Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 264: Which Year

Chapter 264: Chapter 264: Which Year

Shen Miaomiao and Nanzhi were both busy serving guests, only coming back to the main table to chat when they found some free time.

Seeing her own daughter bustling around, Mrs. Lin was filled with indescribable emotions.

Who would have thought that her daughter could have such luck today?

As these thoughts filled her mind, Mrs. Lin’s eyes welled up with tears. Just then, Nanzhi came over to serve some tea, and seeing her mother’s state, she was instantly flustered.

"Mother, what’s wrong?"

"I’m just too overjoyed. Now that you and Miaomiao have opened such a big restaurant, you need to manage it well in the future," Mrs. Lin said with a smile, while Aunt Guihua chimed in from the side.

"Now that you two young ladies are the owners, you need to be able to shoulder the responsibilities. You absolutely cannot slack off."

Aunt Guihua said these words while looking at Shen Miaomiao, who nodded in response.

"Aunt Guihua, we understand."

After Nanzhi went around offering everyone tea, she headed back to the kitchen.

She had only instructed Xu Chou to leave six pounds of mutton, the remaining four pounds were made into lamb skewers which sold quite well at lunchtime.

Of the five pounds of pork she had bought earlier, there were still three pounds left.

After checking the order forms, aside from a few stir-fry dishes, most of the orders were for one wen coin per skewer of vegetables.

Compared to Lin Xiaoquan and An Wazi who were busy grilling skewers, the kitchen was much quieter.

Nanzhi was not discouraged. As long as she could break even on the first day of business, it would be a good start. The main goal was for people to know about her establishment, Sanwei Residence.

After the famine two years ago, crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes had become a necessity for every household, with the price of potatoes now as low as one wen coin per pound. Nanzhi instructed the kitchen to slice the potatoes and skewer them, which made some customers a bit unhappy.

"These potatoes are one wen coin per pound outside, at least ten skewers can be made from one pound. Here, one wen coin only buys one skewer, it’s not worth it." A lady frowned while looking at the dish served on her table. These things were cheap but sold at a high price here.

She had heard that there was complimentary food for each table, and didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity, so she hurried in to try it out.

But she didn’t expect to only be able to buy a skewer of potatoes for one wen coin.

"Mother, isn’t the taste quite good?" the young man next to her felt a little helpless.

His family owned a small shop and they had a monthly income of a few taels of silver. They could surely afford a meal at Sanwei Residence.

But his mother kept complaining about the prices.

He was really getting a headache.

"What do you know?" The lady glanced at her son, then called over an attendant.

Upon hearing someone call, Aze rushed over promptly.

"Customer, what do you need?"

The lady looked at Aze and pointed at the menu, "I want to add three skewers of lotus root."

"Alright, please wait a moment," Aze answered and retreated. The young man next to her felt helpless.

"Mother, why are you ordering lotus root?"

"The most expensive vegetable dish on this menu is lotus root, so of course it’s more cost-effective to eat this," the lady said proudly, her voice not so quiet. The young man felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Mother..."

"Alright, alright, just eat. These lamb skewers are for you, give them a try." The lady handed the skewers to the young man, and took a slice of potato for herself.

Just as Miaomiao was chatting with others after dinner, Xiaohe went to the kitchen to find Nanzhi.

"Xiaohe, do you need something?" As soon as Nanzhi saw Xiaohe, she had a bad feeling.

"Let’s find a quiet place to talk," Xiaohe murmured after looking around.

Nanzhi was puzzled, but she still led him into a room.

This room was smaller, and was specially reserved for Nanzhi, Miaomiao, and Uncle Ping to check the accounts.

"What happened?"

"I’ve run into some trouble and can’t stay in Yan City any longer. Before I leave, I want to warn you, someone has started to pay attention to you. You have to be careful," Xiaohe looked at Nanzhi, somewhat helpless.

He had only just come into being not long ago and was trapped in this world for several reincarnations. This time, he managed to recover thanks to Shen Wenchen. If he stayed here any longer, he was afraid that he would be completely devoured by someone.

This world was rife with contradiction.

On one hand, it was on the brink of collapsing, and on the other hand, it was generating more and more heavenly treasures.

These would only attract a growing number of covetous beings.

"Someone’s paying attention to me?" Nanzhi was somewhat stunned as she looked at the young man in front of her.

Who could it be?

Su Tao had now left Yan City for Kyoto, so logically, there should be no problems.

Xiaohe didn’t reply, he simply pointed at the sky and whispered: "What year is it now?"

Nanzhi was taken aback.

What year?

Suddenly, her face paled as she stared wide-eyed at Xiaohe.

Xiaohe knew she had understood his meaning, there was some pity in his eyes, "I don’t know why you returned, but it’s time now. You need to be careful. As for the thing I gave you, don’t use it unless you have to. It might just save your life."

After saying this, Xiaohe stood up and left the room. With just a turn, he disappeared.

Nanzhi remained seated, lost in her thoughts for quite a while.

What year is it now?

This is the fifth year after Wenchen joined the army when Zhiyu was five and a half years old!

Now, Wenchen has gone to Kyoto and so has Su Tao. Isn’t this the moment in the story when they meet?

With that possibility in mind, Nanzhi felt a suffocating pressure in her chest, followed by a sharp pain.

Xiaohe was the Heavenly Path, newly born in this world.

She should have thought of this possibility, but she dared not believe it.

Who could have the ability to interfere with the Heavenly Path?

Was it the plot of the novel?

Was it the owner of the arrow that narrowly missed her two years ago?

"Sister Nanzhi?"

The Lins had already left, Shen Miaomiao originally planned to tell Nanzhi, but found her lost in thought. She couldn’t help but feel worried.

"Miaomiao..." Nanzhi took a moment to collect herself, but her forehead was already covered in a cold sweat.

She had been suppressed by the plot and spent those three years with the substitute soul after Shen Wenchen disappeared.

Naturally, she knew how terrifying it was.

"Sister Nanzhi, what’s wrong with you?" Shen Miaomiao hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe Nanzhi’s sweat, her eyes filled with worry.

Nanzhi took the handkerchief from her, shaking her head, "I’m fine. Did you need me for something?"

"Nothing major, just wanted to tell you that Auntie and the others have left. Sister Nanzhi, are you feeling unwell?"

"I’m okay. You should go and do what you have to. I just need to rest for a while."

"Alright, if you need anything, call me." Miaomiao poured a cup of water for Nanzhi before leaving the room.

Remembering the red envelope Xiaohe had given her, Nanzhi quickly took it out.

Inside the envelope was a long and flat box, containing thin slices about the size of fingernails.

They looked somewhat like ginseng slices, but not quite the same.

As she looked at the contents of the box, Nanzhi felt dazed.

What was this?