The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 119: Celebration Banquet

"Mother...no, Shopkeeper, I’ve already reserved a table at Fengle Building. We can go straight there," Gu Dashu said to Tong Huaqiong.

According to Tong Huaqiong’s requirement, everyone had to follow the rules of the workplace in the shop. For instance, she was the boss of Taohua Dessert, and everyone in the work environment had to call her "Shopkeeper."

Even family members had to abide by this rule.

Gu Dashu called "Mother" once, then remembered they hadn’t left the shop yet, so it was still considered a work environment, and quickly corrected himself to "Shopkeeper."

Before the opening, Tong Huaqiong had Gu Dashu reserve the best table at the best restaurant in town. Such a trivial task was no problem for Gu Dashu, who reserved it early in the morning.

When everyone heard it was Fengle Building, they became even more excited.

Most people from Qinghe Bay had never set foot in the doors of Fengle Building.

Fengle Building was known as the best restaurant in Yan Guan Town. A single meal there would cost a farmer a month’s living expenses. Only families of a certain standing could host dinners at Fengle Building, something even the wealthiest in Qinghe Bay couldn’t manage.

Whoever in the village could afford a meal at Fengle Building would probably boast about it for years.

"What are you all standing there for? Let’s go to Fengle Building," Tong Huaqiong urged everyone.

They had been working hard all day and were very hungry!

From Gu Taohua to Man Er, everyone cheered, following Tong Huaqiong out the shop door towards Fengle Building.

Fengle Building was also located in Rouge Alley; it was just a few steps away.

"Manager Tong, you’ve arrived,"

Boss Qian of Fengle Building personally came out to greet them.

When Tong Huaqiong was still selling her goods on the opposite street from the Crispy Food Garden, Boss Qian often patronized her stall. The exquisite desserts from Taohua Dessert left a deep impression on him, and so did Tong Huaqiong.

Her face was as round as the full moon, with large eyes always twinkling with laughter, and she dealt with matters straightforwardly without any hesitation.

She was exactly the type of madam Boss Qian, an old bachelor, had always hoped for.

Not long had passed, and this widow had already set up a shop in Rouge Alley. As a businessman in the same area, Boss Qian admired Tong Huaqiong immensely and naturally wanted to maintain a good relationship with Taohua Dessert.

When he heard that Taohua Dessert wanted to reserve a table, he instructed staff to set aside the best private room and personally came out to greet them.

"There’s no need for such formalities, Boss Qian."

Boss Qian led Tong Huaqiong and the others to the private room and personally poured her a cup of tea.

Tong Huaqiong modestly declined.

"No worries, no worries. We’re neighbors now, so we should look out for each other," Boss Qian said with a smile. "And there’s something I’d like to discuss with Manager Tong. Our Fengle Building will rely heavily on Taohua Dessert for our pastries in the future."

Tong Huaqiong smiled, realizing she had just received a significant business opportunity.

Boss Qian meant that from then on, Fengle Building would order its pastries from Taohua Dessert.

Given Fengle Building’s reputation and customer traffic, this was a great opportunity for Taohua Dessert.

This cooperation wouldn’t just bring in silver for Taohua Dessert; it would also allow Tong Huaqiong to use the fact that even Fengle Building orders pastries from them as a marketing gimmick.

Tong Huaqiong excitedly shook the boss’s hand, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.

As Boss Qian felt the warmth from Tong Huaqiong’s hand transmitting to his heart, he couldn’t help but blush.

Tong Huaqiong assumed it was because Boss Qian was a bit overweight and heat-sensitive.

"Bring on the dishes, bring on the dishes."

Boss Qian loudly summoned the waiters.

Most families in Qinghe Bay weren’t wealthy and couldn’t afford meat meals often, so Tong Huaqiong specifically instructed Gu Dashu to order plenty of meat dishes, with only a couple of token vegetable dishes.

Therefore, when faced with a table full of meat, the Gu Family members thought nothing of it, but temporary workers like Liu Qiaoyun, Gu Xiaocao, and Liu Yueer’s brother and sister-in-law were stunned.

They were inwardly marveling at Tong Dajiao’s generosity, deciding that if anyone in the village spoke ill of Tong Dajiao again, they would defend her fervently.

This large table of meat dishes surpassed any banquet in any Qinghe Bay household.

Apart from the meat dishes, there were several large jars of wine.

This wine was supplied by Taohua Dessert cheap, when Ma Huateng sold his shop.

"Why are you just sitting there? Come on, dig in." Tong Huaqiong urged everyone.

"Mother, hold on, let’s have a toast," Gu Dashu said, pouring wine for everyone, as a reminder to Tong Huaqiong.

"Alright, everyone, raise your glasses for a toast," Tong Huaqiong lifted her glass.

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them, all looking expectantly at Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong smiled helplessly, realizing they were waiting for her to make a speech.

"Everyone, enjoy the food and drink," Tong Huaqiong, starving and not wanting to give a speech, said plainly.

"Wishing Taohua Dessert prosperity and success."

"May wealth flow in abundantly."

"May customers come like an ocean."

In the lead of Ma Huateng, workers like Liu Qiaoyun expressed their well-wishes to Tong Huaqiong.

With the toast said, everyone picked up their chopsticks.

After a day of hard work, they were starving, and the aroma of the meats teased their hunger further, so their chopsticks swarmed toward the meat like raindrops.

Meanwhile, they ate meat and drank wine.

Tong Huaqiong felt immensely satisfied, her mood akin to the time she aced her exams in her past life and got into her desired college and major.

In less than a half year since she arrived in this world, she had become a business owner with assets.

What an achievement!

As everyone ate to a satisfactory extent, they began offering toasts to Tong Huaqiong. A few of her wayward ones, with tears in their eyes, respectfully called her "Mother." Gu Jingzhe, on behalf of the waywards, spoke, first repenting for past behavior, then thanking Tong Huaqiong for guiding them to the right path, and finally pledging to work hard and live well.

These wayward ones finally set foot on the right path.

Tong Huaqiong was filled with pride.

Then it was Liu Qiaoyun and other employees of Taohua Dessert’s turn to toast Tong Huaqiong, with Ma Huateng speaking on behalf of the employees, precisely conveying their gratitude for Tong Huaqiong’s recognition.

"Sister-in-law, do you now believe that my mother-in-law is extraordinary? Should you discuss with my brother about staying on to work at Taohua Dessert?" Liu Yueer whispered to her sister-in-law Hu.

Liu Shan and Hu were temporary helpers brought in by Tong Huaqiong.

They initially came with the intention of helping out, but seeing Taohua Dessert’s booming business and Tong Huaqiong’s transformation, they certainly considered staying on permanently.

Hu felt working with Tong Huaqiong was better than going to the mountains to make charcoal.

"Of course, we’d like to work with Aunt Tong," Hu said, sincerely tearing into a large piece of mutton.

Having been married into Qinghe Bay for so many years, Liu Family was considered well-off, but it’s the first time eating meat freely like today.

All thanks to her sister-in-law’s mother-in-law.

"I’ll mention it to my mother-in-law," Liu Yueer said happily.

Having been married into the Gu Family for so many years, she could finally hold her head high in her maiden family.

Now, even her brother and sister-in-law had to rely on her.

Hu quietly reminded Liu Yueer, "You must maintain a sense of propriety. Don’t forget this shop belongs to your mother-in-law. I mean no offense, but Taohua Dessert is not for you to manage. We want to work at Taohua Dessert, but that doesn’t mean I want you to suffer for speaking out of turn in front of your mother-in-law."

Liu Shan, overhearing the conversation, quickly stopped Liu Yueer, "There’s no rush. Don’t mention it yet. In case Aunt Tong feels we are unsuitable or not needed, you’ll be embarrassed. Let’s help out for a few days and ask Aunt Tong ourselves. If Aunt Tong thinks we are fit, she’ll naturally keep us. If not, there’s no harm done."

Liu Yueer nodded, appreciating that her brother and sister-in-law had her best interests in mind.

What Hu didn’t know was that Tong Huaqiong had already been quietly observing her and Liu Shan.

Throughout the day, their work greatly satisfied Tong Huaqiong. Hearing Hu speak with such measured understanding made her even more pleased.

Liu Yueer was fortunate to have loving parents and sensible in-laws.

Tong Huaqiong decided that after observing the couple a while longer, she would make them permanent employees.