Chapter 33
As if in response to Liu Lian's words, Lin Xing was actually awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside the house in the morning. Fortunately, Xiaomei had informed Lin Xing in advance last night, so she was mentally prepared. A few days before the temple fair, people in the city would set off firecrackers to celebrate in advance, which is very similar to the Spring Festival.
The sound of firecrackers continued and Lin Xing couldn't fall asleep anymore, so she just got up and went to help with the work in the restaurant. It was only the end of the Mao hour, and because it was late autumn, the sky was still dark. The lights were on in the restaurant, and from a distance one could see figures moving around in the building.
Lin Xing looked around and saw that everyone was doing their own job and there was really no area where she could help. No, there is one. Lin Xing suddenly remembered that she was still the bookkeeper of the restaurant, but she had been too busy these days and had put this matter behind her.
There is not much time left, and Liu Lian posted a notice yesterday to recruit accountants. Lin Xing decided to reorganize the account books in the accounting office before the new accountant arrives, so that it will be more convenient for everyone.
"Young shopkeeper, it's time for dinner now, don't help with the work there."
Alas, plans cannot keep up with changes. Lin Xing was stopped by Liu Lian before she even went out. So the trip to the accounting office naturally had to be postponed. After all, eating is the most important thing in the world.
"Here it comes. Here it comes."
Several people sat down and all the dishes were Lin Xing's favorite. The atmosphere today was normal, and everyone was discussing the temple fair. Some people want to ask their loved ones to go to the lantern festival, while others want to go to the temple fair to broaden their horizons. There are many reasons why everyone looks forward to the temple fair.
"Does the young shopkeeper have anything to do this afternoon?"
"No, Sister Lian, do you want me to help you?" Lin Xing winked at Liu Lian playfully.
"Yes, it is. The temple fair is approaching, and the restaurant needs to be decorated. There are many new styles on the market. I'd like to trouble the shopkeeper to take Xiaomei with him."
"Make sure you complete Sister Lian's instructions."
As Lin Xing said this, her hand, which was about to be placed on her forehead, changed direction before it reached the right spot and tried to pull Xiaomei up. The movements were so smooth that no one was suspicious.
"Xiao Mei, I'm going to the accounting office to check the account books. Come find me at 5 p.m. and we'll go to the street together."
"Can I help you?"
"No, I'm enough." Lin Xing wanted to leave immediately, but then she remembered something and looked back at Xiao Mei, "Do you know how to read?"
Xiaomei shyly shook her head, "I only recognize a few, not many."
"It's okay, I just asked." Lin Xing thought about things and left, ignoring the sound behind her that dissipated in the wind.
"I should have thought of it earlier. We grew up together, but I actually forgot that Xiao Xing couldn't read." Xiao Mei's face showed regret, but it was fleeting. At least in a sense, Xiao Xing was still alive.
The accounting office had not been touched by anyone and was still in the same state as when Lin Xing left. However, there was no dust on it, so someone must have cleaned it regularly.
Lin Xing sat down at the table and began to look through the old account books. One book after another, the sound of turning pages filled the whole room. Before she knew it, Lin Xing had finished reading all of them, and Xiaomei did not knock on the door.
Is it because I have become more proficient in my business? This shouldn’t be the case. I haven’t touched the account book for so many days. Lin Xing looked at the account books in front of her and took some of them back to her room.
When she returned to the accounting office, she happened to meet Xiaomei who was about to knock on the door. Lin Xing's expression was still calm, but Xiaomei was shocked.
"Xiao Xing, why are you here?"
"I have finished reading the account book. I have nothing to do so I am going back to my room to rest for a while. I thought you would come to the accounting office to find me, so I came back now, didn't I?"
"Okay, let's go to the street." Xiaomei shook the things in her hands, "Sister Lian was afraid that we would miss something, so she handed me a list just now."
The list was handed to Lin Xing. She took a quick glance at it. There were so many words on it, all densely packed. Lin Xing's expression turned a little grim, "Can we really buy all of them?"
"Look how scared you are." Xiao Mei gently pinched Lin Xing's cheek, "Sister Lian has sent someone to follow us. We just need to do a final inventory."
Lin Xing's eyes suddenly brightened, "Does this mean that we can buy what we want?"
Xiaomei smiled and nodded, and Lin Xing jumped up happily.
"Would you like to take a look at the fabrics I have? I'm sure you won't find any better than ours."
"Miss, would you like to buy a hairpin? You should dress up nicely for the temple fair."
"Girl, don't listen to their nonsense. Our lanterns are indispensable at the temple fair. Come and see mine!"
"How can you say that, you bastard!"
"That's right."
Seeing that they were about to quarrel, Lin Xing hurriedly tried to stop them, "Don't worry, everyone. We will go around every stall."
The hawkers’ cries can be heard one after another, and there is a wide variety of goods on display. Lin Xing and Xiao Mei were really dazzled by the selection and spent a long time choosing but ended up buying nothing. Either I think it doesn’t look good, or the price is not right.
When passing by a stall selling hair accessories, Lin Xing was attracted by a peach blossom hairpin. The hairpin is simple in style and made of pure silver with a warm luster. The peach blossom on the top of the hairpin is even more lifelike, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of the person who made it.
"How much is this hairpin?" Lin Xing pointed at the peach blossom hairpin, and the vendor and Xiao Mei looked over.
"Miss, you have good taste. This is the best hairpin I have. It is of high quality and fashionable."
"Really? How do you sell it?"
"It only costs 500 coins."
"You are so bold to ask for it. No matter how good this hairpin is, you don't need so many of them." Lin Xing was stunned by the vendor's high price. She was not stupid or rich.
"How can you say that, young lady? This hairpin is only worth this much. But I think you look familiar. If you really want it, I can give you a discount. Just consider it as making friends."
This sentence made Lin Xing turn her head back, and she asked in a tentative tone: "How much cheaper can it be?"
"450 yuan."
It was the same as if she hadn't said anything. Lin Xing took Xiao Mei and left without paying any more attention to the vendor.
"Hey, girl, don't go. This hairpin also has a matching set. If you really want to buy two, I'll give you a discount."
Of course, Lin Xing did not hear these words, but Xiao Mei took them to heart. When Lin Xing couldn't see, she looked back at the stall.
The two of them were strolling around aimlessly, and in the end they were already carrying a lot of bags, and each of them bought a candy figure. The sugar man in Lin Xing's hand is a little man, very cute. There is a strawberry in Xiaomei's hand, which is quite lifelike.
They came to the agreed place and waited for the main group to return. They were a little tired from walking around, and they ate the candy figures with a dazed look in their eyes.
"Boss, something bad has happened!" A voice attracted Lin Xing's attention.
"What's wrong?"
"The style of the decorations Sister Lian asked me to buy is out of stock. You still need to decide."
"Okay." Lin Xing handed the things in her hand to the person next to her, "Xiao Mei, wait for me for a while. I'll be back soon."
The item was not difficult to choose. Lin Xing bought a very similar one, and she was also afraid that Sister Lian would scold him. When the group went out, Lin Xing saw a bookstore across the street.
"I'm going to buy some things, you guys go back first."
"Does the shopkeeper need our help?"
"No need." Lin Xing's voice spread from the door of the bookstore to the other side of the street.
"What do you need, girl?"
"Do you have any books for young children?"
"Of course." The boss turned around and looked for books on the shelf, taking out one after another. While taking the books, he did not forget to chat with Lin Xing, "You look so young, I didn't expect you already have a child."
"Yes, more than one. I have two children. I need double copies of these books."
"Okay, wait a moment, girl. I'll pack two for you. Both will be exactly the same."
The boss was indeed efficient and soon two wrapped books appeared on the counter. Lin Xing paid for the book and left. The boss didn't forget to flatter her: "I don't know who is so lucky to marry such a virtuous wife like you. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also willing to come in person to buy books for her children."
Lin Xing smiled without replying and hurried to join the main force without wasting too much time. She hurried to the place, but noticed that Xiaomei was also in a hurry, as if she had just returned.
"Boss, are we going back?"
Lin Xing stopped paying attention to Xiao Mei and glanced at the crowd. "Now that everyone is back, let's go back to the restaurant."
As the sky gradually darkened, lanterns were hung up by every household on the roadside, and a warm atmosphere spread in the air. Sure enough, Liu Lian was waiting for everyone at the restaurant entrance.
"You are finally back. I have been waiting for you until dark." Liu Lian not only said this, but also made some exaggerated movements to make everyone laugh.
"Sister Lian, you are not waiting for us, it is clearly the red lanterns we bought."
"I know you're not going to hang up now. It's so dark now that you can't even see the road." Sister Lian pretended to kick the person who was talking, and everyone laughed even louder.
"Everyone, please go and have your meal. You've worked hard this afternoon. I guess others are still waiting for us." Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Xing began to invite everyone into the restaurant.
Just as Lin Xing said, everyone was really waiting in the house. After Lin Xing sat down, she found that the table was empty. Liu Lian explained considerately, "I couldn't tell when you would arrive at the restaurant, so I didn't ask anyone to serve the food. You need to wait for a while."
"That's perfect. I bought some gifts for you and brought them with me. I'll give them to you now."
Lin Xing picked up the items she had just put down one by one, "This is for Sister Lian. It's a lotus lantern. You must go and get it on the day of the temple fair."
"This is for Huan'er. I thought you should read more books so that you can better help Sister Lian in the future."
Lin Xing gave the book to Huan'er and picked up another one, "Xiaomei has one too. Everyone should read more."
"Finally, this is for Uncle Gui. It's some tea. Uncle Gui has been working so hard to clean up after everyone every day."
Everyone had different expressions. Sister Lian was so moved that she was about to cry, Uncle Gui remained calm, and Xiaomei and Huan'er had expressions that were both happy and painful.
"The young shopkeeper is really thoughtful."
The food was served at this time, and everyone had no time to express their feelings and just focused on eating. Lin Xing noticed that Lin Huan ate less than usual today.
When Lin Xing was about to leave, Liu Lian stopped her, but she remained silent until the two of them were left in the room.
"What a jerk! He only buys things for others, but what about his own?"
"I've already eaten mine. I bought a candy man. The old man's craftsmanship is so good that I can't bear to eat the child he drew."
"Ah, you should have made yourself some clothes. It's my fault for not telling you."
"Sister Lian, there's really no need. You've already given me a lot of new clothes since I came to the restaurant. Why would I need to buy more?"
"This is different." There was silence again. Lin Xing waited for a long time but didn't hear anything different. Instead, Sister Lian asked her to go back.
The restaurant had become quiet. As soon as Lin Xing entered the room, she noticed a box on the table. It was quite exquisite. Lin Xing was sure that it was not bought by her.
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