Today, her grandmother Zhang Guihua specially made soft, fragrant white-flour steamed buns, each one as large as an adult man’s palm. Paired with several appetizing stir-fried dishes cooked by her Eldest Aunt Zheng Chunmiao, Su Tian ate until her cheeks were puffed full.
“Grandpa,” Su Tian swallowed a mouthful of bun before speaking, “this time when we came back, Father and I were planning to bring everyone to the county.”
Su Wanqing nodded. “Yes, Father. The restaurant is really busy. Big Brother and I can barely keep up every day.”
He continued, “Big Brother’s leg is almost fully healed now. Let’s bring the children along too. The younger ones should return to school.”
Su Dashu hesitated. He felt sorry seeing his sons and grandchildren so exhausted, and the younger children’s education couldn’t be delayed either. After a few moments of silence, he agreed.
“Alright. We’ll do as Tian girl says. Go pack your things. Tomorrow I’ll speak to the village head about renting out the farmland. In a few days, we’ll move to the county.”
“Grandpa, there’s no need to rush,” Su Tian added. “Before coming back today, I asked Uncle Liu to help look for a house. We should have news by tomorrow night when we return.”
“Good. Once the house is settled, your uncle and I will head over.”
“Ah, Auntie Zhang, taking your granddaughter out for a walk again?” Their neighbor called out.
“Yes,” Zhang Guihua replied cheerfully. “The restaurant isn’t too busy right now, so I brought her to take a look.”
After their last rest day, Liu Er had taken Su Tian to see the house. It was a courtyard-style residence with a front and back section.
Su Dashu and Zhang Guihua lived in the main room with Su Yin. Su Wanhai and his wife took the east wing. Su Wenzu shared the west wing with Su Wenyang, Su Wen’an, and Su Wenchen.
Su Wanhe had resigned from his bookkeeping job and moved with Wu Fen. Together with Su Wanqing’s family of three, the five of them lived in the small courtyard behind the restaurant.
This area was mostly renters. Since it was on the edge of the county, the rent wasn’t too expensive. The whole courtyard cost only two taels per month.
The courtyard on the left housed a middle-aged couple, where the husband worked as an escort at a security bureau, and the wife was an embroiderer. On the right lived a constable with his parents.
It had been a month since the Su family moved here. The restaurant had added four more tables. In the kitchen, Zheng Chunmiao, Wu Fen, Li Hongyue, and Su Tian handled the cooking. Su Wanhe managed the register and bookkeeping at the counter. Su Wanhai, Su Wanqing, and Su Wenzu took orders and served dishes.
Business gradually stabilized. The dishes were novel and delicious, so there were many returning customers. Although they were busy, everyone had their assigned roles, and on average it wasn’t as exhausting as before.
In a few days, it would be the day of Chaohua Festival of the Great Yan Dynasty. A festival to bid farewell to winter, welcome spring, and pray for favorable weather and a good harvest.
Su Tian decided to adjust the restaurant’s schedule, combining their monthly rest day with the festival for two consecutive days off.
It would be the perfect chance to take the whole family out to enjoy the county together.
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That’s all update for this week. I will try to update regularly. Have a good day!