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Chapter 114

"Sister-In-Law? Why are you still up so late?" Seeing Wang Sister-In-Law still awake at this late hour, Luo Ge was somewhat surprised.

Looking at the sky, it was now well past 7 PM (8 PM). Farmers were frugal and did not want to waste oil by lighting lamps, so they usually went to bed very early. At this hour, most people would have already gone to sleep.

"It\'s nothing, I usually sleep late," Wang Sister-In-Law waved her hand dismissively and got straight to the point.

"Remember those salted duck eggs and preserved eggs we made a while ago? They\'re ready to be sold now.

Li Shopkeeper came by today and said he has enough stock now. He wants to take more goods and distribute them to his other shops as well."

"But you were out today, and we couldn\'t make that decision without you.

I was afraid you might be busy again tomorrow, so I thought I\'d wait for you to come back and discuss it."

Luo Ge and her family had not publicized their plans to open a restaurant, so Li Shopkeeper and Wang Sister-In-Law were still unaware of it.

They had left early today and missed Li Shopkeeper by chance.

Upon hearing this, Luo Ge paused, embarrassed at her oversight.

"It\'s alright. If Uncle Li comes by tomorrow and we\'re not here, just let them take the goods. Have Luo Auntie help keep track of how much is taken."

"Alright, got it," Wang Sister-In-Law nodded, now understanding what to do.

"Little Auntie, Little Uncle!"

"Mom!"

"Thank you for waiting for us, Sister-In-Law. These are some snacks I made in my spare time. Tie Dan Little Yunan, take them back and share them with Grandpa and Grandma."

Seeing the few little kids running out from their respective courtyards, Luo Ge smiled and pinched their chubby cheeks, dividing a portion of the snacks she had brought out for Tie Dan Little Yunan.

The snacks were small cookies she had made in her spare time, wrapped in oiled paper. She would eat some when she got hungry or had a craving, so she had made plenty.

These few kids played well together and were obedient, so both families treated them like their own children. Whenever there were delicious snacks, they would never leave the kids out.

She didn\'t give any to Wang Sister-In-Law because she knew she wouldn\'t accept them, and Tie Dan was always filial.

Of course, she didn\'t forget her own two little ones either.

True to her expectations, while Wang Sister-In-Law wanted to say something, she ultimately kept quiet.

"Thank you, Auntie Luo Ge," Tie Dan looked at his mother and then at Luo Ge before sweetly expressing his gratitude.

"Good boy," Luo Ge smiled and pinched his slightly chubby cheek.

"It\'s getting late. You should all head back and rest too," Luo Ge said, seeing Yun Yi starting to yawn from drowsiness.

"Alright," Wang Sister-In-Law didn\'t linger after seeing Luo Ge\'s family leave.

She then lightly tapped her son without much enthusiasm. "Little glutton."

"I\'m not. Auntie Luo Ge said to share it with Grandpa and Grandma," Tie Dan retorted while hugging the cookies Luo Ge had given him, having already taken one out at some point.

"These cookies are the ones Auntie Luo Ge taught Uncle Li and the others to make for business. They\'re so delicious. Mom, try one," he said with sincere eyes.

Seeing her son\'s earnest expression, Wang Sister-In-Law felt a pang in her nose as she took a bite of a cookie, not forgetting to also teach her son a lesson.

"Tie Dan, you\'re the older brother. You need to look after Older Baby and Second Baby more, understand?"

"Mmm, I know," he replied. As the older brother, he definitely had to take care of his younger siblings.

...............

"Done chatting?"

When they returned, they had already dropped off Uncle Song at the manor on their way back. As a woman, it wasn\'t appropriate for Gu Jinchen to stay too close while the ladies were chatting, so he had gone to park the carriage first.

Just as he was heading out after securing the carriage, he saw Luo Ge returning with the two little ones.

"Yes, Uncle Li and his people came to pick up the finished products from the workshop today, but we weren\'t here, so they didn\'t take them. Wang Sister-In-Law was afraid we might be out again tomorrow, so she waited to tell us."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinchen nodded. "It\'s been a long day. Let me heat up some water so we can wash up properly later?"

"Sure."

"Yun Mu, Yun Yi, are you two hungry? Auntie will make some food for us to eat together, okay?"

Although they had prepared some food for the kids before leaving, she was still worried they might not have eaten enough.

"Okay!" The two little ones readily agreed without objection.

After making a simple meal and eating together, they cleaned up and washed before the day came to an end.

...............

The next day.

The matters at the workshop had been taken care of, so they didn\'t need to worry. They arrived early at First Class Pavilion, bringing the signed labor contracts.

"For today\'s main dishes, let\'s start with Master Xu\'s specialty dishes. Master Xu, why don\'t you list them out, and we\'ll write them on a wooden board to make it easier for customers to order."

Luo Ge put away the seven signed labor contracts, which they would need to take to the official bureau later to have the official seal stamped on them.

"Alright."

"Er Zhu, go to the market and buy some fish later," she instructed. To keep the business thriving, new dishes had to be added to the menu immediately.

She planned to start with two dishes that were easy to learn and cook - water-boiled fish and sour vegetable fish.

They were both delicious and more suited to the general public\'s taste.

"Got it!" Er Zhu readily agreed, taking the opportunity to go to the market while it was still early.

Luo Ge and the others went to the official bureau to have the labor contracts stamped with the official seal.

On their way, they went to find Hu Jun to inquire about the situation, but he wasn\'t there either. They heard he was handling a major case and had gone out with his team.

As it was an official matter, they didn\'t pry into the details of the case.

By the time they returned to the restaurant after finishing their tasks, Er Zhu had already bought the fish. Being early, the fish he bought were very fresh and plump.

"Well done," Gu Jinchen complimented Er Zhu, seeing Luo Ge\'s pleased expression at the quality of the ingredients, making the young man somewhat embarrassed.

"Master Xu, I want to try making two dishes. Could you take a look and see if they would be suitable to add to our restaurant\'s menu?"

"Sure, no problem," Master Xu readily agreed without any hint of arrogance or looking down on Luo Ge and the others as country folk, unlike Lu Manager or Chef Luo.

Luo Ge hadn\'t had a chance to showcase her culinary skills at their restaurant yet, so Master Xu and the others were unaware of her abilities. But hearing her request, they readily agreed and followed her instructions.

There was no one to bother her, a woman of virtue, by offering unsolicited advice.

To Luo Ge and her people, Master Xu said, regardless of their backgrounds, they were now his employers, and he would unconditionally obey the masters\' orders.

"If you need any help, milady, just let me know," he added, inadvertently noticing Luo Ge\'s slightly protruding belly.

They knew Luo Ge was pregnant, and Master Xu\'s own child was already about the same age as Luo Ge and her companions.

Being a man of experience, he knew that pregnant women should avoid heavy and greasy foods.

"Okay, Master Xu, please slice a couple of fish for me."

"Understood." Upon hearing Luo Ge\'s instruction, Master Xu didn\'t say much and obediently got to work.

The two assistant cooks also helped Luo Ge prepare the side dishes when they saw her working.

"Is this thickness alright?" Master Xu first sliced two pieces and turned to ask.

Seeing the fish slices cut by Master Xu, Luo Ge nodded, impressed by his strong knife skills, which seemed even better than Chef Luo\'s.

"Yes, that\'s perfect."