Chapter 54.3

Translated by Aviana

Sorry for the delay! I will soon release all the four chapters I am overdue (1/4)

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Lin Qingwan was a woman of action and would put her thoughts into action once determined.

She decided to go to town the next day. Yao-shi and Yang Tiezhu tried to dissuade her for half a day, unfruitfully.

After a while, Yao-shi changed her methods and decided to accompany her tomorrow. Before they set off, she took out a thick cotton-padded jacket and had Lin Qingwan dress warmer and thicker to cushion herself from the bumps while traveling on the ox cart. The rural women were usually quite strong. Many even went to work in the fields during their gestation period and hadn’t faced any anomalies in their health.

Yang Tiezhu also felt it was fine after giving a thought. Even though Lin Qingwan appeared thin and weak, she has been in fine fettle ever since the beginning of her gestation. Perhaps, this child felt distressed for their mother and didn’t trouble her much, easing his worried heart.

The first thing in the following day, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi set off to the town.

Yao-shi had a basket in her hand; hidden in it was Lin Qingwan’s treasured lap cheong concealed underneath Yang Tiezhu’s old cotton-padded jacket.

Lap choeng – Chinese sausage

Lin Qingwan was dressed warmly, thickly wrapped like a rice dumpling, as she walked beside Yao-shi.

The two of them ambled towards the area where an ox cart was stationed, waiting for them. Wang-shi shot a few scrutinizing glances at them when they left the house. But, when she didn’t find anything unusual, she could only furiously retrieve her gaze back and continue to mix pig feed.

Upon reaching the town, Lin Qingwan and her made their way towards their destination – the town’s two large restaurants – as per the information Yang Tiezhu had given them back at home.

The Luoyun town housed two large, famed restaurants: Zui Xui Restaurant and Man Fu House

醉仙居 (Zuì Xiān Jū) – Zu Xian Restaurant – Zuì means drunken or intoxicated; Xiān means Celestial being or immortal; Jū is used in the names of restaurants. So, if I am not wrong, the literal translation of this would be Drunken immortal restaurant.

满福楼 (Mǎn Fú Lóu) – Man Fu house – Mǎn: filled/packed; Fú: good fortune/happiness/blessings; Lóu: storied house, also used in certain names of shops and restaurants. And the translation of this might be probably House of Copious blessings/ House of Abundant happiness.

T/N: Do you prefer transliteration or the English name? Personally, I prefer former one.

Of the two, Zui Xian Restaurant was a bit closer to them, so Lin Qingwan decided to head their first.

As it was still early, Zui Xian Restuarant didn’t have any patrons yet.

When Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi walked in, the lobby was silent. Only two young waiters were cleaning the hall.

One of the waiters gave them a fleeting glance before lowering his head and continuing to sweep the floor. While the other waiter straightened up and walked towards them and greeted them.

Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi weren’t well dressed. Their dress style was typical of a married woman from rural villages. They were attired in a pleated skirt paired with a small double-layered jacket and another thick cotton-padded jacket above it. Because it was only them, two married women, going alone, there wore a dark-colored dress and had wrapped a cloth handkerchief around their heads, making them appear older for their age.

Having worked in a restaurant for a long while, the young waiter had developed an eye for the type of patrons visiting their restaurant. He could discern that these two people weren’t their guests who had dropped by to eat.

“May I ask what business you two have here, elder sister?” The young waiter’s attitude was courteous. Nevertheless, his face was full of misgivings, unable to understand why these two married women had come here to their Zui Xian Restaurant this early in the morning.

Lin Qingwan replied, “It’s like this, brother,” with a polite smile on her face, she asked “Is your manager available at the moment? This little woman had made some unusual food at home and wished to show them to you.”

Saying so, she took the basket from Yao-shi’s hand, intending it to show them to the young waiter.

“Food?” the young waiter blocked Lin Qingwan’s movements. Though he appeared respectful, refusal was written all over his face.

“This eldest sister, I am sorry for inconveniencing you. But our restaurant isn’t in need of any unusual foods. Besides, our manager is also not available at the moment, you see—”

Lin Qingwan understood his meaning. With another smile, she withdrew the basket she was about to show, pulled Yao-shi, turned around, and exited the restaurant.

“Second sao, this thing doesn’t seem easy to sell. The other person didn’t even take a single glance at it.” Yao-shi said hesitantly.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother’s wife / sister-in-law

Lin Qingwan was also slightly feeling embarrassed, perhaps recommending one’s own food might not be accepted by the other people. However, she doesn’t have any other way. After all, she wasn’t acquainted with any of the restaurant’s staff; thus, she could only go door to door of the restaurant and try to sell her product.

She was left a bit disheartened. However, Lin Qingwan didn’t show it on the surface, and placated Yao-shi as they walked to Man Fu House.

The lobby of Man fu House was also quiet and cold at this time of day. There was only a waiter wiping the tables.

It cannot be denied that the waiters in reputable restaurants possess good attitudes. As soon as he saw them, he approached and welcomed them.

Just like earlier, Lin Qingwan explained the purpose of her visit. However, the waiter had an awkward expression on his face upon listening to her.

“This eldest sister, our manager, is indeed available. However, here we don’t accept food from outside…”

Lin Qingwan could only quickly fish out a few copper coins she had prepared earlier from her sleeves and stuff in his hands with no other choice.

“This younger brother, I might inconvenience you. Can you do me a favor? You see us two women have come here early in the morning from the village, and it wasn’t easy to come all the way here. Can you please help me refer this dish to your manager? We will be grateful to you regardless of it goes well or not.”

Lin Qingwan had learned this trick from television in her previous life. But she was unsure if she had succeeded or not.

This waiter seemed 16-17 years old. Glancing that the two married women in front of him were courteous, shy, and indeed seemed to be in a difficult situation, he stuffed the coins back to her.

“Let it be, I will just help you ask. But I can’t guarantee if our manager will agree to come. As for this money, you can take them back. We all have come from the village and live hand to mouth. I can’t possibly take this money from you.” After speaking, he turned around and ran in.

This waiter’s accent also seemed to be that of rural folk. Fortunately, they happened to meet him.

Sighing a breath of relief, Lin Qingwan waited there with Yao-shi.

Not long after, a middle-aged man, who seemed to be a manager based on his attire, came out along with a waiter, while asking him, “This kid, how much profit did you receive from them for you to strongly insist on dragging me out here.”

This restaurant’s manager seemed to be over 40 and was petite with a goatee styled beard.

The waiter said with a smile: “Manager, you really have accused me wrongly this time. It’s just that upon seeing those two women, I felt they were having a hard time. If not, why would two women drop by here to sell their things.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingwan’s face flushed red. But the thought of getting to meet the manager perked her up. She stepped forward and greeted the manager.

The manager was also friendly to speak with. Although he didn’t express any opinion, he decided to have a look at Lin Qingwan’s dish.

Lin Qingwan placed the basket she had brought on the table and removed the cloth covering it before taking out a big bowl of extremely thinly sliced lap cheong .

The manager examined the contents of the bowl. The bowl seemed to be a rather coarse porcelain bowl. Those red slices seemed to be edible, but they didn’t have any aroma. At once, his face became quite awkward, inwardly contemplating how to decline them.

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