The Dao dies but I live on, the spiritual energy dries up but I remain evergreen

There have been rumors going around town lately.

The monthly tax grain has increased a lot.

Therefore, even though the Spring Festival is approaching, there are still many people doing business and working in the city.

The government plans to build a temple in the south and west of the city, as well as other places with good water transportation.

The temple is not very large or grand, but it still requires a lot of manpower and material resources.

Those who built temples could reduce their family's taxes in the second year, and two meals a day would be provided by the government.

At one time, countless applicants appeared, and young and strong men were vying for the spot.

Even some refugees who were scattered here joined them in order to get some food and survive the cold winter.

“It’s difficult. It’s difficult.”

An old man in his sixties moved a small wooden stool and sat in front of the gate, watching the pedestrians coming and going, sighing repeatedly.

This time last year.

The family has been reunited happily.

Now the whole family, young and old, still has to travel outside.

"Uncle, why are you still sitting outside in this weather? It's going to snow soon."

The door of the old house opposite the old man was pushed open and a strong man walked out.

The man has a cheerful personality, wears thin clothes, and has solid muscles.

"Alas, I'm old now, and have nothing to hope for. I just want to wait for my children to come back." The old man sighed.

The young man said hello and turned away.

After the man walked away.

Another man in white passed by and greeted the old man guarding the door: "Uncle, how long have you lived here?"

The man in white was quite outgoing.

While asking questions, he sat down on the ground next to the old man, supporting himself with his hands.

With a light aroma of wine.

I don’t know why, but I just felt that my body was warmer.

The old man looked at the man in white and said, "I grew up in Longcheng."

"Oh?" The man in white raised his eyebrows, pointed at the old house opposite, and asked, "Then how much do you know about the family opposite?"

The old man said slowly, "We are old neighbors. The house across the street has been passed down for generations. I envy how prosperous the people are."

"Oh." The man in white asked again, "Sir, do you know why that man went out on such a cold winter day?"

The old man glanced at the man in white and felt that he didn't look like a bad person. The key was that he knew the family across the street very well. They were poor and there was nothing he could gain from them.

He said, "What else can I do? I can build a temple. That's a good job."

"We can't farm in the winter, but participating in the construction of the temple can reduce the tax grain in the second year, which will reduce the pressure next year."

The man in white nodded and took a few sips of liquor. The pungent smell of alcohol made the old man frown.

The man in white stood up and said with a smile, "Sir, please go inside and wait. It's very cold here."

After saying that, he waved and left.

The old man was stunned, then thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he picked up the small stool and walked into the house.

……

Wait until Li Changxiao pushed open Long Laixiang's door.

I saw Yang Xiuhua, with her hands on her hips, looking at me fiercely.

She asked, "Where did you go?"

"I'm going out for a walk." Li Changxiao explained, "The store is closed today, and I finally have a day off."

Yang Xiuhua was speechless for a moment.

I wanted to scold him, but I found out that I was not right.

But he felt angry and uneasy again, and couldn't help but start to think deeply about the reason why Li Changxiao suddenly disappeared.

"Huh? Is the food ready?" Li Changxiao saw the food on the table, walked to the table, picked up a pair of chopsticks, and was about to try it.

"Get off!"

Yang Xiuhua was so angry that she pushed Li Changxiao away, picked up the new dish she had developed, and cursed: "I won't give my food to a stinky man like you!"

She was aggressive, like a tigress guarding her food.

Li Changxiao is good at entering dreams. Although his skills are not very high, he can see a lot of things at a glance.

The proprietress of Long Lai Xiang, who is seen as a shrew by outsiders, is actually a sensitive and low-self-esteem girl who has not yet married.

The betrayal she experienced seemed to have a profound impact on her, making her less likely to trust others but more likely to rely on others.

Li Changxiao touched his stomach and said with a smile: "Boss lady, if you don't give me food, I will starve to death tonight."

Yang Xiuhua rolled her eyes, and seeing Li Changxiao's expression, for some reason, her anger subsided a lot.

In the final analysis, she was just afraid that Li Changxiao would suddenly betray her like Liu Ba of Hu Laixiang.

But just at that moment, she figured it out.

Li Changxiao was just a waiter who was detained by him for eating and running. He was not on his side to begin with, so how could he be accused of betrayal?

"Sorry, I was just too emotional," said Yang Xiuhua.

The two sat around the table.

Li Changxiao picked up a piece of meat, put it into his mouth, and smelled the fragrance.

When it comes to delicacies from land and sea, he has eaten quite a few.

He has eaten quite a few spiritual fruits and exotic herbs that feed on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

However, in his opinion, the food that can most touch people's hearts and stimulate their taste buds is the food cooked in smoke and fire in this world.

"Delicious!" Li Changxiao gave a thumbs up.

Yang Xiuhua pretended to be fierce and slapped him away, but she was secretly delighted in her heart.

She cooked four dishes, all of which were delicious and well presented.

Seeing Li Changxiao enjoying his meal, she also felt a sense of satisfaction.

I'm thinking I can try to launch it tomorrow.

Longlaixiang Canteen only provides food, not accommodation.

There were not many workers in the hall. Including Li Changxiao, who ate and ate for free, there were only four of them in total.

Yang Xiuhua worked as a cook during the day and did accounting at night. Before Li Changxiao came, she was also responsible for cleaning.

It’s not that we can’t recruit people, but we are afraid of being cheated.

Her parents died early and she was the only one left at home.

If I hadn't inherited some skills from my parents, I would have been wiped out long ago.

It would be difficult for a woman, let alone a big and strong man, to maintain this family business.

Yang Xiuhua is used to doing things herself.

After eating most of the food and wine on the table, she relaxed for a rare day and went back to bed early.

the next day.

Yang Xiuhua spent some copper coins, hired some workers, and announced the new dishes with gongs and drums.

Li Changxiao received the order and ran outside to solicit customers.

It turns out that the effect is quite good, and Longlaixiang has returned to its former bustle.

Time passes like this day by day.

Longlaixiang's business is sometimes hot and sometimes cold.

this day.

When Li Changxiao was serving the dishes, he heard from the guests that the temple in the west of the city had been built.

A temple fair will be held tomorrow.

At that time, Longcheng Prefect Huang Tingsheng will also be present!

Li Changxiao was not interested.

However, this news reached Yang Xiuhua's ears, and she decided on the spot to go and worship the next day.

Li Changxiao was speechless and told Yang Xiuhua that the temple seemed to be a temple of the Mother of the River, which was dedicated to ensuring safe water transportation, but it was not a temple of the God of Wealth, so it would be useless for you to worship there.

Yang Xiuhua didn't care, she just wanted to go and worship, even if it was just to ask for good luck.

Not only that, she also brought Li Changxiao along.

It is said that Li Changxiao drinks all day long, and he might get into trouble when he ventures into the underworld in the future, so he should go and pray.

Li Changxiao said that whether he got into trouble or not had nothing to do with Yang Xiuhua, and warned Yang Xiuhua that it was impossible for him to work for her for the rest of her life, so she shouldn't be tempted by him.

He said this while drinking, with a serious expression.

After hearing this, Yang Xiuhua's eyes widened on the spot. She didn't expect this guy to think like this. She became angry and picked up a broom to chase Li Changxiao and beat him.

You stinky swordsman, who do you think you are!

It went on for quite a while.

Long Lai Xiang Restaurant finally returned to calm.

Yang Xiuhua went back to sleep, leaving Li Changxiao alone, watching the falling snow outside the window.

He sighed slowly.

I feel a bit headache about the upcoming tomorrow.

I'm meeting old acquaintances again.