Chapter 64 Not a Single Penny Charged

It could be said that he had practically watched his third brother and fourth sister grow up. His second brother was older and required far less of his worry. When the accident befell the third brother earlier that year, he had wished more than anything that he could have taken his place and suffered that physical torment in his stead. That way, the third brother could have continued pursuing official honors, becoming a high-ranking official and fulfilling his own dreams.

Everyone said the third brother had been clever since childhood, excelling in his studies with superior natural talent. Yet how many times had he woken up in the middle of the night to find the oil lamp still burning in the third brother's room? How many times had he secretly watched the third brother, overcome with sleepiness while reading, resort to pricking himself with a needle to forcefully keep himself awake and studying?

Natural intelligence might have been his advantage, but he had also worked hard enough! He remembered when the third brother was a little boy, whispering to him that one day he would surely become a great official so that his older brothers and younger sister would always have enough to eat, and his parents could live a comfortable life. He also wanted to be a good official, ensuring that ordinary people everywhere would never go hungry again.

When the third brother injured his brain, he felt as though a chord in his heart had snapped. Yet, no matter how anxious and heartbroken he felt, he had been utterly helpless. He was useless and could not help the third brother at all. Fortunately, the third brother was well again now! He wanted to control his emotions, but his tears refused to stop.

The small door suddenly opened from the inside, and Gu Qingsong looked up to see his second and third brothers gazing at him quietly. For a long time, the three of them embraced tightly.

Gu Lizong patted Gu Qingsong’s shoulder, his eyes brimming with tears. "Dalang, you’ve suffered so much over the years."

Gu Qingsong shook his head; he did not feel he had suffered at all. As long as his parents were healthy and safe, and his younger siblings were well-fed and clothed, he did not feel any hardship whatsoever.

Lin Huiniang turned around, wiping away her ceaseless tears.

She was happy! She was truly happy. Her husband could finally sleep in peace, and their family was bound to grow more and more prosperous from now on.

Because the dishes they had ordered were taking so long to arrive, the patrons at the Top Scholar Restaurant grew somewhat puzzled, and a few impatient ones began urging the staff. Nearly even Wen Chunmei was pushed to her wits' end.

Fortunately, the proprietors had arrived.

Gu Qingbai stepped forward and bowed deeply to the diners. He said in a clear voice, "Today, my Gu family has a joyous occasion. We were so overjoyed that we lost track of time and delayed everyone's meal. For this, I offer my sincerest apologies."

With that, he continued, "Please eat and drink to your heart's content. Today, the Top Scholar Restaurant will not charge a single penny, as a token of our gratitude for the patronage everyone has shown our restaurant over this period."

A burst of cheers erupted within the tavern. Even the people waiting in line stretched their necks to look inside, thrilled to learn that they could dine for free at the Top Scholar Restaurant today.

"Second Proprietor, what wonderful news has come to the Gu family? Do tell, so we can share in the joy as well!"

"Indeed, indeed! Tell us so we can all be happy together."

Gu Lizong stepped forward and explained with a smile, "Several months ago, my foolish son accidentally injured his head and remained muddle-headed, unable to remember anything. Today, he has suddenly recovered—this is indeed a joyous occasion!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd offered their congratulations one after another.

Suddenly, Gu Lizong seemed a decade younger, cheerfully exchanging pleasantries with the diners.

Not long after, Gu Qingsong and Gu Tingzhi carried over a long table. Chen Ping, Hu Wenyu, and the others brought out bucket after bucket of freshly prepared dishes, neatly arranging them on the table.

"Everyone, please adjust yourselves at the tables so every seat is filled. Whether you knew each other before or not, gathering here makes us friends. We’ve brought out a few dishes first while the kitchen prepares the rest. Please start eating now, and help yourselves to whatever you like using bowls and plates—don't stand on ceremony at all!"

As soon as Gu Qingbai finished speaking, Gu Qingsong brought out two large buckets containing bowls, cups, chopsticks, and spoons for everyone to take as needed.

Wen Chunmei arranged for all the people waiting in line to enter the tavern. They shared tables, squeezed together, and were all seated.

Dish after dish was brought out from the kitchen, all served in gleaming, oversized iron basins. Zhen Mi'er and the others felt no reluctance; they used whatever ingredients were on hand to cook everything, taking it as a celebration of Gu Tingzhi's recovery.

The news that the Top Scholar Restaurant was offering free meals today spread like wildfire. Those diners who had already finished eating and paid their silver coins could only sigh in regret at having gone too early! But before long, word came from the Top Scholar Restaurant that any diner who had eaten and paid for their meal there today could retrieve their silver from the front of the tavern, and if they were hungry, they could re-enter the establishment for another free meal. For a time, the Top Scholar Restaurant was as bustling as a bustling marketplace.

Even Lin Mo and Zhang Ziheng, upon hearing the news, came over. The county examinations had posted their results that day, and both of them had passed the final round. Learning that Gu Tingzhi had recovered, they were genuinely happy for him. Zhang Ziheng was returning to his village the next day, and he arranged with Gu Tingzhi and Lin Mo to meet at the end of March to travel together to Nanning Prefecture for the prefectural examinations.

Gu Tingzhi nodded. "You can come a bit earlier and stay directly at the Gu residence; there are still several empty rooms at home. We should set off a few days early, just in case all the inns get fully booked and we have nowhere to stay."

Lin Mo waved his hand. "There's no need. My maternal grandfather's family is in Nanning Prefecture, and my eldest uncle has already booked an inn for us, right beside the tribute examination hall. We can just head straight there when the time comes."

Only then did Gu Tingzhi and Zhang Ziheng set their minds at ease.

That evening, when the family returned home, Yibai and Erbai were at the entrance to greet them as usual.

Gu Tingzhi stared at Yibai's pitch-black body for a long moment, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

"Husband, what is it?"

Gu Tingzhi shook his head and took her hand as they entered the west wing.

"You've been busy for so many days. Are you tired?"

Zhen Mi'er shook her head vigorously. "Husband, I'm not tired at all. I love cooking."

Gu Tingzhi rubbed her head, his smile full of doting affection.

"Still, I worry you'll wear yourself out. Once the Top Scholar Restaurant is on the right track, we'll hire a few chefs. After you and your second sister-in-law take the time to train them well and hand over the kitchen duties, you won't have to handle everything personally."

Zhen Mi'er opened her mouth, wanting to say again that she wasn't tired, but seeing the undeniable look in Gu Tingzhi's eyes, her heart warmed thoroughly and she nodded obediently.

Gu Tingzhi kissed her dimple and said softly, "Good girl, go take a bath now. Sleep early when you're done; I'm going to read for a bit longer."

After Zhen Mi'er took her change of clothes and went to the washroom, Gu Tingzhi sat quietly at the desk, massaging his temples as he tried hard to recall what had happened in the mountains before his accident. Yet, try as he might, that particular stretch of memory remained completely blank.

Yibai and Erbai had squeezed under his feet, making a great fuss, occasionally bumping against his calf or stepping on his foot. With a soft sigh, Gu Tingzhi gave up trying to remember, picked up a book, and began to read intently.

By midnight, he went to the washroom to bathe. Zhen Mi'er was already fast asleep. He slipped quietly into bed, pulled her into his arms, and before long, drifted into a deep sleep himself.

After providing a full day of complimentary meals, the Top Scholar Restaurant resumed its normal pricing. However, this did not impact its business much; the restaurant remained packed with people every day, with no shortage of those waiting in line.

Yet, despite the daily crowds at the Top Scholar Restaurant, the wealthy and influential families in the city still chose the Spring Breeze Restaurant as before.