Chapter 551. Too Happy to Think of Home (1/2)

As soon as they entered Tanggu Town, Lu Hao led his team of imperial guards and parted ways with Yu Xiaocao and the others. After all, he had work on hand, and official business was still his priority.

At noon, Yu Xiaocao took the group of tired and hungry youths to the entrance of Zhenxiu Restaurant. Zhenxiu Restaurant had already opened several branches in the capital. This group of noble young masters and misses from the capital naturally knew that they wouldn’t be able to taste the delicacies in Zhenxiu Restaurant without booking several days in advance.

Although they really wanted to sit down in Zhenxiu Restaurant and have a good meal, the group of noble young masters and misses knew clearly in their hearts that it was just their wishful thinking. When they smelled the strong aroma of the roasted duck wafting out from the restaurant, the group felt that their hunger was even more unbearable.

Ning Donghuan covered his rumbling stomach that was protesting for food and looked pitifully at Yu Xiaocao, “I say, Xiaocao, you clearly know that we’re dying of hunger, but you’re deliberately tempting us with food. Can we still happily play together? You aren’t that naïve to think that there’s still vacant seats for us in Zhenxiu Restaurant at this time, right?”

Shi Donglin, Royal Princess Minglan’s younger brother, watched as customers went in and out of the entrance of Zhenxiu Restaurant, and said dispiritedly, “I took a look, and it seemed like the main hall was already full. There’s no point in asking. Wasn’t there a ‘Fulin Restaurant’ earlier? It also seems like a famous, long-established restaurant. Why don’t we just eat there and fill our stomachs first?”

Yuan Xueyan was the only one among them who knew about the relationship between Zhenxiu Restaurant and Yu Xiaocao. This was something that she had heard from her grandfather, Great Scholar Yuan. Xiaocao was considered half of a boss of Zhenxiu Restaurant, so she never had to make reservations when eating there!

Yu Xiaocao smiled playfully at Shi Donglin, who was around the same age as her younger brother, and said, “It’s okay. Maybe we’ll be very lucky and encounter a sudden cancellation? You guys wait here, while I go ask. It won’t take much time!”

Ning Donghuan still wanted to say something, but he was stopped by his refined second brother. He asked with confusion, “Second Brother, why are you stopping me? Are we just going to let Xiaocao get rebuffed? That guy with a goatee just came out with a face full of disappointment. It’s obvious that there are no tables left ah!”

Ning Donglan watched as Xiaocao entered Zhenxiu Restaurant, and then shook his head at his brainless third brother, saying, “When have you ever seen Xiaocao fight a battle unprepared? Although she said that she was going to try her luck, she had an air of confidence. Don’t worry about it. Just wait to go in and have a good meal.”

Inside Zhenxiu Restaurant, Qian Xiaoduo, who was busily greeting the customers, saw Yu Xiaocao coming in from outside. He went forward with an even warmer smile and said, “Miss Yu, you…did you just return from the capital? Quickly go upstairs. This little one will have someone bring you a basin of water so you can wash up!”

Yu Xiaocao looked strangely at Qian Xiaoduo’s beard and curiously asked, “Manager Qian, why did you suddenly grow out a beard? It makes you look several years older.”

Qian Xiaoduo touched his beard, which had just grown out a little, and chuckled, “People often say that young people can’t be trusted with important tasks. So I want to make myself look more dignified!”

After he said that, he looked outside and continued, “Are those people outside your friends from the capital? Is this a trip to the seaside? It’s not a bad idea to let the noble young masters and misses in the capital see our newly built harbor in Tanggu, as well as the ships that are coming and going! Erzhu’zi, go and invite those guests outside to the third floor. Miss Yu, do you want to head up first?”

Yu Xiaocao waved her hands at him and said, “They’re my friends so there’s no need to be so polite. I’ll call them over myself. I brought spring tea that I stir-fried—have someone brew a pot and bring it upstairs!”

Wutong took out a jar of tea leaves from her bag. Qian Xiaoduo’s eyes suddenly brightened up and he quickly took it over with both hands. As if he was holding a treasure, he went to the tea room to find the person who was most skilled in making tea. Who didn’t know that the wild camellia tea that Miss Yu made had an even more fragrant and mellow taste than top-grade Yunwu tea?

Since the current master of the Zhou Family tasted the tea, he always thought about it whenever he returned to the old residence in Tanggu Town. After serving Miss Yu’s friends, there should still be a lot of tea leaves left in the jar. Miss Yu was a generous person, so she definitely wouldn’t take back the remaining tea leaves. It seemed like he had gotten another chance to show his face in front of the old master again thanks to Miss Yu!

Yu Xiaocao didn’t care about Manager Qian’s thoughts and turned to walk out of Zhenxiu Restaurant. She beckoned her friends and showed a crafty smile as she said, “It seems like we’re really lucky today. There’s a private room on the third floor that’s vacant.”

Ning Donghuan exclaimed in surprise with an incredible expression on his face, “Really? There’s an empty spot as soon as you go ask. I clearly saw several waves of people coming out with a disappointed look. Oh…I know. Do you have a long-term reservation of a private room in Zhenxiu Restaurant so that you can come eat the delicacies at the restaurant at any time?”

Yu Xiaocao looked at him with a contemptuous gaze and said, “If I’m going to make a reservation, I would have done it in the Zhenxiu Restaurant in the capital. These two years, I can only return to Tanggu Town a limited number of times. If I made a reservation, wouldn’t it be empty most of the time and only be used less than twice a year? Do I have that much money to waste?”

Ning Donghuan pouted and grumbled, “You do have a lot of money ah! The beauty salon, pharmaceutical workshops, and wine distillery are all money-making businesses. If calculated seriously, you can be considered one of the wealthiest ladies in the capital! What’s the big deal about reserving a private room in Zhenxiu Restaurant?”