Foster son and husband

Chapter 64 Restaurant
Chapter 64 Restaurant
The two were walking on the street, Mei Niang only looked around, always a few steps behind Zhang Jingyun, Zhang Jingyun stopped to wait for her from time to time, seeing her curious and fresh, very interested, as if it was the first time she went out to see the street scene at such an age , couldn't help being funny, so she simply slowed down, at her speed, let her see enough slowly.

Meiniang quickly came to her senses, thinking that Zhang Jingyun had to rush back to Guiyun Villa, thirty miles outside the city, and hurriedly urged him: "Hurry up, hurry up! It's not good for you to leave the city too late!"

Zhang Jingyun said: "It doesn't matter. My mount stays in the Qin Mansion, and the person who delivers the medicine will come and pick it up tomorrow. I'll let Qiancaotang set up another car for me later. I'm used to walking at night, so I can go back in a short time." to the villa."

Mei Niang nodded: "This is the best. I was thinking that the cold wind at night is stronger than that during the day. You may be frozen if you walk in the field. I will find two more people to accompany you back to the villa later!"

"There will be a carriage driver accompanying him. I will teach him to drive the carriage back to the city tomorrow."

While talking, I passed a shop with six carved mahogany doors wide open, and the strong aroma of wine came in. Mei Niang looked up and saw a plaque on the gate, with the words "Cyclamen" written in wild cursive. In the restaurant, Mei Niang smiled and said to Zhang Jingyun:
"It's a pity that it's late, otherwise I'd invite you to have a drink here!"

Zhang Jingyun glanced at her, remained silent, and said after a while: "Lingxuzi and I often come to this restaurant. Because of its good wine and delicious food, the business is very good. The owner is from the Liuzhou family, and it has been in business for more than ten years. It's a pity that I have to let go and change hands!"

Mei Niang was stunned for a moment: "Well done, why did you change hands?"

She looked up and counted, the antique, solid brick and wood tile structure has four floors, and it is also a store facing the street, a time-honored store, which has been painstakingly managed for so long, it is a pity to let go.

Zhang Jingyun said: "The owner's house is someone I know, surnamed Cen. When I came back in the past years, I would occasionally take a break upstairs to meet friends. The interior is also very well-groomed and elegant. He came to the capital to run this restaurant when he was young. , very attentive, but due to recent family changes, his father and brother passed away at the same time, and his widowed mother hoped that his son would return home to guard the family business. Even though he was desperate, he had to obey his mother's order to end the property here, and bring the whole family back home with his wife and children .”

"Is there a guest room upstairs?"

"He built a twin building, the one facing the street is a restaurant, and there is a first floor behind it, which is the guest room for merchants."

Meiniang couldn't stop, her mind was spinning, she turned her head to stare at the three big characters "Cyclamen", her heart was pounding.

"Mr. Zhang, you said you know the owner? His surname is Cen? Is there someone to take over his restaurant?"

Zhang Jingyun said: "He met me the day before yesterday and bid farewell to me. I didn't know about this matter. I didn't know if someone took over."

"How much does he want to sell the restaurant?" Mei Niang asked directly.

Zhang Jingyun blinked and looked at her: "I didn't ask, do you want to..."

"Yes! I want to take over!" Mei Niang answered very simply.

Zhang Jingyun was stunned: "You? Madam Hou! You want to run a restaurant? Do you understand?"

Mei Niang smiled: "You can learn if you don't understand, and it's not like I don't understand at all! This Boss Cen only brought his family back to his hometown, and he didn't take away the entire restaurant. He can stay and continue to be used by me!"

Zhang Jingyun was still dumbfounded: "Why are you? You are pampered in the Hou's mansion, looking after your husband and raising your children. There are many things that are busy enough for you. Xu...he will never let you come out to do this!"

Seeing that the sky was getting darker, Mei Niang stepped forward and pulled his sleeves: "It's too late, take me to that boss Cen, and ask if there is still a chance!"

Zhang Jingyun reluctantly followed her to the gate of Xiankelai, and stopped at the bottom of the steps: "It's better not to go, this is a big event, just in case..."

"There is no chance!" Meiniang pulled him forward: "I am fully responsible for this matter, and it has nothing to do with you. You are a gentleman, and the beauty of a gentleman is adult, so you can do me this favor!"

Zhang Jingyun hesitated: "The beauty of being an adult? I'm afraid I'll do something wrong! Do you have the ability to do it yourself? How do you manage this store?"

Mei Niang was in a hurry: "Don't worry about so much, okay? See if you can get it off first, there must be a way for the car to reach the mountain, and we can discuss other things!"

Zhang Jingyun passively took Mei Niang up the steps, and as soon as she stepped through the door, a man in plain brocade robes, slightly fatter and fair complexion in his thirties came over and bowed to Zhang Jingyun:

"Am I not mistaken? It's Mr. Zhang! It's very cold on this snowy day, please sit upstairs in the private room!"

Zhang Jingyun greeted him, pointed at Mei Niang: "This is..."

Mei Niang smiled and raised her hands in a bow, and introduced herself generously: "My surname is Cen. I heard that brother Zhang said that the owner of the restaurant here is also surnamed Cen, so I want to find my family to describe my relationship!"

The man in plain robes was none other than Cen Guiquan, the owner of Cyclamen, and hurriedly bowed and bowed: "It turns out that you are a brother from the same family, how neglectful, rude and rude!"

At that moment, Cen Guiquan courteously led the two of them to the private room on the second floor, and called the waiter to bring a pot of good tea first, and then ordered the kitchen to boil the wine, prepare some good dishes, and entertain Mr. Zhang and his brothers for a few drinks.

Zhang Jingyun stopped him, and said: "Brother Cen is filial and cannot drink alcohol. The two of us are just here to ask a question. We can't delay too long. Just have a cup of tea!"

Mei Niang also sighed: "The tree wants to be quiet and the wind keeps going, and the son wants to support his relatives! I just learned about my elder brother's family affairs from Brother Zhang. My elder brother has not been rewarded for his filial piety. My strict father has passed away. It is really regrettable!"

Cen Guiquan lowered his head, dripped tears, and choked with sobs: "I can't tell! I'm the second son in my family, and my ancestral business is inherited by my elder brother. I came to Beijing in my teens and worked hard for this career. I originally thought that I would be able to take over in just a few years." My parents came to live in Beijing, opened my eyes... Although Yangzhou is good, it is not as prosperous and lively as the capital, who would have thought... Now even the eldest brother is gone! The loving mother refused to abandon the ancestral business of hundreds of years, and was ordered to return home. But I This store has been painstakingly managed for many years, and it is always reluctant to let people who are not eye-catching. It has been suffering for a few days. There are merchants and scholars who are rushing to take exams to live in the store. Thinking of my father and brother who died at home, my heart is fried!"

Mei Niang sighed sympathetically, and said: "Brother, if you don't worry about this shop, how about leaving it to my younger brother? My younger brother is from a foreign country, and his family used to be in business. Although he is young, it should be possible to manage a restaurant. This restaurant is run by The elder brother has painstakingly worked so hard to this point, and the younger brother naturally knows how much he has poured into it. The brother will settle the accounts clearly, and how much money will be credited, but it doesn't matter. The younger brother will try to follow the original style and rules of the elder brother as much as possible. Let the younger brother take care of the property, if the elder brother is willing to come back one day, he will definitely return it with both hands!"

Cen Guiquan looked at Mei Niang in a daze: "You? You... little brother is young and has an extraordinary bearing. What I said entered my heart. It's not that I underestimate brother, it's not easy to manage this restaurant, you are so delicate , like a girl, I'm afraid you can't bear the fatigue."

Mei Niang glanced at Zhang Jingyun, smiled and said: "Brother doesn't believe me? Mr. Zhang and I are best friends, he knows me!"

Zhang Jingyun couldn't hide, so he said helplessly: "Brother Cen, you can trust me. Although your brother from the same family is young, you are a bit courageous. You are also alone. You have come to the capital from your hometown to do business, and you can do something!"

Cen Guiquan looked at Meiniang in surprise: "Where is Brother Xianxiang? What line of work do you do?"

The speed at which Meiniang made up lies made Zhang Jingyun dumbfounded: "My younger brother's family is in Guangzhou, and he specializes in shipping. Now there are three large cargo ships, which are under the control of my subordinates. I only live in the capital."

"Oh! It's disrespectful for you to be so capable!" Cen Guiquan was overwhelmed with admiration and praised repeatedly.

With Zhang Jingyun's testimony, he had to believe it.

Now looking at Mei Niang carefully, nodded and said: "Although my brother is young, he looks very sincere. I handed over this shop to you, and it can be regarded as giving it to my family. I feel at ease! As long as you take care of it with your heart, you will know it soon. The benefits inside!"

It took a lot of effort for Mei Niang to restrain herself from jumping up, and shouted at Cen Guiquan: "Old Ancestor, you are so wise! Giving the restaurant to me is like doing your descendants a big favor!"

She just stood up, bowed to Cen Guiquan in a calm and calm manner, and said: "Elder brother thinks highly of younger brother, younger brother should do his best to take care of the restaurant and live up to elder brother's high expectations - or the same sentence: In the future, if elder brother has the heart to take back the fairy The guest is here, my little brother has nothing to say, and I will definitely return it!"

Cen Guiquan nodded with a smile: "Just for my brother's sincerity, this measure, starting tomorrow, Xiankelai will change his owner and change his surname, and he will return to his brother! You two sit down, I will invite the master to come, and I will ask Mr. Zhang to be the middleman , draw up the following document, you and my brother will sign and pledge, and the matter will be settled, and I will return home early tomorrow!"

Mei Niang was stunned: "Brother didn't say how much money this restaurant will pay, and my younger brother didn't bring a bank note either!"

Cen Guiquan pondered for a while, and said: "The celestial guest came to the Twin Towers, and brought a large courtyard, plus the large courtyard where I live in the east of the city, and handed over to my brother. Brother, just look at it and give it to me!"

Mei Niang said in embarrassment: "Let's talk about it, brother, but this little brother doesn't understand it well, why don't you tell me, Mr. Zhang?"

The two looked at Zhang Jingyun together, and Zhang Jingyun quickly waved his hands: "I don't understand this either. Your brothers will settle accounts clearly, so you can have as much as you want. Brother Cen, give me the number!"

Cen Guiquan looked at Mei Niang: "Brother, brother is not being kind, you can give me 50, 50 taels of silver, if you take good care of the cyclamen, you can come back in a year or so!"

Mei Niang lowered her head and thought: According to the account books of the Hou Mansion, the amount of money recovered at the end of the year is more than one million taels, but she can transfer 50 at once, which can be concealed for a month or two, but not for a year or so. It will be troublesome to track down.

Seeing that Meiniang was silent, Cen Guiquan thought that she would not be able to raise so much money at once, but at this moment, the more he looked at it, the more he felt that the little brother in front of him was the best candidate to take over Cyclamen, and he refused to let him go Yes, he gritted his teeth and said:

"Brother, if you have any difficulties, brother, please be more considerate, 30 taels! Make a document tonight, sign and pledge, and bring the bank note early tomorrow, and it will be settled!"

Mei Niang was stunned: She seemed to have taken advantage of the 50 taels, and this old ancestor wanted to reduce it to 30 taels. She was just picking up the golden egg!
He agreed with one mouthful: "My brother is so considerate of my younger brother, I am very grateful! It's settled like this. I will bring the banknotes to my elder brother tomorrow, so that I can teach my elder brother to return home as soon as possible. In the future, my younger brother earns more money. The 20 yuan will be returned later." Brother!"

Cen Guiquan nodded: "You and I have the same surname, we are originally a family, our brothers, easy to talk about, easy to talk about!"

Immediately, he invited the writer master to write the following document, and another respected middleman, together with Zhang Jingyun, testified, signed the document and pressed his fingerprints, and Zhang Jingyun saw that the name signed by Meiniang was: Feng Wanjing.

Mei Niang said with a smile: "This is my wife's name. My wife is from the capital. Using her name will make things easier in the future!"

Cen Guiquan is a wise man, and he believed in Mei Niang, so he no longer hesitated, just smiled: "Brother is really blessed, he became a family at a young age, brother, I only got married when I was 26 or [-] years old!"

Mei Niang asked: "Your brother married a woman from the capital?"

Cen Guiquan shook his head: "It's the girl next door sent by my mother from my hometown... Sigh! My mother has planned for a long time, she doesn't want me to live in a foreign country for a long time!"

Several people sat down and drank a few more cups of tea, Zhang Jingyun took Mei Niang to leave.

(End of this chapter)