Chunlin and the Liu family listened to Chen Fang's words and looked at the silver notes in their hands, and were momentarily stunned.
I stood there, stunned...
A moment later, Chunlin looked at the silver note in her hand.
The morning mist in the countryside blurred her vision, making it impossible for her to see Chen Fang clearly.
But she knew that she was right in front of her.
After a long pause, she choked out, "Thank you."
After Chunlin finished speaking, the other members of the Liu family also thanked them with tears in their eyes.
Everyone always favors those who add flowers to brocade, but they don't realize that those who offer charcoal in the snow are even more worthy of cherishing.
They never expected that the Pei family would be willing to lend them two hundred taels of silver.
Chen Fang wiped away Chunlin's tears, patted his shoulder, and covered her mouth with a laugh:
"You're such a grown-up, why do you still cry so much? Aren't you afraid of losing face in front of the children?"
Chunlin wiped away her tears, her face beaming with a smile: "I couldn't help it, and I lost my composure a bit."
The others also wiped away their tears, and Su Tao's eyes were filled with tears as well:
"Today is a joyous day to pick them up, so let's not cry."
"Yes, we shouldn't cry. We should be laughing on good days."
Hahahahahahahahahaha
……..
When Pei Yao arrived in town, she first took the Liu family to Deyun Restaurant.
Pei Yao had already arranged with Manager Qian yesterday that she would bring the Liu family and money to ransom them today, so Manager Qian was already there waiting for them.
Pei Yao briefly introduced Manager Qian to the Liu family.
Pei Yao had to deliver goods to Gu Mingqian today, so she didn't accompany them to the salt field.
Besides, with Manager Qian and Chen Fang around, nothing will go wrong.
She and Pei Dalang then drove the carriage to the dock.
Pei Yao arrived early today. Most of the fishermen at the dock had just returned from the sea, and their stalls displayed a variety of very fresh seafood.
The sounds of vendors hawking their wares filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
When Pei Yao arrived at Gu Mingqian's boat, the guards next to her immediately recognized Pei Yao and Pei Dalang.
He eagerly stepped forward to greet Pei Yao:
"Miss Pei, you've arrived."
Pei Yao nodded calmly: "I'm here to deliver goods. Is Young Master Gu here?"
Guard: "Yes, yes, the young master is having breakfast. I'll go and inform him right away. Please wait a moment."
Pei Yao: "Okay, thank you for your help."
The guard returned quickly after he left, followed by Steward Li.
Butler Li walked up to Pei Yao and said, "Miss Pei, the young master is very affectionate."
Pei Yao glanced back at Pei Dalang; it just so happened that she was also going to give Gu Mingqian the recipe for cold seaweed salad.
"Uncle, I'll be back in a bit."
Pei Dalang: "Okay, I'll wait for you in the carriage. Be careful."
Butler Li led Pei Yao into the cabin, where Gu Mingqian was sitting at the table eating breakfast.
Pei Yao greeted him with a smile, "Good morning, Duke Gu."
Gu Mingqian stopped eating when he heard Pei Yao's voice.
"Miss Pei, you've arrived."
Pei Yao: "Mm."
Gu Mingqian: "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Pei Yao smiled faintly: "I've already used it."
Gu Mingqian didn't seem very interested in the food on the table.
Upon hearing that she had already used it, he beckoned to Butler Li to remove the items from the table.
“Miss Pei, I’ve asked you to come here today because there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Gu Mingqian abandoned his usual carefree attitude and became serious.
Pei Yao straightened her expression and asked, "What is it?"
"Miss Pei, I plan to open a new restaurant in Kyoto after the New Year and would like to invite you to be our chef. Would you be interested?"
Pei Yao refused without even thinking.
“Kyoto is too far away, and my family isn’t there. I still want to be with my family.”
Gu Mingqian: "I can offer you the same salary as the head chef of Kyoto. Think about it, don't refuse so quickly."
The head chef of a grand restaurant in Kyoto earns a very high monthly salary, roughly equivalent to two years' income for an adult man in the countryside.
So many people want to be a chef but can't.
Pei Yao hadn't expected that Gu Mingqian would value her so much.
However, she still rejected Gu Mingqian without hesitation:
“Young Master Gu, Pei Yao thanks you for your kindness, but I am very satisfied with my current life and do not want to change it.”
Seeing how resolutely she refused, Gu Mingqian didn't say anything more.
After silently taking two sips of tea, Pei Yao took out a piece of paper from her sleeve.
This is the recipe for cold seaweed salad that she found Pei Erlang to write down in advance at home.
Pei Yao handed over the recipe: "Young Master Gu, this is the recipe I promised to give you."
Pei Yao made some changes to this recipe, such as the lemon juice originally used in the cold seaweed salad.
Since there were no lemons in Kyoto, she substituted vinegar, and the effect was the same.
Other spices like chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns should be available at any spice shop.
Gu Mingqian's family owns many restaurants, so this wasn't the first time he had to collect menus. He took a look at the menu Pei Yao handed him and then asked Butler Li to put it away carefully.
Pei Yao, thinking that she would no longer be setting up a stall at the dock in the future, and fearing that Gu Mingqian wouldn't be able to find her next time he needed to pick up goods, said:
“Young Master Gu, I have rented a shop at No. 78 Yunshui Road. If you need to pick up goods from me in the future, you can go there.”
A look of shock crossed Gu Mingqian's face:
"You've opened a shop?"
Pei Yao modestly said, "The dock is too small and exposed to the wind and sun, so it's not a long-term solution. I just happened to find a suitable shop and rented it."
Gu Mingqian asked in confusion, "What do you do? Still making ice jelly?"
Pei Yao didn't intend to hide it: "Yes, a dessert shop."
Gu Mingqian: "Lingnan is almost summer all year round, so opening a dessert shop is indeed a good idea. I wish Miss Pei a prosperous business in the future."
Pei Yao: "Thank you."
Since Pei Yao had no experience in running a shop, she consulted Gu Mingqian about his business management methods.
Gu Mingqian was very patient today and talked a lot to Pei Yao, solving many of her problems easily.
After chatting for a while, Pei Yao took him downstairs to see the dried seaweed that had been delivered.
Gu Mingqian nodded with great satisfaction: "Miss Pei's seaweed is indeed much better than others."
"Young Master Gu is too kind," Pei Yao said modestly.
……
After saying goodbye to Gu Mingqian, Pei Yao and Pei Dalang took their leave, leading their carriage.
Thinking that Chen Fang and the Liu family probably wouldn't be back for long, the two decided to go to the market first.
I've been too busy lately to go out and buy groceries, and we've almost finished our food supplies at home.
So Pei Yao plans to buy some ingredients to take home today.
Before the two even left the dock, Pei Yao suddenly sensed several shadowy figures following them.
She instantly became alert, looked at Pei Dalang, and whispered, "Uncle, do you feel like someone is following us?"
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