Chapter 311: Que’er is Missing

Once the dinner rush at the restaurant was over, Gu Fei finally remembered that Old Huang had said Que’er wasn’t feeling well. She hadn’t noticed if the doctor had left, so she decided to go check on her.

Old Huang’s door was closed. Gu Fei knocked, and he came to open it, his face beaming with joy.

Gu Fei was taken aback. "What happened? Didn’t you say Que’er wasn’t well?"

Old Huang looked like he wanted to say something, but he forced himself to stop. He pursed his lips and waved his hand dismissively. "It’s nothing, nothing. Just a bit of an upset stomach."

Gu Fei nodded. "That’s good. Whatever she wants to eat, I’ll have Sister Hua make it for her."

"Just something light will be fine," Old Huang said, rubbing his hands together. "Also, she really liked the smashed cucumber dish you made yesterday."

"Alright then, I’ll go make some smashed cucumbers right now." With that, Gu Fei left.

A little while later, everyone in the restaurant began to eat dinner. Old Huang emerged, helping Que’er. Que’er looked shy, her face radiant with happiness.

Gu Fei placed the plate of smashed cucumber with chopped chilies in front of Que’er.

Que’er smiled at Gu Fei. "Thank you, Manager Gu."

’They called a doctor, Old Huang is beaming with joy... what else could it be? Que’er must be pregnant.’

’This smashed cucumber dish has vinegar and chopped chilies, making it both sour and spicy. I just wonder if she’s having a boy or a girl.’

Gu Fei ladled a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of Que’er. "Drink this. I’ve skimmed all the oil off. It’s light and nutritious."

’This girl is truly sharp as a tack and so kind-hearted,’ Old Huang thought, looking at Gu Fei. ’I really made the right move.’

The next morning, during a lull in business, everyone gathered in the kitchen to make zongzi.

After making a few, Gu Fei returned to the main dining hall.

With the festival just around the corner, the streets were more crowded than usual, bustling with vendors selling all sorts of snacks.

Gu Erlang’s barbecue stall outside was doing incredible business, and plumes of smoke kept drifting into the restaurant.

Gu Fei coughed a couple of times. She couldn’t take it anymore and walked outside to tell Gu Erlang, "Second Brother, you can’t set up your stall here anymore. The smoke is choking us!"

"Also, tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and there’s a race by the river. Go early to grab a good spot. I guarantee you’ll make a fortune."

"Oh, and have Third Brother help you collect the money. You’ll definitely be too busy to handle it all by yourself tomorrow."

Gu Erlang didn’t stop working as he replied, "Alright. In that case, I won’t go home tonight. I’ll just crash at your place so I can go buy ingredients early in the morning."

Gu Fei huffed. "I’ve only got one premium room left in my inn. I’m so tempted to sleep in the main hall myself, where do you think I have room for you?"

Gu Erlang had been in a great mood for the past couple of days, so his temper was unusually good. "That’s what I meant—I’ll sleep in the main hall. How would I dare take one of your guest rooms? You can let Tie Niu go home tonight, and I’ll stand watch."

Gu Fei considered it for a moment. "That could work."

"Just move your stall over a bit! The smoke is deadly!"

As Gu Fei turned to head back, she saw Que’er squatting by the roadside, haggling with a vendor over some sour apricots.

Gu Fei couldn’t stand things that were painfully sour. Just looking at them made her mouth water and her jaws ache.

She shuddered and hurried back into the restaurant.

She had just stepped inside when a horse-drawn carriage pulled up to the entrance. More customers had arrived.

Tie Niu took the carriage to the rear courtyard while Gu Fei checked in the guests and collected the silver.

Before long, it was time for the lunch rush, and the restaurant was swamped.

Gu Fei was collecting silver when Old Huang suddenly rushed over. With a panicked look on his face, he asked, "Have you seen Que’er?"

Gu Fei finished tallying a bill and managed to reply, "No—"

Old Huang anxiously rushed outside.