caroline smiled distantly. "We still have work this afternoon. We'll just grab a quick bite and get back to it."
Two servers came in carrying dishes one after another. In no time, six dishes were served, all time-consuming ones.
Nash asked Caroline, "What do you want to drink?"
Caroline said, "No need to look after us, we brought water."
Felix said, "Your bottled water's been sitting in the car getting hot as boiling water. How can you drink that?"
He quickly called over a server and ordered two bottles of drinks. Nash said, "And three bottles of water."
These were all ordered for the three of them. Caroline could tell.
Nash got up to pour Caroline a drink and placed a bottle of water beside her. Caroline thanked him, "Thanks, I can do it myself."
Felix tried to pour beer for Oliver, but Oliver quickly said, "Can't drink it, I have to drive this afternoon."
Ulysses also waved his hands. "We're not allowed to drink on the job."
Nash said to Caroline, "Ms. Tudor, just have a bite. Look, if you don't eat, these two can't eat either."
Caroline said, "Our food will be ready soon. You guys eat and chat, don't mind us."
"How can I do that? Am I sitting here eating while you sit there with nothing? I can't eat this meal." Nash gestured to her. "Don't be formal with me, it's just one meal. It's not that serious."
Caroline said, "Mr. Hearst, if you keep insisting, I really won't be able to stay."
Her eyes, filled with a smile, yet conveyed an unshakable resolve. If he tried to persuade her again, she really would leave.
Nash said helplessly, "I really have no way with you."
The moment of chatting and laughing passed, but only Felix was seen eating the dishes; Nash wasn't eating at all, with a glass of water placed beside him.
The three people's noodles were brought to the table. The weather was hot, and Caroline had no appetite, eating very little. The two male colleagues wolfed down their food. Caroline got up to say goodbye to Nash.
"Mr. Hearst, we're leaving. You guys take your time."
Nash followed them to the door to see them off. Caroline got in the passenger seat. Just as Oliver opened the car door, Nash put two insulated boxes in the utility truck.
He said, "I have two cases of chilled bottled water in my car. Take them to drink. One case has cut fruit in it for you to eat on the road."
Caroline said, "Mr. Hearst, no need, we have water."
Nash pushed Oliver into the back seat and closed the car door, saying to Oliver, "If you argue with me over a bottle of water, I'm going to get upset."
He patted the car door. "Go on."