Yu'er tidied up quickly. She was naturally beautiful and rarely used cosmetics, unlike other women who took half the day to get ready.
When she came downstairs, Xiao Si was watching television.
Xiao Yun and Xia Li were also there.
Unfortunately, the three of them couldn't communicate due to the language barrier.
"Where is Yangzi? Yu'er," Xiao Yun asked.
"He'll be down soon; he's showering. We're going straight to the restaurant later. Yangzi arranged for Brother Liang and the others to come for a meal yesterday."
"I was just wondering how we were eating. Then I'll call Liu He," Xiao Yun said.
"Okay, Sister Yun. You arrange it first. Yangzi will prepare some beef and mutton to bring over shortly."
"Beef and mutton? The restaurant is running low on beef and mutton. Sending some is perfectly timed."
"Sister Si brought all of this. Yangzi will bring Sister Si along later."
"That's great. Where did Sister Si come from?" Xiao Yun asked.
"From outside," Yu'er replied.
But she didn't tell them much more.
"Everyone's up?" Guo Xuyang said as he came downstairs.
"Do you think everyone is as lazy as you? Yu'er just said we're going to the restaurant for lunch. I've already spoken with Liu He."
"Right. We've invited Brother Liang and his wife for lunch. I'm not sure if Xiao Yu can make it.
Xia Li, this is Sister Si. You can just call her Sister Four."
Guo Xuyang introduced Xiao Si and Xia Li.
"This is Xia Li, my wife."
"You're quite the ladies' man; you have several wives," Xiao Si said with a smile.
"Can't help it; I'm handsome and likable," Guo Xuyang said shamelessly.
"I've never met anyone as thick-skinned as you."
"Thick skin gets you ahead; thin skin gets you nowhere.
You don't know that we have a saying here: 'Bad boys are loved by girls.' Only by being a bit thick-skinned can you find such beautiful wives."
"You're incorrigible," Xiao Yun said with a laugh. "Let's go quickly, or if we're too late, the beef and mutton won't be ready for lunch."
"Let's go," Guo Xuyang said, and they walked out.
The five of them drove off in two cars towards Jun Yue Lai.
"Mr. Guo, you're here. I've already arranged for the chefs to prepare," Liu He said as soon as he saw them.
"I heard our supply of beef and mutton is running low?"
"Yes, Mr. Guo. We've been selling them in limited quantities these days, and even so, demand outstrips supply."
"I brought some over and put it in the warehouse," Guo Xuyang said.
"Really? That's fantastic. I was worried about that."
"Stew more at noon. I've invited some friends over.
Later, have someone chop another fifty jin each of beef and mutton, portion them into ten jin bags, and let them take them away after the meal."
"No problem, I'll arrange it right away. Would you like to go up for a cup of tea first?"
"First, bring us a large basin of congee and a few specialty pastries. We'll eat something to tide us over."
"Certainly, Mr. Guo. I'll go and arrange it now. Please go up and rest."
"When did you send it over?" Xiao Yun asked quietly.
"It's a secret; I can't tell you," Guo Xuyang said, heading upstairs.
It was the same private room, with the same decor.
"This place is so beautiful," Xiao Si said, looking at the decorations.
"Do you like it? You can come here to eat often in the future."
"Really? That's great. But I still prefer the place we went to last night; the food there was really delicious."
"If you like it, I'll take you there again when we get back."
"Do we have a deal?"
"Don't worry. There are too many sisters at home who like to eat more than you. You'll know when I introduce them to you."
"Oh? They haven't eaten it either?"
"They have. But they can't resist how delicious it is. Everyone likes to go where the food is good. Otherwise, why would there be so many repeat customers?"
"What are repeat customers?"
"People like you, who want to go back after eating once, are repeat customers."
"No wonder there are so many people there; it's mostly due to repeat customers."
"You could say that. That street is very famous in our area."
"There's too much delicious food; I'm afraid I'll overeat again."
"You can go with Yu'er and the others often from now on. Eat a little less each time, and you won't get too full."
"I didn't expect your food to be so diverse."
As they were chatting, Liu He came up with the waitstaff.
"Mr. Guo, here is century egg and lean pork congee, goji berry and lotus seed congee, and a few pastries for you to try."
"Manager Liu, you don't have to go to so much trouble. Thank you very much."
"Mr. Guo, how do you find the taste? Does it suit your palate?"
"It's good. You go and attend to your business. Come and have a drink with us at noon."
"Certainly, Mr. Guo. Enjoy your meal." Liu He said, then turned and walked away.
"Come, come, try the congee made by our chef," Guo Xuyang said, scooping a small bowl of century egg and lean pork congee for Xiao Si.
"Help yourselves to whatever drinks you want," he said, scooping another bowl for himself and handing the spoon to Yu'er.
"See? The treatment is different," Xiao Yun grumbled from the side.
"Sister Si is a guest from afar, and Yangzi is starving. Sister Yun, what do you want to drink? I'll serve you." Yu'er said.
"You serve yourself, I'll do it," Xiao Yun said, picking up the small bowl in front of her and scooping some goji berry and lotus seed congee.
This was good for beauty and nourishing the skin. She had been quite tired yesterday, so this was just right for replenishment.
"What are these slippery things inside? They're delicious," Xiao Si exclaimed after taking a sip.
"Century eggs. Have more if you like it."
"Mmm. These pastries are also delicious, crispy, and very fragrant."
"What you're holding is 'tiao su,' a specialty pastry from our region."
"I feel like I've never eaten anything so delicious."
"Eat more if it's good. There will be even more delicious food at lunch."
"Then I'd better eat a little less. Otherwise, I'll be too full again."
Xiao Si said, rubbing her belly.
She was tall and strong, and this action looked quite comical, making everyone laugh.
The five of them drank all the congee from the two ceramic pots, leaving not a drop behind.
They didn't eat too many of the small pastries.
After all, lunch was about to be served.
"Should I call Mom and Dad over?" Xiao Yun said, wiping her mouth.
"Okay. We returned too late last night and didn't see them. Let's call them over for a meal too."
"How many people can come from Brother Liang's side?"
"That's hard to say. I haven't called Mr. Wu and the others; I don't know if they are in the capital or here.
If they are all in the provincial capital, there might be more people."
"Should we prepare two rooms?"
"Alright. Let's reserve two. I'll call Brother Liang."
Guo Xuyang then dialed Lü Liang's number.
"Brother Liang, have you arrived yet? Not yet? Hurry up.
What about Xiao Yu? Then give her a call. Ask Xiao Qi and the others to come over too to liven things up.
What about Mr. Wu and the others? They can't make it? They're all in the capital?
Alright then. Call Xiao Qi and the others; we'll have a table for us. Okay, goodbye."
Guo Xuyang hung up the phone and said, "Brother Liang said Mr. Wu, Fatty, and the others can't make it; they're busy in the capital.
I've asked him to call Xiao Qi and a few others over. Later, you and Mom can go to another room."
"Okay. Then should I call Mom?"
"Yes."
(Author's aside: This book has three updates today. Please continue to follow along, esteemed readers. Cast your free silver votes, and let's all have fun.)