How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Is she Zhao Huazhang’s grandmother?

Xia Chu had her doubts, but she didn't dare to ask. She also felt that the idea was a bit fanciful. Why would a family like the Zhao family, and a figure like the old lady, come to a place like hers that had just opened and whose details she didn't know?

As soon as Mrs. Zhao sat down, Dongzhi took her place on the stage. No matter how many guests there were, as long as there was one person who wanted to listen, she couldn't stop. But one person was always tired, so Xiachu was already training a second one, and the two of them took turns.

Dongzhi spoke five times yesterday, and her voice was a little hoarse. But she was young, and after taking some medicine in the evening, she was fine again today. Her voice was still clear and sweet, and after yesterday, she had definitely gained some courage.

Xiaoman quietly asked the old lady what kind of tea and snacks she wanted, and they were quickly brought over.

Old Madam Zhao could tell the quality of tea just by smelling it. The dim sum was average, but not too bad either.

Xia Chu was originally accompanying her, but seeing that the old lady was listening attentively to the story, she quietly left.

Hongniang was walking over with two guests, both young ladies, each followed by two maids.

Hearing Dongzhi's storytelling voice, the two of them exclaimed, "Ouch!" and hurried a few steps. "Why are there people here so early? Is it already starting?"

"What are you talking about today? I haven't finished listening to the story from yesterday. Can I choose my own?"

As they talked, the two found a place to sit down. Xiaoman came forward to ask for refreshments and quickly went downstairs to prepare them.

Nanny Zhan glanced around and whispered, "Old Madam, this place is quite clean. Miss Wang doesn't behave like an ordinary girl."

"Well, I heard that there are many brothers in your family? Your elder brother is working for Hua Zhang? And another one went to Beijing to study?" Old Lady Zhao said as she listened to the story.

"Yes." Nanny Zhan secretly sized up Miss Wang. Her appearance was impeccable, but her family background was vastly inferior. Even if she could pass the Old Madam's test, she certainly wouldn't pass the Master's. Furthermore, there was the second wife who always wished the Young Master the worst. It would be difficult. No, if she knew the Young Master favored someone from an ordinary family, she would have been beating drums and gongs to welcome her in.

After Mrs. Zhao finished listening to a story, she was ready to leave. Xia Chu saw her off to the door and watched the carriage drive away.

Perhaps he was overthinking it. Zhao Huazhang didn't know when the restaurant would open. Even if he did, he couldn't trouble his grandmother to come.

The second day's business was far from the bustling first day, but there were still many people who came specifically to listen to the story, probably because they were too bored at home. Xia Chu was already very satisfied with this. He took his time. He couldn't achieve everything overnight.

At the hour of You, the gates of Yin Ge Garden were closed. Xia Chu still called everyone to a meeting, asking about the day's progress and any suggestions for corrections.

As Xia Chu walked out of Yin Ge Garden, she spotted a tall figure to the right of the gate. "Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Huazhang turned around and couldn't help but smile when he saw Xia Chu, "Miss Wang."

In fact, he wanted to call her Xiaochu, but he was afraid of offending the beauty.

Xia Chu smiled back and asked curiously, "Why are you here?"

"I heard the young lady opened a garden, so I came to congratulate her." He had known about Xia Chu's business plans for a long time, but he felt a little disappointed when his gift was rejected. Plus, he was busy with family, so he hadn't had much time to come over. He had gotten the news yesterday and found time to come over, but it was all women coming and going, so it wasn't convenient for him to show up, so he left.

Xia Chu saw that he was picking up something again and subconsciously took two steps back.

Zhao Huazhang felt empty inside, and he didn't know whether to give away the thing in his hand.

The person who had just been smiling with joy suddenly lost his composure. Xia Chu couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted, secretly wondering if she had overreacted. However, she knew Zhao Huazhang's thoughts, and it was inappropriate to keep accepting his things. For a moment, she felt a little conflicted and embarrassed.

"I, I'm just giving her a gift. It's nothing expensive," Zhao Huazhang explained. "She didn't even accept the New Year's gift. I don't have any other intentions. We've known each other since childhood, so it's just a small gift. There's no need to be so shy about it."

"Ah," Xia Chu scratched his cheek. Is that so? "Then, what is it?"

"It's a jade carving. It looks exquisite, but I have no use for it." Zhao Huazhang saw her move and quickly took out the object. It was indeed a small object, a round hollow ball, about the size of a pigeon egg. There was something inside, and when it moved, it made a crisp sound.

Xia Chu took it and saw that there was actually a little rabbit carved into the hollow ball! She turned the ball in amazement. The ball was intact, with no openings. The little rabbit couldn't fall out no matter how hard it rolled inside. She couldn't help but ask, "How did this rabbit get in?"

Seeing that she liked it, Zhao Huazhang smiled and said, "It wasn't put in there, it was carved inside this ball."

Xia Chu's eyes widened. "Is it carved inside this ball?"

But the hollowed-out gaps aren't very big, and the winding patterns are so convoluted, how could the carving knife reach in and carve through them? How long would it take to carve such a delicate craft?

"As long as you like it." Zhao Huazhang paused and asked, "Did an old lady come today?"

"Isn't that your grandmother?" Xia Chu raised her head. "Did you invite her?"

"No," she came on her own. Zhao Huazhang didn't know how to explain it. After thinking for a while, he admitted, "I invited her. I wanted to show my support for her."

Xia Chu frowned and disagreed, "How can I trouble you, old lady, with such a small matter here?"

Zhao Huazhang felt somewhat helpless. He had been unwilling to discuss marriage for years. He had dodged it, tried all kinds of soft tactics. His grandmother no longer said anything, but secretly had people investigate him. She had discovered Xiaochu's existence, and no one knew how she knew Xiaochu had opened a garden. She actually came to see it in person today. "My grandmother likes to be lively. She didn't say anything today, did she?"

But knowing his grandmother well, he probably wouldn't say anything inappropriate. She wasn't unreasonable or tactless, and she loved him dearly. Even if she was unhappy, she wouldn't embarrass someone she loved.

"No, I just came here to listen to the storytelling and left soon after." Xia Chu replied, with some speculation in her mind. Could he have come to see her? Zhao Huazhang's reaction was very strange, and Mrs. Zhao's visit was also very strange.

She looked up at Zhao Huazhang. The man across from her held a high position, came from a wealthy family, and was handsome. Why would he be attracted to her? Was it just his face? That shouldn't be the case. There were many beautiful ladies from wealthy families. If it was just superficial, why approach him so cautiously? He always offered to help when there was something going on.