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Chapter 27: Zeng Sibai’s Plan (Part 3)
Zhang’s wife hadn’t studied much, so she couldn’t recognize all the characters on the two sheets of paper.
Zhang Dage looked puzzled and asked Gu Leyou,
“Little sister, what exactly is this stuff you wrote?”
Gu Leyou had no choice but to explain it to them.
“Didn’t you say yesterday, when we went to town together, that you wanted to open a restaurant with sister-in-law? I want to go into business with you two.”
“So what you wrote must be things related to opening the restaurant?” Zhang’s wife asked.
Gu Leyou nodded.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, what I wrote are notes on what needs to be done to open a restaurant—preparation work and such. Without all this planning, we wouldn’t be able to open a restaurant properly,” Gu Leyou continued.
“But opening a restaurant isn’t that easy. What if we lose money? We still have kids to raise. Have you really thought it through? This isn’t child’s play,” Zhang’s wife said with concern.
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. There’s still a long way to go before we actually open. There’s a lot to prepare. But first, someone has to go to town and check things out. I’ll leave that to you two. I’m just a partner in this—you can always ask me if anything’s unclear. I’ll help you brainstorm and plan,” Gu Leyou explained.
The couple exchanged glances and nodded.
After delivering the papers, Gu Leyou didn’t stay long and planned to head home.
As for the partnership, she could come back to discuss it once they had made a decision.
She also needed to talk to her parents eventually, but that would have to wait. Otherwise, they’d worry endlessly and might even forbid her from doing it.
On her way home from Zhang Dage’s house, she had an uneasy feeling, as if something bad was about to happen.
Sure enough, just as she reached the front door of her house…
Her parents returned home, carrying hoes. The three of them came face-to-face.
Feeling guilty, she forced a smile and said awkwardly,
“Father, Mother, you’re back! What a coincidence—I was just about to head out to see if you’d come back, and here you are already at the door.”
Gu Haixiong knew his daughter was lying but didn’t call her out. Instead, he said to his wife,
“Talk to our daughter. She needs to stay home and behave. She’s getting married soon.”
To avoid a long lecture, Gu Leyou quickly changed the subject.
She held her mother’s hand and led her inside.
“Mother, I’m getting married soon and won’t be able to spend much time with you. Let me cook dinner tonight so you can taste my cooking.”
Lin-shi was thrilled to hear this.
Of course, Gu Leyou had her own motives.
If her family recognized her cooking skills, then partnering with Zhang Dage to open a restaurant would make more sense. She’d have a justifiable reason.
That evening at dinner, Gu Leyou prepared four dishes and a soup and served them on the table.
The dishes looked and smelled delicious. Gu Leshu was practically drooling and couldn’t wait to pick up some vegetables and stuff them into his mouth.
He probably didn’t even chew before swallowing.
Seeing him wolf down the food, Gu Leyou couldn’t help but laugh. She asked,
“Is it good?”
Still shoveling rice into his mouth, Gu Leshu mumbled,
“Delicious. Very delicious.”
After he’d swallowed, he praised her,
“Big sister, I didn’t expect that someone who rarely cooks would be so amazing once she does. This meal is good enough to open a restaurant in town!”
Realizing he’d said too much, he immediately shut his mouth.
Gu Haixiong sensed something was off and asked quickly,
“Daughter, are you hiding something from us? If there’s anything, you must tell us. No secrets allowed.”
Gu Leyou hurriedly denied it, but her voice still had a guilty tone.
“No, nothing at all, Father, Mother. You’re overthinking. I just wanted to cook for you as a way to show my appreciation, that’s all.”
To ease her parents’ suspicions, she changed the topic again.
She asked Lin-shi,
“Mother, have you prepared everything I need for the wedding?”
Lin-shi suddenly remembered it was time to prepare. She had been delayed the past few days by other matters.
She quickly explained,
“Daughter, your father and I will go to town tomorrow to buy what you need. You stay home these few days. We still have to make your wedding clothes and send you off in style.”
But Gu Leyou had her own plan.
There was no way she was just going to sit at home.
Tomorrow afternoon, once her parents left, she’d sneak off to visit Zhang Dage again.
She still had to discuss the restaurant plans with him.
If the couple decided not to go through with it, then she’d just return and think of another way to make money.
Ever since Zeng Sibai learned that the book he wanted was in Gu Leyou’s hands, he had been trying to figure out how to get it back.
He even started considering using others to help him.
So he went to Liu Suyu’s house.
Coincidentally, Liu Suyu was just about to go out, and they bumped into each other at the door.
“Suyu, long time no see. How have you been lately?” Zeng Sibai greeted her.
But Liu Suyu clearly didn’t want to talk to him. She replied coldly,
“I’m fine.”
“Where are you headed? Mind chatting with me for a bit? I have something to discuss with you.”
“What do you want from me?” Liu Suyu asked indifferently.
“I just need a favor. Do you have time?” Zeng Sibai said mysteriously.
Liu Suyu ignored him and started walking away.
“I’m going to Mingyue’s house. I’m in a good mood today and going to hang out with her.”
As soon as Zeng Sibai heard she was going to Gu Mingyue’s house, he hurried to catch up.
“I’m going there too. If you won’t help me, I’ll just ask her instead.”
Liu Suyu immediately took the bait.
Hearing that he was planning to ask Gu Mingyue, she got flustered.
She quickly asked,
“What do you need help with? Just say it. No need to bother her—she probably wouldn’t have time for you anyway.”
Zeng Sibai decided to string her along, replying slowly,
“It’s nothing major—just a small favor. If you’re too busy, it’s fine. I won’t trouble you.”
Liu Suyu got even more anxious.
“You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I like you, aren’t you? Don’t go asking her—I’ll help you. No matter what it is, even if you need money, I’ll gladly give it to you.”
Seeing that he was getting what he wanted, Zeng Sibai gave a faint, smug smile.
Liu Suyu really was easy to manipulate.
“What exactly do you need help with? Just say it already. Stop playing games. Or do you really plan to run off to Gu Mingyue’s house?”
She even began to suspect he might have a thing for Gu Mingyue too.
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