Chapter 59 Chapter 59 Returning alone...
Once, Xu Yuanheng was also curious about what kind of person Xiao Xun was, who made Lin Qiuran willing to leave the child and take care of Xiao Xun's parents after hearing the news of Xiao Xun's death shortly after getting married.
It’s not easy, going from cooking for others to running my own restaurant.
Even with hired help, Lin Qiuran still did the most work; otherwise, her hands wouldn't have become so rough. She was smart and capable, and she knew what was best for her. Leaving the child with the Xiao family... Xu Yuanheng believed it wasn't just out of deep affection.
They've only been married for a few days and they're not even from the same village, so how can there be any affection between them?
Besides, the person is already dead, so he has to look forward.
If Lin Qiuran was a person who was obsessed with the past, he would not have been able to run a restaurant in just a few months.
He no longer wondered what Xiao Xun looked like. Now that he was dead, it had nothing to do with his future, so he was no longer curious.
No one has ever thought that people can be resurrected from the dead.
When Xu Yuanheng heard Manager Xu say that Xiao Xun was still alive, he was indeed stunned for a moment, but then he thought, what does it matter if he is alive.
Now that Lin Qiuran wants to open a restaurant business, he can provide a lot of help, but what can Xiao Xun give to Lin Qiuran?
I just have a husband.
Seeing Lin Qiuran nod, Xu Yuanheng smiled and said, "There are New Year gifts in the carriage. I'll have Manager Xu take you back and drop off the gifts while you're there. By the way, I heard you moved to a new house. I haven't congratulated you yet. Congratulations on your new house."
Lin Qiuran felt embarrassed. She had never thought of sending it to the Xu family. After all, she was in partnership with Xu Yuanheng, not the Xu family. The two families were very different.
However, since Xu Yuanheng wanted to give it to her, she had to prepare one as well, otherwise it would be impolite.
But there was no need to send her back. Lin Qiuran said, "No need to send her back. It's cold, and the Second Young Master should go back early. There's a donkey cart at home, and I can just ride it back."
Xu Yuanheng glanced out the window. "It's cold, but the donkey cart has no shed. You're pregnant, so you'd better be careful and avoid the wind. It just so happens that I haven't been back to Yu'an for a long time. I just came back today, so I'm not in a hurry to go back. I want to walk around here."
The scene now has the lively atmosphere of the New Year. At night, there are still people coming out to watch the lanterns in groups of three or five, and some are setting off fireworks. There are more people than during the day.
There are still many shops doing business on the street, only the Xiao family restaurant is closed.
Lin Qiuran has a big belly and is afraid of being crowded, otherwise she would have gone out to see the lantern festival.
She nodded, but the second floor still needed some cleaning.
She spoke to Sun, and when Sun heard the carriage coming, she told Lin Qiuran to go back quickly while they cleaned up.
Lin Qiuran didn't care anymore. She and Lin Dong took a horse carriage home. Sun Shi and Lin Xia stayed behind to clean up, and when they were done, they drove the donkey cart back with Xiao Dashi.
There were still dishes prepared in the evening on the donkey cart. Lin Qiuran made an extra plate of each. The Chinese New Year was in two days, and the family would eat slowly. If they made more New Year's Eve dinner today, they would have to prepare fewer dishes.
It would definitely taste worse if it was heated up, but there was no other way to save trouble. After all, these dishes were a hassle. Lin Qiuran was willing to make them for takeout, but she found it too much trouble to feed the whole family.
The carriage was warm and comfortable, isolating itself from the chaos outside.
When they got home, Manager Xu and the coachman unloaded the things from the car, including the gift box of spices they brought back. This was not included in the New Year gift, but was kept for Lin Qiuran to give to others.
Giving a gift box to someone during regular interactions will make things much easier in the future. Furthermore, this item is readily available in Yu'an and Xuzhou, and its value is readily apparent upon seeing it. It's a truly impressive item.
There were ten boxes in total. Lin Qiuran originally wanted to take two or three boxes, but Manager Xu said that these should have been prepared and brought over. Sometimes he was busy and forgot about it. He would send them after they were used up.
Manager Xu was very polite. "Besides, Madam Lin knows the cost price. Just tell her directly in the future."
He worked for Xu Yuanheng and thought that the Second Young Master would change his attitude towards Lin Qiuran after hearing the news of Xiao Xun's return, but who knew...
After moving this, Manager Xu went outside to move other things. This time there were no snacks. Usually, the things he brought here were not considered gifts in Xu Yuanheng's eyes.
The housewarming gift was a set of cups and a set of porcelain.
The New Year's gift was a large box of local specialties. Lin Qiuran frankly said it was too much, but Manager Xu said, "Madam Lin, these are Second Young Master's gifts. Although they look numerous, they are not expensive. The box contains dried food from restaurants, which are very cheap and common in the local area. Second Young Master thought that Madam Lin cooks frequently, and who knows, she might need them when she's researching new dishes, so he brought them along."
Lin Qiuran said, "But there are too many, and we can't use them all."
Manager Xu said, "Madam Lin, you haven't even opened it yet, so how do you know there are so many things? Oh, I won't be able to explain myself if I take these back. Madam Lin, please don't make it difficult for me. The Second Young Master is waiting. Let me move the things in quickly so we can go back."
The carriage belonged to the Xu family. Lin Qiuran didn't want to linger at the door, so he asked Manager Xu to move the things in.
After everyone left, she opened the thing and took a look.
The porcelain was still wrapped in paper, with straw underneath. Lin Qiuran hadn't been willing to use the one she'd given him last time, so this one was even more beautiful. It was celadon, a pale green in color, without any patterns, yet it was even cleaner and more elegant.
It feels cool to the touch and extremely delicate.
The cup has ice crack patterns and comes with a teapot and a wooden tray. Lin Qiuran also likes it very much. He originally used a single one, and now he can put it in the house for use.
When he opened the box again, he saw that it was full of ingredients that Yu An would not often see. Most of them were dry goods, including various mushrooms, dried fruits, and even bird's nests and shark fins.
Lin Dong watched eagerly from the side. She had only met Xu Yuanheng a few times, let alone seen so many good things. She said, "Mr. Xu is really a kind person, sending so many things."
Lin Qiuran was stunned. Her first thought was about the time she and Xu Yuanheng were discussing the spice business. Xu Yuanheng had waited for several days before contacting her, and he had probably had someone research the recipe during that time. At that time, he wanted to buy a house, but Lin Qiuran was reluctant. She had no choice but to form a partnership with him, and he refused to give up even a sliver of the profits.
Later, he wanted the recipe for bean cake and even treated her to a banquet with a table of dishes she cooked. He showed no respect at all. After that, things slowly changed.
Merchants value profit, but Xu Yuanheng was really good to her. She couldn't accept so many things for free, but it was also difficult for her to return the favor.
The share for this month has not been delivered yet. Xu Yuanheng said that he had just returned and would ask Manager Xu to deliver it then. However, in the past month or so, Lin Qiuran has indeed made more spices than before.
Either the spice gift boxes were selling extremely well, and Xu Yuanheng wanted to consolidate her as a partner, or...
Lin Qiuran's eyes fell on the celadon porcelain. Seeing that she was stunned, Lin Dong stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her eyes, "Madam?"
Lin Qiuran came back to his senses and asked, "What's wrong?"
Lin Dong asked: "Where are all these things placed?"
It's not good to pile everything in the house. In the past, when there were few rooms in the house, they would pile it in the kitchen or in Sun's room, but that would be too messy. Lin Qiuran didn't want the clean house to become a mess.
Lin Qiuran said, "Put the cups here, and put the rest in the warehouse."
She pressed her eyebrows. Manager Xu had sent her back today. When she got off the car, she felt that there were too many things and said that she only needed to take two. Manager Xu said that they were all common local items. But when she opened the box, there were also bird's nests and shark fins. These things were not cheap in the local area, and since they were gifts, how could it be considered the cost price?
Two boxes of bird's nests and two boxes of shark fins, I guess these would cost quite a bit of money.
Not to mention there is a set of cups and a set of porcelain, and so many spice gift boxes are worth a lot of money.
As for other useful stuff, they were brought from far away. Compared with these, the meal Lin Qiuran hosted was not worth mentioning at all.
If it were her, when she was out, would she think of what Xu Yuanheng needed and bring it back on the way?
The restaurant, the decoration, these things...it seems that it cannot be explained simply by making money from the recipes she gave.
But Lin Qiuran felt that she was overthinking it. Although she looked good, she always stayed in the kitchen. Naturally, it would be impossible for her to look glamorous and beautiful over time.
Wash your hands frequently, and don’t even bother to put anything on them in the kitchen, as they turn red when the wind blows.
Besides, she has a husband and children. Even though she doesn't know what her future will be like with Xiao Xun, to outsiders, her husband has come back from the dead, and the family is reunited and harmonious.
Maybe she was just overthinking it.
No matter what, the gift had to be returned. Lin Qiuran couldn't afford expensive things, so she told Lin Dong, "Tomorrow, go to the street and buy two jars of good wine and two boxes of snacks and send them to the Xu family."
Lin Dong nodded.
Before Sun and the others came back, Lin Qiuran took a lantern and went to the study next door, spread out some paper and wrote two prescriptions.
One is the secret recipe of chopped pepper sauce. It tastes good with dry rice if you can tolerate spicy food, or you can make chopped pepper fish head directly.
But now there are no preservatives, so it cannot be stored for a long time.
There is also a secret recipe for roasted pepper sauce, which can be eaten with rice or vegetables to add a smoky flavor. It can also be used directly to make pounded pepper and preserved eggs.
Whether Xu Yuanheng wanted to use it himself or sell it, it was fine. Lin Qiuran had nothing, so if he wanted to repay the favor, he could only use the recipe.
Of course, selling them like spices wouldn't work. Fresh chilies were only available in summer and autumn, and growing them in greenhouses during the winter was too expensive. Without additives or preservatives, and without refrigeration, their shelf life was significantly reduced. Furthermore, most of these pickled vegetables were self-sufficient.
Maybe it’s not as delicious as Lin Qiuran’s, but you don’t have to go out to buy it.
After writing, Lin Qiuran handed it to Lin Dong, "Put this under the snack box tomorrow... Forget it, just give it directly to Manager Xu."
Xu Yuanheng has tried all kinds of dim sum. Now Yu An thinks Wufangzhai’s dim sum is the best, and it’s their own, so he probably won’t even look at it.
The prescription was given, but Lin Qiuran didn't care how to use it.
Lin Dong nodded.
With someone running errands for Lin Qiuran, things would be much easier. Besides the Xu family, he also had to deliver New Year gifts to Aunt Yu's family. He could just let Sun or Xiao Dashi go.
The rest of the people are not needed for the time being, as our relationship is not that close. As for my mother's family, I can just go back on the second day of the New Year.
If your belly is too big and it’s inconvenient, ask Sun to take you there.
After waiting for a while, Sun and her family came back. They tied up the donkey and fed the chickens. Sun also put the vegetables she brought back into the ice tank outside the house.
This place is not in the sun, so it is very cold even if there is sunshine during the day.
Sun bent down to put the things down, putting the food that was not in a hurry at the bottom and the buns and wontons that she would eat tomorrow morning on top.
Lin Qiuran went to bed when he saw that he had nothing to do. Today was the 28th and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He would probably just have cold dishes today and not cook anything. The day after tomorrow he would just have to stir-fry two fresh dishes and stew a fish.
The New Year atmosphere is strong now, and the streets and alleys are full of people these days. Lanterns of all kinds are hung, children and adults are playing outside, and families are buying New Year's goods. The sound of fireworks and firecrackers can be heard every day.
Firecracker debris was mixed in the snow, and you could smell a faint smell of saltpeter when you went out.
There is also a lantern festival at night, and I heard that there are lion dances and acrobatics a few streets away.
But these had nothing to do with Lin Qiuran. She had a big belly and couldn't squeeze into the crowd. Besides, the restaurant had just closed, so she wanted to take a break and read some books.
I don’t want to cook, I just want to save time.
Sun thought the same thing. She ate well on weekdays, so she wanted to have something fresh for the New Year. Back when she lived in Xiaojia Village, she craved meat and considered leftovers a good thing. Now that she had plenty of oil and water, she could just make a few dishes to eat, otherwise she'd just be eating leftovers.
Sun vaguely felt that the leftovers were not as good as the fresh ones. If it weren't for the fact that she and Lin Dong only knew those few dishes, they would have been eating them all the time in the shop. If they wanted to eat something else during the New Year, they would definitely make it fresh.
It's Chinese New Year already, it went by so fast, the two got married, Xiao Xun came back... it seemed like it just happened yesterday.
Lin Qiuran had already blown out the lights. Xiao Dashi had just cleaned the donkey shed. Sun Shi sorted out the New Year's goods at home. After they were done, they each took a basin to soak their feet. Sun Shi muttered, "I wonder when Xiao Xun will come back."
Xiao Dashi said, "Busy? It's the New Year, and you haven't come back yet. Besides, Qiuran is about to give birth, how can he, as a father, not be there to watch over her?"
The two of them lit a candle and the room became a little dark.
Sun looked at Xiao Dashi's face. Thanks to the good food he had these days and the fact that he didn't have to do farm work, Xiao Dashi was not as dark as before, he had gained weight, and looked two years younger.
Home is good, everything is good, except...
Sun couldn't help but say, "He's only been back for two days. Look at him, he hasn't helped Qiu Ran as much as Master Xu."
Xiao Dashi frowned and looked at Sun, saying, "What are you talking about? How can it be the same? If Master Xu wants to do business with Qiu Ran, he can also benefit by giving him more benefits. But Xiao Xun and Qiu Ran are husband and wife, so shouldn't husband and wife be considerate and understanding of each other? If he can't come back from his official duties, what can we do?"
Sun was furious. "What you said is nonsense. You can't come back and write a letter, so you don't care about anything?"
Husband and wife should be considerate of each other, but that definitely doesn't mean they should say nothing or ignore everything. Xiao Xun came back without saying anything, while Lin Qiuran ignored him.
It stands to reason that one should think about one's husband when he is away on a business trip, but... Lin Qiuran has been busy these days, and Xiao Xun's departure has no effect on her, as if Xiao Xun had not returned.
Xiao Xun was the same. He had only been back for two days, but he had been running around all day. Lin Qiuran had been having a hard time with her pregnancy these days. Although Sun had never given birth before, she could tell how exhausted she was just by looking at Lin Qiuran.
In the past few days, Lin Qiuran thought Xiao Xun was dead, but after Xiao Xun came back, his attitude towards him was no different from before.
If this continues, this family will break up sooner or later.
Sun hoped that the two of them would have a harmonious relationship, just like Wanniang and Zhao Shi, thinking of each other, talking and laughing, and living together. But now, Lin Qiuran was not concerned about Xiao Xun's departure and had not yet packed his luggage.
Sun Shi couldn't say anything, and it was even more difficult for her to interfere in these matters without Lin Qiuran's permission. If Qiuran didn't clean up, she, as a mother, couldn't intervene.
Xiao Xun didn't say when he would be back, no matter how far away he was or how busy he was. It had been so many days and there was no letter at all.
One is a son and the other is a daughter. If Lin Qiuran doesn't want to be with her anymore in the future, Sun doesn't know what to do.
Xiao Dashi didn't get angry when Sun scolded him. He just wiped his feet and asked, "Would you like some water?"
It's like playing the lute to a cow.
Sun didn't sleep much that night. She slept for a while when it was almost dawn, and then she dreamed that Lin Qiuran was getting married again. Xu Yuanheng was wearing a groom's suit, and Lin Qiuran was wearing a wedding dress and going out with the child in her arms.
Lin Qiuran also said: "Mom, you will always be my mom, and Dad will always be my dad. From now on, Xiao Xun will be my brother, and Yuan Heng and I will respect you well."
Xu Yuanheng also said: "I will take care of the child as if he were my own, and I will treat Qiu Ran well. Please rest assured, Dad and Mom."
Sun woke up and broke out in a cold sweat.
Dreams should not be taken seriously, but this incident lingered in Sun's mind for a long time. Other dreams were forgotten soon after waking up, but this one Sun kept thinking about, and the more he remembered, the clearer it became.
During the day, she asked tentatively, "Qiuran, did Xiao Xun tell you when he would be back?"
Lin Qiuran shook his head. "Didn't I tell you? I guess he's busy and can't decide. Don't worry."
Sun's smile was a bit forced. "Yes, he will definitely come back during the Chinese New Year. He will also be there when you give birth, don't worry."
Lin Qiuran smiled. What good would it do even if Xiao Xun was there? He couldn't help her give birth, nor could he feel the pain for her.
If I say thank you for your hard work after giving birth, will Lin Qiuran be happy and the pain will go away?
Lin Qiuran comforted Sun, "It's okay if he can't make it back in time, he's just busy. Mom, what are we having for lunch? The shrimp balls need to be fried thoroughly."
Sun smiled dryly and nodded, "Okay."
Lin Qiuran prepared some sauce and asked Lin Dong to stir-fry it. To be honest, she felt that Xiao Xun would be more comfortable without her. Otherwise, they had only been together for two days, and there was a stranger in the house, and she had to share a bed with a stranger...
Lin Qiuran was not used to it.
But she could still remember that in the small room in the restaurant, Xiao Xun rested his forehead against the back of her hand, and in the lobby he said - he couldn't just stand here.
Lin Qiuran sighed and decided to let Xiao Xun sleep in the front yard or another room when he came back.
Lin Dong went out to deliver something in the morning and came back to cook before noon. There were only five people at home, so they didn't ask Lin Dong and the other two to eat later, so they ate together.
After dinner, Lin Qiuran went back to the house. She planned to take a bath later. It was inconvenient to take a bath in winter, but it was the New Year, so she had to be clean.
Now that our house is big, there is enough water in the big pot and stove in the kitchen.
It’s warmer to wash at noon than at night. After washing, dry your hair and change into new clothes.
Lin Qiuran asked Lin Xia to boil some water and tidy up the house so that she wouldn't have to get water later.
Sun also came to help.
While packing, Sun asked, "Qiuran, how much money do you have at home now?"
Lin Qiuran said, "There are still more than a hundred taels. What's the matter? Do you need money? I can get it for you."
The restaurant earned more than seventy taels this month. On the 26th, the shopkeeper Shi sent it to us after the accounts were settled. The doctor and the midwife only gave a deposit, and the wet nurse was paid after she arrived. The New Year's goods were not expensive, and the family did not spend much. There was still some money left over, so the family was rich.
The restaurant made a lot of money, and Sun's and Xiao Dashi had also contributed to it, but they had never been paid. If the two of them needed money, they would definitely give it. But it wasn't about giving just the amount they asked for. Lin Qiuran agreed to give anything under 20 taels, but no more.
Lin Qiuran still had ninety taels of silver from her share of the spices. The other two people didn't help much with it, so she planned to keep the money for herself in the future.
The same goes for the division of profits at Wufangzhai. If Lin Qiuran wasn't asked, she wouldn't tell him. Even if she was asked, it was her idea. How could anyone else have the nerve to take it?
Sun said, "It's almost Chinese New Year. Do you remember when you found the bracelet and sold it to buy the house over there? I thought I'd buy you some jewelry for the New Year."
At that time, Sun thought that the bracelet was so beautiful and worth so much money. Qiuran dug it out, so she should have kept it for herself. However, she sold it to buy a house, so she would definitely buy one in the future.
Even if I don't redeem the original one, I have to buy a decent one. It's Chinese New Year. Yesterday, Xiao Dashi went to the restaurant to check, worried that someone might steal something. Sun asked him, and he said that the Jin Ruyi restaurant next door was still open.
In the past, when the family had money, they could first buy land, houses, and shops. Lin Qiuran wore ordinary cotton clothes. Although they were newly made, they were too simple.
She only has a plain hairpin on her head and usually wears a headscarf. It would look ugly with such thick black hair wrapped in a headscarf all the time.
This is how you cook on weekdays. If you don’t cook, don’t dress up.
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Okay, let's go take a look this afternoon."
If he found something suitable, he could buy some for Sun. Even if he didn't wear gold and silver jewelry anymore, it was still valuable. With the money at home, Lin Qiuran couldn't bear to spend it on better jade or jadeite, so he decided to just buy gold and silver jewelry.
There are also some beautiful copper ornaments that you can take a look at. Don't just pick them randomly because they are valuable.
Lin Qiuran was quite happy. She had never thought about these things, but Sun had.
After taking a shower, Lin Qiuran dried his hair, changed into new clothes that had been dried over charcoal fire, and followed Sun out.
Xiao Dashi also came along, but for pulling the cart, it would be more convenient to have a donkey cart.
It was the end of the year, and many guests were coming in and out of Jin Ruyi's door. In this dynasty, parents would save dowries for their daughters, adding one every year, so by the time they grew up, they would have quite a bit.
However, the villagers were poor and didn't care about these things, so Lin Qiuran didn't have much jewelry.
Sun asked Xiao Dashi if he wanted to go, but Xiao Dashi shook his head and said, "Look, don't think it's too expensive. I'll just wait outside."
He couldn't understand any of this, so he just looked at the donkey cart.
Sun and Lin Qiuran went in. There were more people in the shop. A clerk stood behind the counter and brought out whatever they wanted to see.
The restaurant has been open for some time, but I have never been here.
Sun was still a little nervous. Some customers were looking at gold and silver jewelry, some were looking at copper jewelry, and the waiters were very eloquent and kept saying good things about them.
People were piled up layer upon layer. Sun looked inside but couldn't see what jewelry was there. She said to Lin Qiuran, "Why are there so many people here?"
She protected Lin Qiuran and tried to prevent anyone from squeezing her stomach.
Sun was still looking forward when her expression suddenly changed. "Xiao Xun?"
Lin Qiuran subconsciously looked forward. The crowd was crowded, some tall and some short. The tallest one turned around in surprise. People were pushing towards him, but he was looking straight at him.
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The author has something to say: Thank you for the nutrient solution [erect ear rabbit head][scatter flowers]
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