Chapter 116 New Changes
"These mooncakes were actually made here first. The old man's apprentice even brought one over the day before yesterday. I still find it amazing," said Grandma Gu, her enthusiasm for Song Yushu undiminished.
"These mooncakes aren't anything special, they're just a bit bigger. I even asked Master Liu to carve the mold for me, I really have to thank him," Song Yushu said, thankful that he had engraved the restaurant's name on the mooncakes. With the mooncakes being so popular this time, his restaurant is sure to gain some fame as well.
"It's nothing! It's all what I should do!" Seeing that she still remembered the small favor that Mr. Liu had done, Grandma Gu was also happy. Everyone would be happy to befriend someone who knows how to repay kindness.
After leaving the Liu family, Song Yushu began preparing things to take back with him. After giving the shop's employees bonuses and a holiday, he led his men in a horse-drawn carriage to the county town.
Of course, they wouldn't make it back in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The mother and her two children ended up spending the festival in the wilderness. However, once they entered the county town, their fatigue vanished instantly.
"Oh my! My dear grandchildren! You're finally back!" Mother Wei hugged the two little ones tightly.
"You're back," Xue Huai'an knew she was coming back and had been waiting for her at the restaurant for a long time.
"Yes, there are your gifts in the car. Remember to take yours later." Seeing that there were many people, Song Yushu didn't get too close to him. Although they hadn't seen each other for several months, they didn't feel estranged.
After Wei's mother had hugged her grandson enough, it was finally Song Yushu's turn. She talked to Song Yushu for a while before leading them into the house.
"The restaurant is still the same as before. Sometimes we have to ask Master Xue to help us check the accounts. Neither your two sisters-in-law nor I can read, so we're afraid of being cheated."
Song Yushu was going to the prefectural city, so they had to find someone else to do the accounting. Wei's mother and the others were not comfortable with that, so they asked Xue Huai'an for help.
"Go and talk to Master Xue. He always eagerly awaits your letter. Now that he's back, you should spend more time with him," said Sister-in-law Wei, who was delighted to receive her gift. Seeing that she was still standing in the room, she pushed her out.
As soon as Song Yushu came out, he saw Xue Huai'an sitting quietly outside drinking tea, looking rather lonely.
"Shall we go for a walk?"
When Xue Huai'an saw her extend her hand, he naturally reached out and shook her hand.
After not seeing each other for several months, the restaurant was still the same as before. The two strolled around hand in hand, and then Song Yushu remembered that she had brought mooncakes for the orphanage. She then led Xue Huai'an in the oxcart in the restaurant and slowly headed towards the orphanage.
“At the orphanage, every month some students from poor families go there to help them with their early education. The academy gives the students a subsidy for each lesson. This was inspired by you back then. However, the students have all gone back home for the Mid-Autumn Festival these past few days,” Xue Huai’an said, bringing up the current situation of the orphanage.
"Moreover, if the children in the orphanage are talented, they can come directly to Wenxuan Academy to study."
"That's wonderful! If these children have the opportunity to read and write, they will have more options in the future," Song Yushu thought with joy for these children.
“We never thought about these things before. We just felt that it was already difficult enough for these children to grow up safely. It was only after we saw you ask Chengyu to teach them to read that things changed.”
Even though the oxcart wasn't moving fast, the two felt like they hadn't been talking for long before they arrived at the orphanage.
"Madam Wei! It's been a long time. How have you been?" The manager of the orphanage was somewhat surprised to see Song Yushu, but this was followed by even greater joy.
"They're all doing well! Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, so I brought them some mooncakes," Song Yushu greeted her, and then he and Xue Huai'an unloaded the mooncakes from the oxcart.
"Children, look who's here!"
The manager was delighted to see the mooncakes and called out to the children inside.
"Aunt Wei!"
Most of the children were old enough to remember things, and although they hadn't seen Song Yushu for several months, they hadn't forgotten him.
"Long time no see, everyone has grown taller!" Seeing that they looked well, Song Yushu knew they were doing well.
"Aunt Wei, is Fucheng fun? When we grow up, we'll go help you with chores! We've learned a lot of characters these past few months!" Xiao Jiu has grown quite a bit taller now and isn't as clingy as before, but she kept talking non-stop next to Song Yushu.
"Really! You've learned so many characters, you'll definitely be able to do things well when you grow up! Aunt Wei will save a spot for you, so you can come and help when you grow up."
"Me too! I can do the math now!"
"You've got it wrong! Everything I calculated is correct!"
Xue Huai'an watched as Song Yushu skillfully managed to treat all the children equally, without neglecting anyone, and he once again felt admiration for her.
This isn't Song Yushu bragging; she's been running her restaurant for so long and has seen all sorts of difficult customers, so dealing with a few kids is more than enough for her.
Perhaps because Song Yushu had given these children enough emotional support, when it was time to leave, they all looked at her with reluctance. Song Yushu had no choice but to stay at the orphanage and cut them a few mooncakes, then slipped away while they were eating them.
By the time we left the orphanage, it was already dark.
"Boss Wei is really popular. I've been teaching for over ten years and I've never been as likable as you."
“Master Xue, this is because strict teachers produce outstanding students. As for me, it’s not for business purposes; I just need to be eloquent. Master Xue, you don’t need to take it to heart,” Song Yushu reassured him earnestly.
The two chatted and laughed as they returned to the restaurant, where Mother Wei had already prepared the meal and was waiting for them for a while.
After finishing their meal, Xue Huai'an took Xue Qingyao, who had spent the afternoon catching up with Zhou Chengzhu, back home.
Song Yushu spent the night at the restaurant, and the next day he returned to the village with Wei's mother and the others.
Life in Weijia Village is much more prosperous than in other villages. In winter, they grow vegetables indoors, and at other times they collect snails to sell, earning a considerable income each year. Everyone knows who brought about this change, so when they heard that Song Yushu was returning today, they carried things and came with the village head.
As soon as Song Yushu got off the carriage, they blocked his way.
"Please don't be shy, everyone. Take everything back with you. We can't possibly eat all of this!"
"It's just some eggs and meat, we can't finish it all. We haven't even stored the eggs yet. It's all from everyone's good intentions, so please accept it," the village head also advised her to accept it, so Song Yushu had no choice but to let them put it in the courtyard.
"How was the trip to the prefectural city?"
"Fortunately, at least I have a place to stay. It's not hard to make ends meet even if I work hard."
Song Yushu spoke modestly, but the village head did not think so.
"This time, two scholars have emerged from the village. If they can pass the higher examinations, they will inevitably have to go to the prefectural city. At that time, I will need to ask you to take care of them."
The village head felt ashamed when he said this, but there was nothing he could do. Many villagers had never even been to the prefectural city. Those two young men would have to go to the prefectural city to take the imperial examination, so he could only ask Song Yushu for help.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
