Lin Shu and Qin Wu surrounded Gu Xiaoran, pinching her cheeks and ruffling her hair, which made Qiu Dayu frown.
These two are acting like they've never seen a child before. "If you like children, just have your own."
Lin Shu: "But there has to be a person."
Qin Wu: "Qiu Dayu wanted to have a child on his own."
Qiu Dayu was speechless; he decided to go back to work.
Surrounded by the two, Gu Xiaoran showed no fear and giggled.
Qiu Yan went up to hug Gu Xiaoran, but Gu Xiaoran wouldn't let her. Qiu Yan could only tell them, "Be careful, don't let Gu Xiaoran run out of the restaurant."
Lin Shu: "Don't worry."
Seeing that Gu Xiaoran was having fun, Qiu Yan kept an eye on him while sitting down at Zhou Zifang's table. "Zhou Zifang, how's business?"
She was going to give Zhou Zifang a suggestion: to follow the example of Xian Shi Takeout.
Zhou Zifang frowned. "Business is good, but my father wrote that the new manager will be here soon and that I should go back to school."
Because the county magistrate's wife frequently dined here, and even brought some regular officials with her, Zhou Zifang's business flourished.
It's fair to say that Xingyue Tower is now packed every day, earning more money in a single day than it did in the previous few months.
However, his father was determined to make him go back to school, and even said that if he didn't go back, he would disown him as his son. This matter was causing him a lot of worry.
Qiu Yan asked, "You don't like reading?"
"I'd rather be in business than studying. Xingyuelou has finally started to recover, and I don't want to give up. What will I do if a new manager comes?"
"You can study in Baiyang and take care of the business at the same time."
Although Zhou Zifang didn't want to study, Qiu Yan's words were the only solution.
He's now single-mindedly focused on doing business, and he's happy to see the money rolling in every day.
"Qiu Yan, you are now also a member of Xingyue Tower... Could you help me?"
Zhou Zifang knew that if it weren't for Qiu Yan, he would still be starving.
His eyes were pleading.
Qiu Yan wants to do things on her own.
Previously, Qiu Yan did not understand Zhou Zifang. The reason she helped him was purely to find a way out for herself and Uncle Li.
But now, the two have become friends, and she has taken 30% of their profits.
If Xingyuelou's business expands further, a 30% profit margin would be a considerable sum.
"Okay, but I can't guarantee that I'll be on duty at Xingyue Tower all the time."
Zhou Zifang's wish was fulfilled, and his previously worried expression immediately relaxed.
"It's alright, just come often."
When the new manager arrives, he'll have to find a way to get rid of him.
“My younger brother will be entering Luming Academy in August, you can go together.”
"Very good."
As the number of guests increased, Qiu Yan turned around and saw a noble lady walking into Xingyue Tower with the help of a maid.
Upon closer inspection, she recognized the lady; wasn't she the same customer Gu Xiaoran had been?
As Qiu Yan looked at the noblewoman, the noblewoman also looked at her and recognized her as well.
Suddenly, Qiu Yan realized that something seemed to be missing from her side.
"Lin Shu, where's Xiao Ran?"
Lin Shu, who was tidying up the tables and chairs, searched around but couldn't find Qin Wu. She then turned her attention to Qiu Dayu.
Where is Xiao Ran?
Qiu Dayu stopped what he was doing, shrugged, and said, "Weren't you two the ones who were teasing the baby? Where's the child?"
Zhou Zifang turned his head and looked around, "Where did this child go?"
He went to the kitchen and asked Qin Wu, who shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.
Qiu Yan panicked. It was her oversight. She rushed out of the restaurant.
"Wait for me..." Zhou Zifang hurriedly followed.
There weren't many guests at the moment, and Qiu Dayu, Lin Shu, and Qin Wu followed closely behind.
"Xiao Ran..." Qiu Yan called out as she searched, pacing anxiously in circles.
As she ran, she asked passersby, "Auntie, have you seen a three-year-old boy walk by here?"
The old woman shook her head. "No."
The others, like her, asked questions as they ran.
There were too many three-year-olds, all following the adults, and passersby didn't even know it.
When Qiu Yan turned around, she saw that Xiao Zongying was being pulled into an alley near Xingyue Tower by an old woman. She felt relieved and quickly turned back to chase after him.
Gu Xiaoran is currently being looked at kindly by an old woman.
"Oh, baby, Grandma's here. Why are you running? Come on, come home with Grandma. Your mother is waiting for you at home for dinner..."
Gu Xiaoran didn't speak, but took a few steps back. "You're not."
The old woman stepped forward, took a handful of candy from her pocket, and stuffed it into Gu Xiaoran's hand. "Don't be afraid, Grandma isn't a bad person."
Gu Xiaoran didn't answer, and took another step back. "My mother is nearby."
The old woman looked around and then hugged Gu Xiaoran tightly.
"Yes, your mother is nearby. Grandma will take you to find her."
"Let me go... my mother is nearby." Gu Xiaoran couldn't break free and cried loudly in desperation.
"Stop!" Qiu Yan quickly turned into the alley and ran a few steps.
The little guy with short legs snatched Gu Xiaoran from the old woman's hands and pulled him into his arms.
Gu Xiaoran quickly hugged Qiu Yan tightly.
The old woman was initially startled when Qiu Yan stumbled, but then her face lit up with joy. This pretty girl would surely fetch more money.
Seeing that there weren't many passersby, she glanced around and said, "Young lady, I came over to ask because I saw that this child didn't have any parents with him."
Gu Xiaoran burst into tears, but upon hearing this, she seemed to realize something and clung tightly to Qiu Yan's neck, crying, "Mother, go, go..."
Qiu Yan looked around and vaguely sensed two pairs of eyes staring at her from the side.
She took a few steps back while holding Gu Xiao, then turned and ran quickly.
She was holding her child, and she absolutely could not act rashly before knowing the other party's skill level.
Soon, two burly men appeared behind her.
"Quick, after them!"
They followed on either side, and just as the two were about to grab her, Qiu Yan, holding Gu Xiaoran, cleverly dodged and ran quickly to the alley entrance.
"careful!"
Qiu Dayu was the first to arrive, and upon seeing the scene before him, he cried out in alarm, "Lin Shu, over here!"
Qiu Yan tossed Gu Xiaoran into Qiu Dayu's arms and then noticed a burly man lunging at her head. She protected her head with one hand and took a step back.
The old woman grew anxious and said to her people, "They're here! Hurry up and get out of here!"
Seeing the approaching person, the burly man changed his attack, bent down, and intended to grab Qiu Yan and quickly abduct her.
Qiu Yan pressed down on the man's neck and slammed her knee into his chest.
Then, with his hands clasped together, he slammed them down hard on the strong man's back.
The man winced in pain in his back, groaned, and collapsed to the ground. "You little brat!"
In an instant, another burly man launched a single punch at Qiu Yan.
Qiu Yan kicked the man's arm, followed by a series of back kicks with both legs.
The man was kicked to the ground by her feet. Just as he was about to get up, Qiu Yan stepped on his back.
"Let me go!"
The man's face contorted with anger. He struggled several times, but Qiu Yan stepped on the back of his neck again.
Qiu Dayu was almost petrified. He stared at Qiu Yan without moving. She was really formidable.
The old woman was shocked. She thought things would go smoothly as before, but she didn't expect this girl to be so extraordinary.
She watched the three people running towards her from afar, then turned and ran.
At this moment, Zhou Zifang and the other two had already arrived.
Their fight attracted a large crowd, and even the guests of Xingyue Tower came out to watch the excitement.
The noblewoman stared intently at the old woman, then was surprised to discover Gu Xiaoran.
Qiu Yan looked at the old woman running away in the distance, "Quickly, catch her!"
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