Chapter 135
After all, Fang Zichen was both the second-in-command at Zuixiao Restaurant and the private tutor for his ger, Yang Mingyi. Yang Mutao held him in quite high regard. For Old Lady Zheng's birthday celebration, Yang Mutao had told him to bring his fulang and son along. It was meant as an informal visit to help them learn the way, with the idea that they should socialize more with the Yang family in the future—after all, more people make any gathering livelier.
Zhao Ger didn't go himself, but he allowed Fang Zichen to take their son, Guaizai.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—the Yang family, though a lineage of merchants ranked at the bottom, was prominent and wealthy, one of the leading great families in Fu'an Town. For Old Lady Zheng's birthday, it was certain to be a occasion with 'guests arriving from all directions'. Those familiar and associated with the Yang family were inevitably people of similar status.
Wealthy people, adorned in gold and silver, traveling by carriage, attended by groups of maidservants—in the eyes of villagers, they were considered noble persons. Zhao Ger feared that with many guests, if the child went and behaved improperly, his playing might cause offense to someone. He didn't want Guaizai to go. But Guaizai just wanted to stick close to Fang Zichen and, hearing he could see Yang Mingyi, his heart had already flown there. He was unbearably excited.
"Daddy, Guaizai will be good, will obey. Guaizai wants to go, is it okay?" He clung to Zhao Ger's leg, looking up with big eyes full of expectation and longing: "Daddy, Guaizai love you. Guaizai will follow Father, won't run around. Guaizai beg you, let Guaizai go, okay also? Beg you..."
He was bowing and fawning, trying his best to please. Zhao Ger couldn't withstand his soft, pleading manner, and with Fang Zichen adding his own assurances, Zhao Ger ultimately gave in to him.
In the morning, he combed Guaizai's hair and found a small red vest for him to wear over his clothes.
This vest was also something Fang Zichen had asked Aunt Liu to make. Zhao Ger had never seen such clothing before.
The front of the vest was embroidered with a round, chubby little tiger. On his feet, he wore small yellow chicken shoes. After Guaizai put them on—pink, chubby, and small—he looked exactly like a festive New Year's doll.
Fang Zichen adored him beyond measure, picked him up, and kissed him fiercely twice: "My son is really a little handsome guy."
Guaizai kissed him back: "Guaizai is a little handsome guy, Father is a big handsome guy, a very big handsome guy."
Zhao Ger smiled helplessly: "Hurry up and go! Don't be late. Come back early tonight."
____
The Yang residence today was as crowded as a marketplace, with carriages parked at the main gate forming a very long line.
Most of those coming to offer birthday congratulations were either wealthy or noble. Guards and attendants stood in two rows, fully equipped and imposing.
Old Lady Zheng had four sons and three daughters. The eldest was Yang Mutao.
Yang Mutao had a decent temperament, but he was somewhat lazy. Though he was solely responsible for managing Zuixiao Restaurant, he often acted as a hands-off manager.
The other three brothers were relatively more successful, having expanded their business to the prefectural city, where they opened several restaurants. They moved their entire families there, only returning to Fu'an Town to visit Old Lady Zheng during the New Year or festivals.
Merchants cultivated connections far and wide, and the Yang brothers were particularly adept at social maneuvering. For Old Lady Zheng's birthday, everyone from close associates to distant acquaintances—even those simply seeking favor—flocked to the event. Yang Mutao had his younger brothers greet guests at the entrance while he lingered to the side, his gaze fixed on the street as though awaiting someone in particular.
Yang Mutao was already aware of the incident where Yang Mingyi had encountered bandits on the road. Were it not for Fang Zichen's intervention, he would likely be mourning his son's death now. His gratitude toward Fang Zichen was immense.
As soon as Fang Zichen arrived carrying Guaizai, he hurried forward to meet him.
"Aiyo, you kid, you're finally here."
Fang Zichen was speechless: "Uncle Yang, your home is really too far."
"It can't be helped. The houses on North Street are only three-courtyard residences, too small and not enough to live in," Yang Mutao said.
He didn't mean to show off, merely stating the facts. But these words made Fang Zichen, who was still living in a dilapidated house, grit his teeth in frustration.
A three-courtyard residence, and it's still too small?
How many people are in your family! Needing to live so spaciously.
The main gate of the Yang residence was spacious. Below the steps, on the left and right sides, stood two male lions nearly over a meter tall.
Imposing enough, and domineering enough.
Yang Mutao had originally suggested waiting for him at Zuixiao Restaurant, then going together to the Yang residence. Fang Zichen, fully aware of his status as an employee, didn't dare keep the boss waiting. He just asked for his address, saying he could come himself.
He had really been careless.
He ended up walking several li for nothing.
[1 li is approximately 0.5 kilometers]
From the moment Fang Zichen appeared, Yang Mutao's gaze had been fixed on Guaizai: "This is your son, right?"
Guaizai had visited Zuixiao Restaurant once before, and whenever the staff mentioned him, they would inevitably praise how adorable the child was.
Yang Mutao had overheard some of these comments but didn't pay them much mind, assuming the employees were just showing respect to Fang Zichen by offering deliberate flattery.
But now, seeing the boy in person—his pink, tender cheeks, a forehead as round as a little leather ball, hair that shone jet-black in the sunlight, and a pair of large, bright, round eyes—he found the child truly endearing.
Fang Zichen nodded: "Yes! Son, greet the grandfather."
Guaizai immediately smiled, calling out obediently, his voice very soft and milky: "Hello, Grandfather Yang~ I am Guaizai."
"Ai~" Yang Mutao's heart melted: "Come, let Grandfather hold you."
Guaizai reached out his hands.
He looked small, and holding him felt excessively light.
"Grandfather Yang, you have a little beard too ah!" Guaizai looked at Yang Mutao's chin, where he kept a small tuft of beard. Guaizai found it curious: "My family's goat also has one oh!"
Yang Mutao smiled: "Oh, is that so?"
Guaizai held up one finger: "Mm! Can Guaizai touch it a little?"
"Of course!"
"Wow, it's soft ah!" Guaizai exclaimed in surprise: "My family's goat's beard is hard! Grandfather's is soft! Grandfather, grow it long, later Guaizai can braid a little plait for you oh!"
Yang Mutao laughed heartily: "Good! Then you must not forget ah."
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