EBE Chapter 145 What a coincidence!
Chapter 145 What a coincidence!
Lin Xiaotang knew that there must be a reason for her grandmother's sudden change of attitude.
Sure enough, she's already gone to the kitchen to try and get information out of her mother.
She followed her grandmother into the kitchen, feigning innocence, and said obediently, "Grandma, my father went to the foot of the mountain to chop firewood and found a medicinal herb. He exchanged it for money at the herb shop, and that's how we got money to buy cloth to make new clothes. The rest of the money was used by my grandparents to buy meat and brown sugar."
To avoid future trouble, it's okay to tell a few lies occasionally. When dealing with difficult people, you can't be too honest.
Upon hearing this, Shen felt a pang of disappointment.
What this girl meant was that her son-in-law sold a medicinal herb and made money, but instead of giving her any cloth, he only gave her some meat. And it was uncertain whether he would give her meat again in the future.
Then wasn't it all for nothing that she left behind her daughter and son-in-law?
So she said sourly, "Why are you buying such good fabric? Can't you save the money and buy me a new dress too?"
Liu nodded helplessly, "Yes, Mother."
Shen looked down on her daughter and didn't take her daughter's response to heart. After all, it wasn't easy to dig up medicinal herbs at the foot of the mountain, so she felt it was pointless to say anything.
Liu Cai'er served the food and then invited her brother-in-law and two nieces to eat together. Liu picked up the food and took a few bites, but couldn't help gagging. Only then did Shen believe that her second daughter was really pregnant, and her attitude towards her daughter softened slightly.
After lunch, Liu and her sister chatted about everyday things. Her brother-in-law, Xie Laifu, was leading his sons and parents in the main room, bragging. Her husband was assigned by his mother to chop a pile of firewood, and his mother wouldn't let him go until he finished.
The family of four returned to Qinghe Town, and it was almost dark.
At night, the family busied themselves braising pig's trotters until midnight.
Lin Xiaotang couldn't help but sigh, "Braising pig's trotters at home all night is not as tiring as visiting relatives!"
The next day, Lin Qingchuan went to Dushui County alone to deliver braised pig's trotters. He did not take his eldest daughter with him. His wife was pregnant, and he was worried about leaving his youngest daughter alone at home. His eldest daughter was clever and quick-witted, and he could only feel at ease if there was someone else at home.
After breakfast, when the waiter from Yunlai Restaurant came to pick up the braised pig's trotters and left, Lin Xiaotang took out a lucky charm she had obtained on the first day of the Lunar New Year, intending to give it to Manager Su.
Liu took out the leftover fabric from making clothes before the New Year, sat in the courtyard, and prepared to make two sets of clothes for the baby in her belly.
Back then, the couple suffered at the hands of their mother-in-law, and their two daughters' clothes were all made from their own old clothes, so old they were almost worn out. Now it's different; the new fabric they bought is so good, soft and the colors are beautiful.
Xiaoyu sat to the side, holding two pieces of candy, about to put them in her mouth. When she saw her older sister coming over, she quickly took one piece and reached out.
"Sister, have some candy."
Lin Xiaotang smiled gently and said indulgently, "My dear Xiaoyu, you eat it. Your older sister is really going to lose her baby teeth this time. They're all loose, so she can't eat sweets anymore."
She reached out and touched her front tooth, which was already starting to wobble. In a few days, it would fall out, and she would have a lisp when she spoke.
It's so ugly, what can we do?
When Xiaoyu heard that her sister wasn't eating, she stuffed both candies into her own mouth. She chewed on the sweet candy with great satisfaction.
Liu looked up with concern and said, "Tang'er, are you losing your baby teeth? You must not eat anything hard these days, because losing baby teeth will cause bleeding and it will hurt a lot."
Lin Xiaotang was crying inside. She wasn't afraid of the pain; what was a little pain from losing her teeth? What she was afraid of was having a mouthful of crooked teeth that would affect her eating, make her lisp, and make her look ridiculous.
She sighed, then quickly chuckled.
"Mom, the New Year has just passed, and you're already busy making new clothes. Are you getting them for your baby brother or sister?"
"Tang'er is so clever, she guessed it right away. Mother is still in her early stages of pregnancy and can do things quickly, so let's prepare in advance. In a few months, when Mother's body becomes heavier, it will be difficult to do anything."
That's true. Although my mother isn't very smart, she's still very meticulous when it comes to housework.
“Alright, Mother, you can do it first. I’ll go and give this amulet to Manager Su, and I’ll also buy some pastries and tea to send to him.”
"But the New Year isn't over yet. Someone of Manager Su's status must be very busy. How could he possibly have time to come to the restaurant?"
"Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It's just that Manager Su didn't have time to come, so I was going to go alone. If he were at the restaurant, I would definitely wait for Father to come with me to show my sincerity. Actually, I should have gone before the New Year, but Manager Su wasn't there and our family was busy, so it was put on hold. Today I'll buy some gifts and send them over along with the peace charms. I'll have Manager Yao accept them for him in advance. The thank-you gift and the New Year's gift can be done in one trip."
Mrs. Liu nodded. "Tang'er is right. Whether it's in person or not doesn't matter much. The important thing is to send it over as soon as possible."
"Yes, I'll be right back."
So, Lin Xiaotang took out some loose silver from under the bed, went out to the market to buy a packet of tea and two small boxes of pastries, and headed towards Yunlai Restaurant.
Tea and pastries are not cheap, after all, Manager Su is rich and seems to have an extraordinary status. If this New Year's gift, which includes a thank-you gift, is too cheap, it will not be presentable.
However, what she bought was definitely not comparable to what Manager Su drank himself.
When she arrived at Yunlai Restaurant, the restaurant was packed with guests. She couldn't help but sigh that business was indeed booming during the Chinese New Year, it was incredibly good.
Manager Yao was arranging for the staff to serve the guests in an orderly manner amidst the busyness.
While Manager Yao was drinking water to moisten his throat, Lin Xiaotang quickly brought the things to him.
"Manager Yao, I need to speak with you. I'll take up a little of your time."
Manager Yao asked in surprise, "Xiao Tang, what brings you here? What do you need me for?"
"Isn't it the New Year? Dad asked me to buy some tea and pastries to give to Manager Su, as well as this peace charm. I went to the temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year to get it. It's a New Year's gift and also a way to thank him for providing us with a place to stay and relieving our family's difficulties."
This small box of pastries is for you, Steward Yao. You've helped your father a lot, and he's always been thinking of you.
Oh, there's one of his too?
Manager Yao was slightly moved and very happy. Qingchuan was so busy that he was spinning like a top. He sent New Year's gifts to Manager Su and still remembered to give one to him. That kid was really good.
It truly lived up to the saying, "Like father, like daughter." Both father and daughter are grateful, honest, and sensible.
His smile deepened. "You silly girl, I'll take these pastries for now. When you get home, tell your father that you're not allowed to spend money on them anymore. You've been busy all year round, and it's not easy for you to keep buying things. As for Manager Su, he won't be able to come to the restaurant until after the Lantern Festival. I'll put the things away for him for now and give them to him when he arrives."
Lin Xiaotang nodded obediently, "Okay, thank you, Manager Yao."
"You're welcome."
After Lin Xiaotang finished speaking with Manager Yao, she turned around to leave when she saw a carriage parked outside the door. The carriage was decorated with the character "Xue".
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. What a coincidence!
A wealthy family like the Xue family wouldn't come to a small town like this, so it definitely isn't the Xue family she knows.
A man dressed in dark blue brocade robe stepped down from the carriage; he was exceptionally handsome and possessed a remarkable air.
The restaurant waiter, Xiao Zhuo, hurriedly went forward to greet him, but the man did not enter; he simply inquired about someone.
"Excuse me, does anyone in your restaurant know Shen Qingchuan?"
Xiao Zhu was stunned for a moment, looking somewhat bewildered.
Why would wealthy families inquire about Brother Qingchuan?
Besides, Brother Qingchuan changed his surname a long time ago; he's now surnamed Lin, not Shen.