"Director Song, why didn't you go home for the New Year?" He Tiantian asked, somewhat puzzled.

Song Yun took a sip of hot tea to calm himself down. "Oh, the imperial court is pressing us hard this year. The mine will have to rest for two days before it has to start work again. I'm afraid I'll have to wait until after the New Year to find some time to go back and take a look."

Actually, he came today with a request that I don't want to make.

The mine was on holiday, and it was just him and Mozhu, so no one cooked for him.

So Song Yun suggested that they go to He Tiantian's house to see if they could...maybe...perhaps get some food.

He wasn't going to eat for free; he planned to give two taels of silver a day.

Mo Zhu was extremely anxious seeing his master dragging his feet and unable to make a move.

So he pulled He Tiantian aside and whispered, "Sister-in-law He, my husband would like to eat here for two days, but he's too shy to ask."

He Tiantian thought to herself, "Sure enough, I guessed right."

Mo Zhu continued, "However, my master isn't here to freeload; he'll pay two taels of silver a day. I've brought the money with me, is that alright?"

Two taels of silver!!!

He Tiantian was secretly delighted; that was really great!

“Sure, no problem. As long as Director Song doesn’t mind that my home is too humble.” He Tiantian took the money and agreed to the matter.

He Tiantian pulled Yulan aside and told her what had happened. Yulan's mother was so shocked that her mouth dropped open.

Goodness, two taels of silver a day, that's four taels of silver in two days...

"Sister-in-law, we need to make sure Director Song's meals are prepared these next few days. We might need to trouble Brother Liu to go to town later to buy a chicken and chop up some pork." He Tiantian thought carefully again, afraid of forgetting anything.

Director Song is now her big client, the first step towards getting rich.

"Oh, oh... I'll send Yonghe away when he gets back. It's still early, he should be back this afternoon." Sister Yulan said, and hurried out to look for Liu Yonghe.

The four children seemed a little uncomfortable with the arrival of their "distinguished guest." They stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

Mo Zhu took out a bag of candy from her bosom and beckoned the four children over.

"These are New Year's gifts from the adults. Go and share them."

Zhao Denglong and Zhao Wanzi had met Mo Zhu before, so they weren't afraid of him. Besides, she and her sister had eaten candy given to them by this person in the mine last time.

It tasted so sweet that Zhao Denglong didn't eat much of it and saved it all for Wanzi.

Mo Zhu handed the candy to Zhao Denglong, who carefully accepted it.

The four children ran out the door, and it's unclear where they went to share the candy.

After checking the ingredients for lunch, He Tiantian lit the fire in the stove.

"Director Song, please sit down next to the stove; it will be warmer."

Song Yun nodded and moved the stool he was sitting on closer to the stove.

"Director Song, it's almost noon, but we haven't prepared any good ingredients at home. We only have some cabbage, radishes, potatoes, and the like. I'll cook you a big meal tonight, is that alright?" He Tiantian wondered if Wang Dazhuang and the others had caught any fish. It would be even better if they could cook another fish, at least it would be worth the two taels of silver they earned that day.

Otherwise, she wouldn't feel at ease taking the money.

"Okay, Sister-in-law He, don't be so polite. I just need something to eat," Song Yun said, feeling quite embarrassed. He had already caused enough trouble by not giving prior notice and abruptly bringing himself to bother her.

Just then, Sister Yulan returned with Wang Dazhuang.

Yulan's mother looked very happy. She was carrying two big fish in her hands, and Wang Dazhuang was carrying three more in his fishing net.

"Wanzi's mother, your fishing net is amazing! You caught so many fish!" Yulan's mother was amazed. In the past, when her husband went to the river to catch fish, the biggest ones were no bigger than the palm of her hand.

There are so many big, nimble fish like today, as long as an arm, that it's impossible to catch them.

Wang Dazhuang put the fishing net he was carrying on the ground, and He Tiantian quickly filled the water tank with water and put the three big fish in.

Fortunately, I'm still alive.

However, the two fish that Yulan's mother was carrying were already dead, so they were cooked and eaten at noon.

"Dazhuang, don't go back for lunch, stay here and eat." He Tiantian looked at Wang Dazhuang, who had been busy for most of the day. It was almost noon, and there wouldn't be enough time to go back and cook.

Wang Dazhuang knew Director Song, but he didn't know why the senior officials from their mine would be here. It made him feel rather embarrassed.

"Sister-in-law, I think I'd better not trouble you." Wang Dazhuang said somewhat awkwardly.

"Hey, don't talk about trouble. It's just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks. You sit there and chat with Director Song. The food will be ready soon." He Tiantian handed over a stool.

Yulan's sister-in-law has already started the fire, and He Tiantian plans to cook sauerkraut fish for lunch. They happen to have some potatoes and carrots at home, which they'll stew together with the pork offal they bought a couple of days ago.

Director Song doesn't eat millet rice, so He Tiantian, wanting to make the most of her two taels of silver a day, decisively took out the white rice from her house and cooked it separately.

Liu Yonghe definitely wouldn't be back by noon, so after finishing lunch, He Tiantian left another portion of rice in the pot to simmer.

Two portions of each dish were served, and a small stool was specially provided for Director Song and Mozhu to eat on.

He Tiantian and Sister-in-law Yulan were eating on the other side with their four children, while Wang Dazhuang was also sitting at the same table.

Wang Dazhuang couldn't even remember the last time he ate meat. Now, looking at the two large bowls full of meat, he kept secretly swallowing his saliva.

He held a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, looking somewhat awkward.

The four children ate politely. Even though they were craving their food, they still had to be mindful of etiquette in the presence of outsiders. This was something their mother had taught them.

Song Yun had eaten sauerkraut fish once before, and he still couldn't forget it after so long. When he finally got to eat it again today, he was so moved that he almost cried.

Before Song Yun could even shovel a mouthful of white rice into his mouth, he had already eaten several bites of sauerkraut fish.

He has a discerning palate; after just the first bite, he felt that this fish was even tastier than the last one.

The meat is tender and juicy, with a firm yet tender texture, and the pickled cabbage has the perfect flavor.

Mo Zhu kept his head down, eating his rice. With such delicious food in front of him, he didn't care about manners anymore. Anyway, his family knew what kind of person he was.

Song Yun ate the pickled fish for a while, then noticed that Mo Zhu kept picking at another dish. He couldn't figure out what it was, so he hesitated to eat it.

Seeing that Mo Zhu was eating without even looking up, Song Yong quietly poked Mo Zhu with his chopsticks and asked softly, "Is it delicious?"

Mo Zhu then looked up and said, "Delicious, sir! Sister He's cooking is simply amazing. I don't want to go back."

"What a spineless wretch," Song Yun couldn't help but curse.

He tried it too, and after that one bite, Song Yun felt he didn't want to go back. What is this thing? How can it be so delicious?

He recognized potatoes, he recognized radishes, but what was left? Stewing them together was absolutely delicious!