“Mommy, let me tell you something,” Little Fish babbled on and on, “that bad uncle is here again.”
Fang Yan initially thought that Zhang Laowu had come to cause trouble, and she was quite startled.
But then he quickly realized, no, if he were one of Zhang Laowu's people, Xiaoyu would know him and wouldn't call him "bad uncle".
He was slightly relieved. "Which bad old man came?"
"That's the one, the one we went to the old man's to eat... the kueh teow."
"Mr. Wu, the owner of a restaurant in the next county, is looking for you."
Just then, Fang Jie came out and said directly.
Fang Yan had just left his restaurant and naturally knew why he had come to find her, so she wasn't surprised at all. "Ignore him."
She had no desire to associate with such a self-important person who secretly engaged in voyeurism.
"Yeah, he followed us all day today, from the county town all the way home. We ignored him and even had Qibei stand at the door to prevent him from getting any closer to our yard."
Fang Jie briefly recounted what had happened to Boss Wu and them that day.
In early spring, as she was pulling up radishes in the yard, she chimed in, "Qibei was really something today. He kept a close watch on him and wouldn't let him get a single step closer to us."
Fang Yan hugged Xiaoyuzai with one arm and used the other to pat Qibei's big head, praising it, "Our Qibei was so great today, so tonight we must reward it with two bone biscuits."
"Woof woof woof..." Qibei was so happy, its big tail wagging wildly.
Hearing that Qibei would get a reward, Little Fish got excited and quickly said in his childish voice, "Mommy, me too!"
He raised his little arm high and said eagerly, "Qibei and I are watching that bad uncle and not letting him into our house."
"And also, I helped Grandma carry things, for Uncle..."
The little guy recounted, bit by bit, what he had done that day.
Fang Yan listened to his babyish voice as she led him into the house, then called Qi Bei over.
Once they went inside, Little Fish finally finished telling them everything he had done that day.
Fang Yan smiled and went to the cabinet, taking out two cookies each as a reward for the mischievous child and the furry child. "You two were both great today, and you both deserve praise."
The mischievous children and furry friends who received their rewards happily moved aside to savor their prizes.
Fang Yan was very tired today, so she didn't cook.
With the sweet potato porridge cooked by Zhu Xiuhua and Chu Chun, along with stir-fried greens, a plate of braised meat, and a few pieces of salted radish, dinner was served. It was refreshing and appetizing.
The next morning, she went out early again.
First, I went to Grandpa Wei's place and delivered a few jars of salted egg yolk and pork floss.
The old men liked to use it to eat with their porridge. It was salty, fragrant, and delicious. Every two weeks or so, they would ask Fang Yan to send them a pound each.
Besides being her most important clients, these gentlemen were also her most important friends, and Fang Yan always remembered their stories.
However, she had forgotten when Wei Jiahong had mentioned Wei Heming last time. When she arrived and saw that he was also there, she suddenly realized that almost a week had passed since Wei Jiahong told her that Wei Heming had started his winter vacation.
"Sister Yan, my uncle said you're going to treat us to a big meal, right?"
Upon seeing her, Wei Heming was overjoyed and darted towards her like a monkey.
"Oh, you're back?"
Seeing him, Fang Yan was also very happy. "Yes, didn't I promise you last time? I'll prepare a delicious meal for you. However, I still can't find the time these next few days. It might have to wait a few more days."
Hearing her voice, Grandpa Wei came out of the room, pointed at Wei Heming, and said to Fang Yan with a smile, "Little Fang, do you have any extra salted egg yolk and pork floss this time?"
"With this kid here, even a pound wouldn't be enough to last him for several days."
"Sister Yan, the salted egg yolk and pork floss porridge you made is so delicious! Especially when the porridge is cooked until it's thick, it smells amazing with this!"
When Wei Heming came last time, Fang Yan had not yet figured out this new product.
Upon returning this time, seeing Grandpa Wei eating this, he immediately asked for quite a bit as well.
With salted egg yolk and pork floss, he ate three large bowls of porridge in one go that morning.
Fang Yan hadn't prepared much this time. "Grandpa, I don't have any extra today. I'll make you two more pounds in a few days, okay?"
"Of course you can. Your business has grown so much now, you must be incredibly busy," said Grandpa Wei.
Seeing Fang Yan steadily and diligently expand her business, he was quite happy for her.
It's not easy for women to do business, and it's even more difficult for a woman whose husband is not around and who is raising her child alone.
The old men knew that Fang Yan had a tough time, so they always tried their best to understand and support her.
Fang Yan sat with Grandpa Wei for a while, then went to several government agencies to discuss the New Year's welfare orders with them.
Before leaving home today, she had told Zhu Xiuhua and the others that she wouldn't be going back for lunch.
So she was so busy that she didn't return to the village until dark.
"Mom, Uncle Bad's face looks like this today."
As soon as Fang Yan returned home, Xiao Yuzai ran over excitedly and imitated Boss Wu's long, dark face.
Fang Yan was amused. "Hahaha...Really? He spent the whole day in the county town, and then followed us to the village?"
"Isn't that right?" Chu Chun laughed along. "Judging from his expression, he's determined to meet you."
Fang Yan didn't avoid him; she just got busier and busier as the New Year approached.
Moreover, when Zhang Jizhou returns, she will have to take time to deal with Zhang Laowu in order to have enough time for him.
She plans to visit all the companies that have placed orders in the next few days to negotiate delivery times before the Chinese New Year.
Once she sorts things out and arranges everything, Zhang Jizhou should be back by then, and she'll have time to deal with Zhang Laowu together.
That's why I've been so busy these past two days.
Based on Mr. Wu's behavior last time, Fang Yan thought that since he didn't see her yesterday, Mr. Wu would be so angry that he would go back to the neighboring county overnight.
She never expected that he would actually stay.
However, whether he stays or not has absolutely nothing to do with her.
Fang Yan decided to continue working on the task according to her own plan and pace.
Leading Xiaoyuzai and Qibei into the house, she looked around but couldn't see Zhu Xiuhua. She couldn't help but ask, "Where's Mom? Where did she go?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
