As expected, getting up early allows you to get a lot more work done. Despite Pei Yao's energetic mornings, from beachcombing to finding seaweed, it was only a little past seven in the morning when she boarded Niu Qingshan's oxcart to go to town.
The oxcart was quite lively today, with Pei Yao, Pei Yichen, Chen Fang, Qiao Hui, and even Yunniang came along.
Qiaohui came to help watch the stall today, while Yunniang was specially invited by Pei Yao to help.
Pei Xuan and Shen Cong, these two children, are both from Pei and Shen families. Since there are no adults left in either family, it's not convenient to take care of these two children while running a business.
They were temporarily left at the Liu family's house to play with the Liu family's children.
The Liu family is easy to talk to; they're just two little kids.
Moreover, both children were very well-behaved. Shen Cong obediently wrote words on the ground in the yard with a stick, while Pei Xuan followed behind the Liu family girl obediently. This little girl had a sweet tongue and was very likable.
Moreover, the Pei family gave the children four coins when they brought them over, as a lunch allowance for the two children.
........
Pei Yao and Yun Niang were whispering to each other in the car, while the others chatted amongst themselves, not wanting to disturb the mother and daughter.
Judging from the expressions on Yunniang and Pei Yao's faces while they were chatting, their conversation was definitely not simple.
Because when they saw Yunniang, she would sometimes furrow her brows deeply at Pei Yao's words, and at other times she would be filled with fear and unease.
Even more outrageous, Pei Yao said something to her that startled her so much that she exclaimed, "Ah! That...that's a lie!"
The others stopped talking and turned their attention to the two women. Even Niu Qingshan, who was driving the oxcart in front, turned around and looked on with amusement.
Pei Yichen's gaze was indifferent, showing little interest in their conversation. Qiaohui, puzzled, looked at them with a questioning expression.
Only Chen Fang, with a gossipy look on her face, asked, "What's wrong? Who are you kidding?"
Yunniang then belatedly realized that she had been speaking too loudly and that everyone was watching her.
He was suddenly at a loss for words to explain what Yao'er had just told him.
Pei Yao remained calm, grinning at everyone with an innocent smile: "It's nothing, it's nothing. I just want my mother to do me a small favor later. I'll tell you all when I succeed."
Pei Yao's words were better left unsaid, only making Chen Fang and Niu Qingshan's hearts itch with curiosity.
The other two, who were not initially interested, couldn't help but become curious after hearing Pei Yao's words.
Everyone is guessing: What kind of help will Pei Yao need from Yun Niang later?
Seeing everyone's gaze, Pei Yao quickly changed the subject.
"Brother Qingshan, you mentioned earlier that Deyun Restaurant's 100th anniversary celebration is coming up soon?"
Niu Qingshan didn't quite understand what Pei Yao meant by "anniversary celebration," but based on what he had said to Pei Yao before, he guessed that she was referring to the time he had told her that Deyun Restaurant would be celebrating its 100th anniversary soon.
Niu Qingshan nodded and replied, "Well, in another month or so, Deyun Restaurant will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary in our town. I wonder if Deyun Restaurant can survive until that day."
Pei Yao seemed to be deep in thought after hearing this, muttering to herself as she pondered it.
This centennial is no small matter; it's an honor for this store.
A restaurant can only survive for a hundred years if it has delicious food, a good reputation, and a good name; otherwise, it will have to close down after a few years.
However, judging from Niu Qingshan's words, because the original head chef left and there was malicious competition from Qianlixiang Restaurant, Deyun Restaurant would really go bankrupt in a short time.
That would be such a pity.
That's a century-old shop.
As the sun rose higher, Pei Yao and the others arrived in town.
The stalls they had set up on the dock were now bustling with activity.
The crowd was bustling and noisy.
Pei Yao scanned the crowd. There were some new faces, but most were familiar faces, indicating that there were many repeat customers.
Someone in the crowd saw their oxcart and immediately made way for them to pass.
Yunniang only knew that her family's spicy snails were selling very well every day, but she had no image or concept of it in her mind. Now, seeing so many people in person, she was completely stunned.
Although Qiaohui was also startled, she quickly recovered.
After all, regardless of the dynasty, grain shops and clinics always had the most people, so Qiaohui had worked in her own clinic and had seen more people than that.
The group quickly set up their stalls. Chen Fang and Qiao Hui sold spicy snails, while Pei Yichen grilled chicken wing insects and sea urchins.
Seeing that the three of them could manage, Pei Yao, Yun Niang, and Niu Qingshan drove the other things on the oxcart to Deyun Restaurant.
Deyun Restaurant is not far from the pier, just a few streets away on foot.
The group arrived quickly.
The street where Deyun Restaurant is located is considered the most luxurious street in town, with the three most prosperous restaurants, Qianlixiang Restaurant and Heji Restaurant, all gathered here.
The street also had many clothing, cosmetics, snack, candied fruit, and dried fruit shops. The air was almost permeated with these sweet aromas, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of dried fruit and cosmetics.
It's still early, around nine o'clock. People in town have a habit of having morning tea.
So this street is quite lively right now.
Looking at the slightly bustling alley, Yunniang suddenly felt uneasy and lowered her head helplessly, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands.
She hadn't been to such a bustling street in a long time.
The last time, our home was ransacked, and the whole family was imprisoned in a prison van and paraded through the streets of Kyoto...
Pei Yao glanced at the person next to her and noticed her unease.
Pei Yao reached out and scratched Yunniang's palm, instantly drawing Yunniang's attention away from her awkwardness.
“Mother, when we become rich, I’ll bring you here to buy rouge,” Pei Yao said with a smile, her eyes crinkling.
Yunniang lovingly patted her head: "Yao'er, your mother doesn't need those things, as long as you grow up safe and healthy."
......
Pei Yao followed Niu Qingshan to the front of Deyun Restaurant. Since they had an oxcart, Niu Qingshan went first to find someone to tell them, while Pei Yao and the others waited for his message at the door.
"Auntie, Yaomei, you wait here for me. Don't wander off. I'll go inside and find someone to lead us in through the back door," Niu Qingshan instructed.
Pei Yao and Yun Niang nodded.
Niu Qingshan then went inside with peace of mind. As he walked, Pei Yao whispered a reminder to him, "Brother Qingshan, don't forget what I told you in the car."
Niu Qingshan's lips twitched, and without turning his head, he nodded guiltily, saying, "Okay..."
Pei Yao, on the other hand, was in a good mood and curled the corners of her lips.
As Niu Qingshan walked into the two-story building, Pei Yao began to take a look at Deyun Restaurant.
These three restaurants are truly unique in their own way. Just now, when they walked over, they passed by the other two restaurants.
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