Transmigrated into the fat wife of the future prime minister

Chapter 278 Gu Bapi

That evening, after school, Fang Ziheng returned home with Gu Yunyi and his two siblings, along with Zhou Yuanjia, heading straight for the Gu family.

Hui Niang told him about her desire to train Yuan Bao, but Fang Ziheng immediately rejected it, and his expression was very unpleasant. This was the first time Xu Qingmeng had ever seen Fang Ziheng like this.

She felt that if it weren't for the fact that she was at the Gu family's house, Fang Ziheng would have argued with Hui Niang right then and there. But even though they didn't argue, it was the first time he didn't stay at the Gu family's house for a free meal.

Fang Ziheng greeted the group briefly, then carried Xiao Yuanbao back home, and Hui Niang could only quickly follow.

Madam Pei said worriedly, "Should we go and take a look?"

"Really? Young Master Fang has always been gentle. This is the first time I've seen him like this. Will they fight when they get back?" Madam He said with concern.

Gu Yunyi watched the two figures leave, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I'll go take a look."

“I’ll be with you,” Zhou Yuanjia said.

Gu Yunyi and Zhou Yuanjia stayed at the Fang family's house for a long time, until it was almost dark before they returned, both looking tired.

"What's wrong with you two? You look so tired. Did you have a fight?"

Zhou Yuanjia waved his hand: "No, we just had a couple of arguments earlier, but then we stopped talking because Xiao Yuanbao cried."

"Then it should be fine. Every couple argues. I think it will be fine by tomorrow."

Mrs. He, with the air of someone who had been through it all, felt that the others were making a fuss over nothing. After all, arguments were common, and even when Shen Hongxin was alive, the two of them had their arguments.

Xu Qingmeng glanced at Gu Yunyi following behind, and seeing that he looked a little tired and didn't say anything, she didn't ask any questions.

Thinking of Xiao Yuanbao, I figured he was scared because of the argument between the two of them, which is why he cried. I plan to have Xinting make some delicious food tomorrow to soothe his frightened little heart.

However, Hui Niang did not come the next day.

The next day, the young master of Zuiyuelou came over early in the morning to discuss cooperation for the new year. Xu Qingmeng was busy entertaining him and didn't have time to visit the Fang family.

The young master of Zuiyuelou wanted to book a table for two reasons: first, to discuss cooperation, and second, to celebrate the opening of Zhuyunzhai.

"Madam Gu, is Zhuyunzhai scheduled to open on the 16th?"

Xu Qingmeng was not surprised that Qiao Mingyu knew about her. She didn't know before, but only found out after they started working together. The young master of Zuiyuelou, the largest restaurant in the prefecture, was a friend of Zhou Cheng, and it was Zhou Cheng who introduced them to each other.

Besides Zhouji, Zuiyuelou orders the most chili oil.

Zuiyuelou was already very popular, but thanks to the chili oil provided by Xu Qingmeng, their chefs developed some new dishes, which were launched during the Spring Festival, taking Zuiyuelou to a new level.

Besides thanking Zhou Cheng, Qiao Mingyu was also very grateful to Xu Qingmeng. After all, his father had previously thought he was incapable, but unexpectedly, because of Xu Qingmeng, he had made Zuiyuelou even better, so he completely let go and handed over everything of the Qiao family to him.

Xu Qingmeng's Zhuyunzhai still gets some of its precious ingredients through Qiao Mingyu's channels. Of course, some of the ingredients in Buddha Jumps Over the Wall are obtained through Pei Cheng.

“Yes, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.” Xu Qingmeng nodded.

"Madam Gu, I wonder how many tables you take each day now that your restaurant has opened?" Qiao Mingyu, who also ran a restaurant, naturally knew that Xu Qingmeng wasn't positioned the same way they were. Therefore, she wouldn't cater to everyone like they did; she targeted those who appreciated fine food and had discerning palates.

Xu Qingmeng looked at Qiao Mingyu with a puzzled expression: "Young Master Qiao, who are you?"

Qiao Mingyu explained, "Madam Gu, I have a few friends, some from the prefectural city and two from the capital. They said they've had their fill of the dishes at my restaurant, so I came to ask if I could reserve a table for them on the 16th so I can treat them to a meal."

Xu Qingmeng hadn't expected this; it's probably a way to help her open up the market!
Qiao Mingyu's friends were certainly not ordinary diners. As the largest restaurant in the prefecture, Zuiyuelou's chefs were certainly not ordinary people.

Xu Qingmeng was absolutely confident in her skills, and immediately said, "Of course, no problem. May I ask how many friends Young Master Qiao has, and whether he has any dietary restrictions or preferences?"

Qiao Mingyu shook his head: "Including me and Master Liu, there are eight people in total. There are no dietary restrictions, so you can just eat whatever you like."

Then, as if remembering something, he added, "This is the amount, but I was thinking we could add a little more."

Although Qiao Mingyu had never eaten her cooking, he hadn't tried her hot pot. Her culinary skills were definitely top-notch. He wasn't worried about her messing it up; he was just afraid there wouldn't be enough food, which would be embarrassing.

Xu Qingmeng smiled and agreed.

Before leaving, Qiao Mingyu didn't forget to urge the red chili oil to finish cooking.

In fact, the workshop had already started work yesterday. Xu Qingmeng originally thought that the surge in prices before the Lunar New Year would inevitably subside after the holiday. However, to her surprise, even more merchants came to her as soon as the workshop started work yesterday.

Once this product becomes widely available, the demand will increase even more. He simply wants Xu Qingmeng to prioritize the Qiao family's orders.

Xu Qingmeng reassured him again before finally sending him away.

Xu Qingmeng had already started recruiting people because she had other ideas. She planned to increase the variety of chili peppers after this busy period, not just red chili oil.

However, since Zhuyunzhai was about to open, the task of recruiting people was entrusted to the He family.

On the evening of the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, after dinner, Madam He had someone tidy up the house. Seeing that Gu Yunyi and Xu Qingmeng were still sitting and did not intend to go back to their room, she asked in confusion, "Why haven't you gone back to your room yet? Is something wrong?"

Xu Qingmeng nodded, then looked at Gu Yunyi.

"Mother, the Sixteen Bamboo Rhyme Studio is about to open. I'll have the manager and waiters come over to familiarize themselves with the place. I'll also have Mengniang give instructions for tomorrow so we can avoid any mistakes the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Madam He laughed and cursed, "You're on leave yourself, why didn't you get others to prepare earlier? Tomorrow is a big holiday, and you're making others work. Aren't you afraid of being called a skinflint?"

"Are Zhizhi and Ruirui asleep? Should I go check on them?"

"Mother, the little one is asleep. The nanny is here."

"Alright, then don't stay up too late. Yunyi, it's still cold outside. Don't let the charcoal brazier go out tonight, so the children and Mengniang don't get cold."

"Got it, mother."

Xu Qingmeng found Gu Yunyi to be acting mysteriously. Why did he choose this time to meet with just a few shopkeepers and waiters? Moreover, she felt that Gu Yunyi had handled this matter somewhat hastily.

After all, the business is opening the day after tomorrow. What if the shopkeeper doesn't like it? Where is she supposed to find someone to help her right away?