Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Just Waiting for East Wind
Translator: 549690339
Her eyes and face were filled with thick laughter.
While Zhuang Qingning was beside herself with joy here, someone else was vexing elsewhere.
This person was none other than the shop manager of the Feng’s tea shop, Feng Ershu.
Ever since the day when Zhuang Qingning visited his shop, Feng Ershu was filled with unease. He felt certain that Zhuang Qingning fully understood the situation, which was why she had gone to cause a commotion.
Feng Ershu feared that Zhuang Qingning was trying to lure out the snake from its hole and catch him red-handed while he went looking for Mrs. Bai. He was slightly on edge, afraid to take any rash action, and did not dare reveal any connection with Mrs. Bai. Instead, he waited to see what would happen the next day.
When Xiao Liuzi went to the tofu shop as usual to cause a scene on the second day, Feng Ershu had some peace of mind.
The fact that people were still able to cause trouble meant that Mrs. Bai had not betrayed him. Secondly, it also proved that Zhuang Qingning was merely speculating before and did not have any real evidence. Furthermore, she had no countermeasures for the present situation.
With these thoughts, Feng Ershu regained some calm, awaiting the tofu shop’s declining business, watching Zhuang Qingning’s crestfallen expression, and anticipating Mrs. Deng, who once held her head high, selling him the shop at a low price.
However, after waiting for two days, something seemed off. Although it was evident that the tofu shop’s business was declining, the number of people who came to watch the spectacle was increasing. Yet, the tofu shop kept silent and even seemed to cheer on the disturbance.
What on earth was Zhuang Qingning up to?
Feng Ershu’s eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown.
Similarly perplexed was Mrs. Bai who was at home. She held a piece of fried chop rice cake in her hand, her face dark and grim.
This fried chop rice cake was brought back by Xiao Liuzi the day before, along with the stories about what was happening at the tofu shop.
Not shooing people away but rather, rushing to serve tea and snacks. It’s almost as if they wanted to honor Xiao Liuzi as a guest. It didn’t seem like a problematic situation at all, more like they were relishing in this!
What kind of game was this brat playing at?
As Mrs. Bai was lost in thought, Xiao Liuzi returned and placed some snacks like sunflower seeds and peanuts on the table in front of her.
“Did you get something else?” Mrs. Bai asked.
“Yep. Sunflower seeds and peanuts, and also some sesame candy. I gave the sesame candy to the kids and took these for myself.”
Xiao Liuzi drooped his head, sounding depleted. “Mom, when we did this back in the day, people would be hopping mad and we’d feel energized. But now, people are not just being polite, they are actually excited when we arrive. It’s like they are deliberately inviting us over. It doesn’t feel satisfying anymore.” “Mom, do you think they are doing this on purpose? That they intentionally want us to entertain them? If that’s the case, aren’t we blindly falling into a trap they’ve set up?”
Anything unusual is a sign of danger. The tofu shop’s actions were indeed making them feel uneasy.
Mrs. Bai cracked open a peanut and chewed on it for a while before saying, “I can’t quite figure out what this girl is up to. But after much thought, perhaps we should do exactly the opposite of what they expect.”
“Zhuang Qingning is deliberately being nice to you all to make us suspicious. She wants us to think we’ve fallen into her trap and thus become scared. If we stop stirring things up, she achieves her goal.”
“So, if that’s her intention, let’s play along and create even more chaos. Tomorrow, gather more people and make the tofu shop even more famous. Let Zhuang Qingning witness the consequences of not accepting the gracious offer and inviting punishment instead!”
“I understand, mom.” Inspired by Mrs. Bai, Xiao Liuzi perked up. He straightened his back, and a light smile emerged on his face. “Tomorrow, when I go there again, I’ll make sure to bring even more people.”
“Good.” Mrs. Bai nodded approvingly while counseling Xiao Liuzi. “Be attentive when you go there. If that girl shows any signs of backing out, let me know.” “We are after money, after all. Even if we torment her to death, the extra money Feng Ershu might give us won’t be worth as much as what they could offer us here.”
“Understood.” An energetic Xiao Liuzi nodded, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and peanuts, and left to find some children to play with.
Mrs. Bai sat in the courtyard, leisurely cracking open sunflower seeds.
It’s just a brat. Could her scheming outwit an old veteran like me?
As evening approached, the crowds lingering at the entrance of the tofu shop dispersed.
Partly because the tofu shop had finished its business for the day and was closing.
Secondly, although they came to watch the spectacle, they feared that the little ghost causing trouble might follow them home when night fell. So, everyone quickly left to prepare dinner at home.
Zhuang Qingning, along with Mrs. Cao and others, tidied up the tofu shop and closed it for the day. Then, they arranged everything that needed to be arranged.
“Is this look alright?” Zhang Qiuying and Zhuang Qingsui asked Zhuang Qingning after preparing the table.
“Yes, it’s fine.” Looking at the incense burner on the small lacquered table and the items that she had asked Mrs. Cao to prepare, Zhuang Qingning nodded in satisfaction.
“Miss Ning.” The voice of Zhang Yongchang grew near, and soon he appeared, handing Zhuang Qingning an object. “Here. This is what you asked for.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zhang.” Zhuang Qingning took the item, examined it closely and was pleased. “I was planning to pick it up from your place later. I know this is a busy time at Fushun Tower. I appreciate you taking the time to bring it here.”
“Just a short walk, no trouble at all. Don’t be too formal,” Zhang Yongchang replied. “I just got this item, and I was afraid you might forget, so I rushed over to give it to you.”
“Alright, I have to go back to the kitchen now. Tomorrow, I’ll bring some of my staff to support your event.”
“Alright then.” With a broad smile on her face, Zhuang Qingning saw Zhang Yongchang out, then put the item on the table and examined it closely.
Everything was ready; all that was missing was a favorable wind. It depended upon whether Mrs. Bai would cooperate.
From Mrs. Bai’s shrewd behavior, it seemed she was likely feeling triumphant at having ‘seen through’ Zhuang Qingning’s ‘trickery’, and was probably gathering her energy for a counter-attack.
Given those circumstances, the favorable wind would definitely blow tomorrow, and blow it big.
Zhuang Qingning squinted her eyes, tidying up everything, then took her leave along with Mrs. Cao and others, each returning to their homes..
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