After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Gu Yu, the little dumpling, also joined in the fun, saying, "Mother is the best, we can't ignore her!" As he spoke, he glared angrily at Fu Cui.

Everyone was amused by his serious expression. The poor little dumpling didn't understand what was going on, but seeing everyone laughing, he laughed too. The clear, cheerful "giggle" sound was delightful.

Lin Hao asked him, "Honey, what are you laughing at?"

"When Mother smiles, Baby smiles." Looking at his adorable appearance, Lin Hao couldn't help but hug and kiss him again.

The little dumpling's voice grew louder, filling the whole room with his sweet, childlike laughter.

Unlike the peaceful atmosphere inside the private rooms, the downstairs area was already bustling with noise! ​​Many people wanted to come in but found that there were no seats available. Not only was the main hall full, but even the private rooms upstairs were all booked.

Seeing the crowd standing on the street outside, the quick-witted servant found Manager Li and explained the situation. Upon hearing this, Manager Li hurriedly went out to see what was going on, and sure enough, there was a long queue.

This queuing wasn't a solution, and murmurs of complaint could already be heard from within the crowd. Manager Li quickly called over a servant, "Wang Xing!"

Wang Xing, who was in a hurry, rushed over and said, "Shopkeeper, you called me."

"Quickly, go to the kitchen and tell the manager to prepare some plum juice for these customers outside! Tell them that our restaurant has not been hospitable enough today, and that this plum juice is a gift from our restaurant to help them cool off in this hot weather. Remember to be gentle with your words!"

"Okay, sure!" Wang Xing quickly jogged away.

Manager Li didn't waste any time and hurried off to find Gu Liunian. Little did he know that shortly after he went upstairs, a group of constables swaggered over. Seeing their imposing manner, many people backed away, wondering what had happened to the Gu family restaurant! Some of the more timid ones even sneaked away when no one was looking.

A group of people entered the restaurant, their expressions serious, and immediately began shouting, "Where's the manager? Get your manager out here!"

Seeing this, some of the diners in the lobby hurriedly paid their bills and left.

Tu Bai had just bought roasted sweet potatoes and came in when he witnessed this scene. Without saying a word, he turned and ran upstairs.

Manager Li had just reported the situation to Gu Liunian when, before he could hear a reply, Tu Bai opened the door, interrupting him.

"Sir, the officials are here, looking for... looking for the shopkeeper! They're very aggressive, I'm afraid they're up to no good!" Tu Bai had run too fast and was panting heavily, speaking in fits and starts.

But this did not prevent everyone in the room from hearing his words. Except for the bewildered little Gu Yu, everyone's expression changed.

Gu Liunian stood up. "Let's go down and take a look."

Seeing his composed demeanor, the tense crowd couldn't help but relax slightly and follow him downstairs. Tu Bai quickly put the roasted sweet potato he was holding on the table and followed him down.

Seeing the worry on Lin Hao's face, Gu Liunian turned around and said, "It's alright, you stay here with Yu Ge'er, I'll be right back."

Looking at his determined eyes, Lin Hao nodded slightly, but she was still sweating bullets, wondering how things would develop. It is said that the common people cannot fight against the officials, let alone with the restaurant across the street.

When Gu Liunian came downstairs, he saw the second manager leading people to negotiate with the group of yamen runners. Seeing that the runners no longer had their usual smiling faces, he knew that this matter was unlikely to end well today.

He raised his voice and asked, "I wonder what brings the magistrate here?"

As soon as he asked the question, the arrogant yamen runners immediately became more composed. The leader said, "Greetings, Master Gu. We are here today on orders to discuss the reopening of your restaurant."

"Oh? So you've all come to show your support. Manager Li, why don't you properly greet these officers?" Gu Liunian replied casually.

"Yes, boss." Manager Li replied immediately and then turned to greet everyone.

The leader was so frightened that he hurriedly declined, "No, no, no, I have official business to attend to today, let's do it another day, another day!" As he spoke, he put on a smile and said to Gu Liunian, "Master Gu, it is a joyous occasion for your restaurant to open today, but as you can see, there are so many people queuing outside. This is not only disturbing the surrounding shops, but also endangering everyone's safety!"

"So, what do you think? Why don't you close the shop early today to save people from having to wait in line and causing unnecessary trouble?"

"Gentlemen, you are very kind. Your concern for the safety of the people under your jurisdiction makes us feel at ease! However, it is really unreasonable to turn away customers when you are running a business. As for the queue outside, we will take good care of it and not cause any trouble for the magistrate!"

"This..." The leader and the others looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Gu Liunian ignored them and instructed Manager Li, "Go and fetch paper and pen. Tell the customers outside that the restaurant is full today, and we're afraid we'll take up too much of their time. If they wish, they can come back tomorrow. The restaurant will give them a complimentary dessert then, and they can also register their desired meals with the waiter. They can come back tomorrow with their handwritten receipts as proof. There's no need to waste any more time today. If anyone is unwilling, take them to the teahouse across the street, and put the cost on our tab."

"Yes, boss." Manager Li's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he immediately made the arrangements. In fact, because there weren't enough literate waiters in the restaurant, not only was Mo Ran Tu Bai called on, but even Liu Dan was called on to help.

In less than fifteen minutes, a dozen or so people came in carrying several thick stacks of papers, and the long queue outside disappeared.

Manager Li came over and reported: "Master, not counting those who came together, there are a total of 108 guests, all of whom are registered. Among them, ten guests are from out of town and will be setting off tomorrow. I have arranged for them to go to the teahouse across the street."

Gu Liunian nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the bailiffs who were standing there dumbfounded. "I wonder if you gentlemen are satisfied?"

"Satisfied, satisfied." The group awkwardly echoed, "We still have official business to attend to, so we won't disturb Mr. Gu's business any longer." After saying that, they left without waiting for Gu Liunian's reaction.

Once they were out of sight of the crowd, the leading constable kicked the man next to him hard: "You, Li Er, didn't you say Gu Liunian wasn't here? Then who is this?"

"Boss, I really didn't know he was here. Gu Liunian came in a carriage this morning, and left before noon. I thought Gu Liunian had already gone home. Who knew he was still here!" Li Er said ingratiatingly, rubbing his leg that was sore from being kicked.

"I knew I shouldn't have taken their money. Now look what happened, I didn't get much money and I've offended Gu Liunian." The leader was unhappy, and his tone was even worse.

Who in the entire Qingyuan County doesn't know the name Gu Liunian? He was a famous talent in the county when he was young. After losing his father, everyone thought that he and his widow would be bullied to death. Who would have thought that he would severely punish all his clansmen at such a young age? His ruthless methods are still shocking to this day!