Chapter 124: Don't Add Trouble Carefreely

  Fú Mǎn Lóu is the largest restaurant in the county town, and the consumption inside is not something that ordinary civilians can afford. To be able to look down on these poor young men and invite them to dinner?! It seems like it's definitely targeting their braised meat...

  "They wanted to buy our braised meat recipe, but I wouldn't agree. At first, I sat there and refused to eat, it's embarrassing to be treated by others... what if the negotiations didn't go well and we had to pay more?..." Da Bao chuckled and said: "Later, the shopkeeper had no choice but to say that he wanted to buy our braised meat recipe, so we ate. But now we still don't know how to sell it, so we didn't discuss it further with him. I came back to ask for your opinion, Tuniu. This is a big income opportunity, and I heard that eating at Fumanlou is very expensive..."

  "Is their dish very delicious?!" Shen Sisi asked with a light smile.

  "Yes, it's quite tasty..." Da Bao sucked his lips and smiled: "There are many dishes on the table that I've never had before... but they're still not as delicious as your cooking, Tuniu. We didn't eat much, though. I remembered what you said about having good manners when eating out, so we were careful not to be looked down upon. Actually, the shopkeeper was a bit arrogant at first, but later became very polite..."

  These people, naturally, are eager to be above everyone else. Shen Sisi smiled and said: "You did a good job today, drag him for a few days first, wait until he gets anxious and comes to beg us, then we'll talk to him again. Next time he finds you, just drag it out..."

  "I understand..." Da Bao chuckled and said: "I know, Tuniu, you want to raise the price..."

  Shen Sisi touched his head and smiled: "Really clever..."

  It seems that Dabao has made significant progress after more than a month of tempering, at least he will use his brain now, and his brain has become much more active. These lessons were not taught in vain, nor was it in vain to let him take charge of the overall situation.

  Dabao smiled foolishly and continued to gnaw on a pancake before standing up. He couldn't stay idle for a moment, especially since they had spent a lot of money at home recently, and he was worried that it wouldn't be enough. So, he worked extra hard at everything. After showing the account to Shen Sisi and handing over the money, Dabao went to Wang Tufu's place to help with cleaning up the pork. He also scrubbed all four pots on the large stove. In the past, when they were in the old house, they had to cook four full pots, so when building this new house, Shen Sisi had made the stove and pots extremely large. As a result, these meats and sauces could be cooked with just three pots, leaving one pot for later use...

  After brushing, wash and arrange the pork and dried goods, skillfully add brine water, add brine ingredients, add well water... start preparing braised meat.

  Wang Tudou removed all the hair from the pig's head and then took his leave with the meat and money, walking away with a smile.

  Dabao then cut the pig's head open and added the pig's trotters and tail into the pot to start cooking. He was already very experienced, so he didn't need Shen Sisi to supervise him anymore. All she needed to do every day was prepare the sauce ingredients for him...

  In the corner of the large kitchen, several large jars filled with braising liquid were placed, which were moved from the old house. This is a secret recipe, and family members take it very seriously. The longer this braising liquid is kept, the more flavorful it becomes.

  Si Bao and Zhong Gensheng carried two baskets of vegetables back, then put them in the cellar, and continued to carry more.

  It wasn't until after several trips back and forth that everything was finally done. The Fourth Treasure even moved the remaining firewood from the old house into the new one, stacking it in the woodshed. This was the firewood he had worked so hard to chop, and no matter how little was left, he couldn't bear to waste any of it.

  He looked at himself with nothing to do, and then he went to chop firewood again. Firstly, because winter was approaching soon, and there was not enough firewood at home. Secondly, because the Zhong family gave him new clothes, a new quilt, and even gave him a new house to live in. He really lived in fear of being taken advantage of, fearing that the young lady would put all the accounts on his head and force him to pay out several more years of his life. So, whenever he had time, he was exploited to find work everywhere, although he was really very depressed...

  Looking back at the new house, his emotions were quite complex and difficult to express. He let out a deep sigh, feeling melancholic and helpless, and reluctantly went to chop firewood on the mountain behind the backyard, now this house is far from the village, and you can go up the mountain directly from the backyard, which is very convenient.

  Niu Laogen returned home, and Tian Guihua saw him and got very angry. Lately, this old man has been getting more and more silent when he comes back home, not saying a word, completely ignoring her. She gradually forgot the times she was scared of him, now only leaving hatred. Adding to that, for this whole month Niu Laogen would often not come back home for dinner, going to the Zhong's house to eat his fill and drink enough before returning. Tian Guihua's heart was burning with anger.

  He was full and content, leaving her alone at home to eat the bland, bird-pecked cabbage. She couldn't bear it, but recently, with the Zhong family building a new house, that little girl, Tuniu, had been staying home every day. She hadn't found an opportunity to go look for that dead girl, and she and her three daughters-in-law were at their wit's end, unable to think of a good solution. They had only managed to sneak over to the Zhong house once, and after seeing the scale of the new house they were building, they returned with their eyes burning red. Their hearts itched even more, and no matter what, she had to think of a way to get Fang over. But that old man wouldn't listen, otherwise, it would be easy for them to establish a relationship with the Zhong family and have Fang sneak over quietly.

  Tian Guihua dared to think so, but didn't dare ask him directly. After a long time, she hesitantly said: "Just came back from the Zhong family? They've moved into their new house, and people in the village are talking about it everywhere. Did you go help them move?"

  "......Uh-huh." Niu Laogen responded faintly and said: "Don't come back for dinner tonight, you eat alone."

  Tian Guihua's face turned red with rage, and she almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. She gritted her teeth and swallowed it back down, her heart seething with resentment. After a long while, she suppressed the discontent in her heart once again and said, "Is my daughter doing well at their house? I haven't seen her for ages... Why don't I go take a look too? What do you think?"

  Leaving her alone at home to eat dishes without oil or meat, is she dreaming?! Tian Guihua was truly resentful this time, and also jealous beyond measure.

  "By the way, let's take a look at their house and see how it's built. I want to see where Xiaohua lives." Tian Guihua forced out a smile and said: "When did they move in? How much gift money should we give?"

  Niu Laogen gave her a glance and said, "Today they're moving into their new house, so don't go and cause trouble. Wait until they've settled in and are having a banquet, then you can come with me. I'm telling you again, Xiaohua is still recovering, if you cause any more trouble, I won't forgive you..."

  Tian Guihua was about to utter a curse, but swallowed it back again, feeling so resentful that she wanted to scratch her heart and lungs out, and even wished she could eat the heart of Niu Laogen, but still suppressed all these feelings.

  It's been a long time, and not another word has been spoken. Niu Laogen is puffing on his pipe, silently weaving baskets in the courtyard, preparing to sell them to add to the family income, also thinking of giving some to the Zhong family, who use many such baskets for selling meat in the city, all made by his own hands, although they're not worth much money, it's a small token of goodwill, and practical because they are sturdy and won't break easily.

  Tian Guihua was very silent, only occasionally using her eyes to sweep over Niu Laogen, and her heart was filled with hatred.

  It was almost dusk when the two carpenters drove a cow cart to deliver the last two pieces of furniture, laughing and saying: "You're moving into your new house today, so we rushed back home to make them. Can't move twice, it's also for good luck..."

  Zhong Gensheng happily said: "You've all worked hard rushing to finish on time, come in and take a seat, let's have a simple meal..."

  "No, no......" The two carpenters were also honest men and didn't want to stay for dinner, feeling embarrassed, they hastily said: "Today your family is busy moving house, we won't add to the chaos, let's come back when you're having a banquet after moving in, we'll leave first..."

  Having said that, he didn't even bother with Zhong Gensheng's farewell and hastily left.

  Shen Sisi looked at him and laughed. The person her father found was indeed a straightforward and honest one. Otherwise, someone who loved to take advantage of others would have intentionally stayed for dinner. It wasn't that she was heartbroken over the few dishes, but rather that such an honest person easily evoked good feelings in others...

  Zhong Gen Sheng moved two pieces of furniture into the house and put them in place, then came out with a smile, moving the dining table under the eaves. He said: "It's not cold today, let's eat under the eaves! There's no dew, it's cool, we can see the moon, save some oil money... haha... With hot pot and wine, what more could you ask for? Take a sip and have a bite, feel warm inside..."

  Zhong Gensheng's face has become much rosier, and his body is no longer just thin, but also strong. He looks very healthy. Shen Sisi heard this and laughed, saying: "Alright, let's eat in the courtyard. I'll add more chili peppers to the pot. If we sweat from eating spicy food, we can take a bath after dinner... Now it's very convenient to use water, there's a small house next to the kitchen specifically for bathing, with a stove inside to heat up water, and a hot shower is so comfortable..."

  Zhong Gensheng smiled and said, "My daughter is really capable, even planning such details so well..." His tone was full of relief and pride. Shen Sisi heard this and laughed, not showing any embarrassment at all.

  The four treasures couldn't help but curl up the corners of their mouths as they watched from one side.

  This girl, I don't know why she has so many things in her mind. It's as if she was born with it, which makes him even more self-deprecating, and he can't help but want to crack open his own brain to see where he falls short compared to this girl.

  Comparing with others can really be infuriating, comparing people will drive you crazy, comparing goods will make you want to throw them away!

  Niu Laogen came with four baskets in his hands and said with a smile: "I made them this afternoon when I had nothing to do. They're for the kids to carry on their backs up the mountain or into town. They're sturdy, but not worth much money, so don't look down on them."

  Zhong Gen Sheng hastily took over and said: "Nonsense, this is a good thing, our family is in need of it right now. Come sit down, Tuniang will finish cooking soon..."