Chapter 178 Sweetheart
Qianhuan brought Wenjie back to the teahouse, and Yinhua followed behind them with a straw basket full of candied haws.
At this time, Master Cai was leading a group of people, sitting around a charcoal fire in a small room near the kitchen on the first floor. These charcoals were bought by Yin Hua from the teahouse by Qian Huan a few years ago, specially for the servants to use for heating.
Seeing Qianhuan coming over in women's clothing, the servants were all amazed. Qianhuan had lived in the teahouse for so long that the servants all knew that she was a woman, but no one had ever seen her wearing women's clothing.
Today, I realized that their boss is not only kind-hearted, but also very beautiful.
Everyone quickly stood up and greeted Qianhuan, "Greetings, Master."
"No need to be so polite. I bought you some candied haws sticks. Come over and pick one for yourselves. There are portions for both adults and children."
"Thank you, boss."
The children were very happy to see the red candied haws strings and immediately ran over to get them.
Pumpkin was afraid that they would fight over the items, so he quickly ran forward to maintain order, "Everyone line up, no grabbing, take the items and go back to your seats one by one."
After hearing what Pumpkin said, the children immediately lined up obediently. Then they went forward one by one to pick a string of candied haws from the straw bundle, and then went back to sit by the charcoal fire to eat.
After all the children had chosen, Pumpkin took one for himself to taste.
Finally, Mr. Cai's eight brothers, five actors, and the cook Qiu Kui went forward to take what the children had left.
When Master Cai saw Qianhuan coming over, he was very happy, "Boss, you haven't come to the teahouse for several days. Is there something wrong at home?"
"Well, there were some things at home, but it's been dealt with now. Brother Yunlong, you have worked hard these days. This two taels of silver is a reward for you. Thank you for helping me manage the teahouse these days." Qianhuan took out two taels of silver and handed it over.
"Qianhuan, don't be so polite. My brothers and I don't have any skills. It was thanks to you that we were taken in and given a place to live. I should be the one to thank you. How can I ask for your money?"
"Brother Yunlong, don't refuse. This is what you deserve. I will also give rewards to the others. Take it."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Cai did not hesitate to take the reward money and put it in his arms.
Qianhuan then instructed Ji Feng, "Ji Feng, go and get the bag of copper coins I put on the carriage."
"Yes, boss."
When Ji Feng brought over a large bag of copper coins, Qian Hua said to all the servants, "Thank you for your hard work these days. I have prepared some copper coins as a reward for you."
When everyone heard that they could actually get a reward, everyone showed a happy expression on their face. These people were originally homeless and poor people. They were already satisfied if the host could give them a hot meal, and they didn't expect to get a reward.
Qianhuan personally distributed rewards to everyone. Among the 12 children, except for Nangua who received 150 coins, the other children received 100 coins.
Qianhuan said, "Pumpkin, you have done a great job helping Brother Yunlong take care of these children, so I will give you an extra 50 coins as a reward."
Nangua received half of the reward money and was very grateful. "Thank you, boss. I will definitely work harder to help Brother Yunlong manage the teahouse in the future."
The five actors and the cook Qiu Kui were all given a reward of 200 coins.
The eight brothers of Master Cai all did physical work, so Qianhuan gave each of them half a tael of silver as a reward.
After distributing the rewards, Qianhuan said, "The teahouse hasn't opened yet, so the rewards I give you are not much. If the teahouse opens, the harder you work, the more money you earn in the teahouse, and the more rewards you will get in the future. In addition, I will treat everyone to a meal at Zuixianju, the best restaurant in the county tonight."
"Thank you, boss. We will definitely work harder."
Everyone received tips and heard that they could go to the best restaurant, Zuixianju, for dinner. The children were so happy that they almost danced with joy, and the adults were also excited. They felt so lucky to have such a good master, and it would be difficult to find such a good boss even with a lantern.
"Brother Yunlong, the teahouse will open on the tenth day of the first lunar month. I'll have to ask you to lead them in the preparations these days."
"Boss, don't worry, I will definitely prepare well."
At night, the servants were eating in the lobby on the first floor, while Chu Yichen, Chu Lan'er, Qianhuan and Wenjie were eating in a private room.
During the meal, Chu Yichen would always stand up from time to time to pick up some food for Qianhuan.
Chu Lan'er looked at her brother's attentiveness and the loving look in his eyes when he looked at Qianhuan, and couldn't help but smile.
Her mother had already placed two maids in her brother's room, but every time the topic of finding a girl and getting engaged was brought up, her brother would always refuse on the pretext of being busy with business. It seems that her brother has finally come to his senses this time.
After eating and drinking, Chu Yichen wanted to send Qianhuan back, but Qianhuan said, "Brother Linan, that's not necessary. I plan to stay in the teahouse for the next few days until it opens. Brother Linan, I'll have to trouble you to send someone to deliver the tea I need tomorrow."
"Okay. I'll deliver it to you personally tomorrow."
Qianhuan returned to the teahouse and told Ji Feng, "Ji Feng, go back and tell my parents that the teahouse will open on the tenth day of the first lunar month. I will stay at the teahouse with Wenjie for the next few days. Tu Dou will also go home with you and bring all of Wenjie's books with you."
"Yes, sir, I understand."
In the Chu family's carriage, Chu Lan'er asked with a smile: "Brother, tell me quickly, do you like Qianhuan?"
Chu Yichen looked at his sister with a puzzled look. Was his expression that obvious?
"You can see this?"
"Even a fool could see it. The look in your eyes when you looked at Qianhuan was just short of having the words 'I like you' written all over your face."
"Lan'er, since you can see it, do you think Qianhuan can see it?" Chu Yichen asked cautiously.
Chu Lan'er analyzed, "Those involved are confused, but those who are watching can see things clearly. I saw that Qianhuan was very natural and relaxed when she was with you, without any shyness of a little girl. I think she definitely doesn't know what her brother is thinking, and even treats you as a brother. It may not be easy for your brother to chase his wife."
"So what do you think I should do now? Should I go and confess my feelings to her directly?" He was indeed a young man who was just beginning to fall in love. He actually asked his sister how to pursue women.
She immediately shook her head, "Brother, marriage is decided by our parents. Even if you express your feelings, we still need our parents to ask a matchmaker to come and propose marriage for you. How about this, I will go home and tell mom that you have a crush on someone, and see what mom says."
After all, Chu Lan'er is an ancient person. All she has in her mind is the idea that marriage is a matter of parents' decisions and matchmaker's words. She does not have the concept of free love.
"Okay, thank you very much, sister. After the matter is done, I will buy you any gift you want."
"Okay, don't go back on your word." Chu Lan'er said happily.
When Chu Yichen brought Chu Lan'er back to the Chu Mansion, Chu Lan'er couldn't wait to tell Madam Chu the news that her brother had a lover.
Mrs. Chu asked in surprise, "Lan'er, you are not trying to make me happy, are you? Does your brother really have a woman he likes?"
"Mom, it's true. My brother took the girl shopping today. I'm his biological sister, and he has never taken me shopping before. I'm sure my brother likes her."
Madam Chu quickly sent Qiu Hong to call Chu Yichen over, "Yichen, I heard that you have a lover. Who is the girl? Tell me quickly."