The two smiled at each other. At that moment, Su Huaiyue and Li Ruolan both felt a firm power, which was the hope for the future and the pursuit of freedom and self-worth.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, three months have passed. Su Huaiyue worked day and night during these three months, and the restaurant she had carefully prepared was finally ready to open.
At this time, the restaurant had an extraordinary appearance. A festive couplet was posted on the vermilion door, and a row of big red lanterns hung under the eaves, swaying gently in the breeze, as if welcoming the upcoming bustle.
Before opening, Su Huaiyue, carrying hundreds of silver bills, crossed the river in the west of the city with Wei Che and walked towards the other side.
The scene on the other side of the river was still desolate, the land was cracked, the houses were dilapidated, the people were wearing tattered clothes, and their faces were filled with the vicissitudes and numbness of life.
When they saw Su Huaiyue and Wei Che coming over, they just glanced at them indifferently without any change in expression, as if they were already accustomed to everything.
Su Huaiyue stood on this barren and desolate land, looking at the ragged, haggard people before her, her heart filled with bitterness and pity. She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound firm and gentle. Summoning her courage, she took the initiative to hold out a few banknotes, which gleamed in the sunlight, making them particularly eye-catching.
She walked lightly towards one of the middle-aged men with a haggard face and dull eyes. With a sincere smile on her face, she said, "Brother, I opened a restaurant nearby. I hope you can provide me with fresh vegetables. As long as the quality of the dishes is good, the price is negotiable."
The middle-aged man had his head lowered, staring at the ground with empty eyes, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.
Hearing Su Huaiyue's words, he raised his head slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his dull eyes, but he quickly regained his indifference. He curled his lips, snorted coldly, turned his face away, and ignored the banknote Su Huaiyue extended. He said in a muffled voice: "How can such a good thing happen these days? Who knows if you are a liar, trying to trick us with a piece of torn paper?"
His voice was full of suspicion and wariness, as if he had been deceived by life too many times and no longer believed in any sudden kindness.
Su Huaiyue did not flinch at the middle-aged man's attitude. Her smile remained gentle as she patiently explained, "Brother, I really want to cooperate with you all. You see, my restaurant is about to open, and we need a lot of fresh vegetables. I know it's not easy for everyone to grow vegetables, so I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
As she spoke, she shook the banknotes in her hand, trying to convince the middle-aged man of her sincerity.
When the people around heard Su Huaiyue's words, the originally agitated crowd quieted down. They were all waiting for the middle-aged man's reaction, while also observing Su Huaiyue.
The middle-aged man remained unmoved, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes full of vigilance. He frowned and said, "That sounds nice, but who knows if you'll run away in a few days? Where will we find you then?"
Su Huaiyue felt a little anxious when she saw the middle-aged man was so stubborn, but she remained calm.
She thought for a moment and said, "Brother, how about this? I can pay you a portion of the deposit first, and then pay the rest after the dishes are delivered and inspected. Besides, my restaurant is nearby, so if you're worried, you can always come and check it out."
When the middle-aged man heard that Su Huaiyue was willing to pay the deposit, a flicker of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but he still didn't completely believe it. He hesitated and said, "Are you serious?"
Su Huaiyue nodded quickly and said, "Of course it's true. I guarantee it with my character."
As she spoke, she took out a few banknotes from her hand and handed them to the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man then slowly stretched out his hand and took the banknote. He looked at it carefully, then looked up at Su Huaiyue, and the suspicion in his eyes finally lessened a little.
He nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I'll trust you this time. My vegetables are indeed well grown, so don't be picky when the time comes."
When the people around saw the middle-aged man's reaction, they became excited again.
They gathered around and talked about how delicious their dishes were, hoping to win Su Huaiyue's favor.
"I grow all my vegetables myself with great care, without any chemical fertilizers, so they're guaranteed to be fresh!"
"My vegetable leaves are so tender, you'll know when you try them!"
The people's voices were full of expectation and desire, and their eyes were shining with hope, as if they saw the dawn of improvement in their lives.
Su Huaiyue looked at the bustling and lively scene in front of him, and a strong emotion surged in his heart.
The people's expectant eyes and excited expressions made her more determined.
She quickly raised her hands, signaling for silence. Her voice was clear and forceful, as she spoke: "Don't worry, everyone. I'll visit every restaurant, but I'll only take the vegetables that meet my standards. My requirements aren't high. First, the vegetables must be fresh, without insect holes or yellow leaves. Second, the supply must be stable. There can't be something available one day and nothing available the next."
Her words spread through the crowd like ripples on a calm lake, and everyone pricked up their ears, carefully listening to her every word.
Wei Che was fully focused on ensuring Su Huaiyue's safety. His eyes were sharp and alert, always paying attention to the movements of the people around him. His hands were always tightly placed on the hilt of the sword at his waist, like a cheetah ready to pounce.
He looked at the people in front of him who had become numb due to the hardships of life, and his eyes began to shine with light, which was the longing and hope for future life.
Especially some elderly people, the wrinkles on their weathered faces seemed to be stretched out by this sudden hope, and tears even began to flash in their eyes.
These tears are filled with their infinite expectations for a new life, and are also the tears of joy that they have suppressed for a long time.
Some of the elderly people had their lips trembling slightly, as if they wanted to say something, but their throats were choked by excitement; some of the elderly people gently wiped the tears from the corners of their eyes, their eyes full of gratitude towards Su Huaiyue.
Su Huaiyue was moved by this scene. She continued, "Not only will I accept these dishes, I'll also need to recruit waiters. The younger ones can be waiters, and the older ones can help in the kitchen. Everyone can earn money and improve their lives."
Her voice was full of sincerity and warmth, like a ray of sunshine in winter, shining into the hearts of the people.
In order to ensure the authenticity of her words, she took out the documents of her restaurant business without hesitation and displayed them high up for everyone to see.
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