They planned to eat pork and cabbage dumplings for lunch.
Qin Yang was playing with Ningning and Yuan Bao in the yard, while Lin Chuxia and Qin Juan were making dumplings in the kitchen.
Their casual conversation inevitably led to the topic of the Bun Shop.
Qin Juan asked about Feng Zhong. She had heard that he had been with the Bun Shop from the early days alongside Jia Liang, and she thought he was dispatched from An City together with Lin Chuxia.
"That’s not the case."
Lin Chuxia knew Qin Juan’s temperament—she was a woman of few words and did not pry into others’ business.
However, since the question had been raised, Lin Chuxia was willing to share a bit more.
She explained Feng Zhong’s relationship with Jia Liang to Qin Juan, as well as the matter concerning Tian Jinzhu.
Qin Juan looked at Lin Chuxia in shock, "You mean Jia Liang and his group initially..."
Lin Chuxia smiled, "Yes, Houzi from An City Xiyang Food Factory was one of them too. Back then, that monkey robbed me twice."
Recalling the circumstances when they first met, Lin Chuxia found it quite amusing.
"Now they have turned over a new leaf. Houzi is doing well over in An City, and Jia Liang is decent in his dealings. That’s why I’m at ease handing over the Bun Shop to him."
Qin Juan nodded, "With better prospects ahead, who would want to engage in stealing and thievery?"
It’s no wonder Jia Liang was so loyal to his younger siblings; the kids were the ones who pulled them out from the abyss.
Qin Juan glanced at Lin Chuxia and silently added, ’And who pulled me out from the abyss as well.’
"That’s not entirely true," said Lin Chuxia with a light snort, "Tian Jinzhu is an example. When Jia Liang and his group decided to follow me, they wanted to bring Tian Jinzhu along, but he wasn’t appreciative. Now when he comes asking for help, he ends up betraying Jia Liang. Some people are just rotten to the core."
Qin Juan nodded in agreement and then remembered Feng Zhong. After pondering, she decided to tell Lin Chuxia about discovering the frozen pork that day.
"It was just that once, afterwards everything was fine. I don’t know if it’s because I’m unaware."
Lin Chuxia thought to herself that it wasn’t necessarily Qin Juan’s lack of awareness; most likely, Feng Zhong realized he had been exposed and only stopped because he feared things would escalate.
"Next time something like this happens, just speak to Jia Liang. Don’t mind their relationship. Although he values brotherhood, when it comes to business, Jia Liang is serious and meticulous."
Since she had entrusted the store to Jia Liang’s management, as long as no principled issues were involved, Lin Chuxia would not interfere arbitrarily.
"Alright," Qin Juan acknowledged.
............
As per the tradition of Qin’s Buns Shop, on Laba festival, the shop would offer Laba Porridge at a fair price.
They had advertised the day before, so on the day, the shop was packed with guests; every seat in the hall was taken.
Even the entrance was bustling with people coming and going, and those without seats stood in corners to eat.
The wait staff in the shop were also incredibly busy.
Qin Juan came early to the shop to make steamed buns and, when the customers were plenty, she joined Gao Lele in handling the money and calculating the bills.
Fortunately, the rush only lasted a few hours, and by 9 o’clock, the crowd had started to dwindle.
Qin Juan counted the cash and tickets in hand and handed them to Gao Lele, "Lele, check the count."
Gao Lele took it and said, "No need Sister Juan, I trust you."
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