Chapter Forty-Four: Family Letter

Chapter 44: A Letter Home

Lin Qiuran was initially surprised, then nodded. It didn't matter if it wasn't about business; since she was paid extra, she considered it payment for her company.

She had thought it might be a restaurant or inn owner coming to discuss business. Considering the Xiao Family Eatery had just opened and was only making one or two taels of silver a day, larger establishments probably wouldn't pay it much mind.

Moreover, her close ties with Xu Yuanhang meant that anyone doing business with her would also be showing deference to him. Besides, the eatery was too small, and no matter how good the food, she was the only cook. Although Lin Qiuran had some renown in Yu'an, it wouldn't impact the business of major restaurants.

As they were both women, Lin Qiuran felt less guarded around Jiang Sijie. Despite Jiang Sijie's surname and the presence of her maid, her demeanor didn't suggest ill intent. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi knew she was out, and the teahouse was right next door. The windows of the private room were open, so if she didn't stay to chat for a while, she'd feel uneasy about taking the money.

Jiang Sijie glanced at Lin Qiuran’s belly and asked, “Can you drink tea? Is there anything you shouldn’t eat?”

Lin Qiuran replied, “A little tea is fine, but I’ve just eaten, so no need for snacks. Please order whatever you like.”

Jiang Sijie smiled, “I just ate at the Xiao Family Eatery too, so I’m not hungry right now. I’ll just order a couple of pastries.”

Before the tea and pastries arrived, Jiang Sijie looked out the window, then turned to Lin Qiuran. She said, “Your cooking is truly excellent, Mrs. Lin. I’ve never tasted such delicious food anywhere else. Making tasty dishes is easy, but making simple dishes taste this good is quite a feat.”

Praised so suddenly, Lin Qiuran felt a little embarrassed. “Everyone’s cooking tastes different. It also depends on knife skills and heat control—even a slight difference can significantly alter the flavor.”

Lin Qiuran didn’t elaborate, as Jiang Sijie didn’t seem like someone who cooked, so explaining wouldn't be useful. Moreover, it involved secret recipes that could affect her business, so she dared not say too much.

Jiang Sijie didn’t press further, asking instead, “How did you come up with the idea of opening an eatery in the county town, Mrs. Lin?”

Lin Qiuran didn’t feel guarded against Jiang Sijie and was willing to chat for a while, but that didn’t mean she had to answer every question.

She lowered her head, her words a mix of three parts truth and seven parts fabrication: “It was out of desperation. My husband passed away recently, leaving only my elderly in-laws at home. I’m also pregnant. Farming alone couldn’t support the family, so I came to the county town to find work. It may look like a proper eatery now, but it only opened yesterday.”

Jiang Sijie felt a pang of sorrow after hearing this, almost breathless. In the book, it was just lines of text, a few strokes of ink determining a person’s life or death. Even though she had transmigrated into the book, the people around her—even the maids—still adhered to the rules, giving her the feeling that everyone here was merely a paper cutout.

But after coming to Yu'an, it was different. Sun Shi would remind her if she ordered too much, worried she couldn't finish it alone. And Lin Qiuran was truly alive, genuinely experiencing these hardships.

While reading the book, she had felt sorry for the male lead, thinking he suffered too much. But now, she realized his fake death meant his family truly believed he was gone. In this era, losing a husband or son wasn't just about losing a family member—it also meant losing an able-bodied worker.

A beautiful young widow, elderly in-laws, and a child on the way—the old, the weak, and the pregnant, all in such an era...

Jiang Sijie bit her lower lip and said, “I speak bluntly, so please don’t take offense. Since he’s already gone, why bother having the child? You’re already having such a hard time…”

Lin Qiuran touched her belly. “It’s also a remembrance… I did think about going back to my parents’ home, but my sister-in-law wanted me to marry a widower who already had two children. My in-laws only had my husband as their child. Since I married into the family and my husband is gone, how could I abandon them?”

Lin Qiuran smiled after saying this. “Fortunately, we have business now. Otherwise, the whole family would truly starve.”

This was also a mix of truth and fabrication. She had no feelings for Xiao Xun, and her bond with Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi developed slowly over time. Initially, she stayed for a place to call home, to avoid being forced into remarriage. Later, after becoming pregnant and ensuring the family had enough to eat and wear, she decided to keep the child.

Claiming it was for Xiao Xun made life easier and gave her a good reputation, making people think twice before bullying her family.

Jiang Sijie’s eyes showed a flicker of pity. She almost blurted out what was on her mind—she wanted to tell Lin Qiuran that Xiao Xun wasn’t dead.

But she swallowed her words. If she said it, how could she explain to Lin Qiuran how someone not from Yu'an knew about Xiao Xun and that he was still alive? It was already bold of her to show up today; saying this would make her seem suspicious.

Moreover, Jiang Sijie had to consider more. If her transmigration had indeed set off a butterfly effect, allowing Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi to survive, and Lin Qiuran didn’t get rid of the child or remarry, then was Xiao Xun still alive… Jiang Sijie couldn’t be sure.

There were also stories where the male lead traded his life for a chance at rebirth, bringing back everyone around him. Since she could transmigrate, this wasn't impossible.

The Xiao family’s life was finally improving. They no longer had to hawk goods on the street, had a shop, and life was slowly returning to normal. If Xiao Xun were still alive, it would be joyous news.

But even if it were true, if Lin Qiuran believed it, more hope would mean more disappointment. Lin Qiuran would cling to the hope that the child’s father would return, that her husband would come back. But if Xiao Xun didn’t return, what would Lin Qiuran do then?

Jiang Sijie took a deep breath. In that case, she would have done more harm than good.

Jiang Sijie looked at Lin Qiuran’s belly. If something happened to the child because of false news, she might never forgive herself.

Since Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi were still alive and Lin Qiuran was doing well, it was better to leave well enough alone. In the book, Xiao Xun did send a message home. If he were really alive, the Xiao family would find out sooner or later. There was no need to rush.

If Lin Qiuran were truly a transmigrator, time would prove everything. She could just wait.

Jiang Sijie said, “Mrs. Lin, your loyalty and compassion are admirable. I believe good people will be rewarded! If you ever need help in the future, just say so—don’t hesitate. Although I’m not from here, I’ll be staying in Xuzhou for a while.”

Lin Qiuran didn’t think much of it and just nodded. Jiang Sijie had a slight accent, unlike the locals. She seemed unmarried, but it was unclear if she was related to the Jiang family.

Lin Qiuran was now just an ordinary commoner, simply trying to get by wherever she was. Everything she did now was for herself. The house and the shop were under her name. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi never fought over anything, treating her very well. They scrimped and saved, wanting to leave the money to her and the child.

Even if she remarried in the future, Lin Qiuran wanted to leave something for Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi, to support them in their old age and see them properly buried.

As for hardship, working while pregnant was tough, but many women work while pregnant in modern times.

Jiang Sijie didn’t say anything else. It seemed she was just curious. Lin Qiuran guessed that Jiang Sijie was a young lady sightseeing. Unmarried girls, having read many romance novels, often felt sorry for women with pitiful circumstances. Lin Qiuran couldn’t control that. After chatting for a while, she returned home. The shop had to open in the evening, and she needed to rest.

Jiang Sijie wanted to give her more money, but Lin Qiuran turned it down. She felt it was undeserved, and besides, the Xiao family wasn’t short of money now.

With a house and a shop, and daily income coming in, life for a family of three in the county town wasn’t rich, but it was comfortable.

Sun Shi had been keeping an eye on the teahouse and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Lin Qiuran return safely. “What did she want? Was it about business?”

Lin Qiuran shook her head. “No, we just talked.”

She didn’t tell Sun Shi what they discussed in the teahouse, as it would only make Sun Shi sad again. Life at home was finally better. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi weren’t as broken-hearted as when they first learned of Xiao Xun’s death. There was no need to bring up unhappy matters. Lin Qiuran was quite satisfied with her current life.

Jiang Sijie carefully calculated the timeline in the book and the present. Originally, by this time, Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi should have been dead. Xiao Xun did send a message home, but fate was cruel—they passed away before hearing it. If the message had arrived just a little earlier, both could have survived.

If Xiao Xun weren’t dead, news would soon reach Yu'an, and the family would surely rejoice.

If the changed plot had caused Xiao Xun’s death, then there was no bringing him back. She would come back to check on the Xiao family later and help if she could.

Lin Qiuran didn’t eat the snacks. She was getting tired. Sun Shi said, “Go back to your room and rest.”

Sun Shi was most worried about Lin Qiuran. Working while so pregnant was hard, but there was no other way. For the Xiao family, this was the fastest way to make money.

Lin Qiuran had indeed considered not working, like giving Aunt Yu’s family ideas, and letting Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi sell some snacks.

Let Sun Shi cook and Xiao Dashi sell, while she rested during her pregnancy. With the spice recipes and dividends from Wufangzhai, the family wouldn’t be short of money. But that would mean the two of them working hard, and Lin Qiuran would feel guilty about spending the money they earned.

Moreover, there were many snacks, but it was hard to choose which ones to sell. For example, milk tea, barbecue, and duck parts were popular in modern snack streets, but they might not sell well here.

Anything too novel wouldn’t work—people might not accept it, and ingredients were scarce. Cattle couldn’t be slaughtered, so beef was expensive and hard to buy, and milk was even rarer.

Duck parts were even harder to obtain. A duck wasn’t cheap, and there were only two wings and one neck. Where would Lin Qiuran get so many ducks? Even if she could, what about the other parts? Would they just throw away the meat bought with money? Sweet and spicy flavors didn’t go well with pork liver or ears, so it was better to stick with braised dishes.

The taste was similar to what was sold on the street—just a bit better was enough. The cooked dishes suited public tastes, and business was pretty good.

Lin Qiuran couldn’t think of many snacks that could be sold on the street.

Other dishes, like crispy fried pork, Lin Qiuran had considered adding, but they required too much oil. Without hotpot, they didn’t fit well in the eatery. It was better to stick with stir-fries that were easy to make and delicious.

Also, if she introduced anything too novel, Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi would become suspicious. For now, she could say she learned it from her family. Since she had just married in, Sun Shi wouldn’t specifically verify if she had learned it from her family.

Cooking could be delicious, but anything too unusual was off-limits. As long as she could make money, Lin Qiuran wouldn’t mess with odd things. Wanting everything would only lead to getting nothing.

This was also why Jiang Sijie didn’t find many modern elements.

As for the future, Lin Qiuran plans to play it by ear. In her heart, she thinks of Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi as her real parents, so naturally, she must also make plans for them.

In the future, the eatery will definitely need to train a reliable cook, capable helpers, and a competent manager, so that the family members won’t have to work anymore. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi can then just handle taking payments.

When the time comes, Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi can enjoy their retirement, and Lin Qiuran will bring her child to visit often.

Lin Qiuran isn’t against getting married again, but she must meet the right person. Regardless of whether she remarries or not, she wants to give Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi a profitable shop and live apart.

For now, they live together, but Lin Qiuran feels they can’t continue like this forever. It’s not that Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi treat her poorly; it’s just that the living habits of the elderly and the young are different, making it hard to live together.

In truth, Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi have already tried their best to accommodate her, but in various small matters, their living habits still differ. For example, in the past when times were tough, they would eat whatever was left, and even now, they still do. Lin Qiuran has told them many times, but it hasn’t changed.

In other matters, the two also can’t help lecturing.

Their intentions are good, but over time, it becomes annoying. Both are in their forties; as long as they stay healthy, they can live for decades more. They should have their own lives and not just plan for her and the child.

However, Lin Qiuran isn’t planning to move out just yet, as the family only has one house and must live together for now.

In the afternoon, Lin Qiuran took a nap. When she woke up, Zhao Guangcai stopped by.

Zhao Guangcai looked at the eatery and was quietly impressed. He had brought someone with him—a server he found for Lin Qiuran. The young man was seventeen years old, named Lu Fan. He was tall and slender, neatly dressed, and quite good-looking.

Compared to finding a manager, it was easier to find a server. All that was needed was someone sharp, honest, and presentable-looking.

The server’s job involves more work than a dishwasher’s. He must arrive before noon and is busy both morning and evening. The set wage is twelve cash a day, which is slightly less than Wan Niang’s, but it includes two meals a day—breakfast and dinner—with nothing else provided.

Wages are calculated monthly, and he can take time off, but no more than four days per month. Compared to other places, the pay and conditions at Xiao Family Eatery are quite good.

Zhao Guangcai said to Lin Qiuran, "I found one for now. If you’re still shorthanded, just let me know."

Lin Qiuran nodded. Those found through Zhao Guangcai signed contracts, for extra security. Lin Qiuran didn’t need to worry about it; Zhao Guangcai could handle these matters smoothly.

After Zhao Guangcai left, Lin Qiuran explained to Lu Fan what he needed to do: serving food, bringing dishes, clearing tables during busy times, and keeping an eye on what customers need for drinks and rice without waiting for them to ask.

Xiao Family Eatery may not be able to cover every detail, but it strives to make sure customers are happy.

Lin Qiuran said, "Don’t get into conflicts with customers. Try to smile, and keep an eye on who hasn’t paid. Be polite when you talk."

Lu Fan was young and good-looking but didn't smile much. Lin Qiuran was afraid he might scare the customers.

Lu Fan nodded and asked, "Sis, anything else?"

Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "If any customer bullies you, come find me. The same goes for customers who make trouble. Don’t engage in conflicts; protect yourself. It’s okay if tables, chairs, or dishes get broken, but if a customer becomes physical, get out of the way first. Don’t hit anyone, so we can report it to the magistrate."

The eatery’s staff shouldn’t have to endure bullying. The shop had just opened, and the customers so far had been decent, but over time, there would inevitably be difficult customers. They shouldn’t have to tolerate mistreatment.

Lu Fan smiled and nodded, "I’ll keep all that in mind. Anything else?"

Lin Qiuran said, "Not for now. If you don’t understand something, ask Aunt Sun. If you’re still unsure, come to me."

Lu Fan nodded. Lin Qiuran had heard from Zhao Guangcai that he had worked at another shop before, but it had closed down. He knew how to do what was required, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for him.

Seeing that there was nothing else, Lin Qiuran went to start cooking the meat. The evening business was about to start, and the cooking couldn’t be neglected.

It was the second day after opening, and business was still good. She expected it to slow down after a few days.

Lin Qiuran wasn’t worried about business. They were making money now, and whether it was a little more or a little less didn’t matter, as long as there was something to do.

In the afternoon, Xiao Dashi went out and returned in the evening. He had negotiated the price for distilled liquor. He was responsible for buying most of the household items and would bargain when buying groceries and meat daily. Often, sellers tried to raise prices seeing his honest demeanor, but Xiao Dashi would outmaneuver them.

With a server now, Xiao Dashi focused on procurement and helped out front when it was busy.

Now that they had liquor, all they needed was a manager and a cook. Lin Qiuran still wanted to hire someone, as people’s loyalties can change. She was afraid that if she trained someone, they might eventually take away the eatery’s business.

However, the family didn’t have money to spare at the moment, so they would wait until the profits came in.

Lin Qiuran estimated she could continue cooking for another two months or so. When the weather turned cold, there would naturally be fewer customers, and it wouldn’t be as exhausting.

In the evening, Jiang Sijie came to the eatery for another meal and tried other dishes. It had to be said, the flavors of the eatery’s dishes were really memorable. Even the rice was as good as the rice in the capital—fragrant, glutinous, plump, and round.

She ordered braised pork again, as she hadn’t had enough at noon.

Jiang Sijie planned to return to Xuzhou the next morning. Since the Xiao family didn’t need her help now, staying in Yu’an forever wasn’t practical. She had told her family she was staying in Xuzhou for a short while, so she needed to stay there for some time. Before leaving, she wanted to enjoy the dishes at Xiao Family Eatery as much as she wanted.

The Ginger Duck was delicious, the sauerkraut fish was tasty, and even the stir-fried dishes were excellent. In the evening, Jiang Sijie ate two and a half bowls of rice. It was just a pity she wouldn’t be able to eat these dishes in Xuzhou—truly a shame.

She hoped Lin Qiuran’s business would thrive and that the eatery would open branches everywhere.

The next day, after having lunch at Xiao Family Eatery, Jiang Sijie boarded a carriage and left Yu’an. Outside the carriage, a courier on horseback approached from the opposite direction, passing by the carriage, though Jiang Sijie, sitting inside, didn’t see him.

The courier rode through Yu’an City, exited through the south gate, and headed straight for Xiao Family Village. After dismounting, he asked around, "Is this where Xiao Xun’s family lives?"

At this hour, most people were napping. With no autumn farm work, what else could the villagers do?

But Li Cuihua wasn’t asleep; she was watching her grandson. All three of her sons were married, and her youngest daughter-in-law had also given birth—another boy.

Though she often boasted about how fertile her daughters-in-law were, when it came to actually raising the children, Li Cuihua couldn’t say such things. She stepped out of her house and asked the courier, "What do you need from Xiao Xun’s family?"

The courier said, "I have a letter for Xiao Xun’s family."

Li Cuihua was somewhat suspicious. She said, "You can give it to me first. His family isn’t here now, but I’ll deliver it to them when they return."

The courier nodded. He had other letters to deliver, so it was best if someone could help.

Li Cuihua took the letter. It wasn’t thick, and it didn’t seem to contain anything else. She asked, "Who sent this to the Xiao family?"

The courier replied, "Xiao Xun. It’s a family letter."