"Auntie, you're too kind," the waiter said, taking the candied fruit with a quick smile. "Huang San has been thinking of you, Auntie. He's been looking forward to seeing you. He'll be so happy to see you."
The two were led to the back room by the waiter, where Huang Xiaosan was helping to move things.
The waiters in restaurants, especially the apprentices, work very hard.
When there are guests, you have to serve them; when there are no guests, you have to help with chores. In short, you're guaranteed to never have a moment's rest.
"Huang San, your aunt is here to see you, come out for a moment," the waiter called from the doorway.
"Brother Dayu, what auntie?"
Huang San wiped his hands, glanced casually at the door, and his eyes immediately lit up with an astonishing light. He ran over in a few steps and asked in surprise, "Mother, what brings you here?"
"Mother, wait a moment. I'll go talk to the steward and ask for a short leave. I'll take you to my room later."
Before Jiang Nuan could even speak, he vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Nuan, who originally wanted to express her maternal love, had just reached out Er Kang's hand when Huang Xiaosan disappeared.
Suddenly, it was awkward.
“Mother,” Xie Shi wanted to laugh a little, “Xiao San is just too happy. He’s a young boy, so it’s inevitable that he won’t think things through.”
Clearing her throat, Jiang Nuan nodded with feigned seriousness, "This child is still the same as before."
As for what will be the same as before, only heaven knows. In any case, Jiang Nuan has no idea.
The awkwardness between the two did not last long. Seeing this, the waiter who had led the way took them to a corner and brought them a stool.
"Mother, we've met some kind people." Xie whispered in Jiang Nuan's ear, "If we hadn't met such kind people, we would have just been standing there dumbfounded at the door."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan remained noncommittal.
She didn't take this minor incident to heart.
Not long after, Huang Xiaosan returned, beaming with joy.
"Mother, Second Sister-in-law, let's go. I've already spoken to the steward, and he's granted me half a day off," Huang Xiaosan said, helping Jiang Nuan along.
The two followed Huang Xiaosan to the entrance of a small courtyard.
"Wife, open the door, Mom's here," Huang Xiaosan called inside.
A short while later, a young girl with a woman's hairstyle walked out of the courtyard.
"Husband," Jin Shi peeked out timidly, sniffed through her delicate nose, and then opened the door. "Mother, Second Sister-in-law, come in quickly."
This courtyard, located behind the restaurant, is just a small side courtyard with three rooms: a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen.
Although small, it has all the essential parts. Such a good place should never have been given to Huang Xiaosan, an apprentice who hasn't even finished his apprenticeship yet.
Fortunately, he had a capable father-in-law who was the manager of Wuweilou Restaurant. Even though he was just a servant, he could easily take care of his daughter and son-in-law.
"Mother, please rest first. I'll go make some tea," Jin said to Jiang Nuan.
“No need to bother,” Jiang Nuan said, feeling a little guilty as she looked at the young girl who was now her daughter-in-law. “We just drank some water and aren’t thirsty. You can just sit here.”
Jiang Nuan was not familiar with the Jin family, but she was willing to offer her utmost goodwill.
It wasn't just because she was Huang's daughter-in-law, but also because Jiang Nuan felt a pang of sympathy for the underage girl.
"Yes, Mother." Madam Jin was somewhat afraid of people, and she did whatever Jiang Nuan said, being particularly obedient.
"Mom, why did you come to the county town today? Did something happen at home?" Huang Xiaosan asked anxiously.
“Everything’s fine at home, don’t worry,” Jiang Nuan reassured her. “I just came here today to take a casual stroll.”
"Really?" Huang Xiaosan was a little skeptical. "Why would Mother come to the county town? The county town is not much different from the town."
"Let's not talk about that now," Jiang Nuan changed the subject. "I feel like your restaurant isn't doing very well."
Jiang Nuan noticed this as soon as she entered the room.
When they arrived at Wuweilou Restaurant, it was past 11 a.m., which was the peak dining time, but they didn't see a single customer. There were only two waiters in the restaurant, and it was extremely deserted.
Even though January is a slow season for business, there shouldn't be a single customer.
"Don't even mention it," Huang Xiaosan said dejectedly. "A new restaurant opened in the county town. The head chef was poached from the capital. He's an excellent cook, and the prices are reasonable. Everyone in the county is going there to eat."
After a pause, Huang Xiaosan's expression became even more dejected. "Ever since this restaurant opened before the New Year, Wuweilou's business has been completely taken over. These past few days, they've even hired storytellers and dancers, so nobody comes to Wuweilou anymore."
What Huang Xiaosan didn't say was that Wuweilou was now in a state of panic, the staff were distracted and perfunctory, and the managers were starting to look for new employers.
My father-in-law, who is in charge of the shop, has been so anxious lately that he has developed blisters on his lips. He runs around every day looking for skilled craftsmen, and has worn out several pairs of shoes, but there is still no progress.
"What restaurant is so amazing?" Jiang Nuan became interested. "Xiao San, don't you have half a day off? Come on, let's go to that newly opened restaurant for dinner and check it out."
"Mom, this won't do," Huang Xiaosan said with a pained expression. "What do you want to eat? I'll ask the head chef at Wuweilou to make it for you. Can we skip it?"
He was an apprentice at Wuweilou. If people found out he had gone to their rival's place, would he be kicked out immediately?
“There’s a saying that goes, ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.’ Have you heard it?” Jiang Nuan shook her head. “This saying comes from military strategy. It means that only by understanding yourself and your enemy can you defeat them. If you don’t even know the strength of your opponent, how can you win back the business?”
After hearing Huang Xiaosan's story, Jiang Nuan became even more eager to see this restaurant.
In the end, this group of people were tricked by Jiang Nuan into coming to the opposite side of Wuweilou: Juquanlou.
Upon hearing the name, Jiang Nuan had a feeling that these two restaurants were destined rivals.
Life has five flavors, and all five flavors are present!
Sitting in the private room, Jiang Nuan nodded repeatedly.
It must be said that there is a reason why Juquanlou can suppress Wuweilou.
Leaving aside the storyteller in the lobby on the first floor, the complimentary tea, fruit, and snacks alone show that they are willing to put in the effort.
Moreover, this restaurant truly makes one feel at home.
Jiang Nuan and her group were dressed plainly, and Huang Xiaosan was even more filthy, but no one in the building showed any disgust towards them or their furniture. The waiter's smile was sincere and bright, without a trace of perfunctoriness.
“Xiao San, why don’t you switch jobs?” Jiang Nuan suddenly suggested. “I think Ju Quan Lou is indeed much better than Wu Wei Lou.”
“Mother,” Huang Xiaosan said, both amused and exasperated, “I am an apprentice at Wuweilou. No matter how good Juquanlou is, it has nothing to do with me.”
“Besides,” Huang Xiaosan glanced at his wife beside him, “my father-in-law is the manager of Wuweilou Restaurant. Everyone else can leave, but I can’t.”
These words startled Jiang Nuan, who quickly turned to Xie Shi beside her and asked with her eyes: What's going on?
“Mother,” Madam Xie lowered her voice, “Have you forgotten? Third sister-in-law’s family are all servants of the owner of Wuweilou.”
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