Chapter 146: The Culinary Tycoon

Oh, My Young Master Xue…

After settling Brother Chang at the snack shop, Chang Le returned to the restaurant, changed into his cooking attire, and took out three amulet charms. He kept one close to himself and took the other two into the kitchen.

Seeing Chang Le return with a smiling face, Yu Qingze asked with a smile, “You’re back. Did something good happen?”

Chang Le nodded with a smile and then shook his head lightly, without mentioning the specific matter. He simply handed a charm to Jiabao and told him to keep it with him at all times.

“Thank you, Brother-in-law.” Jiabao wiped his hands on his apron and carefully accepted it, tucking it into the pocket of his padded coat.

Yu Qingze raised an eyebrow. Chang Le’s little secrets were increasing, but as long as he was in a good mood, it was fine.

Chang Le walked up to him again and stuffed a peace charm into his embrace, gesturing that he should carry it every day.

“Okay, I will definitely carry it every day,” Yu Qingze said, pressing his chest.

At noon, Old Master Cai and Old Master Zhao made an appointment to have a meal together.

Yu Qingze greeted them on his way and overheard them discussing the recent influx of relocated households in the city.

Old Master Cai said, “The yard next to our neighbor’s neighbor was sold recently. It was bought by a family from the north surnamed Li. The other two empty yards on that street were also sold.”

Old Master Zhao interjected, “I’ve heard Zhao Jin mention it too. He said that in the past six months, Tongshan City has seen a lot of relocated households, mostly from other inland provinces in the north. I heard that the north often experiences drought, with months passing without rainfall, making life very difficult. I suppose they learned about the recovering land prices here from the merchants and, with the appointment of a new county magistrate, decided to come over. Some wealthy families, even if they don’t change their household registration, still like to invest in properties here.”

Old Master Cai nodded and said, “If the county magistrate said so, then it must be true. Our climate here is good, with mountains and water, and the land is fertile. It’s better than the north.”

Upon seeing Yu Qingze enter, Old Master Zhao said, “Boss Yu, if you have spare money, you can also buy a small courtyard in the city. House prices have gone up now, and they might rise even more in the future.”

Old Master Cai also nodded and said, “Yes, prices have been increasing lately. Those who are selling their vacant houses are quite clever.”

Yu Qingze’s interest was piqued, and he asked, “Old Master Cai, how much are the house prices in the city now?”

Old Master Cai replied, “The yard next to our neighbor’s neighbor, I heard it was sold for 1,000 taels.”

“So expensive?!” Yu Qingze was surprised. He remembered passing by that yard a year ago and heard from Uncle Fu that it was only about a quarter the size of the Cai residence. Back then, he heard it was selling for just over 600 taels, and not many people were interested.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“House prices in the southern part of the city are more expensive, while houses in the northern part are also costly. The eastern and western parts of the city are relatively cheaper,” Old Master Zhao said.

Old Master Cai nodded in agreement.

The southern part of the city was the affluent area of Tongshan City, where most of the prominent families resided, followed by the northern part. The eastern and western parts were not significantly different, with both affluent families and ordinary citizens, as well as impoverished areas.

“I see. Well, I’ll have to take another look. I don’t have enough money at the moment,” Yu Qingze shook his head.

He had spent a considerable amount of money to open the restaurant, and although the capital was recovered within a month, he wasn’t sure if he would need to invest more in the Tie Ban Shao restaurant in the future. Buying a house required a substantial amount of money, several hundred or even a few thousand taels, which he currently didn’t have.

He also wanted to purchase a small courtyard in the city to bring Grandpa Chang and Xiao Hao out. Otherwise, with himself, Jiabao, and his wife all busy with their businesses in the city, they wouldn’t be able to take care of Grandpa Chang and Xiao Hao.

Farming was too hard, and Grandpa Chang was getting older. They couldn’t go back to help regularly. He wanted to persuade Grandpa Chang to lease the farmland to the villagers so that they could live in the city. This way, Grandpa Chang could enjoy his later years, and Xiao Hao could attend the local school. He couldn’t let Grandpa Chang suffer so much.

Especially now, in winter, Grandpa Chang’s old ailment flared up again. Although there was a prescription from Dr. He, it only provided temporary relief and couldn’t cure him. His body would still suffer and be in discomfort.

If they had a house in the city, they could go home every day, and Jiabao wouldn’t have to squeeze in with so many people. They could let Da Song and the others stay in the restaurant to look after the business, and then they could take care of their family members. The house in the village could be left as it is, and if they wanted to go back and stay for a while, they could. It would be fine.

Old Master Cai asked, “How much do you need? I can lend you some for now. Let me know if you need it.”

Yu Qingze thought for a moment and said, “Thank you, Old Master Cai. Let me think about it and discuss it with Brother Le. If we need it, I’ll come to you.”

Old Master Cai nodded and said, “Alright. I’ve been thinking about it before. Brother Le’s grandfather is getting older, and there’s only Xiao Hao at home. If something happens or he falls ill, there’s no one to take care of him. Since you’re all doing business in the city, it’s better to bring the elderly and the young ones out.”

Yu Qingze replied, “Yes, that’s what I’m thinking too.”

In the afternoon, Yu Qingze talked to Brother Le about this matter.

Brother Le agreed with the idea but was concerned that his grandfather wouldn’t want to move out. The old man had been living in the village for over a decade, and he was familiar with the villagers. Moving to a different place might be difficult for him to adapt to.

After thinking for a moment, Yu Qingze said, “Anyway, it’s almost Chinese New Year. Let’s try to persuade Grandpa when the time comes. If he really doesn’t want to move, we can hire someone to take care of Grandpa and Xiao Hao at home. What do you think?”

Brother Le nodded.

With the matter settled, Yu Qingze began to pay attention to houses in the city.

During this time, they had also found a location for their Tie Ban Shao restaurant and had made plans for the renovation. He took the opportunity to ask Master Liao for some information.

Upon hearing that he wanted to buy a house in the city, several family heads offered numerous suggestions.

In the end, based on his current funds, he thought it would be better to find a suitable house near the western part of the city. Later, when he earned more money, he could consider upgrading to a larger house if desired.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Tie Ban Shao restaurant hadn’t fully recruited its staff yet, Yu Qingze went to look at houses in his free time during the morning and afternoon. He visited several places over the course of a few days and found three or four that he considered satisfactory. Then he took Brother Le along to have a look, and they narrowed it down to two better options. They planned to convince Grandpa Chang after the Chinese New Year and have the whole family visit the houses together to make a final decision.

On the other hand, at the snack shop, on the second day after Brother Chang sprained his foot, Xue Baizhu indeed came over with prepared medicine to change the dressing for him.

In the backyard, Xue Baizhu untied the bandage on Brother Chang’s foot, removed the ointment, and wiped it clean with a cloth, then checked it again.

“Why is it more swollen than yesterday?” Brother Chang looked at his ankle suspiciously, staring at Xue Baizhu.

Xue Baizhu, seeing the doubt in Brother Chang’s eyes as if it was written “Are you a quack?” in big letters, chuckled and said, “Are you doubting my medical skills?”

Brother Chang shook his foot and earnestly said, “No, I’m just wondering why my foot is more swollen.”

Xue Baizhu glanced at him and said softly, “Yesterday, you also doubted my physical strength.”

He made a mental note of this, vowing to demonstrate through his actions that Brother Chang would know he exercises regularly and has exceptional physical strength!

“Where did I doubt your physical strength? I just said I’m heavy,” Brother Chang felt a little guilty, shook his leg again, and said, “My Young Master Xue, quickly apply the medicine, stop wasting time, and after applying it, let’s go have breakfast.”

My Young Master Xue…

My…

Xue Baizhu’s mind went blank for a moment, and he said, “Say it again?”

“What?” Brother Chang asked.

“That sentence you said before.”

Brother Chang thought for a moment, “After applying it, let’s go have breakfast?”

“Before that.”

“Quickly apply the medicine, stop wasting time?”

“The previous sentence.”

“My Young Master Xue…”

“Ah, say it again,” Xue Baizhu said with a beaming smile.

“My…” Brother Chang suddenly realized, looking at Xue Baizhu’s face filled with joyful anticipation, his heart skipped a beat and suddenly couldn’t say it anymore.

Thump, thump, thump…

What, what’s happening?!

His heart suddenly started beating fast.

Brother Chang pressed his hand against his chest, unable to look at Xue Baizhu any longer.

Xue Baizhu frowned and said, “Why aren’t you saying it?”

Say, say, say, what should I say?!

Brother Chang became annoyed and embarrassed. He shook his leg and lifted his chin, saying aggressively, “Are you going to apply the medicine or not? I’m freezing here. If you won’t do it, I’ll do it myself.”

Seeing Brother Chang getting irritated again, Xue Baizhu quickly stopped him from calling, suppressing the slight disappointment in his heart. He reached out and grabbed the small calf that was waving in front of him and smiled, saying, “I’ll apply it, why are you shaking? Doesn’t it hurt anymore?”

Ah, this snow-white, slender little leg was stirring up waves in his heart.

By the way, why is Brother Chang’s skin so fair? The small leg is slender and beautiful, the toes round and cute. If the ankle and the top of the foot weren’t swollen, the ankle bone must be beautiful too.

Lost in his thoughts, Xue Baizhu involuntarily squeezed the hand holding Brother Chang’s small leg.

“This benefactor, I perceive a hint of spring in your eyebrows, a peach blossom on your face, and the auspicious encounter of a good partner in the near future.”

Suddenly, the words of the monk broke into Brother Chang’s mind. He stared blankly at Xue Baizhu, feeling stunned.

A good partner, is it him?

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸