Chapter 74 Matchmaking
"Boss Wei is indeed capable. I heard that a few days ago, quite a few people traveled from afar just to try the mutton hot pot?"
When Song Yushu brought Dongpo pork this time, Xu Qingyan was waiting at the door.
"Young Master Xu, what are you saying? I don't even earn a fraction of what Taixing Restaurant makes. That mutton hotpot isn't anything special; its only advantage is its freshness," Song Yushu said, having delivered the goods to the restaurant and wanting to head back early. Unexpectedly, he encountered a troublesome person.
"Lamb hotpot isn't anything special, but the fact that they can supply fresh vegetable seedlings is quite rare," Xu Qingyan said, having already figured out the situation at Haowei Restaurant.
"Such a large restaurant as Taixing Restaurant wouldn't dare to make things difficult for my small eatery, would it?" Song Yushu was really annoyed that this rich young master was still arguing.
“Mr. Wei, there’s no need for that. I just wanted you to help me introduce a few vegetable farmers,” Xu Qingyan said without arguing further.
"That's fine, but let me make this clear from the start: it's not easy for the villagers to grow vegetables in the dead of winter, so I hope Mr. Xu can give me a fair price to avoid any unpleasantness later."
Song Yushu had doubts about the character of this young master Xu, but since it was rare for the villagers to have any income, she might not be able to collect so many vegetables, so she simply decided to act as a go-between for them.
"Boss Wei is indeed generous. In that case, I will deliver 100 portions of Dongpo pork and 20 catties of braised dishes to Taixing Restaurant every day. Consider it a favor to Boss Wei."
“Since that’s the case, then I won’t refuse,” Song Yushu said. He wasn’t about to turn away the money he had already received. Anyway, there weren’t many customers in the winter, and cooperating with Taixing Restaurant would at least provide him with a stable income every day.
The conversation between the two parties ended satisfactorily, and Song Yushu prepared to leave with the newly signed epitaph.
"Boss, isn't that the woman who caused trouble at our restaurant before? She seems to have a good relationship with the owner of Taixing Restaurant," Xiong Erni said, her sharp eyes spotting Zhao Yuzhi as she rushed to catch the carriage.
"How could she know the owner of Taixing Restaurant? Forget it, their business is none of our concern. Let's hurry back, this weather is freezing!" Song Yushu thought for a moment, Zhou Lao Er works at the restaurant, maybe Zhao Yuzhi went to see Zhou Lao Er.
"Young master, that lady Zhao is here!" The waiter at the restaurant had seen Zhao Yuzhi a few times and naturally knew that this lady was related to his master.
"Let her in," Xu Qingyan said, in a good mood after reaching an agreement with Song Yushu, and had someone invite Zhao Yuzhi in.
"Young Master Xu, I've come here today to ask if your restaurant is hiring?" Zhao Yuzhi had previously used the excuse of thanking Xu Qingyan to try and get closer to him, but she hadn't been able to see him often, so she didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"We have enough staff at Taixing Restaurant, but I need someone to serve me at my residence. Would Madam Zhao be willing to come?" Xu Qingyan remained as gentle and refined as ever when facing Zhao Yuzhi, even thoughtfully pouring her a cup of tea.
"I can, but maybe I can go home for a few days each month?"
"Don't you have a husband at home? Are you really willing to come over?"
“I am willing. To be honest, if I hadn’t been unable to stay any longer, I wouldn’t have come to beg Young Master Xu,” Zhao Yuzhi said, revealing the bruises on her neck from Zhou Chengli’s choking.
"How could this be? You are far too insensitive to a woman's feelings. You will come to my residence tomorrow, and someone will arrange work for you. No one will bully you," Xu Qingyan exclaimed in surprise as he looked at the wound on Zhao Yuzhi's neck.
"Thank you so much, Young Master Xu!" Having achieved her goal, Zhao Yuzhi quickly burst into tears of joy.
“Master, you seem to have a lot of interest in this Lady Zhao…” The servant who was used to serving him was a little alarmed to see Xu Qingyan so interested in Zhao Yuzhi. After all, before this young master got married, he was a man who didn’t discriminate between meat and vegetables, so it was not unusual for him to take a fancy to a married woman. However, when he met Xu Qingyan’s eyes, he dared not say anything more.
"She's just a pitiful person. She's been so bored in this small place these days that she's just looking for some fun. If I find out anyone dares to gossip in front of Madam, don't blame me for being ruthless," Xu Qingyan threatened the servants around him, telling them not to say anything out of line. His wife was the most shrewish person he knew. If it weren't for her good family background, he wouldn't have had to lower himself to marry her.
Since no one was bothering him, he started having other ideas. There were two young girls waiting at his residence, and there was nothing else to do at the restaurant, so he decided to go back and keep them company.
Zhao Yuzhi only allowed the carriage to stop near the village entrance this time, since she was going to work for Young Master Xu tomorrow and didn't want to cause any more trouble with Zhou Chengli, that madman.
After getting off the carriage, she went to find Zhao Qinghe and asked her to send some food to Zhou Chengli at the Zhou family every day, and not to worry about anything else.
"Sister, where are you going?" Zhao Yuhe asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, I just found some work in town. I'll come back for a few days every month. I'll buy you cotton-padded coats when I earn some money," Zhao Yuzhi said, feeling a little relieved. Tonight, she didn't plan to tell Zhou Chengli about going to work in town tomorrow. She knew Zhou Chengli well; he would never allow her to stay in town.
Knowing she could finally get rid of Zhou Chengli, Zhao Yuzhi was very gentle with him that night. She heated up some water for him to wash up, changed the sheets to clean ones, and put two old blankets on top of the sheets to make him more comfortable.
Zhou Chengli had no idea that Zhao Yuzhi was leaving him. He only felt that Zhao Yuzhi had forgiven him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them had, for once, restored some of their former affection.
The next day, Zhou Chengli waited until noon, but Zhao Yuzhi did not return. Instead, Zhao Yuhe appeared.
"Get out! What are you doing here?" Zhou Chengli could tolerate Zhao Yuzhi, but he didn't want to see any other members of the Zhao family. His expression changed when he saw Zhao Yuhe.
“Brother-in-law, my sister asked me to bring you some food,” Zhao Yuhe hadn’t seen Zhou Chengli in a long time and was startled by his appearance. She quickly put down the food and left.
She heard the sound of bowls and chopsticks falling behind her, but Zhao Yuhe ignored it and quickly ran back to the Zhao family home.
That evening, Zhao Yuhe mustered her courage and went to deliver the meal again.
The second branch of the Zhou family was now completely dark, with no oil lamps lit. She could only light the oil lamps in the room first. After seeing Zhou Chengli in the room, she was still shocked, even though she was mentally prepared.
"Tell me, where exactly did Zhao Yuzhi go?" Zhou Chengli stared intently at Zhao Yuhe with his sunken eyes.
“My sister…she found a job in town and asked me to bring her food. Brother-in-law, you should eat the food. My sister comes back every month, so don’t worry,” Zhao Yuhe said, feeling guilty because of the Zhao family’s influence, seeing her once prominent brother-in-law in the village in this state. She suppressed her fear and tried to persuade him.
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