Chapter 64 Playing the Big Stupid Pig
Linjia Village.
Li's eyes were red-rimmed. She grabbed a broom and lashed it at Liu Xu, pointing it at his nose and unleashing a torrent of angry words: "I told you to work hard with A-Yao, but what did you do? You actually want to start your own business? What kind of success can you achieve with your rudimentary skills? Tell me the truth, did you get fired by A-Yao for cheating in town? We've only had a few days of peace and quiet, and now you think you're all grown up and don't know your place! Go apologize to A-Yao right now and beg her to let you stay and work as a waiter in the shop!"
Li was usually gentle and rarely scolded or beat her children. Today, she actually beat Liu Xu out of the yard. People living nearby heard the commotion and came out to see what was going on. After all, the scene of a mother disciplining her son was the most interesting to watch.
Nowadays, everyone in Linjia Village, young and old, has benefited from Lin Yao's kindness. In the past few days, by selling mushrooms, each household has earned an extra hundred or so copper coins. The Zhang family has earned the most; all the men in the family have gone out to sell mushrooms, earning at least three or four hundred copper coins.
As everyone listened, they gradually realized something was wrong; Liu Xu was trying to kick them while they were down.
Li was so angry that her chest ached in waves. She leaned against the door frame to calm herself, and seeing Liu Xu bowing his head and remaining silent, she became even more furious: "You unfilial son! How could you forget the miserable life we went through after your father passed away? Get out! I'll pretend I never gave birth to a heartless child like you!"
Liu Dazhuang squeezed out of the crowd and cursed, "You little brat, have you lost your conscience? Ayao taught you skills step by step, and you've only learned so much, and you're already trying to take advantage of it all?" These words were like lighting a powder keg, and the villagers were immediately enraged. Accusations rose and fell, and Liu Xu was almost drowned in spittle.
Liu Xu suddenly raised his head, his face flushed, and the veins on his neck bulging: "How am I heartless? When I was running a stall, I washed dishes every day until my hands were peeling. Now that I've opened a shop, I have to stand at the door and bow and scrape like a lapdog. Why can't I do things on my own? Why is it that only Lin Yao can live a good life?"
Li staggered, trying to cover her son's mouth, but Liu Xu dodged her. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground: "You unfilial son! If you really dare to do this, don't ever set foot in this house again! I don't have a son like you!"
Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Ah Yao is back!"
Lin Yao got off the donkey cart and walked to the gate of Liu Xu's courtyard. Looking at Aunt Li, who was sitting on the ground crying, and Liu Xu, whose face was flushed and whose neck was stiff, she said, "Liu Xu is no longer a waiter in my restaurant. What he does in the future is his own choice."
Her voice was calm as still water, but the villagers watching were not happy.
"Ah Yao, you can't let this kid get away with this!"
"He's ungrateful! He learned your skills and now he wants to go it alone!"
"That's right!" Several villagers echoed.
Lin Yao helped Li Shi up and said gently, "Auntie, we are so grateful for your help at the dock these days. If it weren't for your help, my brother would probably not even have time to eat if he were to run his stall at the dock all by himself. But since Brother Xu is planning to set up his own food stall, someone at home will need to help out in the future. We really can't trouble you to work anymore."
Everyone understood what he meant. Madam Li's face turned pale immediately, but knowing that her son was in the wrong, she dared not ask for help.
Lin Yao waved to the crowd of onlookers: "Everyone, disperse."
Back at the Lin family's old residence, Lin Cheng approached him and asked, "Will this work?"
"Whether it works or not, we'll see." A cold glint flashed in Lin Yao's eyes. This time, she wouldn't let the Lin family's eldest branch off so easily. The dream on her birthday night reminded her again that it was Madam Hu who killed the original owner. Now, the Lin family's eldest branch was causing trouble behind her back. Although she wasn't a decisive person, she wouldn't tolerate others riding on her head.
Lin Yao cleaned the silver ornaments she had bought in town and took out a jar of newly made five-spice powder. She didn't fill the jar completely, only two-thirds full, leaving the remaining space for the silver ornaments before covering them with the five-spice powder. However, Lin Yao didn't completely cover it, deliberately leaving some corners exposed, so that if the eldest branch of the Lin family came to steal the secret recipe, they would definitely discover the silver ornaments.
Before returning, she specifically consulted a lawyer about the penalties for theft. The lawyer explained that according to the *Da Yan Law Code*, the main punishments for theft included caning, exile, and the death penalty. According to current laws, if someone commits theft, the value of the stolen goods is calculated. If it reaches fifty strings of cash, the person is sentenced to death; if the value is less than fifty strings, the person is sentenced to thirty strings of cash and then exiled for three years of hard labor. If the value is less than thirty strings, the person is sentenced to twenty strings of cash and two years of hard labor; if the value is less than twenty strings, the person is sentenced to ten strings of cash and one year of hard labor.
Lin Yao knew that the Lin family's eldest branch was full of cunning schemes, and that stealing the secret recipe alone would probably not be enough to get them the punishment they deserved. After thinking it over, she decided to go to Ruifuxiang Jewelry Store in town to buy some jewelry to set up the scheme. The jewelry in this store all had unique markings, with a tiny "Rui" character embedded at the end of the hairpin. Although it was inconspicuous, it was the key to identification.
She chose a silver hairpin with a lotus scroll design and a bracelet with the same design. The bracelet was exquisitely crafted, only two fingers wide, adorned with tiny silver beads amidst the engraved lotus vines, and held two lotus seedpod pendants at the opening, which jingled softly when gently shaken. She also bought Lin Song a peace lock. Hairpins, necklaces, bracelets—everything was provided, just waiting for the Lin family's eldest son to take the bait.
However, there is a thorny problem: there was no such thing as an invoice in ancient times. If a dispute arises in the future, how can it be proven that she bought the silver hairpin?
Lin Yao went to great lengths to make the young lady at the jewelry store remember her. Everyone in town knew that Ruifuxiang Jewelry Store never accepted bargaining, but she insisted on staying in the store to haggle, spending half the day from opening until noon, using all her persuasive skills. She even opened a bag of konjac snacks and ate them in the store. The young lady was initially a bit reserved, but couldn't refuse and took a bite. She gasped from the spiciness, but couldn't resist taking another piece. Before long, she and Lin Yao became acquainted, and in the end, Lin Yao actually gave her a discount of one hundred coins. Although it wasn't much, every little bit helps.
After finishing the bag of konjac snacks, Lin Yao paid for the items she had chosen, happily took the wrapped jewelry, and left briskly. This time, she bought a full sixty-eight taels of jewelry; what level of punishment she would receive depended on how greedy they were.
Just as Lin Yao put the jewelry away, there was a knock on the door.
"They're here!" Lin Yao opened the door and saw Grandpa Zhang with his grandsons Zhang Ping and Zhang An. She quickly stepped aside to invite them into the yard. Just as she was about to make tea, Grandpa Zhang raised his hand to stop her. "Don't bother making tea! We'll just say a few words and then leave!" He placed a basket of eggs on the table. "These are wild eggs that Ping and An picked up on the mountain. They're so fragrant."
Lin Yao looked at the table and saw at least twenty eggs, which she guessed had been saved up for a long time. She looked up and asked, "Is there something you need, sir?"
Grandpa Zhang rubbed his hands together, looking a little awkward: "I don't know if you need any help here? My two sons are both very capable. You saw it when we were repairing the house. They can do any kind of dirty or hard work. And don't worry, they would never do anything so ungrateful."
Lin Yao immediately understood that Grandpa Zhang had brought his grandson to recommend himself since Liu Xu and his mother were not present. It must be said that, as the head of the family, Grandpa Zhang had excellent judgment.
Since Liu Xu and Aunt Li couldn't come back for the time being, and both the dock and the shop were short-handed, it was inconvenient to find temporary workers. Hiring Zhang Ping and Zhang An would be suitable: "Okay, I'm familiar with both of you. But I need to write an employment contract tomorrow to ensure that the secret recipe in the shop won't be leaked before I officially start working."
The three men, grandfather, and grandson, were surprised that things went so smoothly. Previously, many people in the village envied Liu Dazhuang and Liu Xu for being able to work with Lin Yao. Now, their family had such good fortune! The three men immediately beamed with joy. As for the contract that Lin Yao mentioned, they also thought it made sense. Those who run a restaurant naturally have to protect the secret recipe, especially after what happened with Liu Xu.
~
Outside Liu Xu's house, the crowd that had been watching the commotion dispersed as soon as they saw that the matter was over.
Liu Xu walked out of Linjia Village all by himself. He hadn't gone far when he suddenly heard someone call out, "Ah Xu!"
He stopped under the old locust tree at the village entrance, looked at Lin Youfu who was panting heavily, and frowned, asking, "Why did you call me?"
Lin Youfu was physically lazy, and running just a few steps was exhausting for him. He bent over, supporting himself on his knees, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. He lowered his voice and said, "Ah Xu, I know you're feeling aggrieved. That Lin Yao is just a little girl. What right does she have to ride roughshod over us?"
Liu Xu's eyelids twitched, but he didn't say anything.
Lin Youfu spat on the ground. "I've heard that you were washing dishes in her shop until your hands were peeling, while she's living in a big brick house and even hired two servants as helpers. Brother, you have the skills she taught you, and I have the connections. Let's work together. Tsk tsk, I wouldn't say we'd make a fortune, but we could at least buy two brick houses in town!"
Liu Xu looked up abruptly, "Is it really worth that much?"
Seeing that he seemed to be moved by his words, Lin Youfu continued to persuade him, "My cousin runs a rice shop in the prefectural city and knows many restaurant owners. You just need to tell me Lin Yao's secret recipes." Lin Youfu held up one finger and waved it, "One hundred taels in cash, cash on delivery."
The wind swirled locust leaves past their feet, and Liu Xu looked unsure: "But A Yao said that the recipe must not be passed on."
Lin Youfu spat on the ground, "Good heavens! You've already been kicked out! How can you still listen to her? What does she mean by that now? Your mother toiled for her brother at the docks, and she turns around and throws you all out. That's called discarding a used tool!" Seeing Liu Xu's expression soften, he pressed on, "Besides, once you sell the formula and establish yourself in town, not only your mother, but even your dead father will benefit!"
Liu Xu finally nodded after being persuaded, "You're right. I'll go to the Fuman Inn in town to rest for the night, and you can come back to me for the secret recipe tomorrow."
Lin Youfu watched as Liu Xu nodded in agreement, and his eyes, which had been squeezed into slits by his fat, widened considerably. "That's a real man!"
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