The newlyweds couldn't stay inside all day long, so after a short rest, they went out to find the two little ones.
"Brother Ze Han, will the little chicks also lay eggs when they grow up?"
The few children were playing with the little chicks roaming around the village, and somehow the conversation turned to this topic.
Ze Han was still a child himself, so he only had a vague understanding of the question. Hearing Yun Yi's words, he scratched his head.
"I guess so," he said hesitantly after a pause.
"If the little chicks come out of eggs, does that mean Aunty's babies in her belly also come from eggs? Will Aunty have to lay egg babies like the mother hen?"
"Does that mean you and I also grew up from egg babies?"
The adults present were speechless upon hearing this: "......"
Well, every human child is bound to be curious about such things, and these two little ones were no exception.
The few children had their backs turned to Luo Ge and the others, so they hadn't noticed their arrival. Hearing this, Ze Han looked towards his father and scratched his head.
"I guess... so?" He didn't know either.
"Ahem." Ning Xing cleared his throat loudly and looked towards Luo Ge and the others.
"Master, Madam."
Hearing his voice, Luo Ge and the others snapped out of their daze. The children turned their heads towards them.
"Madam, Master."
"Auntie, Uncle."
"Hmm." Seeing the two little ones running over, Luo Ge nodded, then turned and saw the delight in Ning Xing's eyes.
Since Master Gu Jinchen had sent the medicine, Ning Xing had been using the medicated ointment for nearly a month now, and the effects were very noticeable.
He could walk much more smoothly than before.
"Your leg is much better," Luo Ge said with a smile.
Ning Xing looked down at his leg, his face beaming with joy. "Yes, it doesn't hurt anymore. I can walk freely now, thanks to the medicine from the Master and Madam."
His leg injury was an internal problem, causing chills and unbearable pain. He couldn't exert much force on it.
Originally, he had only hoped that the medicine sent by the Master would alleviate the pain, as many doctors had already said that there was no chance of a cure.
But he never expected it to actually improve. Now his leg hadn't hurt for a long time.
He could walk without the strain and limp he used to have.
He felt that if he continued, a complete recovery was not impossible.
For this, he was truly grateful – grateful to have encountered such a benevolent master's household, and grateful to Master Gu Jinchen for sending him the medicine.
Listening to their conversation, Master Gu Jinchen didn't say much, only patting Ning Xing's shoulder.
....The people they had brought back were settled in, so they didn't linger for long.
After giving instructions to Ning Xing and the others and bidding farewell, they brought the two little ones back to the town.
"Yun Yi and Yun Mu didn't grow up from egg babies."
On the carriage ride back to town, Luo Ge decided to explain things to the two little ones.
Hearing Luo Ge's words, Yun Yi and Yun Mu looked perplexed.
"Why not?"
"....Because we are humans, while the chicks are not. We are different from them."
"You two must have noticed the differences between us and them, right?"
Upon hearing this, the two little ones seemed to understand a bit and nodded obediently. The differences were indeed quite apparent.
"Then how do babies grow up?"
Hearing this, Luo Ge smiled and stroked their heads, taking their soft little hands and placing them on his slightly protruding belly.
"It's the same as the younger siblings in here – they all grow up in their mother's belly."
"See, Aunty's belly is bigger than before, isn't it?"
The two little ones obediently nodded, and Luo Ge smiled.
"That's because the younger siblings in Aunty's belly are starting to grow. When you two were little, you also grew bit by bit inside your mother's belly, just like the younger siblings."
Hearing this, Yun Yi and Yun Mu understood, but their expressions still held a tinge of doubt.
"If the younger siblings are growing in Aunty's belly, does it hurt you, Aunty?"
"I just felt them kicking Aunty. They're so naughty." As if on cue, the babies moved at that very moment when the children were touching Luo Ge's belly.
Yun Mu furrowed his little brows and solemnly rubbed Luo Ge's belly.
"You can't bully Aunty, you naughty ones." Aunty is so tired.
Yun Yi also had a serious look as he nodded in agreement.
"Younger siblings, you mustn't be naughty!"
Seeing their expressions, Luo Ge was taken aback for a moment before breaking into a smile, his eyes filled with emotion.
"Silly children," he murmured after gazing at them for a while.
"Wife, we're here." Amidst the conversation between Luo Ge and the two little ones, the carriage had arrived at the restaurant.
It was a busy time at the restaurant, so the family didn't linger and got straight to work.
The two kitchen assistants and four attendants that Er Zhu had previously brought and settled in also joined them.
They had all changed into the restaurant uniforms prepared for them, looking much neater.
"Er Zhu, you take charge of these four attendants. The two chef assistants can follow Master Xu in the kitchen for now. You all will mainly be responsible for your specialties – dim sum and soups."
"Understood."
After assigning tasks to everyone, they got to work. Master Gu Jinchen took the two little ones to wander around, while Luo Ge sat at the counter to handle payments.
"Er Zhu, come here."
"Madam?" Er Zhu had just finished arranging the four attendants and was puzzled when Luo Ge called him over.
"Don't be nervous. I just wanted to ask if you can read?"
Hearing Luo Ge's question and glancing at the account book in her hands, Er Zhu seemed to realize something and nodded hesitantly.
"And your math skills?"
"Decent." Er Zhu answered Luo Ge's questions truthfully.
Before Luo Ge and the others took over the restaurant, whenever the Head Attendant Lu was not around, Er Zhu would be in charge of managing the accounts.
Hearing this, Luo Ge handed everything to him. "Then from now on, you'll be in charge of managing the front counter and the attendants outside. Two more attendants should be coming tomorrow."
Huh? This... doesn't this mean he's being asked to take over as the Head Attendant?
"Ah... I can't..." Er Zhu was stunned and instinctively wanted to refuse.
"What's the matter? My belly is growing bigger day by day, and my body is not in good shape. Can't you help me share some of the responsibilities?" Seeing his reaction, Luo Ge began to playfully engage in moral blackmail.
She chose Er Zhu for a reason; this young man's mind was nimble, and he knew how to be flexible. He had considerable courage, making him suitable for managing affairs.
For now, his character seemed unproblematic. In any case, she would keep an eye on him, so it was worth giving him a try.
Otherwise, if she had to handle everything herself, she couldn't bear the burden.
Upon hearing Luo Ge's 'moral blackmail,' Er Zhu opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
But if he were truly made to manage affairs, he was completely unprepared mentally.
He was just a shop assistant, with no experience in management whatsoever.
"Listen to the Madam, we all trust you. There's a first time for everything, so you have to give it a try, don't you?" Gu Jinchen, accompanied by the two young ones, came over and said.
Hearing this, Er Zhu was taken aback. He looked at Gu Jinchen, then at Luo Ge, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded reluctantly.
"Er Zhu will definitely not betray the trust of the two masters. However, please keep a close watch on me, Madam, as there are many areas where I may need your guidance."
Luo Ge readily nodded, "That's no problem at all."
Hearing Luo Ge's ready agreement, Er Zhu also heaved a sigh of relief and smiled.
He truly lacked experience, but he had witnessed the Madam's capabilities. If she could guide him, it should work out.
