Chapter 287: Showing Support
Just as Gu Fei was anxiously craning her neck for a sign of him in the shop, Xiao Lu finally returned, covered in sweat from running.
Gu Fei quickly handed him a cup of water. "How did it go? Did you find him?"
Xiao Lu nodded. "I found him and told him everything. He agreed to walk by here a few more times during his patrol tomorrow."
"But he absolutely refused to take the silver. He also said that if you have any trouble, Manager, you should just go find him."
As he spoke, Xiao Lu handed a heavy silver ingot to Gu Fei.
Gu Fei took it and nodded. "Alright, I understand."
She smiled at Xiao Lu. "I knew it. You’re the best at getting things done around here."
Beaming from the praise, Xiao Lu scratched his head and turned to get back to work.
As lunchtime approached, Gu Erlang set up his barbecue stall by the side of the street.
He wasn’t really in the mood for it today, but he had already bought the meat and vegetables. It would be a waste not to use them.
People from farming families like theirs never dared to waste anything.
Before long, Gu Fei went over to Gu Erlang’s stall to check on him and reminded him, "Second Brother, when you’re doing business, you need to have a smile on your face. With that gloomy look, you’ll just make everyone unhappy. A picky customer might even try to start a fight with you."
With a pained look, Gu Erlang said, "Little Sister, I really can’t bring myself to smile right now."
Gu Fei rolled her eyes at him. "Mom and Dad sent someone to the shop today to propose to Lan Zhi for you."
"Lan Zhi accepted the betrothal gifts and gave gifts in return. Now you can smile, can’t you?"
Gu Erlang’s face lit up with pleasant surprise. "They proposed? No wonder Lan Zhi said that."
"Why didn’t Mom tell me anything?"
Gu Fei looked at him with amusement. "Weren’t we worried you wouldn’t be able to handle the surprise?"
As they were speaking, Old Huang walked over. "Well now, Er Lang, selling some food?"
Gu Erlang nodded. "My little sister taught me."
Old Huang glanced at Gu Fei. "Little Fei taught him? Then it’s bound to be delicious."
"Alright then. What kind of meat is this? Give me a few skewers. And these potato slices, let me try some of those too. As it happens, Que’er is a bit hungry."
Nowadays, Que’er and Old Huang both ate with the shop’s staff. They had to wait until the noon rush was over before they could eat, and Que’er was still not quite used to it.
"You got it." A smile appeared on Gu Erlang’s face. He stoked the charcoal fire and started grilling the lamb skewers and potatoes.
Gu Fei raised an eyebrow from the side. "Mr. Huang, you’re so generous, not even asking the price."
’She was still a little resentful toward Mr. Huang. He clearly knew Housekeeper Wu was behind Er Laizi but hadn’t said a word to her.’
Old Huang shot her a sidelong glance. "I can afford a little food like this."
"Besides, I’m just helping Er Lang get his first sale of the day for your sake."
Gu Fei smiled. "Well then, thank you for your patronage, Sir."
"Second Brother, put some care into it. Make them extra tasty."
After speaking, she turned to leave, but her eyes fell on the little beggar in the corner. Gu Fei walked over and tossed a few copper coins into his bowl.
The little beggar smiled at Gu Fei. "Thank you, Manager Gu."
’He’d really lucked out with this spot. Manager Gu was a good person. Sometimes she’d give him a few copper coins, and she’d even have someone bring leftovers out for him.’
Gu Fei returned to the shop.
Before long, Mr. Huang came in holding the lamb skewers. He was eating one as he walked, and he gave Gu Fei a thumbs-up. "Not bad at all," he said, before heading toward the back courtyard.
Not long after, customers began to trickle into the shop.
Gu Erlang wasn’t a fool. When no customers were buying his barbecue, he didn’t just stand there idly. He took a few skewers and started grilling them, sprinkling on chili powder as he did. The chili powder was mixed with thirteen-spice powder, and the fragrant aroma drifted on the smoke into the shop.