Chapter 132: Chapter 125: A Night of Fish and Dragon Dances, Flames Soar to the Heavens

It was just two in the afternoon, but the First-Class Restaurant was already starting to clean up and prepare to close for the day.

This was a rule that had been in place ever since the First-Class Restaurant first opened.

Every year on the fifteenth of the first, eighth, and tenth lunar months, the restaurant would close early to let the staff and chefs go home to celebrate the festivals.

It might have seemed like a small gesture, and the time off was only a meager half-day, but in this day and age, you were lucky just to find a job that kept you fed. Most bosses couldn’t care less whether you celebrated a festival or not.

What’s more, restaurants were always busiest during festivals. The losses from choosing to close at such a time were easy to imagine.

But Third Brother Xie did just that, and he had stuck to it ever since.

So when Wu Liangchen learned of this, he finally understood why Third Brother Xie commanded such respect in Flower Square.

His consideration for his subordinates alone was enough to earn it.

The reason Wu Liangchen knew about this was because the head chef had invited him over that afternoon, saying it was for a get-together.

Only after arriving did Wu Liangchen realize that the people working at the First-Class Restaurant weren’t just Third Brother Xie’s own men and local residents, but also a number of homeless people.

These people were mostly elderly women who rarely showed their faces in public, helping out in the back of the kitchen.

The women were quiet and reserved, but they never shied away from hard or tiring work. As a result, the dishes and utensils at the First-Class Restaurant, and the kitchen itself, were always spotless. There wasn’t even a single grease stain on the stovetops.

And only now did Wu Liangchen realize what unfortunate souls they were.

Third Brother Xie had taken them in, providing them with work and a place to live. To them, the First-Class Restaurant was their home.

When you were working for your own family, you naturally spared no effort.

However, when the holidays rolled around and the chefs and other staff members went home, these women would watch them with envious expressions.

After all, for them, the very idea of "family" was already a distant, unattainable dream.

So, completely without Third Brother Xie’s knowledge, the chefs and staff had discussed it amongst themselves, pooled their own money, and started holding a get-together for the women after the First-Class Restaurant closed.

They had now been doing this for three full years.

Wu Liangchen was deeply moved upon hearing this.

He could understand Third Brother Xie doing something like this.

But he hadn’t expected the chefs and staff to be so willing to help each other out.

As if sensing his surprise, the head chef gave a hearty chuckle and said with considerable pride,

"To be honest, our First-Class Restaurant might not be the biggest or fanciest place in the Huangpu Guard, but we’re definitely the most close-knit."

"Come, come, have a seat! The food today isn’t as high-end as what we served yesterday, since the fellas all pitched in their own money and we can’t be too extravagant. But I guarantee you, the taste is just as good."

And indeed, this time the dishes lacked expensive ingredients like matsutake and other rare mushrooms, using common fare like shiitake mushrooms and radishes instead.

But Wu Liangchen still ate with great relish, and even raised his cup to have a drink with everyone in turn.

When it was the women’s turn, they all looked terrified; a few didn’t even dare to raise their cups.

After all, they had all seen Wu Liangchen drinking at the same table as Third Brother Xie. To them, he was clearly a distinguished guest. ’How could people of our lowly status be worthy of drinking with such a figure?’

Wu Liangchen didn’t force the issue. He just smiled faintly and drained the wine in his own cup.

Seeing this, even the head chef couldn’t help but admire him in secret.

He had been a bit apprehensive when inviting Wu Liangchen, worried that he might look down on them because of their status, or even refuse to sit down with them.

It seemed his worries had been for nothing.

The meal lasted until nearly four in the afternoon before breaking up.

The sky outside was gloomy and a light rain was drifting down, but that did nothing to dampen the people’s festive spirit.

Though it was not yet dark, some eager merchants had already started lighting fireworks.

It was like the sounding of a war horn. Soon, the sound of firecrackers exploded into a single, continuous roar across the entire Huangpu Guard.

Every shop had hung up colorful lanterns. Some of the wealthier businesses spared no expense, hiring master artisans to create enormously complex, giant lanterns to attract the gazes of passersby.

This was not just a way to show off the business’s strength, but also an advertisement for the coming year’s trade.

As for the parade floats, those would have to wait until after dark.

Wu Liangchen took in the fervent holiday atmosphere and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

’The Huangpu Guard must be the most prosperous place in the entire Great Yan Empire right now.’

’After all, on my way here, I saw the tragic state of Huai Mountain Prefecture with my own eyes.’

’I just wonder how long this prosperity can last.’

’The great tree of the Great Yan Empire is already tottering, and the Huangpu Guard is the brightest fruit on its branches. Once the tree falls, the consequences will be unimaginable.’

’But that isn’t something I need to worry about. The most important thing right now is to wait for the abbess of Jingxin Courtyard.’

’I wonder when she’ll be back.’

Wu Liangchen squeezed his way through the unmoving, crowded streets, making it back home with some difficulty. He was surprised to find that the two women hadn’t gone out.

Yang Lian’Er was even in her room, practicing her stances.

"Why didn’t you go out to see the lanterns?" Wu Liangchen asked.