Chapter 113: Lantern Festival — Entering Zuixian Restaurant
Yunwu Town was especially lively today. Crowds surged through the streets, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining never stopped.
Wen Yao and Wen Jun each held a child’s hand, afraid Da Tou and Jin Xiuyi might get lost in the crowd.
“Grandma Wen, Grandpa Wen, you’re finally here! Doctor Jin and the shopkeeper are already waiting at the clinic.” Hong Hai rubbed his hands and stomped his feet, still carrying the chill of the cold. He had clearly been waiting a long time.
Madam Luo felt a little sorry and touched. “We know the way. Why wait out here in this cold?”
Hong Hai scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. “It’s fine. I had nothing else to do. Let’s head back.”
The group made their way toward Jishi Hall.
Inside, Doctor Jin had just finished seeing a patient. Standing at the door, he soon spotted the familiar faces in the crowd.
“They’re here!” he called inside, and Shopkeeper Qiu came out as well.
“Grandpa!” Jin Xiuyi ran over immediately. No matter how happy he had been at the Wen home, he still missed his grandfather.
Da Tou saw Shopkeeper Qiu looking at him warmly and hesitated, glancing at Wen Yao.
Wen Yao lowered her head and said, “Go on. Shopkeeper Qiu is your father now.”
“Godfather,” Da Tou corrected.
“Yes, yes—godfather. Go on.” She let go of his hand. Da Tou ran over and obediently called, “Godfather.”
Shopkeeper Qiu beamed with joy.
Once everyone arrived, he had Hong Hai close the shop and said, “Doctor Jin and I booked a banquet at Zuixian Restaurant. Let’s go now before the streets get more crowded.”
The Wen family froze. Zuixian Restaurant was the largest and best restaurant in Yunwu Town—rumor said one meal there could cost dozens or even hundreds of taels of silver.
Madam Luo quickly declined. “Doctor Jin, that’s too extravagant. We can eat somewhere simple.”
Doctor Jin stroked his beard. “Now you’re treating me like an outsider. It’s just a restaurant—why can’t we go? Are you looking down on me?”
Before she could respond, Shopkeeper Qiu led Da Tou outside. “No more fussing. We booked a private room on the third floor. The view overlooks half the town, and the lantern fair is right below.”
Madam Luo still hesitated, but Wen Yao persuaded her. “Grandma, let’s go. Today we’ll be honored guests. You can judge whether their chef is better than me.”
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu laughed. “We think their chef still falls short compared to Yao Yao.”
Madam Luo glared at Wen Yao. “Stop praising her—if she had a tail, it’d be wagging in the sky.”
They all laughed and headed to Zuixian Restaurant.
On the way, Madam Luo whispered, “We owe them too much.”
Wen Yao comforted her. “Then we’ll remember them in everything we do. They’re family now—Doctor Jin is Wen Jun’s master, and Shopkeeper Qiu is Da Tou’s godfather.”
Madam Luo nodded. “That’s true.”
Soon, they arrived at Zuixian Restaurant. It was packed. The greeter rushed around busily.
Seeing the large group approach, the attendant said politely, “I’m sorry, we’re fully booked today. Perhaps try another place?”
Doctor Jin frowned. “We made a reservation.”
The attendant finally noticed Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu. His expression changed instantly. “My apologies! Please follow me upstairs.”
Madam Luo unconsciously straightened her back.
Inside, the restaurant’s luxury stunned the Wen family. Even bold Madam Li grew nervous, especially under the curious and disdainful gazes of other guests.
They followed the attendant up—not to the second floor, but the third. Only the wealthy could reserve the third floor.
Curious diners asked a waiter, “Who were those people?”
“They’re guests of Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu from Jishi Hall. They reserved a private room on the third floor,” he replied before rushing off, leaving them puzzled.
