Xiao Yunying had anticipated that the two siblings would come, so she prepared a meal for five people.
"Lingqi, you don't need to come back after you take the tea up. There's one last dish left, I'll make it and take it over myself."
A kitchen helper came over and said, "Miss Xiao, is there anything else you need?"
Xiao Yunying insisted that the people at Huiweilou not call her Second Boss, because she felt that having the word "Second" in her name would make her seem stupid.
Calling her "boss" made her feel uncomfortable, as if she were taking over Chen Yuancheng's position. In the end, she made the decision herself to call her "boss" more politely.
For her, whether or not she was called "boss" didn't matter; a title didn't mean anything.
Xiao Yunying, while preparing the garlic sauce, said, "It's alright now. You guys help the chef cook and go eat. You shouldn't need to come starting tomorrow. Maybe we can have a long holiday this year."
The manager, head chef, and a few of the staff at Huiweilou came from the capital with the Chen family. The rest of the staff and kitchen helpers were locals. Although they had signed indentures, Chen Yuancheng was kind-hearted and did not separate them from their families. They usually lived at home.
Upon hearing Xiao Yunying's words, all the kitchen helpers beamed with joy: "Is what Miss Xiao said true?"
"Didn't Yuancheng tell you that the New Year is approaching and the opening will only be busy for a few days? We'll reopen after the New Year. You won't have anything to do here in the meantime, so why not extend your holiday?"
One of the chefs said, "The employer hasn't said anything yet. In previous years, the employer would only mention anything after the supplies had been distributed."
Xiao Yunying found it strange: "You guys are giving out things?"
The lead cook thought Xiao Yunying's garlic lettuce was almost ready and handed her a plate.
"Yes, our employer treats us very well. Every year before the New Year, they give us things, including meat, rice, flour, and cotton cloth, saying that they want us to have a peaceful and prosperous New Year."
Xiao Yunying thought to herself, "The employee benefits are pretty good. Not only do they have annual leave, but they also get employee benefits."
It's important to understand that servants in this world who have signed indentures are different from contract workers in modern society. They have no human rights whatsoever. It's the norm for them to have no rest all year round, and at most they get some bonuses during holidays.
For Chen Yuancheng to give his servants a year-end holiday was already a great favor from his master, and he even thoughtfully prepared additional benefits.
No wonder everyone at Huiweilou respects him so much; who wouldn't love a thoughtful and generous boss?
Xiao Yunying served the dishes: "He should talk to you this afternoon, no later than tomorrow night. I've already discussed it with him."
The kitchen helper grabbed the loofah before she could and said, "Go eat, miss. I'll wash the pot."
Xiao Yunying didn't refuse the other party's kindness. She took off her apron, washed her face with warm water prepared by another kitchen helper, and said to the chefs who were cooking:
"The ingredients I asked you to order yesterday were for your own preparation. You've all cooked them. The vegetables that were delivered this morning are all free to eat, don't be shy. You've worked hard these past few days helping to clean up Huiweilou, so treat yourselves to a good meal. Consider it our New Year's Eve reunion."
Everyone thanked her profusely, saying, "Thank you, Miss Xiao."
Xiao Yunying carried the dishes to Chen Yuancheng's private room, where everyone was waiting for her.
The private room had a charcoal stove, so it was very warm and the food didn't get cold so quickly.
Xiao Yunying placed the dishes down and took her seat: "The dishes are all ready, let's eat."
Everyone, including Chen Yuancheng, simultaneously reached for the freshly picked vegetables with their first chopsticks. Xiao Yunying, who had no shortage of vegetables, didn't compete with them and picked up a piece of pork rib to eat.
The two siblings and Ling Qi ate their food while discussing the topic.
Chen Yuanyao said, "These sweet and sour shredded radish are so delicious."
Chen Yuanxuan said, "This leafy green vegetable called lettuce is also very delicious."
Xiao Yunying said, "Eat slowly. The vegetables in the greenhouse will be ready to be picked one after another. You won't be short of vegetables to eat in the future."
Chen Yuanyao swallowed the food in her mouth: "Sister Yunying, my older brother said you won't be coming over starting tomorrow."
"Well, I've finished everything I needed to do, so I won't come over. I'll stay home and prepare for the New Year."
Chen Yuanyao sighed regretfully, "Alas, I won't be able to eat your cooking for a long time."
"Didn't your chef come over and learn cooking skills for a few days? He also took some of the various seasonings back with him."
"It's different. It's not as good as what Sister Yunying makes."
Xiao Yunying did not think her cooking skills were better than those of the chefs in the Chen family. Perhaps it was because she was more familiar with the use of seasonings than the chefs in the Chen family and Huiweilou that Chen Yuanyao thought her cooking skills were superior.
"If you want to eat it, you can come to my house and I'll cook it for you."
Hearing this, Chen Yuanyao perked up: "It's a deal, I really will go to Sister Yunying for a meal."
"It's possible, but you must be careful. Bring several people with you. Don't come alone in a carriage. If something happens, the driver can't protect you by himself."
Unlike other young ladies who need maids to serve them wherever they go, Chen Yuanyao does everything herself that she can.
When she went out with Chen Yuancheng, she never brought a maid. When she went out alone, she would decide based on what she was doing. She would not bring a maid when visiting Huiweilou, and she would only bring one personal maid to accompany her when shopping.
The kidnapping gang in Donglin City has not yet been caught. For safety's sake, it's safer to take a few more people with us when we go out.
"I understand. Sister Yunying said the same thing as my older brother."
Xiao Yunying put down her chopsticks: "Your older brother is also concerned about you, including Yuanxuan. You should also be careful. Although so far, it's mostly young girls and children from ordinary families who have gone missing, who can say for sure that kidnappers won't abduct young ladies and gentlemen from wealthy families like yours? Maybe they just haven't found an opportunity yet. It's better to be careful."
Chen Yuanxuan looked up and replied that he understood, then lowered his head and struggled with the food.
Ling Qi eats so fast! He needs to hurry up and finish the good food.
Chen Yuanyao also noticed the problem: "Yuanxuan, Lingqi, you two eat slowly, leave some for me... for my brother."
Ling Qi glanced cautiously at her young master, and seeing no displeasure on his face, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and slowed down the speed at which she picked up food.
Chen Yuancheng had no interest in what was happening at the dinner table and asked Xiao Yunying, "Have you eaten?"
Xiao Yunying stood up: "I'm full. You can eat slowly. I'm leaving now. I promised the children I would go home early today."
"Lingqi, go and fetch the carriage."
Xiao Yunying gestured to Ling Qi not to get up: "You eat, I'll go to the market to buy some things and come back in a bit."
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