Chapter 44 Chapter 44 A letter from home...
Lin Qiuran was stunned at first, then nodded. It didn't matter if they didn't talk about business. If he took the extra money, he could just consider it as paying for chatting with someone.
She thought that the guests or the restaurant owner came to discuss business. Thinking about it, the Xiao family restaurant had just opened and was making one or two taels of silver a day, the restaurant owner probably didn't take it seriously.
Furthermore, she and Xu Yuanheng were closely connected, so doing business with her would likely be done out of Xu Yuanheng's favor. Furthermore, the restaurant was too small, and even if the food was delicious, she was the only cook. While Lin Qiuran was a minor celebrity in Yu'an, she couldn't affect the business of the larger restaurant.
As they were both women, Lin Qiuran wasn't as wary of Jiang Sijie. Even though Jiang Sijie's surname was Jiang and she had a maid with her, her expression didn't seem malicious. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi both knew about her going out, and since they were next door, the windows of this private room were open. She wouldn't feel comfortable taking the money without chatting with them for a while.
Jiang Sijie glanced at Lin Qiuran's stomach and asked, "Maybe you can drink tea. Is there anything you can't eat?"
Lin Qiuran said, "It's okay to drink less, but I just had a meal, so no snacks are necessary. Just order whatever you want."
Jiang Sijie smiled and said, "I just ate at the Xiao family restaurant. I'm not hungry right now, so I'll just order two snacks."
The tea and snacks had been ordered but hadn't arrived yet. Jiang Sijie glanced out the window, then at Lin Qiuran. She said, "Mrs. Lin's cooking is truly excellent. I've never had such delicious food anywhere else. Cooking delicious dishes is simple, but making simple dishes delicious is not easy."
Lin Qiuran felt a little embarrassed at being praised so suddenly. "Everyone's cooking tastes different. Also, you have to control the knife skills and the heat. Even a slight difference will make a big difference in the taste."
Lin Qiuran didn't say much, because Jiang Sijie didn't look like he could cook, so it was useless to say anything. Besides, since it involved a secret recipe and would affect the shop's business, she didn't dare to say too much.
Jiang Sijie didn't ask further: "Then how did Madam Lin come up with the idea of opening a restaurant in the county town?"
Lin Qiuran had no guard against Jiang Sijie and was willing to chat with her for a while, but that didn't mean he had to answer everything she asked.
She lowered her head, her words half true and half false, "I'm desperate. My husband passed away a while ago, leaving only my parents-in-law at home. They're both old, and I'm pregnant. Farming alone isn't enough to support the family, so I came to the county town to find work. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a restaurant now, but it actually only opened yesterday."
Jiang Sijie felt uncomfortable after hearing this, a little breathless. In books, all she saw were lines of text, and a few lines of ink could determine a person's life or death. Even though she was in a book, the people around her and the maids still followed the rules, giving her the feeling that everyone here was just paper people.
But after coming to Yu'an, things were different. Sun would remind her that she had ordered too many dishes, worried that she wouldn't be able to finish them all by herself. But Lin Qiuran was truly living and experiencing these hardships.
When I was reading the book, I felt sorry for the male protagonist and thought he had suffered so much. But now I feel that he faked his death, but his family really believed he was dead. In this era, not only did the husband and son die, but there was also a shortage of strong laborers.
A beautiful young widow, elderly parents-in-law, and a baby in her belly. Three types of women: old, weak, and pregnant. And it's such an era again...
Jiang Sijie bit his lower lip and said, "I'm a little blunt, please don't mind. He's gone, why bother giving birth to a child? You're having such a hard time now..."
Lin Qiuran touched her belly. "It's also a thought... I thought about returning to my parents' home, but my sister-in-law wanted me to marry a widower with two children. My husband is the only child my parents-in-law have. Since I married into this family and my husband is gone, how could I abandon them?"
Lin Qiuran smiled after saying this, "Fortunately, I have a business to do, otherwise my family would really be starving."
This statement was also three-tenths true and seven-tenths false. She had no feelings for Xiao Xun, and only developed feelings for Sun and Xiao Dashi after they had slowly gotten to know each other. In order to gain a foothold, she did not want to be forced to remarry. In addition, she wanted to ensure that the family would have enough food and clothing after having a child. This is why Lin Qiuran decided to give birth to the child.
She said that it was for Xiao Xun's sake, to make life a little easier, and it would also give her a good reputation if word got out. Outsiders who wanted to bully her family would have to think twice.
A trace of heartache flashed in Jiang Sijie's eyes, and the words in her heart almost came out. She wanted to tell Lin Qiuran that Xiao Xun was not dead yet.
But the words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back. If she told them, how would she explain to Lin Qiuran that she, a person other than Yu An, knew about Xiao Xun and that he was not dead? Her coming today was already very abrupt, and if she told them, it would seem like she had ulterior motives.
Moreover, Jiang Sijie had to think more. If it was really because she traveled through the book and flapped the butterfly wings, allowing Sun's Xiao Dashi to survive, and Lin Qiuran did not abort the child and remarry and leave, then whether Xiao Xun is alive now... Jiang Sijie did not dare to guarantee it.
There are also those stories where the hero sacrifices his own life in exchange for a chance to be reborn and bring back everyone around him. If she can travel through time, it is not impossible.
The Xiao family's life finally got better. They no longer had to set up stalls. Now they had a shop and their life was slowly returning to normal. It was naturally a happy occasion to say that Xiao Xun was still alive.
Regardless of whether she believed it or not, if Lin Qiuran believed it, the more hope she had, the more disappointment she would have. Lin Qiuran would always hold on to the hope that her child's father would come back and her husband would come back. If Xiao Xun didn't come back by then, what would Lin Qiuran do?
Jiang Sijie took a deep breath, thinking that she would do something bad.
Jiang Sijie looked at Lin Qiuran's belly. If the news was false and something happened to the child, she might never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life.
Since Sun and Xiao Dashi are still alive, and Lin Qiuran is also fine, why not just leave it as it is? In the book, Xiao Xun even sent a letter home. If he were really alive, the Xiao family would know the news sooner or later, so there is no need to rush.
If Lin Qiuran really traveled through time, time would prove everything, so she just had to wait.
Jiang Sijie said, "Mrs. Lin values friendship and loyalty, which I admire very much. I believe that good people will be rewarded! If you need any help in the future, please tell me directly and don't be polite. Although I am not a local, I will live in Xuzhou for a while."
Lin Qiuran nodded without taking it personally. Jiang Sijie had an accent, unlike a local. She didn't appear to be married, but it was unclear whether she had any connection to the Jiang family.
Lin Qiuran was now just an ordinary citizen, having to make a living wherever she went. She was doing all this for herself. The house and the shop at home were all in her name. Sun and Xiao Dashi had never argued over anything. They treated her very well, living frugally and wanting only to leave their money for her and their children.
Even if she remarries in the future, Lin Qiuran wants to leave something for Sun and Xiao Dashi so that she can take good care of them in their old age.
Speaking of hardship, working while pregnant is hard, but many people continue to work while pregnant.
Jiang Sijie didn't say anything else, apparently just curious. Lin Qiuran guessed that Jiang Sijie must be a young lady out for a trip. Girls who are not married yet and read a lot of storybooks always have a bit of sympathy for women with pitiful life experiences. Lin Qiuran couldn't care less about this. After talking for a while, she went back. The shop had to be open for business in the evening, and she had to go back to bed.
Jiang Sijie wanted to give him money, but Lin Qiuran confiscated it. He said he would not accept anything without merit. Besides, the Xiao family was not short of money at the moment.
With a house and a shop, they earn money every day. For a family of three in the county town, their life is not rich, but it is comfortable enough.
Sun had been staring at the teahouse, and when she saw Lin Qiuran return safely, she breathed a sigh of relief. "What do I want to talk to you about? Is it about business?"
Lin Qiuran shook his head. "No, I just said a few words."
She didn't tell Sun what they had said in the teahouse, or else Sun would be upset again. Life at home was finally getting better. Sun and Xiao Dashi were no longer as sad and tearful as they had been when they first learned of Xiao Xun's departure. Why did Lin Qiuran bring up something so unhappy? She was still very satisfied with her current life.
Jiang Sijie carefully calculated the dates in the book and now. Originally, Sun and Xiao Dashi were already dead at this time. Xiao Xun did send the news back, but fate was fickle. The two died before they could hear it. If the news had come earlier, both of them could have saved their lives.
If Xiao Xun was not dead, the news would be passed back to Yu An soon, and the whole family would definitely be happy then.
If Xiao Xun is killed because of the plot change, that person cannot be resurrected. She will come to see the Xiao family again and help if she can.
Lin Qiuran didn't want to eat these. She felt a little sleepy, so Sun said, "Go back to your room and sleep first."
Sun's biggest worry now was Lin Qiuran. She felt it was tough for her to work even after her advanced pregnancy. But there was no other way. For the Xiao family, this was the fastest way to make money.
Lin Qiuran did think about letting her not work, just like giving advice to Aunt Yu's family, and let Sun's Xiao Dashi sell some snacks.
Let Sun make Xiao Dashi and sell it, and she could rest assured and take care of her pregnancy. After all, they had a share of the spice recipe and Wufangzhai, so the family would definitely not be short of money. But if they did that, not only would it be hard work for both of them, but Lin Qiuran would also not be able to spend the money they earned with a clear conscience.
Another thing is that there are many snacks, but they are not easy to choose. For example, milk tea and barbecued duck are very popular in modern snack streets, but they may not sell well here.
It can't be too novel, otherwise it will be difficult to accept. Moreover, there is a shortage of things. The working oxen cannot be slaughtered, beef is expensive and hard to buy, and milk is even more difficult.
Duck was even more difficult to obtain. A single duck was expensive, with only two wings and a neck. Where would Lin Qiuran get so many ducks? Even if he could get other meats, what would he do? He'd already paid for them, so why would he just throw them away? And the sweet and spicy flavors didn't go well with pig liver and pig ears, so it was better to just stick to braised dishes.
The taste is almost the same as those sold on the street, just a little bit better. The dishes are in line with the general taste and the business is pretty good.
Lin Qiuran couldn’t think of many snacks that could be sold on the street.
As for other dishes, such as crispy pork, Lin Qiuran also thought about putting them up, but they consume too much oil and would not go well with hot pot in a restaurant. It would be better to have some delicious stir-fried dishes.
Another thing is that if something too novel is brought out, Sun and Xiao Dashi will also be suspicious. For now, she can just say that she learned it from her mother's family. She just got married, so Sun will not specifically verify if she learned it from her mother's family.
Cooking can be delicious, but it won't be good if it's too unusual. Lin Qiuran won't mess around if he can make money. He wants everything, but in the end he gets nothing.
This is also the reason why Jiang Sijie didn’t discover many modern things.
As for the future, Lin Qiuran planned to take it one step at a time. In her heart, she regarded Sun and Xiao Dashi as her own parents, so naturally she had to consider and make plans for them.
In the future, this shop will definitely have to train a reliable chef, capable helpers, and an effective manager. Then there will be no need for family members to work, and Sun and Xiao Dashi can collect the money.
By then, Sun and Xiao Dashi will be able to enjoy their retirement in peace, and Lin Qiuran will bring the children back to visit often.
Lin Qiuran didn't reject the idea of getting married, but she had to find the right person. Regardless of whether she married or not, she wanted to give Sun and Xiao Dashi a profitable shop, and then live separately.
They were living together now, but Lin Qiuran felt that this couldn't go on forever. It wasn't that Sun and Xiao Dashi treated her badly, it was just that the old and the young had different living habits and couldn't live together.
In reality, Sun and Xiao Dashi had tried their best to accommodate her, but even in the smallest matters, the three of them still had different living habits. For example, when life was tough, they would eat whatever they couldn't finish, and it was still the same now. Lin Qiuran had explained this many times, but to no avail.
The two of them couldn't help but nag about other things.
They both meant well, but it would get annoying after a while. They were both in their forties and had decades left to live as long as they took good care of themselves. They should have their own lives and not just plan for her and the child.
But Lin Qiuran has no plans to separate for now. After all, there is only one house in the family and they have to live together.
Lin Qiuran took a nap in the afternoon, and when she woke up, Zhao Guang came to find her.
Zhao Guangcai looked at the restaurant and marveled inwardly. He had also brought someone with him, a waiter hired for Lin Qiuran, a seventeen-year-old named Lu Fan. He was tall and thin, dressed neatly, and had a good appearance.
Compared to the shopkeeper, waiters are easier to find. As long as they are smart, have clean hands and feet, and look clean and presentable, they will be fine.
The waiter does more work than the dishwasher. He has to come before noon and is busy both morning and evening. The set wage is twelve cents a day, but it is still a little less than Wan Niang's. Two meals a day are still included, but nothing else is provided.
Salaries are calculated monthly, and employees can take leave, but not more than four days a month. Compared to other places, the treatment at Xiao's Restaurant is quite good.
Zhao Guangcai and Lin Qiuran said, "I'll find one first. If you're too busy, tell me."
Lin Qiuran nodded. Everything Zhao Guangcai had found had already been signed, providing an extra layer of security. Lin Qiuran didn't need to worry about it; Zhao Guangcai could handle it all. With the money, things would naturally get done.
After Zhao Guangcai left, Lin Qiuran told Lu Fan what to do, including serving the dishes and clearing the tables when busy. He also had to see what the guests wanted, such as drinks, rice, etc. He couldn't wait for the guests to ask.
It is impossible for Xiao's Restaurant to cater to everything, but it tries its best to take care of the guests' feelings.
Lin Qiuran said, "Don't get into conflicts with the guests. Try to smile as much as possible, but also keep an eye on who hasn't paid, and speak politely."
Lu Fan is young and good-looking, but he doesn't like to smile much. Lin Qiuran is afraid that he will scare the guests.
Lu Fan nodded, "Sister, is there anything else?"
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "If a customer bullies you, come find me. If a customer is being unreasonable, don't get into a fight. Protect yourself. It's okay if the tables, chairs, and dishes in the shop are broken. If a customer starts to attack you, hide first and don't hit them. We can report it to the police."
Although customers are king, we can't let restaurant staff be bullied by customers. The shop has just opened, and the customers we meet are all nice. After a while, we will definitely encounter unreasonable people, and we can't just endure it.
Lu Fan smiled and nodded, "I've kept all of this in mind. Anything else?"
Lin Qiuran said, "That's all for now. If you don't understand something, ask your Aunt Sun. If you still don't understand, come find me."
Lu Fan nodded. Lin Qiuran heard Zhao Guangcai say that he had worked in another shop before, but it had closed down. He knew what he was supposed to do, so it shouldn't be difficult for him.
Seeing that there was nothing to do, Lin Qiuran went to cook the meat. He had to continue his business in the evening, so he had to cook the dishes.
Today is the second day of opening and business is pretty good. I guess business will slow down in a few days.
Lin Qiuran was not worried about the business. He was making money now. It didn't matter whether he made more or less, as long as he had something to do.
Xiao Dashi went out for a bit in the afternoon and returned in the evening. He had already negotiated the price for the liquor. He bought most of the household goods and also bargained for vegetables and meat every day. Often, the sellers, seeing his sincerity, tried to raise the price, but Xiao Dashi tricked them into doing so.
With a waiter, Xiao Dashi will be in charge of purchasing, and if there are many people, he can just go to the front to help.
Now they have the drinks and food, all they need is a shopkeeper and a chef. Lin Qiuran still wants to hire someone, otherwise people's hearts are fickle. She is afraid that if she teaches them the right thing, they will eventually take away the restaurant's business.
But there is no extra money at home now, so let’s wait until we get our share.
Lin Qiuran estimated that he could still cook for more than two months. When the weather got colder, there would definitely be fewer customers, so naturally he wouldn't be so tired.
That evening, Jiang Sijie returned to the shop for another meal, sampling other dishes. She had to admit, the food was truly unforgettable. The rice was comparable to the rice eaten in Beijing—fragrant, glutinous, and plump.
She ordered braised pork again today because she didn't eat enough at noon.
Jiang Sijie planned to return to Xuzhou tomorrow morning. Since the Xiao family didn't need her help, it wouldn't be a big deal for her to stay in Yu'an. She had told her family she was coming to Xuzhou for a short stay, so she decided to stay for a while. Before leaving, she decided to try the food at the Xiao family restaurant.
The ginger duck is delicious, the pickled fish is delicious, and even the stir-fried dishes are good. Jiang Sijie ate two and a half bowls of rice in the evening. It’s a pity that he can’t eat these when he goes to Xuzhou. It’s such a pity.
I hope Lin Qiuran’s business will get better and better, and he can open shops all over the country.
The next day, after having lunch at the Xiao family restaurant, Jiang Sijie got on a carriage and left Yu'an. Outside the carriage, a messenger on horseback came towards them and passed by the carriage, but Jiang Sijie didn't see it as he was sitting inside.
The messenger rode through Yu'an City, came out of the south gate and headed straight for Xiaojiazhuang. After getting off his horse, he followed the people and asked, "Is Xiao Xunjia here?"
Most people are sleeping at this moment. There is no work in autumn, so what can the villagers do?
But Li Cuihua hadn't slept yet, she was taking care of her grandchildren. Her three sons were married, and her youngest daughter-in-law had given birth to another boy.
Even though she always boasted about her daughter-in-law's pregnancy, Li Cuihua couldn't say such things when she was actually carrying a child. She left the house and asked the messenger, "What are you looking for at Xiao Xun's house?"
The messenger said, "Here is a letter for Xiao Xun's family."
Li Cuihua was a little suspicious. She said, "Give it to me first. His family is not here. I'll send it to you when they come back."
The messenger nodded. He had other letters to deliver, and it would be best if someone could help him deliver them.
Li Cuihua took the letter. It wasn't thick, and there didn't seem to be anything else inside. She asked, "Who sent this to the Xiao family?"
The messenger said, "Xiao Xun, this is a letter from home."
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The author has something to say: Please irrigate at the end of the month, don’t let the nutrient solution expire~ [Come on][Cat head][Panda head]
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