After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

"Initially, diners disagreed and started arguing after eating the pickled fish and boiled fish. Unexpectedly, the argument grew bigger and bigger, attracting the attention of many people. These people became curious about the pickled fish and boiled fish and wanted to come to Hao Yun Lou to try what kind of dish could cause so much controversy. In this way, one attracted ten, ten attracted a hundred, and more and more people came to Hao Yun Lou to buy pickled fish and boiled fish."

Lin Xiaoyao's eyes lit up as she spoke: "Boss, this must be the herd mentality you mentioned before. Many people have never eaten pickled fish or boiled fish, but when they see others enjoying them so much, they also want to try them."

Seeing that Lin Xiaoyao still remembered what he had unintentionally said, Gu Lin's eyes flashed with appreciation and satisfaction as he said, "That's right."

"Now that diners are actively promoting Hao Yun Lou, we shouldn't be intimidated. Instead, we should seize the opportunity to expand Hao Yun Lou's reputation. Go ahead and do it, I'll be watching from behind."

Looking at the confident young man in front of him, Lin Xiaoyao felt that the other man was constantly refreshing his understanding of the world.

Whenever he thought the other party was capable enough, Gu Lin always exceeded his expectations. For example, in this incident, Lin Xiaoyao would never have taken the risk just to expand the restaurant's reputation.

Lin Xiaoyao is a few years older than Gu Lin, but she feels that she has wasted all these years.

Lin Xiaoyao sincerely admired him, saying, "Master is brilliant."

"Why do I smell a sour and spicy aroma? What dishes did the cafeteria make?"

After leaving the school, Zhou Zicheng and the headmaster went to the school cafeteria for lunch.

The headmaster was also a little puzzled. He stroked his beard and said, "The dishes in the academy's canteen are all decided before the start of the semester and cannot be changed at will. I have never smelled this aroma in the canteen before."

Unlike the other party who was hesitant, Zhou Zicheng said, "We'll know once we go in and take a look."

Zhou Zicheng and the headmaster stepped into the canteen.

In the canteen, every table was filled with students. When Zhou Zicheng and the headmaster passed by these students, regardless of whether they were eating or not, the students would stand up and bow to them.

The headmaster waved his hand, telling them not to stand on ceremony and to sit down and eat properly.

Walking up to the person serving the food, looking down at the familiar dishes before him and smelling the increasingly strong aroma, Shan Shang asked, "What did you make today? It smells so good!"

After hearing what the person on the mountain said, the person serving the food replied, "Reporting to the headmaster, the fragrant food is probably not from our school, but rather the pickled fish and boiled fish that the scholars bought from outside."

The headmaster turned around and looked at Zhou Zicheng.

"What are boiled fish and pickled fish?" the headmaster asked.

The person serving the food was somewhat surprised, but those who worked in the prefectural school canteen were not fools. He quickly concealed his surprise and explained, "Reporting to the headmaster, pickled fish and boiled fish are dishes that have recently become popular in the prefectural city. Almost every day, the scholars buy them for lunch."

The headmaster knew that many students in the academy came from well-off families and therefore disliked the food served in the canteen. Normally, they would bring their own carefully prepared dishes from home or order fine banquets from restaurants. Now, listening to the cook, these picky eaters were eating two fish for several days in a row.

The headmaster felt a little curious and turned to Zhou Zicheng, saying, "Zixian, why don't we send someone to buy boiled fish and pickled fish to try?"

Before Zhou Sicheng could answer, a clear, cold voice came from behind him.

"The student greets Headmaster Zhou."

Zhou Zicheng turned around and saw the familiar young man in front of him, saying, "It's you."

Their gaze fell on the food box the other person was holding, assuming that the other person had come to the cafeteria to eat and had come over to greet them.

Zhou Zicheng said, "Go eat."

Zheng Hao raised the food box in his hand and said to Zhou Zicheng, "Mr. Zhou, this is food that I brought from home. Please enjoy it with me, sir and headmaster."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zicheng's serious expression softened slightly, and he said, "I know your intentions. I will accept this time and work hard in the future."

Having been lectured by his teacher, Zheng Hao felt no worry or fear.

He said to Zhou Zicheng, "These are homemade pickled fish and boiled fish, each with its own unique flavor. You and the headmaster can try them."

"Oh?"

Compared to Zhou Zicheng's seriousness, the headmaster was much more easygoing.

He hadn't dared to interrupt his friend's instruction of the students, but now, upon hearing Zheng Hao mention the two dishes, the headmaster asked, "Did your family make the pickled fish and boiled fish that the students at the prefectural school have been eating recently?"

Scholars have always looked down on merchants, but Zheng Hao replied without changing his expression, "Yes."

After hearing this, the headmaster turned to Zhou Zicheng with a smile and said, "Zixian, look, your student is thinking of you."

How could Zhou Zicheng not sense it?

Although Zheng Hao was cunning and scheming, Zhou Zicheng knew that he was kind at heart. In addition, Zheng Hao was exceptionally talented and hardworking, so Zhou Zicheng was very satisfied with this student.

Zhou Zicheng said to Zheng Hao, "Go ahead."

After handing the food box to the other party, Zheng Hao bowed and turned to leave.

Looking at the other person dressed in the most ordinary school uniform, yet still able to make their figure appear as bright as the moon, the headmaster sighed and said, "Spending every day with these young students, sometimes I feel old. How long ago was it that we were also so full of vigor?"

Zhou Zicheng was not as melancholic as him and said, "In ancient times, Jiang Taigong was seventy years old. It is rare to meet a wise ruler and achieve great things. Why should you belittle yourself, Elder?"

"You, you..." The headmaster shook his head, but ultimately said nothing.

The school's holiday started very late, with students not being allowed to go home until New Year's Eve.

Gu Lin wanted to have new clothes made for everyone to wear during the Chinese New Year. If they waited until Zheng Hao came back from his holiday to make them, the clothing shop owner would have already closed down and gone home for the New Year.

So Gu Lin took Zheng Hao's measurements and handed them to the embroiderer at the clothing shop, which ensured that Zheng Hao's new clothes were made in time.

The Spring Festival is the most joyous and happy time, but there are so many things to prepare. Although Gu Lin has been here for three years, he has never had to prepare anything for the Spring Festival because of Aunt Zhao.

This year, Zhao's wife still took full charge, allowing Gu Lin to comfortably be a hands-off manager.

On New Year's Eve, Good Fortune Restaurant was open from morning until afternoon. Before evening, Gu Lin had Yu Ercheng and his men close the shop.

After pasting couplets and the character "福" (fortune) on the Good Luck Building, Gu Lin called everyone to the main hall.

Without wasting any words, he distributed the prepared bonuses and red envelopes to everyone, saying, "Everyone has done a great job this year. In the next ten days or so, enjoy a peaceful and happy New Year. Next year, let's make big money together!"

After receiving the generous bonus and red envelope, the young men, one after another, gushed out a string of auspicious and flattering words, completely different from their reserved and tongue-tied demeanor when they first came out of the brokerage.

After handing out the four most generous red envelopes to Lin Xiaoyao and Yu Ercheng respectively, Gu Lin left Good Fortune Tower to go home.

The snow in the prefectural city was finer than that in Xiahe Village. Gu Lin walked on the snow with an umbrella, his boots sinking deeper and deeper into the snow.

He lowered his head and tried to move forward, when suddenly a gentle voice rang out from in front of him: "Uncle Gu".

Gu Lin raised his head, and the umbrella in his hand tilted backward with his movement, slightly exposing the young man's head outside the umbrella, with snow falling on his head and black hair.

Seeing the scene before him, Zheng Hao quickened his pace. The snow that Gu Lin had struggled to walk on was like a plain under Zheng Hao's feet, and he walked on it without any effort.

Arriving in front of Gu Lin, Zheng Hao, being taller than him, tilted his umbrella forward, naturally shielding Gu Lin's exposed body.

Gu Lin slightly raised his head to look at the boy in front of him, his raven-feather-like eyelashes covered with a few specks of snow: "Weren't you supposed to be moving books home from the academy? What brings you here?"

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly. Gu Lin's scarf was slightly askew, exposing his slender, white neck to the cold air. He frowned. Uncle Gu was extremely sensitive to the cold; if he didn't tie the scarf properly and went back, Uncle Gu would definitely get sick.

Zheng Hao spoke, his breath forming a cloud in the icy snow.

He said to Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu, please hold the umbrella properly."

As Zheng Hao stepped back, Gu Lin held up the paper umbrella in his hand.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Hao took a few steps back, lowered his arm and placed the paper umbrella on the snow, letting the fine snow fall on him.

Gu Lin was startled and before he could react, Zheng Hao stepped closer to him, stopping when he was about two fists' distance away.

Then, Zheng Hao calmly raised his hands and, under Gu Lin's stunned expression and gaze, grasped the scarf around Gu Lin's neck with both hands, reminding him, "Uncle Gu, your scarf is crooked, let me tie it for you."

As Zheng Hao spoke, he gently pulled Gu Lin's scarf towards him, the gray fur covering the young man's fair neck again until not a trace of skin was visible, before Zheng Hao began to tie the cord.

With his eyes slightly lowered, Zheng Hao took a few steps back after tying the rope.

Gu Lin came to his senses and realized that the other person had suddenly moved closer to him to help him tie his scarf, but for some reason, when he thought of Zheng Hao lowering his eyes to hug his scarf, Gu Lin's heart raced slightly, and he felt that something was wrong.

Gu Lin frowned slightly.

Zheng Hao noticed the other person's pensive expression and casually called out, "Uncle Gu."

Coming to his senses, Gu Lin looked at Zheng Hao in front of him and realized that the other person had called him several times in a row.

Putting aside his inexplicable thoughts, Gu Lin said, "Let's go back."

Zheng Hao nodded.

The two braved the fine snow to hurry home.

Aunt Zhao had already boiled water and was waiting for them to return. She urged Gu Lin and Zheng Hao, "Hurry up and go back to your room to take a bath. We'll have our New Year's Eve dinner soon."

Gu Lin and Zheng Hao's houses were very close. As they walked, Gu Lin said to Zheng Hao, "The new clothes are in your bedroom. You can wear them directly after you take a bath."

"Thank you, Uncle Gu." After expressing his gratitude, Zheng Hao lowered his head and patted the snow-covered clothes on his body.

On their way home, the snow was falling heavier and heavier. Zheng Hao tilted his umbrella towards Gu Lin, covering him completely while leaving most of his own body exposed. By the time they got home, they were covered in snow.

Although he had brushed off a lot of snow at the doorstep, his clothes were still covered with a lot of fine snow that he hadn't brushed off. Seeing Zheng Hao raise his palm and gently pat his body to shake off the fine snow, Gu Lin couldn't help but step forward and tiptoe slightly to brush the remaining snow off Zheng Hao's shoulders.

Uncle Gu's sudden approach made Zheng Hao's body stiffen slightly, but he kept his head down and did not raise his eyes, letting the young man in front of him brush away the remaining snow.

Zheng Hao's body was cold, but Uncle Gu's hands were still warm through several layers of clothing. Zheng Hao closed his slightly upturned, thin, and cold eyes.

A moment later, he looked up at Gu Lin and said gently, "Alright, Uncle Gu, the snow on my body has been cleaned off. I'm going to take a bath now."

Not noticing anything amiss, Gu Lin nodded in agreement.

Back in his bedroom, Zheng Hao took off his clothes and stepped into the bathtub filled with hot water. Leaning against the tub wall, he could still feel the faint scent of winter plum blossoms emanating from Uncle Gu.

It has a slightly cool feel and a delicate fragrance.

Zheng Hao shifted his gaze slightly, landing on the soap on the shelf to the side, his dark eyes becoming even more somber and unfathomable.

It was a profound depth unlike any other calculated maneuvering; it was a completely new and unfamiliar darkness, a hidden, burning heat.

As the water in the bathtub cooled from warm to slightly cool, and the indescribable heat in his body gradually subsided, Zheng Hao got up and left the bathtub.

Having not seen the new clothes Uncle Gu had prepared for him, Zheng Hao turned his gaze slightly and noticed the red clothes hanging on the rack behind him.

Zheng Hao did not hesitate and stepped forward to take off the red clothes and put them on.

Zheng Hao left his bedroom and went to the main hall, where Gu Lin had also finished bathing and changed into new clothes.

As Zheng Hao stepped into the lobby, he paused slightly, looking at Uncle Gu, who was dressed in red just like him, not far in front of him.

Hearing footsteps outside, Gu Lin turned around and saw Zheng Hao in a red dress. His eyes lit up.

Unlike his own dark red new clothes, Zheng Hao's red clothes were made of a bright red cloth specially selected by Gu Lin, with the embroiderer using gold and silver threads to embroider the design. Therefore, Zheng Hao's red clothes were flamboyant and gorgeous.

If others wore this outfit, they would either look tacky or effeminate. But Zheng Hao was different. The red robe with gold and silver trim not only did not suppress his good looks, but also made his already outstanding appearance and figure even more extraordinary.

If Zheng Hao used to appear aloof and unapproachable in his light-colored school uniform, then he was breathtakingly cold and aloof in his red attire.

This aloofness doesn't mean Zheng Hao is effeminate, but rather that it's her overall demeanor; even in a fiery red dress, she still commands respect and prevents people from getting too close.

Perhaps because he hadn't gotten used to seeing Zheng Hao in red, after a while, looking at the young man in front of him, Gu Lin felt a sense of familiarity mixed with strangeness.

It was as if the other party wasn't Zheng Hao, but the regent from the original story who had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

The red on the other person's body was not made of dye, but was soaked in blood and lives.

Seeing that Uncle Gu in front of him remained silent for a long time, he did not miss the fear that flashed in the other's eyes.

Zheng Hao's heart sank slightly, but he softened his expression and said in a gentle voice, "Uncle Gu."

The gentle voice brought Gu Lin back to his senses. When he saw the boy in front of him again, his face was slightly smiling, and his eyes were clear yet gentle. Gu Lin slowly exhaled. This was not the ruthless regent from the original story. This was clearly Zheng Hao, who had lived with him for four years.

Putting aside his earlier overthinking, Gu Lin smiled and praised, "You're all so young, you should look good in red, it makes you look bright and energetic."