TFWYH – Chapter 328 Happy New Year

Tang Wan’s mind simply wasn’t human—whatever ideas she came up with were guaranteed to make money.

Not just the two men; even Ling Yue stopped paying attention to Ling Chen and ran over, clinging to Tang Wan’s arm. “Big Sister-in-law, I want to learn too.”

“Mm, it has to do with you,” Tang Wan glanced at her before continuing. “If you ask me, Father shouldn’t open his own shop next year either. We can look for Yu Ziqing and Yue’er and have them join as franchisees of the hotpot shop!”

“What’s a franchise?” the three of them asked in unison.

“It means joining a certain group or organization…” Tang Wan went on to explain modern business operating models and organizational structures to them, then added, “That way, Yu Ziqing and Yue’er can make money, and you two can make money as well!”

“How did I never think of this?!” Ling Yue’s eyes lit up. “Big Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”

Tang Hongba was also surprised. “Well I’ll be—how did your brain suddenly open up? You even thought of something like this?”

Ling Canghe felt a surge of excitement too. “This is perfect—give the boss a sum of money, let him provide the staff and the recipes. That way we can run… oh right, the brand hotpot shop Wan-niang mentioned!”

Tang Wan felt a little guilty. “It just popped into my head. One person’s strength is limited—better to get more people involved. Either way, we won’t lose money!”

Tang Hongba nodded, then frowned. “But will Young Master Yu agree?”

“He definitely will!” Ling Yue patted her small chest. “Leave this to me. I’ll go persuade him—then we’ll all make money together!”

“Then we’ll be counting on you!”

“No problem!”

Seeing Ling Yue’s smug little expression, Tang Hongba and Ling Canghe both laughed.

Ling Canghe thought to himself that if this was the plan, then buying a house would have to wait for now—they’d need to keep the money as franchise fees.

Sigh…

Looks like his wife would have to stay with the second branch a while longer.

Ling Yu, who had witnessed everything from start to finish: …

Looks like the hotpot shop won’t be opening anytime soon.

The two families got along harmoniously, and Tang Hongba’s family stayed at the Ling residence until very late before leaving.

Before they left, Tang Tiansheng even returned the fifty-tael banknote to Tang Wan.

Tang Wan didn’t want to accept it at first, but Qin Suyun insisted, leaving her no choice but to take it.

Ling Canghe had planned to return to Zui Xian Pavilion, but Madam Jiang told him to stay the night. After all, they’d be keeping vigil tonight—no one would be sleeping, and it would be nice to chat together.

So Ling Canghe shamelessly stayed on.

After seeing her father’s family off, Tang Wan didn’t stay to keep the New Year’s vigil. Instead, she disguised herself and used the excuse of going back to her room to sleep. In reality, she packed up some fruit and pastries, climbed out through the back courtyard, and slipped away.

When Ling Yu returned to the room, he didn’t see her anywhere—only a crookedly written note left behind:

I’m going to pay New Year’s greetings to Yuan’er. I’ll be back later!

The curve at Ling Yu’s lips slowly vanished. He crumpled the note into a ball and casually tossed it aside—

Qingyuan Elegant Residence!

After the mother and daughter finished a full day’s work, they calculated the profits and handed out bonuses to the girls in the establishment. Only then did they drag their exhausted bodies back to their room.

Yuan’er didn’t like being alone, especially at night—it made her thoughts run wild.

Looking out the window at the myriad lights of countless homes, she wondered how many families were gathered together, leaning on one another as they welcomed the coming of the new year.

She thought that Wan-niang must be just like so many ordinary people right now—sitting with her family around the stove, eating snacks, the atmosphere warm and joyful.

Aunt Hong came in shortly after, carrying a plate of fruit. “Daydreaming again? Come on—Mother prepared something tasty for you.”

Yuan’er smiled and walked gracefully over to the table.

Just then, someone knocked on the door, and Tang Wan’s voice came from outside. “Yuan’er? Are you asleep?”

“Not yet!” Yuan’er’s expression lit up. She quickly got up and trotted over to open the door.

Tang Wan was dressed in Ling Yu’s moon-white robe, both hands full of things, with a bundle slung over her back. “Happy New Year!”