Chapter 271: At Least We’re Still Alive

After a long moment, Mrs. Chen finally spoke. "My older brother—"

She stopped halfway through her sentence, deciding not to ask after all. ’Fugui was right,’ she thought. ’What’s the use? I’ll just assume they’re all still alive and well.’

Boss Zhang had also planned to ask about the Yu family’s relatives. They were all from nearby villages, so someone was bound to know something. But after hearing what Fugui said, he too fell silent.

After a moment, the village head sighed softly. "If it weren’t for young Zhang, none of us would be standing here in one piece."

Boss Zhang suddenly broke into a wide grin. "That’s right! Good thing I’m quick-witted. I figured Second Brother Gu is a scholar and knows things, so following him couldn’t be a mistake."

"Even though I’m in debt now, my whole family is still alive. That’s more important than anything."

The younger uncle didn’t have much to add. As far as he was concerned, his immediate family was all present. Seeing how things were, he had no desire to ask about his wife’s family either. Finding out something terrible would only make her sad.

He clapped Boss Zhang on the shoulder. "Don’t worry too much about that debt. Little Fei said she’s going to teach everyone how to make some snacks. It’s sure to be profitable."

Boss Zhang’s eyes instantly lit up. He looked at Gu Fei. "Little Fei, my girl, is that true?"

Gu Fei smiled. "It is. Once my grill is built and I’ve got the seasonings sorted out, I’ll teach you all."

"But I can’t guarantee you’ll make a profit."

’The last thing I need is for someone who fails to make money to turn around and blame me.’

The village head quickly asked, "Can my family get in on this?"

Gu Fei nodded. "Anyone can. I’m only responsible for teaching everyone the recipe. I can’t control whether what you make is delicious or not. When it comes to food, even with the exact same recipe, what each person makes will taste different."

Aunt Liu stopped crying and wiped away a tear. "Shopkeeper, that’s only natural. Whether we cook it well or sell it well is our own problem. Who could possibly blame you?"

Hearing Aunt Liu call Gu Fei "Shopkeeper," Taohua was taken aback. "Little Fei is a shopkeeper?"

She had assumed that Gu Fei and Xing’er were just working as hired help at the inn.

After she had arrived, she had first helped her husband bathe, then bathed herself. She had been so exhausted afterward that she had collapsed into bed and slept until just now, so she was still out of the loop.

Ms. Qian quickly chimed in, "That’s right! Little Fei has really made something of herself now. Not only did she earn the family a house and land, but she also opened an inn in the city. Xing’er is working at her shop now and makes five taels of Silver a year!"

She had heard from Gu Zhong long ago that Gu Fei was going to teach them how to make snacks, and now Xing’er was working for her. Ms. Qian was starting to put the pieces together. ’This Little Fei is incredibly capable,’ she mused. ’If the family wants a good life, we have to stay on her good side.’

Taohua was practically stunned by that number. "Five taels? That much?"

She stared at Gu Fei with hopeful eyes. Between her and Fugui, they couldn’t scrounge up a single copper coin.

Even the clothes on her back were Ms. Qian’s hand-me-downs.

She knew Ms. Qian’s character all too well. Staying and eating at her aunt’s home for a few days was one thing, but if they stayed for long without bringing in any income, she was afraid Ms. Qian would kick the couple out.

Just as Taotao opened her mouth to ask Gu Fei for a job, Mrs. Chen pulled Gu Fei aside. "Alright, Taotao, you and Fugui have worn yourselves out on the road. Just focus on resting up at home. Your second uncle and I will come see you when we have time."

She could see that Taotao had been about to say something—most likely to ask her daughter for a favor. Fearing it would be a request Gu Fei would find difficult to refuse, she had cut Taotao off preemptively.