Fortunately, after going to the clinic, the doctor diagnosed that Xiao Qiao'er had no other problems besides being drugged. Once the effects of the drug wore off, she would be able to move around freely again.
Because the medicine was still in effect, Xiao Qiao'er fell asleep again on the way home, and Zhang Liang carried her into the house for Tao Wan's mother. Not long after, Ling Yunzhou arrived.
"Today we encountered the most beautiful courtesan from Yan Yun Lou on a river tour. There were so many people that your silver notes..." Ling Yunzhou said regretfully, carefully watching Tao Wanniang's expression, afraid that she would be furious.
"It's alright. Qiao'er has been brought back, and I know who took her away. You don't need to worry about this," Tao Wanniang said calmly.
Ling Yunzhou was taken aback and immediately asked, "Who was it? Who took the child away?"
“Liang Laifu is Xiao Qiao’er’s biological father, so I told you you don’t need to worry about this,” Tao Wan’s mother said. “Thank you for your help these past two days.”
That's it? Ling Yunzhou looked at Tao Wanniang's calm expression and thought that the money had been given and there was no point in making a fuss about it? This seemed to be different from what Tao Wanniang herself had said.
“Even if he is the child’s biological father, if you let it go, there might be a second or third time…” Ling Yunzhou advised, “Wan Niang, raising a tiger will only lead to trouble.”
"Oh, then I'd like to ask General Ling, what do you suggest? If I were to go to the government to sue him, would I need Qiao'er to come forward as a witness?"
"Should we use the General to get the silver notes back? Or beat the man up?" Tao Wanniang asked. "But if he's not killed, won't he just come back a second or third time?"
"I have my own methods, you don't need to worry about it." Tao Wanniang gave him the order to leave. Why was this general so free, coming to her place every day?
“Wan Niang…” Ling Yunzhou wanted to say something, but Tao Wan Niang waved her hands repeatedly, looking very disgusted.
Liang Laifu took the silver notes wrapped in oilcloth and went straight home.
"What are you doing? Where did you go yesterday?" Zhang Xinlan, who was resting in her room, immediately scolded Liang Laifu when she saw him. He was gone all day yesterday, came back briefly in the evening, and then went out again. Did he think she didn't know?
"Xinlan, look what I got for you?" Liang Laifu closed the door and mysteriously placed the oilcloth package on the table.
"What is this?" Zhang Xinlan asked disdainfully.
Liang Laifu had already opened and looked at them; they were silver notes, fifteen in total, each worth one hundred taels!
"Xinlan, the money is what I got from Tao Wanniang. Here are five hundred taels for you," Liang Laifu said. "Keep the remaining one thousand taels with me; consider it my capital for doing business!"
"You want her to give it to you?" Zhang Xinlan fiddled with the silver note, confirmed it was real, and asked in surprise.
“She treats Xiao Qiao’er like her own daughter. I only took Xiao Qiao’er away and asked her for money, and she gave it to me,” Liang Laifu said lightly. “Now, you should feel better, right? You’ve gotten your money back with interest.”
"Your daughter is somewhat useful. Since that woman cares so much about your daughter, next time we're short of money, can't we just use the same trick again?"
Liang Laifu thought for a moment and hesitated, then said, "Let's see. Do you think I should go out and hide for a few days? What if she reports me to the authorities?"
“Didn’t you say she cares about that daughter? If she reports it to the authorities, it’s like letting her daughter sue her own father. How will her daughter face the world after that?” Zhang Xinlan said.
"What if?" Liang Laifu hesitated, not wanting to face imprisonment again.
"Then go ahead and leave, go far away." Zhang Xinlan simply took the five hundred taels of silver notes into her hand. "Anyway, you have money. If you're not around, my family can save on food, clothing, and other necessities."
"Well... how about this, I'll stay in the city. You can put a flag on the gate. If nothing happens, put a red flag; if something happens, put a white flag. I think we'll have results in three to five days."
After thinking for a moment, Liang Laifu gave Zhang Xinlan some instructions.
For the sake of the money, Zhang Xinlan agreed.
"Aren't you going to check on the child? Aunt Qiao is with him," Zhang Xinlan reminded Liang Laifu as he packed a few clothes.
"No, I'll take you and Bao'er out to have some fun after this is all over." Liang Laifu packed his things and hurriedly left.
Zhang Xinlan didn't mind and happily placed the five hundred taels of silver notes under the dressing table.
By dinner time, Xiao Qiao'er had regained a lot of strength. Seeing Tao Wan's concerned expression, she immediately sat up and hugged Tao Wan's mother.
"Mom, I'm all better now. I'm sorry to have worried you."
"That's good, Qiao'er. You should rest well at home these days and get ready before you start learning from Master Chen again, okay? I haven't been to the restaurant for two days, so I have to go back to work tomorrow and won't be able to stay with you all the time, okay?" Tao Wan's mother didn't mention Liang Laifu's matter. She thought that when Liang Laifu was in so much pain that he came to her door begging for help, she would let little Qiao'er make a decision!
Little Qiao'er still looked a little uneasy. She wanted to ask Tao Wan how she would deal with her father, but then she thought that the matter was only because of her, so her little face showed unease and hesitation.
"Qiao'er, don't think about anything, just take good care of yourself." Tao Wanniang wasn't unaware of what was going on, but she didn't intend to say anything.
The next day, Tao Wanniang returned to the restaurant. When Lu Neng saw her, he immediately went up to her and asked, "Did you find the person?"
"Yes, I found it. It's nothing serious. I'm back now," Tao Wanniang said with a relaxed expression. "How was business at the restaurant while I was away?"
"Business is good, of course, but Chef Zhao is so tired he's cursing!" Seeing the state of Tao Wan's family, Lu Neng wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
As soon as Tao Wanniang entered the kitchen, Zhao Yongsheng immediately shouted, "You're here! You're here! Even if I had three heads and six arms, I couldn't do all this. I'm going to rest tomorrow."
"Alright, Chef Zhao, you've worked hard." Tao Wanniang knew how busy one person was, so she didn't refute Zhao Yongsheng's words.
Hearing that Tao Wanniang was so easy to talk to, Zhao Yongsheng felt a little discouraged. He was busy, but there were so many people in the kitchen, and the apprentices could help.
"Um... I really have something to do tomorrow, I really need to rest." Zhao Yongsheng wasn't unaware of the trouble at Tao Wanniang's family, he was just complaining verbally.
"Chef Zhao, I've agreed. You can rest as long as you have something to do. I'll be away for the next two days, and it's good to have you here." Tao Wanniang said sincerely, "Having an extra chef in the kitchen is such a good thing."
Seeing this, Zhao Yongsheng muttered a few words. There were still no customers, and the apprentices were the ones who were busy in the kitchen.
Tao Wanniang wandered around the kitchen, then went to the front hall and counter of the restaurant. It didn't really matter much that the restaurant wasn't there for her.
"Manager Tao, what's wrong? You seem to have something on your mind?" Lu Neng asked jokingly. He had also asked Ling Dahu if the family matters had really been resolved.
"When will I be able to really sell it? I see you guys are running this restaurant quite well. I'm thinking of the day when I can just lie at home and collect money."
Shandong Luneng was speechless for a moment. Manager Tao's idea was really too good to be true!
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