Sun Chengye originally just wanted to give his granddaughter a perfunctory reply, and then go back and have the housekeeper prepare a thank-you gift as usual.
In Sun Chengye's view, Su Yun'er did not put in much effort in Sun Wanqing's recovery. She just made some food, which was nothing miraculous. He was grateful, but there was no need to put in too much effort to prepare.
Unexpectedly, Sun Wanqing, being a simple-minded girl, asked Sun Chengye on the spot "how she wanted to express her gratitude," leaving Sun Chengye completely dumbfounded.
While the servants played cards with her, Old Madam Huo overheard the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Qing'er, look at you, you've actually left your grandfather speechless."
She knew her husband was trying to fool her, but he miscalculated and was stumped.
For many years, Sun Chengye handled official business, mostly focusing on strategies, feedback on results, and personnel transfers proposed by his subordinates. He would never concern himself with trivial matters like what gifts to give.
"Qing'er, don't make things difficult for your grandfather. He can't come up with a solution." Old Madam Huo teased.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Sun Chengye's old face hardened: "You old woman, what nonsense are you spouting? What Qing'er is talking about is nothing but a trivial matter. How could I not handle it?"
“That’s right, that’s right. Grandfather is amazing. He must have thought of such a small matter long ago.” Sun Wanqing seized the opportunity to flatter her grandfather.
Sun Chengye was very pleased and immediately leaned back and laughed out loud.
If you accept your granddaughter's flattery, you have to give her what she wants.
Having spent many years in officialdom, Sun Chengye, who had been completely clueless just moments before, quickly came up with a way to defuse the situation.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Gifts are nothing more than a few things. As for food, Qing'er, you can decide for yourself. If there's anything special or suitable at home, just send it to her. As for money, it should only be appropriate, and definitely not excessive, otherwise people will think that our family is showing off, which will easily hurt feelings. Why not help her solve a problem when she is in trouble? I believe she will definitely not refuse."
Despite her young age, Sun Wanqing nodded in agreement after listening to Sun Chengye's analysis.
Having solved the not-so-difficult problem posed by his granddaughter, Sun Chengye was in high spirits. He picked up the cup of tea that Sun Wanqing had poured for him and drank it down in one gulp.
Sun Wanqing pondered to herself, what problem could Su Yun'er be facing?
He and Su Yun'er hadn't actually met many times, and with his illness this time, it was only three or four times.
The first time we met, I wasn't feeling well; I had seasickness and no appetite. It was only because I smelled the delicious aroma of her cooking at the dock that I...
Oh, right, the dock!
“Grandfather, I remember now. Madam Su runs a hot food stall at the dock. A while ago, there was a lot of snow and wind, and the tent on her stall was flapping loudly in the wind, as if it would be blown away at any moment. How could it possibly keep out the wind and snow? Why don’t you find someone to build her a house?” Sun Wanqing suggested.
"What? Vendors setting up stalls at the dock?" Sun Chengye frowned.
"Yes, according to Granny Wen, her stall is doing very well, but she only uses a tent to protect herself from the wind and snow. It must be because she can't afford to build a house. Grandfather, please help her solve this problem."
Sun Chengye did not answer directly. He picked up his teacup, covered his face, and thought for a moment: "Alright, I'll go back and study it to see how to handle it."
"That's wonderful, thank you, Grandfather!" Upon hearing this, Sun Wanqing clapped her hands and shouted happily. Then she peeled an orange for Sun Chengye and brought it to his mouth.
Sun Chengye was pleased by Sun Wanqing's coaxing and happily ate the orange.
The icy-cold oranges were both sour and sweet; one bite cooled down the internal heat generated by the charcoal fire.
After the feasting and entertainment, Sun Chengye returned to his study and immediately summoned someone, instructing, "Have someone arrange for us to find an open space at the dock to build shelters for the vendors who set up stalls."
Upon hearing the order, the subordinate was slightly taken aback, wondering when Sun Chengye had started paying attention to such trivial matters. However, after being glanced at by Sun Chengye, he immediately lowered his head, cupped his hands, and respectfully said, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys. I will send someone to handle it immediately."
**
Yongning City, Pianshui Lane.
Wang Youyu felt a bit irritable today.
Today was supposed to be the day I went to the government office to submit the year-end report and the accounting books. It had been a long year, and I had spent a lot of effort to sort out these messy accounts and make the books look balanced. I thought I would get some praise, but because of a few mistakes and typos, I was scolded by the official in charge and even criticized for my ugly handwriting.
Unfortunately, this official was not only his superior but also his uncle, Wang Zhongxing, so Wang Youyu dared not say anything.
If it weren't for his uncle Wang Zhongxing pulling strings for him, he wouldn't have gotten this lucrative job of preparing meals for the dockworkers.
Over the years, they've been buying three and reporting five, taking ten and using two, secretly squeezing out a lot of money. Now they've even bought a three-courtyard house in Yongning City and hired several servants to serve them. They've gone from being peasants to small landlords, living a very comfortable life. All of this is thanks to their uncle, Wang Zhongxing. Wang Youyu dares not lose his temper with Wang Zhongxing.
But he can come home and throw a tantrum.
As soon as he entered the gate, a gatekeeper came up to serve him. Wang Youyu took off his outer robe, covered his head with it, and threw it to the gatekeeper. Without even looking at it, he strode into the backyard.
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