Transmigrating into a peasant family to fight against the best, leading my parents to earn gold and

Chapter 354 Uncle

Lin Xiaotang asked the waiter if he had seen who she went out with, and the waiter said he hadn't seen her face clearly.

Upon hearing this news, Lin Xiaotang was so angry she was practically fuming. Just yesterday, she had begged her to take her in and promised to work hard, but in just one night, she had run away before even doing a single job.

She knew it; judging from Gu Minghuai's clothes and demeanor, he wasn't the type to endure hardship.

Oh well, it's better that she left. It saves me from sleeping in her room instead of going back to my own room at night.

It truly proves the saying: you'd rather believe a sow can fly than trust a man.

Because Manager Su asked her to help Wanhe Restaurant develop two new dishes, she plunged into the kitchen and worked hard for a long time. After she developed the new dishes and had them tasted by several chefs, they received unanimous praise, so she finalized the dishes.

As she stretched her arms and walked into the lobby, she saw Gu Minghuai, Lord Yang, and a lady entering the restaurant from afar. She squinted and confirmed what she had in mind.

Gu Minghuai must be a relative of Lord Yang. Looking at Gu Minghuai's heroic spirit and Lord Yang's refined and scholarly demeanor, it's clear that Gu Minghuai's surname is Gu. He can't possibly be Lord Yang's nephew, so he must be a grandnephew.

What a cunning Gu Minghuai, he actually fooled her.

Even though Lord Yang was in the county, he lied to her and said that his uncle and aunt had gone out.

She stood there with her arms crossed, staring intently at Gu Minghuai. Unsurprisingly, she met his gaze. Her eyes turned slightly cold, she gave a snort, and turned to go to the backyard.

Gu Minghuai's breath hitched, and he was immediately dumbfounded.

Good heavens! After he went back with his uncle, he was so busy apologizing to his uncle and aunt and chatting with his aunt that he completely forgot about Lin Xiaotang.

Now that she has caught him and his uncle in the act, the little girl will definitely be angry that he concealed his identity and deceived her. What should he do?

Gu Minghuai was upset, but then he thought: Oh well, he has already brought his uncle and aunt to the restaurant. I'll treat them to lunch first, and then find a chance to apologize to the little girl.

He called over a waiter and asked him to find them a table. Luckily, a customer in a private room had just left, and the waiter immediately arranged for them to go in.

Along the way, many guests recognized Lord Yang and his wife. Lord Yang quietly told them not to make a sound, as he was traveling incognito and was just like an ordinary person coming to the restaurant for a meal.

Those guests, fearing to displease Lord Yang, naturally dared not make a sound.

Gu Minghuai ordered almost all of Qianzhenlou's signature dishes before his aunt stopped him.

Madam Yang disagreed, saying, "You silly child, there are only three of us. How can we possibly finish all this food?"

Gu Minghuai said with a smile, "The dishes in Qianzhenlou are very unique. We've never heard of them before. Since we've come all this way, we should try everything. If we can't finish them, we can pack them up and take them back for the servants in our mansion to try. It won't be a waste."

Lord Yang tasted a serving of iced dumplings and shrimp paste, and immediately nodded repeatedly, "Not bad, the taste and texture are really good."

Then, he tasted a bite of dry pot braised fish, stir-fried crayfish, sweet and sour pork, cola chicken wings, and Xi Shi tofu...

Lord Yang's eyes lit up as he ate, and even Madam Yang, who was very particular about her appearance, ate with great relish in silence.

Gu Minghuai knew that the meal was worthwhile. Seeing his uncle and aunt enjoying their meal, he was very satisfied.

My uncle is very disciplined and rarely goes to restaurants. My aunt also rarely goes out. The couple's life is quite boring. They are still young and should go out more often to get some fresh air and try some good food. That would make their lives more interesting.

The couple, Lord Yang and his wife, were surprised to find that the food in the restaurant was so delicious. It was something that the chefs in their household could not make, and even the imperial chefs in the palace might not be able to make it. It was simply a delicacy that made them want to come back for the next meal.

Gu Minghuai asked with a smile, "Uncle, was this trip worthwhile?"

"It was definitely worth the trip. No wonder Qianzhenlou is so popular. There's a reason for it."

In the future, if he and his wife wanted to eat it, they could ask the servant to buy it and take it home.

Seeing that his uncle was happy, he then said, "Uncle, may I not go back to the mansion to stay for now?"

Lord Yang asked in confusion, "Young man, is it because the servants aren't taking good care of you, or because you're uncomfortable staying at my residence? This is a restaurant, not an inn. Are you going to stay here and continue to work as a waiter and live in the servants' quarters?"

Isn't this just eating without suffering?

Madam Yang also said, "Minghuai, you've come all this way. If I can't stay at your home and let your aunt take good care of you, I'll feel very guilty. If you like to eat at this restaurant, even if your uncle is busy, your aunt can come with you every day. We don't need to stay here to work. What do you think?"

Gu Minghuai wasn't staying at the restaurant to work, but could he tell his uncle and aunt what was on his mind?

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm not staying to be a shop assistant, but because I like Lin Xiaotang and don't want to be separated from her."

Lord Yang exclaimed in shock, "You child, you're still a child yourself! Do you even know what liking someone means? Besides, she's only a nine-year-old girl! You...you...you..."

At such a young age, what does he know about liking something? It's just a passing fancy.

Madam Yang blushed, looking hesitant to speak. She said, "Minghuai, you are still young. In two years, let your mother introduce you to many daughters of prominent families in the capital. See which family is suitable to marry you. Not to mention that you are still young and may not understand what it means to like someone. You may find that little girl cute, but you may just think she is interesting and treat her as a friend, playmate, or younger sister."

Damn it, she's only nine years old, she hasn't even grown up yet, how come this kid has his eye on her? If her parents find out, won't they come with knives to kill her?

Seeing that his uncle and aunt both disapproved and looked at him as if he were a heinous criminal, Gu Minghuai's face flushed bright red.

"Uncle, Aunt, you should leave this matter alone."

Lord Yang stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes. He said with a serious face, "You mustn't act recklessly. This is Dushui County, not as prosperous as the capital. The people here are also more honest and simple. If you really like that girl, then like her as always. Wait until she passes the imperial examination and then go to her door to propose marriage. You mustn't win her heart and then tell her that you only see her as a younger sister when she grows up. If you dare to do that, your uncle will be the first to not forgive you."

Upon hearing that his uncle had actually agreed, Gu Minghuai quickly expressed his opinion.

"No, if I really did something so beastly, Uncle, just have Minghuai executed as a criminal."

Madam Yang pulled her nephew aside and asked mysteriously, "What's so special about that little girl? She's only nine years old, and a bean sprout can win your heart. Your aunt is very curious."

This girl must have some tricks up her sleeve, managing to charm a noble young man from a prestigious family in the capital. We have to be wary of her. I need to help her find out more about him. If he's a troublesome guy, I'll have to make some plans for my nephew to dispel any inappropriate thoughts the girl might have. If he's really a good one, I won't stop her.

Gu Minghuai said somewhat embarrassedly, "Aunt, please don't ask. I assure you, she's a very special girl, smart, capable, and with a good personality."

Lord Yang said, "I have met that little girl. She is so young, yet she knows more than adults. She is exceptionally intelligent and kind. She is truly remarkable."

Madam Yang, ever the gossip, pressed her husband for details, but Lord Yang, not being a talkative man, decided not to say more to his wife.

After Gu Minghuai's uncle and aunt saw him off at the restaurant, he turned back and went back in, only to be blocked by Lin Xiaotang.

Seeing the little girl's dark face and piercing eyes, he chuckled dryly and pulled Lin Xiaotang toward the backyard.

Lin Xiaotang said, "Don't pull me. You're not welcome here. Go back to where you came from."

Knowing that the little girl was angry, Gu Minghuai apologized repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied to you. Xiaotang, please forgive me this time, I promise..."

"Alright, I don't want to hear your promises. You are of noble status, and our restaurant would never dare to let you work as a waiter. There are rats in our guest rooms, how could we allow a young master like you to condescend to stay here? My room is very simple, and it would be beneath your status to have you sleep on the floor. You should go back."

Gu Minghuai said dejectedly, "Even if we go back, you have to let me go back and pack my clothes, right?"

Lin Xiaotang looked Gu Minghuai up and down, which made him feel uneasy.

"What's wrong? Can't I take my clothes back?"

"Go quickly, come back quickly, and leave as soon as you've got it."

It's just two pieces of clothing; if she doesn't let him go back to get them, it would make her seem unreasonable and cold-hearted.

Gu Minghuai kept turning back to look at Lin Xiaotang's angry face. He sighed helplessly, wondering how he could calm the little girl down.

He dawdled back to Lin Xiaotang's room, folding his clothes again and again, thinking that if he left Qianzhenlou today, Lin Xiaotang would probably not welcome him anymore.

So he simply cheated and lay down on the unrolled cot.

"Ouch, Xiaotang, my leg is cramping."

Lin Xiaotang slowly walked over, kicked him in the leg, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Gu Minghuai, you're so childish!"

what?

Is he naive?

She's so young, yet she's so mature!

Gu Minghuai put away his smile and said seriously, "Xiaotang, I plan to go to the military camp for some training. If I'm lucky, I'll one day earn military merit and be promoted to general. At that time, you will also pass the imperial examination, and I will come to propose marriage. If I unfortunately don't come back alive, just pretend... just pretend you've never seen me."

Lin Xiaotang suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Gu Minghuai, we've only met a few times, you...I..."

Lin Xiaotang didn't know what to say. She only regarded Gu Minghuai as an ordinary friend and had no other thoughts about him.

She suddenly remembered that the jade pendant Gu Minghuai had insisted on giving her when they first met was still there. She took out a wooden box from the cabinet, opened it, and took the jade pendant out to return to Gu Minghuai.

“This jade pendant is too valuable, and it may have special meaning for you. I have always wanted to find an opportunity to return it to you.”

Gu Minghuai was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the little girl to return the jade pendant he had given away two years ago.

Is this a way of cutting ties with him?

He pretended to be nonchalant and said, "This jade pendant doesn't really mean anything. If you don't like it, just leave it there. I'll be heading to the military camp in a few days. I'll be doing drills and wrestling all day, so I can't carry this kind of thing with me. You should keep it."

Lin Xiaotang shoved it back into his hand, leaving no room for refusal, "If you can't keep it with you, you can leave it at Lord Yang's house. It's not appropriate to leave it here with me."

Gu Minghuai quickly followed up by asking, "Why is it inappropriate?"

"We're not related, so we're just not a good match!"

After saying that, she picked up Gu Minghuai's bundle and pushed him out.

Gu Minghuai looked completely innocent as he was pushed outside the door. Lin Xiaotang slammed the door shut from the inside, leaving him feeling utterly rejected.

He reluctantly walked down the stairs, only to run into Xiangqin's grandmother who was with Lin Ziheng.

Gu Minghuai immediately went over to him with sweet words, playing with Xiao Ziheng while making Xiangqin's grandmother laugh.

When Lin Xiaotang arrived at the restaurant lobby, she saw Gu Minghuai working diligently, wiping tables and pouring tea for guests, guiding guests to their seats, and helping the kitchen serve dishes. He was busy and sweating profusely.

Her diligence made it impossible for her to chase her away.

Fine, he likes to suffer without effort, so she doesn't stop him.

In just a few days, he will be going to the military camp. In three or five years, he may have long forgotten that there was such a person as her in Dushui County.

In the evening, Xiao Jiu returned with his satchel on his back. When he saw that Gu Minghuai was still there, he felt very insecure and his whole body was filled with a sense of defensiveness.

Despite being exhausted from a long day, Gu Minghuai tirelessly approached Lin Xiaotang, helping her pick up food, clear her dishes, and serve her tea and water, drawing everyone's attention.

Lin Qingchuan and Liu exchanged a glance, quite satisfied with Gu Minghuai. They thought he came from a good family, was hardworking, and treated Xiaotang well. They thought they could really consider him once the two children grew up.

A few days later, when Gu Minghuai had to leave, he went to the market and bought two hairpins and a set of fine writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones as parting gifts for Lin Xiaotang.

"Xiao Tang, I have been bothering everyone at the restaurant for several days. Although I am very reluctant to leave, it is time for me to go. I don't know what you like. If I ask you, you will definitely not tell me. So I took the liberty of buying you two gifts. I hope you will like them. In the future, when you wear the hairpin or use this set of writing materials, I hope you will always remember me."

Lin Xiaotang said, "I don't want these gifts..."

"Xiao Tang, don't refuse!"

Gu Minghuai guessed what Lin Xiaotang was about to say, so he immediately interrupted her, put the things on the table, and didn't allow Lin Xiaotang to refuse.

After saying that, he fled as if he were escaping, taking his bundle and returning to his uncle's house.

Lin Xiaotang stared at the things on the table for a long time, wondering what Gu Minghuai meant by this.

……

Winter passed and spring came; three years have gone by.

Lin Xiaotang is already twelve years old. Because of her height, she has excellent food, clothing and daily necessities. She has grown into a graceful young lady.

Xiaoyu is two years younger than her, a little petite, and much more sensible than before. She has learned a lot from her, not only how to do accounting, but also how to play the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting under the female master. She has grown up to be like a young lady from a noble family.