Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng had a satisfying meal and left feeling content.
Zhang Liang had the biggest appetite in the family, and he only started eating to his heart's content after everyone else had left.
"Are you all really full?" Zhang Liang asked hesitantly when he saw that everyone else had stopped eating.
"If you want to eat, then eat. Finish today's food so I can think about making something else tomorrow," Tao Wanniang said decisively.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" Zhang Liang smiled, it had been a long time since he had eaten meat so heartily!
Tao Wanniang let out a burp and looked at Xiao Qiao'er, asking, "Qiao'er, are you full?"
"I'm full, Mom. Look at my tummy!" Little Qiao'er said happily, patting her round belly.
"I'm not eating anymore, I'm not eating anymore, big sister. Look at me, have I gained weight? These past few days, you've been making all sorts of delicious food, and I feel like my waist has gotten rounder," Bai Yumei couldn't help but say.
“Let’s walk around the house a few times to help with digestion,” Tao Wanniang said with a smile. “Zhang Liang, I’ll leave this place to you. Qiao’er, come on, let’s go for a walk to help with digestion.”
“Okay, Mother!” Little Qiao’er said happily.
Tao Wanniang's "digestion" was when she took Xiao Qiao'er out. Apart from their house, all the other houses on the street had their doors open because guests kept coming and going to pay New Year's visits.
"Mother, where are we going?" Little Qiao'er asked curiously as Tao Wan's mother walked into the street.
"Let's just wander around." Tao Wanniang had no destination in mind, just wanted to take a walk. But as they walked, they came to the small restaurant they had visited before, only to find it completely destroyed.
"Mother, don't be sad. Didn't you say we'd have a big restaurant soon?" Xiao Qiao'er thought Tao Wan's mother would be reminded of the past, so she immediately comforted her.
“I’m not sad. I’ve come this far, and all I can say is that there are so few places I can go,” Tao Wanniang sighed. “Since we’re here, let’s go and have a look at the Hua Family Tavern.”
The Hua Family Tavern wasn't far away, and Tao Wanniang and Xiao Qiao'er arrived at the alley after walking for a short while.
Even though this area is somewhat remote, it gets crowded during the Lunar New Year. The Hua Family Tavern... however, is closed.
Tao Wanniang stepped forward and knocked on the door, and heard Hua Manru's voice inside.
Who is it?
“It’s me, Tao Wan Niang.”
The door opened immediately, and Hua Manru was overjoyed to see Tao Wan's mother and Xiao Qiao'er.
"Manager Tao, Happy New Year! What brings you to my house today? Are you here to buy some wine?"
"No, I just wanted to visit. I was in this area, so I thought I'd come over and see how things were going for the New Year."
Upon hearing that they weren't there to buy alcohol, Hua Manru's expression showed a slight hint of regret. "Manager Tao, please come in. I don't have much to offer, but if you'd like to drink, there's plenty to go around."
Tao Wan's mother, leading Xiao Qiao'er, followed Hua Manru inside. Aside from the aroma of wine, she couldn't smell anything else. And besides, there was no festive atmosphere in this house!
"It's just the two of you siblings at home. Don't you have any relatives visiting during the New Year?" Tao Wan's mother couldn't help but ask.
“No, the New Year has nothing to do with us,” Hua Manru said. “My brother is inside. Manager Tao, without such a big customer as you, we’re already struggling to make ends meet. There’s nothing to buy for the New Year.”
"Hua Manlou, we have guests!" Hua Manru called out to the inside.
"Here they come, here they come." The boy said with a hint of dissatisfaction, and a moment later, Hua Manlou, dressed in thin clothes, came out.
"Manager Tao, Xiao Qiao'er, what brings you here?" Hua Manlou was somewhat surprised to see the two of them, but then he became a little embarrassed.
"Your life... isn't very good?" Tao Wanniang couldn't help but ask. "Didn't you pay for the wine before?" Seeing the boy's cotton-padded coat, which revealed a section of his forearm, Tao Wanniang was somewhat surprised.
"We bought new grain, yeast, and yeast, and the remaining money is just enough for us to eat," Hua Manru said. "My little brother is still growing, and the clothes he wore two years ago are too small. Please forgive him."
"Sister, why are you talking about this with outsiders?" Hua Manlou said, displeased.
"Oh, is that so? I have another matter to discuss. I plan to open a restaurant after the New Year. A restaurant is different from a small eatery; it will definitely sell wine. I'll choose your restaurant then!" Tao Wanniang said calmly. "Consider this 100 taels as a deposit. Although the opening date of the restaurant is not yet set, we will need to prepare a lot of wine. Please be prepared."
Hua Manru was taken aback at first. When she saw the hundred-tael silver note handed over by Tao Wanniang, she bit her lip. She knew in her heart that this was Tao Wanniang's kindness, and it gave them a reason that they could not refuse.
"Manager Tao, thank you." Hua Manru accepted the silver note, her voice choked with emotion.
"Since you're already here, you should at least sit down. Is there any hot water?" Tao Wanniang said calmly.
"Yes, yes, please come in." Hua Manru led Tao Wanniang and Xiao Qiao'er into the inner room.
I've been here before. Although it wasn't decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations for the New Year, Tao Wanniang could tell that the little house had been cleaned very well.
The inner room was still warm, with charcoal burning inside. It wasn't the white charcoal that Lingyunzhou had sent over; it was the charcoal left over from burning wood, which was buried in ash.
Tao Wan's mother also noticed that there was a gap in the window, which showed that the siblings had some life experience.
"Here, Manager Tao, Xiao Qiao'er, have some hot water." Hua Manlou brought hot water to the two of them, and when he stretched out his hand, his fair forearm was exposed. His clothes were really too short.
"You should also buy some new clothes. If the restaurant gets busy, they'll need you to deliver wine. Manru, you're a young lady, you might not be able to handle it all," Tao Wanniang suggested.
“I will buy new clothes for my little brother. He is handsome and has grown taller this New Year. In a few years, he will be old enough to get married,” Hua Manru said happily. “I must work hard to earn money to save for his wedding.”
"Sister, stop teasing me. I actually want you to get married soon, then the tavern will be mine!" Hua Manlou said deliberately, sounding displeased.
The sixteen-year-old boy already looked like a grown man. Watching the siblings bicker, Tao Wan's mother smiled slightly. The hardships of life hadn't dampened their spirits; instead, they were filled with hope for the future. Youth is truly wonderful!
"Manager Tao, where is your restaurant located? I'd like to go and find out beforehand," Hua Manru asked.
"It's not decided yet. The Princess Consort of Rui will be in charge of the restaurant. Don't worry, if I say the wine will be from your Hua Family Tavern, then it will definitely be used," Tao Wanniang replied.
Princess Consort Rui! Hua Manru thought of Prince Rui's heir, then looked at Tao Wanniang and kindly reminded her, "Manager Tao, you mustn't get too close to Prince Rui's heir. Although he has an unparalleled appearance, he is destined to bring misfortune to his wives. Any woman who gets involved with him will be in trouble."
Tao Wanniang was taken aback, pointed to herself, and said in surprise, "How could you think that I would have that kind of relationship with Prince Rui? I'm a grandmother now, much older than Prince Rui."
"Ha, no, that's for the best!" Hua Manru said awkwardly. "Manager Tao, you are definitely the most beautiful grandma."
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