Chapter 49 Preparing for the New Store (Part 1) Ready to open! ...
Wu Zhongqiang's cloudy eyes struggled to move within their sockets, his lips moved, and he managed to squeeze out a few hoarse sounds from his throat, but he could not utter a complete sentence.
Grandma Mai collapsed to the ground, her calloused hands pounding the damp yellow earth. Her already wrinkled face scrunched up even more: "Old man! Now it's just the two of us left at home! If you leave too, how am I, an old woman with only half a body, supposed to live?"
Lin Yao quickly stepped forward, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Mai Shi, then squatted down to check on Wu Zhongqiang's condition. "Grandma, Grandpa Wu is weak, let's take him home first." She turned to Yang Yaren, "Uncle Yang, please go and fetch a doctor." Yang Yaren nodded hurriedly, turned and left quickly.
Lin Cheng propped himself up, wiping the river water from his face; his arms were still trembling slightly. He gritted his teeth and squatted down in front of Wu Zhongqiang. "Old Master Wu, I'm sorry to offend you." With that, he steadily carried the old man on his back. Wu Zhongqiang's body felt light and airy, and Lin Cheng could clearly feel his bony back pressing against him.
Wu Zhongqiang lay on Lin Cheng's back, his consciousness blurred, he could only feel the wind whistling in his ears and the steady footsteps of the boy, one after another, as if knocking on his lifeless heart.
When everyone arrived at Wu Zhongqiang's home and settled him in bed, the doctor also rushed over. The doctor took his pulse for a moment, then carefully examined Wu Zhongqiang's complexion and tongue coating, his brow furrowing slightly: "There's nothing seriously wrong. It's just that his blood is cold and damp, the cold has entered his body, and coupled with emotional distress, his blood and qi are not flowing smoothly. I'll prescribe some medicine to dispel the cold and relieve his emotional distress; he'll recover after some time of quiet recuperation. However, this emotional knot… will require your help to ease its burden."
Lin Yao emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of ginger soup, the rising steam from the white porcelain bowl blurring her delicate features. "Grandma Mai," she said, "this ginger soup is the best for warming you up. It'll make you feel warm and comfortable." Grandma Mai's cracked hands gripped the rim of the bowl, spoonful by spoonful, feeding her husband the warm soup. Wu Zhongqiang opened his mouth blankly, letting the warm soup slide down his throat. Grandma Mai looked at her husband's expression, and tears streamed down her face again.
Lin Cheng stood by the bed, looking into the old man's empty eyes, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart.
Seeing this, Lin Yao spoke softly: "Uncle Wu, my father was forced by my uncle to join the army for him back then, and we haven't heard from him all these years. His fate is unknown. My brother and I have suffered so much in this world trying to make a living. But no matter how hard it is, life has to go on. How can everything in life be smooth sailing? But as long as we are alive, there is still hope."
The room fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the candlelight. After a long silence, Lin Cheng finally spoke: "Grandpa Wu, if you don't mind, please treat us as your own juniors from now on."
Lin Yao turned to look at her brother in surprise. Lin Cheng was not the type to casually make friends with people, so why was he acting so strangely today?
Wu Zhongqiang's previously unfocused gaze gradually sharpened as he looked at the brother and sister before him. He swallowed hard, and after a long pause, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Thank you for your concern... Thank you."
As everyone left the house, Madam Mai was already sobbing uncontrollably. She tremblingly grasped Lin Cheng and Lin Yao's hands, "Good children, thank you so much today. We were complete strangers, yet you were so kind to me. Without you..."
Lin Yao grasped the old woman's rough hand in return. "Grandma, please don't say that. If it were anyone else today, my brother and I wouldn't have stood by and done nothing. You see, Grandpa Wu is a lucky man, safe and sound now, and his future will only get better and better."
She gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Mrs. Mai's eyes with a handkerchief, and then said, "My brother and I have taken over Yue Lai Zhai, and we were worried that we didn't have an elder to guide us. Grandma, you and Grandpa Wu have lived in this town for many years and know the place well. If you don't mind, please treat us like your own children from now on. After the restaurant opens, teach us how to serve our old customers and how to make the dim sum to suit everyone's tastes."
Upon hearing Lin Yao's words, Mrs. Mai couldn't stop her tears from flowing again, but she smiled and nodded, "Good, good, they're all good children..."
She looked up into the room and, through the half-open door, could see Wu Zhongqiang leaning against the headboard. Although his face was still pale, he was also looking in her direction.
Yang Yaren sighed from the side, "Well, from now on, Lin Family Restaurant will probably have two more old managers in charge!"
As dusk settled, Lin Yao and Lin Cheng walked side by side on the road back to the village. The thrill of the day gradually faded, leaving only the soft rustling of their footsteps echoing through the quiet countryside.
Lin Yao secretly glanced at Lin Cheng's tired profile beside her. After hesitating for a long time, she couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why did you speak to Grandpa Wu today..."
Lin Cheng paused, his gaze fixed on the village where wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys in the distance. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he slowly said, "Little sister, do you still remember how Mother looked when she learned of Father's disappearance?"
He bent down, picked up a pebble, and threw it forcefully into the twilight-shrouded fields. "Over the years, how many families have been torn apart by the war. Some died on the battlefield, and some spent the rest of their lives guarding empty houses. But no matter how hard it is to live, as long as there is breath, there may still be a chance for things to turn around."
Lin Yao looked at Lin Cheng's wind-blown hair, and saw a weariness on his youthful face that seemed beyond his years. "Today, I only thought about helping him out as much as I could. Consider it... consider it as accumulating blessings for Father."
Lin Cheng looked at his younger sister, who had grown half a head taller, and gently rubbed the top of her head with his rough hands. "When Father comes back and sees how capable A-Yao is, he will be very happy. Look, even the idea to open a shop was yours. You are much better than me, the older brother."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a child's clear shout came from afar.
Lin Song stumbled over, carrying a swaying lantern, its light scattering tiny spots of light on the muddy ground: "Brother! Second Sister! Brother Dazhuang said if you don't come home soon, the porridge will turn into burnt rice!" Lin Cheng quickly stepped forward, picked Lin Song up, and hoisted him onto his shoulder. "Come on, let's go home for dinner! We still need to go get the equipment ready first thing tomorrow morning, so we need to get our eatery sorted out quickly."
~
Just after noon the next day, Lin Yao took off her apron and handed it to Liu Xu. Chen Qianyuan, who was holding an empty bowl and about to add soup, noticed her action and hurriedly asked, "Girl, why are you leaving so early today?"
Lin Yao wiped the sweat from her forehead, her eyes shining like stars: "Dr. Chen, my brother and I have taken over the Yuelai Zhai shop! We're going to buy some things today."
Chen Qianyuan looked pleasantly surprised. He stroked his beard and exclaimed with emotion, "Incredible! Incredible! I still remember how you and your brother came to sell osmanthus branches to me a few months ago. I knew you were capable back then, and I was right about you."
Uncle Zhao, who sells vegetables next door, came over to the stall carrying his load, tapping his copper pipe against the carrying pole with a bang: "So it was you who took over that shop! I was wondering why I kept seeing you two hanging around the alley entrance lately, I didn't expect you to have it so quickly!"
"That's right!" The peddler, a regular customer for rice noodles, wiped the red oil from his mouth. "That shop belongs to Old Wu, right? That old man has a really strange temper. You two siblings are young, but you're quite capable!"
Lin Yao blushed with pride at the compliment and said with a smile, "Thanks to everyone's support! For the grand opening, we're giving away fried skewers to anyone who comes in and eats noodles! We have both meat and vegetarian options, and they're delicious with the hot and sour noodles!"
"What are fried skewers? I've never heard of them!" A murmur arose among the diners.
Bai Yi, sitting in the back row, suddenly shouted, "I know! They sold it at the tournament! It's oily, crispy, and especially the bean curd skin!" Several customers who had tried it immediately chimed in, "Yeah, yeah! I'm bringing my wife and kids too! We have to go on opening day!"
Seeing Lin Cheng carrying a basket on his back, Lin Yao bowed to the crowd and ran to her brother's side. "Let's go to the blacksmith's shop first." Lin Yao pointed to the flickering firelight at the street corner. As soon as the two approached, a wave of heat carrying the metallic smell hit them. Blacksmith Wu, shirtless, swung his hammer, sparks flying and crackling on the ground.
Wu the blacksmith caught sight of Lin Yao, pulled a rough cloth from his shoulder to wipe his sweat, and grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Oh! What are you making this time, young lady? Another iron plate?" He tossed the red-hot iron into cold water, the rising steam carrying the metallic smell. Wu the blacksmith had a deep impression of Lin Yao; the strangely shaped iron plate was truly perplexing.
Lin Yao shouted at the top of her lungs, "Master Wu has a good memory! This time, we really need a piece of iron plate, the same size as last time, and two of the largest double-handled iron pots! They need to have thick walls and flat bottoms so they won't burn when heated!"
The blacksmith wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm. "Young lady, you're an expert! But a large pot takes a lot of iron, so the wages will be two taels of silver."
Lin Yao took out a piece of silver from her sleeve and placed it on the chopping board. "Pay the deposit first, and the rest will be settled when the goods are delivered."
Wu the blacksmith tapped the anvil with his hammer, producing a clear sound. "The iron plate is easy, but the iron pot will take a while. But don't worry, I'll personally handle the tongs, and I guarantee the pot I make for you will be more durable than any other!" His gaze swept over Lin Cheng's empty basket on his back, and he suddenly lowered his voice, "I heard you've taken over Yuelai Zhai? That shop..."
"Exactly!" Lin Cheng stepped forward to shield his sister from the flying sparks. "We'll have to rely on Master Wu's help from now on." Before he could finish speaking, Lin Yao chimed in, "When the restaurant opens, I'll treat you to hot and sour noodles with fried skewers for the first three days, all you can eat!"
Wu the blacksmith laughed heartily, his tongs tracing an arc in the air as he gripped the red-hot iron block: "Great! Just because of what Miss Lin said, I'll start working tonight!"
Leaving the blacksmith's shop, the brother and sister went to the woodworking shop. The old shopkeeper sized them up and said slowly, "Eight sets of beechwood tables and chairs, fifteen taels of silver." Lin Yao gritted her teeth and began to bargain with the old shopkeeper: "We also need to order shelves for powder buckets and cabinets for seasonings later, all made here, ten taels of silver!"
"Ten taels of silver?" The old shopkeeper's abacus beads clicked loudly, his cloudy eyes darting around. "Young lady, you certainly know how to do business, but who can predict the future? Perhaps these peaceful days won't last long. I don't believe in the future. Our craftsmen's skills aren't just boasting; your ten taels of silver will only cover the cost of the wood." He patted the stack of planks on the table, sending sawdust fluttering onto the list Lin Yao had doodled on. "The finished product will include labor costs."
Lin Yao stared at the old shopkeeper's wrinkled face, her peripheral vision catching sight of the wooden steamers carelessly piled in the corner. The steamers had rough surfaces, and brownish water stains clung to their crevices. A thought struck her, and she pointed at the steamers, asking, "Shopkeeper, why are these wooden steamers lying around like this?"
The old shopkeeper followed her gaze and sneered, "It was made by an apprentice. His skills are poor. It leaks when steaming things. It can only be used as firewood."
Lin Yao squatted down and carefully examined the structure of the wooden steamer. She found that the mortise and tenon joints were not tight enough and it would indeed leak water, but it wouldn't matter if it was used to hold fried skewers. She stood up: "Shopkeeper, I'm willing to pay fifteen taels for eight sets of tables and chairs, plus these wooden steamers. What do you think?"
The old shopkeeper squinted at Lin Yao, finally opening his eyes to look at the young girl: "What do you need these leaky things for?"
“It works.” Lin Yao didn’t explain, but took out some loose silver from her pocket and placed it on the table.
The old shopkeeper stared at the silver, then at the wooden steamer. After hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded: "Deal. But I've warned you, this wooden steamer leaks. If you take these things out, don't say I sold you a leaky wooden steamer and ruin my woodworking shop's reputation."
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