Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Return to the restaurant...
Lin Qiuran was watching Manager Xu and the driver move things, so it wasn't lost by them. She could ask anyone who had been to the Xiao family to see if they were the ones who lost it.
She picked up the silver, a small piece, weighing about one or two taels. The family was not short of money now, but picking up the money also meant good luck today.
Lin Qiuran put the silver in her arms. After arriving home, she went to see Tangyuan first. He didn't wake up during the whole journey and was sleeping soundly now.
The wet nurse was enough to take care of the baby during the day, so Lin Qiuran returned to the house and took a good look at the gifts he had received today.
In Xiaojia Village, gifts aren't as extravagant as in the county town. The village head and his companions all brought gifts: chickens and ducks, eggs, and even fish. Regardless of their value, they were all thoughtful gestures. Inviting the Xiaojia Village residents also had its benefits; they would return to the village to farm, and the village head could make things easier for them. After all, they were clan elders, and it would also prevent future trouble from those in the old house.
These things are kept in the restaurant and are used for cooking.
Zhao Guangcai gave a tael of silver. Although he didn't know whether the money used by the Xiao family to buy the house was earned or borrowed, it was obvious that the Xiao family was thriving. Today, Lin Qiuran wore a gold hairpin on her head and a gold bracelet on her wrist.
When passing by here again, he saw that there were many customers in the restaurant. It was estimated that Lin Qiuran would plan to buy something soon.
Today, Zhao Guangcai also asked Lin Qiuran if they wanted to rent out the place on Yulin Street, since they weren't living there now anyway.
Lin Qiuran didn't want to rent it for now. If she opened a branch, she would definitely have to hire more people, and with too many people, her house wouldn't be big enough to accommodate them. So she decided to leave it there for now. However, she did hear good news from Zhao Guangcai: the price of the house there had increased for various reasons. She had originally bought it for 37 taels, but now she could sell it for 40 taels.
It is equivalent to the appreciation of real estate, which is also a good thing.
Zhao Guangcai also said that the price of houses in the county town has not increased much, and if you want to invest in real estate, you have to go to the capital or the provincial capital. Lin Qiuran does not have that much money, so if you need it in the future, you can ask Zhao Guangcai again.
The one she was living in now would not be sold, so Lin Qiuran did not ask. Whether the price went up or down did not matter to her much.
After she finished writing down the gift list, she took out the longevity locket given by Manager Shi and others and looked at it. She weighed it and found it weighed one tael and two qian. It was exquisitely made and compact. However, the glutinous rice dumpling was still small. Wearing these things when going out would be too ostentatious. It would be bad if someone with bad intentions targeted it. So Lin Qiuran kept it for him.
The longevity lock that Aunt Yu gave her weighed two taels. Lin Qiuran felt bad about it and planned to think of other snacks.
But it can't be given for free. Brothers have to settle accounts clearly. Can she invest and take a smaller share? This way both sides can make money, and the monthly income will be enough to hire a wet nurse and pay for her food and drink.
Then there was the gold locket Xu Yuanheng had given her. Lin Qiuran had weighed it and it was also two taels in weight, with more exquisite workmanship. Even the chain was made of gold, and it was engraved with the words "long life, happiness and freedom from worries". It was even heavier than the one she had bought.
Lin Qiuran bought that one at Jin Ruyi. It was a little over one or two taels, tied with a red string, and cost twenty taels of silver. Just after a full month, there were four more golden locks, but these were also the elders' blessings and care for Tangyuan.
She put the things away carefully and wrote them down on the gift list.
Xu Yuanheng also gave other things, a set of beautiful cups, some dry goods, and toys for Tangyuan, including rattles and cloth tigers. Lin Qiuran took out these two items, as the others, like the Nine-Curved Linked Ring, were not needed at the moment.
Lin Qiuran put the dry goods in the warehouse, cleaned the cups, put the old ones away, and would use new ones from now on.
Sun and the others hadn't returned yet, so Lin Qiuran took a look at the account book. She hadn't been in the restaurant these days, and the second floor wasn't receiving any customers. She'd been making about 150 taels of silver a day. Business wasn't average, but generally profitable.
From the end of the New Year to the end of her confinement, it lasted almost forty days. During this period, she hired a doctor, a midwife, and a wet nurse. Today was the full month, and Lin Qiuran gave the wet nurse an extra red envelope of one or two taels of silver. She also held a full month banquet, bought eggs... and spent a lot of money on miscellaneous items.
The gold lock bought for Tangyuan today was from Lin Qiuran's private savings. She wanted to use her own money to buy a house so that if she and Xiao Xun couldn't live together in the future, she would have a place to go. This place would be left for Sun and the others to live in.
She calculated that there were more than 140 taels of silver left in the house, and Lin Qiuran herself had more than 200 taels. Most of her share came from the spices, and Wufangzhai got a little less.
Compared to the restaurant's revenue, the share from the spices and Wufangzhai still accounted for the lion's share. Lin Qiuran also set aside some money from his family's coffers. "I received a gift today, it's for Tangyuan, but my family has to return the favor." Reciprocity, that's the principle.
The family had a good amount of savings, so Lin Qiuran didn't want to buy land or property for the time being. Xiaojia Village had over twenty acres of land, more than enough. Lin Qiuran didn't know how to farm, so when she heard they were going to plant in the spring, she gave Xiao Dashi another ten taels of silver to buy seeds and find a planter. The house was big enough for her, and the front yard was still empty, so she didn't want to move.
The remaining money will be used to prepare for the opening of a branch. If the second floor is also turned into a restaurant, the decoration will also cost money. People will definitely come, but there are so many dishes that I don’t know when it will be ready.
After reading the account book, Lin Qiuran pressed her eyebrows, walked around the room twice, and then went to see Tangyuan.
Tangyuan just woke up and drank milk, and he looked very happy.
Madam Xu said, "Maybe he just likes the hustle and bustle. A child this age is always curious about new things."
Lin Qiuran: "It's getting warmer now. You can take him out for a walk at noon. Don't stay at home all the time."
Tangyuan opened his mouth, revealing his dimples from time to time. Lin Qiuran took him back to the house and teased him for a while. He also showed him the golden lock, and he actually reached out to grab it.
However, a child of this age spends most of the day sleeping, so Lin Qiuran closed the door and took a nap too.
It was warm at noon, but after noon, the sun moved a little to the side and the weather became a little cloudy and cold.
Although it is still chilly in spring, the house is warm, especially the glutinous rice balls, which are like a stove.
Lin Qiuran slept for over half an hour and woke up to the noise outside: Sun and the others had returned. Tangyuan also woke up, but couldn't help yawning.
If it was just her and the wet nurse at home, Lin Qiuran would sleep with Tangyuan. If she was working, she would also pay attention to the movements over there.
Even though she knew the wet nurse's residence and family situation, as they were all Yu An people, nothing should have happened, but it always helped to be cautious.
Xiao Dashi had just sobered up and reeked of alcohol. Sun was disgusted by him. When she saw Lin Qiuran coming out with the glutinous rice balls in her arms, her disdain was clear. "Stay away! Don't let the glutinous rice balls get fumed."
Sun's expression changed quickly. She came over and pulled Tangyuan's hand, "Oh, you're waking up."
Xiao Dashi glanced at his grandson but didn't come over.
He went to feed the chickens and brought back some leftovers today. Since there wasn't much, he didn't ask the pig farmer to take them away.
We rarely eat these these days, unless we have leftovers, but we can feed them to the chickens. It's warm now, so we can try to get them to lay more eggs.
Lin Xia came to take care of the baby. Lin Qiuran had just finished her confinement, so it would be better for her to rest for a while.
Sun babbled, "See what you want to eat tonight. You have to cook for the guests while holding the glutinous rice balls. I see you didn't eat much at lunch. Your mother is back. I asked her to take a bullock cart back. I brought her two chickens, some vegetables from the kitchen, and a few pounds of red-skinned eggs to share with the villagers. I really owe it to your mother this time."
Sun smiled and said, "Everyone says your cooking is delicious. Shopkeeper Shi said he'll be busy tomorrow, so we have to go early."
Sun hadn't asked about Xu Yuanheng. She had considered giving him a heads up before, since it wasn't good to be with just one man after getting married. She had also considered telling Xiao Xun about it, since Xu Yuanheng treated Lin Qiuran so differently.
Who would be so kind to someone without asking for anything in return, giving him things, getting discounts on shop prices, and even Tang Yuanyue coming specially. The golden locket was just one of the gifts. Sun saw the steward next to Xu Yuanheng moving other things from the carriage.
This is not the first or second time that Xu Yuanheng has given gifts to Lin Qiuran.
After dinner, they sent the two of them home again, fearing that the glutinous rice balls would catch a cold. Xu Yuanheng was so kind that even Sun Shi couldn't say anything bad about him, and she was too embarrassed to tell Lin Qiuran.
Xu Yuanheng came over like everyone else, gave gifts, ate, and went home. Sun didn't know what to do. In the end, she didn't tell anyone about those things, not even to Xiao Dashi.
First, it was because he suspected Lin Qiuran of instigating trouble and was suspicious. Hadn't Lin Qiuran done enough for the family? He was close to Xu Yuanheng for business, and Zhao Guangcai had even come today. Second, what was the point of saying it? Lin Qiuran was now in partnership with Xu Yuanheng. Could it be that to avoid suspicion, he would stop doing business and making money and just run the restaurant to make a living?
Now that life is finally getting better, not only do you not want to help, but you also have to hinder us?
If Xiao Xun complained about this, Sun would have to persuade him not to do anything foolish. To be honest, from the fact that Lin Qiuran hired a wet nurse, it was clear that she took these things very seriously. In order to take care of the restaurant business, she was willing to leave the glutinous rice balls at home, so what could she say?
Lin Qiuran didn't know what Sun was thinking. "Let's just have a simple meal tonight and make something else for Madam Xu."
Madam Xu needs to breastfeed, so the meals cannot be simple, but must be light. Every meal should contain meat and vegetables, but no chili peppers and little salt.
The menu Lin Qiuran wrote rotates every few days. There are many dishes for lunch today, but many of them are too much for Madam Xu to eat. "Lin Xia, ask Madam Xu if she's hungry."
Lin Xia went to ask, and Mrs. Xu said that it was okay to eat a little, so Lin Dong went to cook.
Lin Qiuran was glad that he didn't feed the baby himself, otherwise he would have to avoid certain foods.
Lin Qiuran made dinner. She made dumpling soup with chicken floss. Not only that, she also used broth as the soup base. The egg pieces in it looked like snowflakes. These were eggs laid by the chickens at home. The yolks were of beautiful color, and the soup was also golden.
I have made this before at the post station, but this is the first time I have eaten it at home. Mrs. Xu had two bowls of it after dinner in the afternoon.
I also heated up steamed buns and roasted sweet potatoes, and made chicken, scallop and egg custard for Mrs. Xu.
Lin Qiuran drank the dumpling soup and ate a roasted sweet potato. There was chili oil in the dumpling soup, and she broke into a sweat from the spiciness.
She drank the whole pot of soup. Madam Xu had worked as a wet nurse for other families before. Speaking of which, the food at the Xiao family was really delicious.
The next morning.
Lin Qiuran asked Lin Xiasun to stay at home and look after the dumplings with the wet nurse, while she and Lin Dong and Xiao Dashi went to the restaurant.
It wasn't that she hadn't thought about bringing the dumplings to the restaurant like Wan Niang had done and placing them in the small room next door. But it was cold on the road, and Lin Qiuran didn't want him to suffer. Besides, the restaurant was simple and not as spacious and comfortable as home.
Wan Niang really had no choice. She had to go out to work and feed the child, so she could only take Ying Jie'er to the restaurant and have some dumplings.
Lin Qiuran hired a wet nurse, and she, Lin Dong, and Xiao Dashi were at the restaurant, so they could handle the situation for the time being.
If Lin Qiuran really wanted to bring the dumplings to a restaurant, he would be distracted.
Moreover, Lin Xia and Sun were on duty at night, and one of them had to stay up all night and catch up on sleep during the day.
Sun thought this was fine. Someone must be left at home, otherwise what would Madam Xu eat?
Before they left, Sun said, "Don't worry about your family. If anything happens, I'll find you at the restaurant."
Lin Qiuran nodded, hugged Tangyuan before leaving, and got on the donkey cart to the restaurant.
This was her first day busy with shop business after she finished her confinement. She had rehearsed it several times in her mind during her confinement. Not long after they arrived at the restaurant, Wan Niang came. Wan Niang Lin Dong washed and cut the vegetables, while Lin Qiuran made the stew ordered for lunch on the first floor.
Braised pork, ginger duck and braised lamb. She plans to have the braised lamb when the weather gets warmer.
After stewing a few dishes, it is time to prepare the ingredients on the second floor. Place them on the shelf and take them directly when cooking.
The dishes on the first floor of the restaurant are generous in portion, with cabbage, potatoes, tofu, bean sprouts, sliced meat, shredded meat, minced meat... everything is prepared in an orderly manner.
Lin Dong had a smile on her face. She had been with Wan Niang for the past month. Sun came to help occasionally, and she could handle it, but with Lin Qiuran around, she felt like a backbone.
Lin Dong: "Madam, the garlic is ready."
Lin Qiuran saw that there were both sliced and minced garlic, and she nodded, "If you're tired, take a break."
Lin Dong shook his head, "I'm not tired."
Lin Qiuran made the stew today, and for lunch, they also had two stir-fries: one with shredded potatoes and one with minced meat and tofu. Lin Dong was the first to learn how to make shredded potatoes, and she was the most proficient at it, but Lin Qiuran wanted her to make more other dishes.
But after Lin Dong tasted Lin Qiuran's cooking, he still felt that hers tasted better. This plate of shredded potatoes alone could be eaten with two bowls of rice.
Lin Dong's expression was a bit complicated. Lin Qiuran said, "How long have you been learning? If the food you make tastes like 90% of the original, it's good enough. Take your time. We still count on you to teach others in the future."
When the dishes were ready, they were brought up by the shopkeeper Shi and Lu Fan. There was also a large basin of red eggs in the yard, which were distributed to the guests when the dishes were served.
During the past three days, the restaurant has offered a 10% discount on every table, and free tea is provided when booking a banquet on the second floor.
It was a beautiful early spring day, with clear skies and a thousand-sunday sky. Even before noon, groups of customers were already streaming into the restaurant. The aromas of wine, rice, and vegetables blended together, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Some people congratulated, and some tasted the dishes and accurately pointed out which one was made by Lin Qiuran and which one was made by Lin Dong, but most people couldn't tell the difference.
The three tables of guests on the second floor were toasting each other, enjoying the delicious food and wine. Two tables had brought their own wine, while one table had ordered it from the restaurant. Today's turnover was at least ten taels of silver. However, with the wine, the profit was definitely less than half, around three or four taels, after all, the price was still ten percent cheaper today.
Shopkeeper Shi was happy. God knew how anxious he was when Lin Qiuran was in confinement, fearing that all the customers would leave. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
Lin Dong is a good cook and has a very picky palate. When he heard that Lin Qiuran had returned, he also came back.
Two tables were so happy with the food that they gave tips. The waiters were Shi Zhanggui and Lu Fan. The tips were definitely related to them. They were happy to serve the guests, but it was also because the food was delicious.
Lin Qiuran had said before that he would keep the reward money for himself, but Manager Shi and Lu Fan agreed to take half and give the rest to the restaurant, just for the sake of good luck.
After a busy day, there were still customers coming after half past the hour of Xu, but the things prepared for today had been used up. Manager Shi kindly persuaded the customers to come another day.
There was still some braised pork and half a duck left. Lin Qiuran peeled a few potatoes and fried some potato chips, and they sat down to eat.
After being busy for a long time, everyone was starving. Shopkeeper Shi ate some braised pork with rice. The potato slices fried by Lin Qiuran were also delicious. The cooking time was just right and the edges had melted. The texture was crunchy and very soft. Lin Qiuran also poured some broth on it, which made it taste particularly delicious.
The bill will be settled tomorrow. After dinner, Xiao Dashi waited for Aunt Liu to clean up, checked the doors and windows, closed the door and went home.
Lin Qiuran missed Tangyuan and was looking forward to going home soon.
It was cold at night, and in fact she would think of dumplings while cooking, but she had to be busy with work, so there was nothing she could do.
Today, when she was teasing Ying Jie'er, Wan Niang even joked, "You must be missing your child. Why don't you go back to see him at noon?"
Lin Qiuran shook his head. Cooking was tiring enough, and it wasn’t worth going back. He would be able to see it when he got home in the evening.
I guess he is asleep now. Sun didn't come over all day, so Tangyuan must have been obedient at home.
Finally entering the alley, Lin Qiuran saw Sun welcoming him at the door from afar.
Sun came over and asked, "How are you? Are you tired? Tangyuan hasn't slept yet. He probably knows you're not here. He kept looking for you even though he didn't see you today."
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Really? I'll go see him."
Lin Qiuran lifted her skirt and ran towards home. She passed the screen wall, crossed the front yard and went to the corridor at the back. She stopped when she reached the door of the wing room.
In the past, they would come back together from business, and there would be no one at home, it was pitch black. Today, the warm yellow candlelight shone through the window. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Madam Xu smiled and said to Tangyuan on the small bed, "Look who's back."
Tangyuan is one month old and is awake at the moment. He won't turn over, but his head is turned towards Lin Qiuran, with his mouth open, babbling.
Lin Qiuran picked up Tangyuan and held her warm body against her chest. It had only been a day, and she was exactly the same as when they left in the morning. Lin Qiuran asked, "Did Tangyuan behave well during the day?"
Xu Niang said: "He didn't cry much. He just ate and slept most of the day. I took him out to bask in the sun for a while at noon. Tangyuan seemed to like it very much."
Lin Qiuran said, "Thank you for your hard work today."
Madam Xu said modestly, "Auntie Sun and Miss Lin Xia have taken good care of her, so I don't have to worry about anything."
Tangyuan was easy to coax and take care of, and Madam Xu fed him. She was also fair-skinned and good-looking, which made her attractive.
After Lin Qiuran held Tangyuan for a while, he felt sleepy and fell asleep. She put her face against Tangyuan's face and then gently put him on the small bed.
It was late at night, and Lin Qiuran also wanted to wash up and go to bed. She soaked her feet to relieve her fatigue and felt that she was not too tired today and could bear it.
The next day was the same. I grabbed some glutinous rice balls and went to the restaurant. I was busy for a few days and it was already late February.
Xiao Dashi went to Xiaojia Village several times to busy himself with spring planting. The seats on the second floor were booked until the end of the month, but not every day was full.
On the afternoon of the 21st, before the evening business hours, Shopkeeper Shi was lying on a recliner. The recliner swayed, and a ray of sunlight hit him. He felt very comfortable.
After swaying for a while, Manager Shi fell asleep and only woke up when Lu Fan came.
Lu Fan went home almost every day, unless the weather was bad. Before he came in, he glanced outside and asked, "Boss, is the teahouse next door closed?"
Shopkeeper Shi: "What?"
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The author has something to say: Thank you all for the nutrient solution, thank you for your support~[Panda Head][Sprinkle Flowers][Cat Head]
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