stingy landlady

Chapter 284 Guihong's Marriage (7)

Dazhu hesitated, glancing worriedly at Guihong, afraid that she might feel uncomfortable seeing the Qu family couple. Guihong, however, had long since moved on and no longer cared. Besides, the marriage falling through was no longer the matchmaker's business.

"Mom and Dad! Let's go inside if we want to eat! We've come all this way, so Guizhi is treating!"

Guizhi said frankly:

"Alright! It's my treat today! Parents, please! Second sister, please! Fourth sister, let's go! Let's all go out to eat!"

Gui Ling clutched her stomach, her lips pursed:

"Third sister! My stomach hurts! I'm full!"

"Haha! You still have to go in. What if you get kidnapped while you're out there?"

Several men, some hugging, some carrying, led Guiling into Xiangmanlou. It was lunchtime, and the restaurant had changed waiters who didn't recognize Guizhi and Dazhu. However, the manager knew Guizhi; he knew she had once been a VIP customer of the owner.

The innkeeper quickly led Guizhi and the others to an empty private room and went to find Master Qu. Master Qu rushed over in a hurry:

"Guizhi! Brother Dazhu! We've been waiting for you! Oh dear! Why didn't you give us a heads-up before you arrived? You didn't even let us know you were coming into the shop? Guizhi! You're so stingy!"

Guizhi smiled and said:

“Uncle Qu! We just sat down. Besides, we know the manager well. It’s lunchtime, the busiest time for our restaurant.”

Uncle Qu! If you have time, please come and sit for a while. If you don't have time, Guizhi wouldn't dare to bother you!

Qu Dongjia sat down and sat with everyone, then said to Dazhu:

"Brother Dazhu! I'm so sorry! My wife is pregnant again, and she's throwing up everything she eats! It wouldn't be good to have her come and spoil everyone's fun!"

Hey Da Zhu, bro! This time, everyone can order whatever they want to eat, it's all free!

Gui Hong said softly:

"Uncle Qu! It's a deal, Guizhi will treat us to this meal!"

Guizhi then nodded and said:

"Uncle Qu! This meal is on me, you can't argue with me!"

I've heard that pregnant women are often anxious, so Uncle Qu, just take good care of Aunt Qu! We'll have a big celebration when she gives birth to a healthy little brother!

Mr. Qu was delighted and quickly ordered the waiter to serve the dishes. After several rounds of drinks, Mr. Qu quietly said to Guizhi:

"Guizhi! You know that many of my clients travel to the south and north. I heard that there have been torrential rains and floods in the south. Some people have been displaced and many have begun to flee their homes."

The refugees are numerous and diverse; they'll surely be driven away once they reach the capital! People will go in all directions. Anything can happen in the struggle for food and survival.

Guizhi, you're too young to understand the gravity of the situation. Tell your father to stockpile more grain; having grain in hand will give us peace of mind! After paying taxes, don't waste any more grain!

Save where you can! Who knows, those refugees might flood in soon. Hire more servants to guard the house and yard. Don't take it lightly; be extremely careful and don't let anyone rob you!

Guizhi! Uncle Qu, please have a word of advice: we can't be too kind at a time like this!

Guizhi felt a chill run down her spine, stood up, and bowed deeply to Master Qu.

"Thank you so much for reminding me, Uncle Qu! I am deeply grateful! If there is anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask, Uncle Qu!"

"Guizhi! Uncle Qu knows you are intelligent and have great fortune and helpful connections. If Uncle Qu ever needs your help in the future, I hope you will be kind enough to lend a hand!"

"Uncle Qu, you flatter me! Uncle Qu, to be honest, I still have some connections at the farmers' market. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask!"

"Haha! Guizhi! Uncle Qu is getting old now and doesn't want to open so many branches. So far, Uncle Qu is quite satisfied!"

Guizhi! Money can never be earned enough! Spend more when you have more, and spend less when you have less! One shouldn't be too greedy, and Uncle Qu is aware of this!

Hahaha! "

Guizhi agreed with Qu Dongjia's words and felt the same way! She should also adjust her pace and pay more attention to her family.

That evening, Gui Xiang and Han Xuewen came over to Gui Hong's place for dinner. Du Huaichuan had already sent his servant to buy meat and vegetables for Yanzi and the others.

Once Guizhi saw that all her family members had arrived, she recounted what Qu Dongjia had told her.

"I heard there are floods in the south. Disasters often lead to unrest. We need to be careful. What if refugees come here?"

Dazhu recalled carefully:

"In the past, the people I encountered in the village were usually in groups of two or three begging for food. They were said to be fleeing famine. Some of the more diligent ones didn't want to leave."

Those who wanted to settle in our village helped with chores to earn a living. Most left, only a few remained.

Li said with a hint of excitement:

"Yes! I heard that there was a widow named Li in our village who had several children. Her husband, who was young, went up the mountain and encountered a bear, and he died."

Widow Li was left alone to raise her child, who was too young to do farm work. Just then, a young man fleeing famine came to her house begging for food, and Widow Li was kind-hearted.

They made him work and gave him food, initially providing him with lodging in the barn. Not long after, they heard that the two had married and had a son.

I heard that this man treated his first child quite well, and so life went on like that.

Another person, also a refugee, begged until he reached Zhang the Cripple's doorstep. Zhang the Cripple couldn't work, so he sunbathed in the yard.

Let that refugee help with the work and give him some food. Hey! Guess what happened?

Dazhu knew about this and glared at Li Shi.

"You say everything in front of the kids!"

Li chuckled and said:

"If others can do it, what's wrong with me saying something? It's also to remind the kids!"

Gui Hong, her curiosity piqued, hurriedly asked:

"Dad! We've all grown up! Mom, tell me what happened next!"

Li glanced at Dazhu triumphantly:

"Hehe! Later on, I heard that Zhang the Cripple was no good either. He made this guy work every day and he still didn't get enough to eat. But he was young and strong, so he would eat whatever he was given and wasn't picky."

They seem to be honest and content as long as they have food to eat.

It's so cold here in winter! The barn is uninhabitable, and there's no heated kang (a traditional heated bed). Zhang the Cripple wanted to send someone to fetch firewood. But he couldn't let the man freeze to death in the barn, so he had to send him back to his room to share a kang with him.

To save firewood, the whole family, men, women, and children, squeezed onto one kang (a heated brick bed). Later, for some reason, this cripple stopped mistreating the young man.

Not only did they all eat at the same table, but they also ate the same food. Zhang the Cripple's wife even made clothes for the young man. Later, she gave birth to a son, supposedly to keep the young man around and give him his surname, so that he could have an heir.

This large family relied entirely on this young man who had fled famine, and they lived relatively well.

Dazhu noticed that Li Shi hadn't spoken too harshly in front of the children. He knew the villagers' comments were far more offensive. But it was none of their business.