At this time, a short, fat, fair, middle-aged man came out of the kitchen. The forehead is broad and full, the head is as big as a bucket, and the two big round eyes seem to be inlaid with two black pearls, exuding a bright look. One nose is very small and straight, the lips are thick, and the chin is round. He looks exactly like a Maitreya Buddha.
He wore a tall, round purple-brown leather hat and a short waistcoat that was tailored to fit him. The short waistcoat looked just right against his petite body. There was a long, snow-white towel tied around his plump waist. The towel was not stained with any dirt, and seemed to be brand new and freshly washed. On his feet were a pair of black canvas cotton boots. He is less than one meter tall, and his short size is really annoying.
When the diners in the hall saw him walking out slowly with small steps, they all greeted him enthusiastically: "Shopkeeper Hu, has the business been good recently?"
"You look like you've gained weight again?"
"Have you introduced any new dishes recently?"...
This person is the shopkeeper and chief chef of Xiangyun Inn, "Hu Sanshao" Hu Fugui.
Hu Fugui came to the hall, waved to everyone, said hello, smiled brightly, and a flower seemed to bloom on his chubby face.
At this time, the group of officers and soldiers investigating the case all left in disbelief, seeing that they could not find any valuable clues.
Nahu Fugui visited the venue for a week and warmly greeted everyone to eat and drink.
Some diners who came here for the first time were surprised to see that the legendary short shopkeeper with extraordinary cooking skills actually lived up to the rumors and had a dishonorable dignity. Several diners could not help but cover their mouths and secretly laugh. Due to Hu Fugui's face and the large number of diners in the hall, they couldn't laugh out loud, but the other two couldn't help but started to spit on their rice. One of them also laughed so much that he fell off his stool, holding his belly, laughing until he was out of breath. I almost laughed out loud as I took my breath away.
Here, Xu Feng and others were immersed in eating and drinking. Suddenly, they looked up and saw the rumored unattractive Shopkeeper Hu. Their eyes widened with great surprise on their faces. Unexpectedly, this Shopkeeper Hu really looked like the legendary one. Dwarf.
But what everyone didn't expect was that such a dwarf who would never grow up actually opened such a spacious and grand inn. Not only that, he could also cook delicious food.
It is in line with the saying: people cannot be judged by appearance, and sea water cannot be measured!
It seems that a person's ability and appearance have nothing to do with his appearance. Aren’t there many people who can achieve great things who are ugly in appearance?
While everyone was looking at each other in astonishment, shopkeeper Hu was already standing in front of the table with a smile. He was so short that he was not as tall as the table. Everyone looked at him in shock, as if they were looking at a monster. Similar.
Hu Fugui naturally noticed the strange expressions on everyone's faces, but he did not show any displeasure on his face. He still looked at them with a smile, just like looking at the regular patrons who often came to cheer, his eyes were full of joy. Respect, comfort and cheer.
When he looked at Menghua and Leng Yue, he seemed to show a hint of shyness that was not easily noticeable.
I just heard him smile and say: "Everyone, eat slowly, eat and drink well!" He winked and continued, "You all look strange, it must be your first time here, right? How do these dishes look? Do they suit your taste? ?" He rolled his eyes and glanced at everyone.
Although he is short, he is fair and fair, and although his appearance is not flattering, he is not unpleasant.
Everyone could only look down at him. Leng Yue and Meng Hua couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh, but they returned to normal in an instant. They also knew that it was indeed very rude to laugh at other people's jokes in front of others.
Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan glanced at the two of them and signaled them not to be unreasonable.
They didn't mean to look down on Hu Fugui, but they felt it was a bit funny and strange to suddenly see such a short middle-aged man appear in front of them.
On the contrary, they felt that Shopkeeper Hu was very cute, like a miniature little brother.
Everyone smiled and nodded at him, saying that the dishes tasted very good. This is also the true feeling in their hearts.
Hu Fugui smiled at everyone and said enthusiastically: "If you are satisfied with the meal, you must come here often in the future! My name is Hu Fugui, and I am the shopkeeper here. I won't disturb you anymore. Please eat slowly! If If you need anything, just call me at any time." After that, he nodded and bowed to everyone, smiled and turned around to leave.
Everyone glanced at his small figure and couldn't help but feel emotional in their hearts.
Xu Feng's face tightened, and he suddenly said: "The officers and soldiers who came to investigate just now turned out to be about Peach Blossom Villa. Hey, I'm really worried about Brother Nangong and the others! I hope they are all safe and nothing happens again. That’s good!”
Shangguan Hongqin scooped a mouthful of soup into his mouth and said comfortingly: "Master, don't worry anymore. Brother Nangong, Jiren Tianxiang, will be fine. Besides, there are many agencies around Peach Blossom Villa. The security is tight, and those thieves must be afraid. Besides, the government is now involved in the investigation, and I believe the thieves will be caught soon." She stared at Xu Feng, comforting her mouth, but there was a trace on her face. A flash of melancholy.
Liu Ruyan was suddenly deep in thought. He frowned and stared at the soup in the bowl. He took a few mouthfuls and then put it down.
Menghua saw something strange in his expression, and asked curiously: "Brother Liu, what are you thinking about?" She often paid attention to Liu Ruyan's expression, and saw that he often looked at something for a long time, and she guessed what he must have. Worry.
Liu Ruyan suddenly came back to his senses and said thoughtfully: "Did you notice just now? There was something wrong with the way the officer and soldier looked at the Pisces porcelain bottle! Just now he was still suspecting that we had stolen it. It's really strange, it's just a street shop An ordinary porcelain vase, why does he look so surprised?" He looked up at the crowd and murmured.
Xu Feng took a mouthful of vegetables and put it into his mouth. While chewing, he nodded and said, "Nephew Liu Xian is really quick and thoughtful. I just noticed that when he saw the Pisces porcelain vase, his expression was full of nervousness and suspicion. Could it be that He is suspecting that we stole this porcelain vase from Peach Blossom Villa? Could it be something from Peach Blossom Villa?" His eyes lit up, he analyzed it intently, and seemed to have thought of something.
Leng Yue put down the bowls and chopsticks in her hands, frowned in confusion and said, "No way, we obviously bought this porcelain vase from the store, how could it be something from Peach Blossom Villa? How can this not be justified?"
Menghua held the Pisces porcelain bottle in her hands, looked at it carefully, pursed her lips, and said quietly: "I don't think it's such a coincidence, is it? We didn't hear Uncle Nangong talk about losing such a thing last night! In my opinion, the officer and soldier saw the beauty of the Pisces porcelain vase and wanted to snatch it away and keep it for themselves. We must not fall into his scheme!" Menghua stared at the crowd with wide eyes.
Shangguan Hongqin sighed softly and said quietly: "Oh, okay, let's not think about these things anymore. The government will find out what exactly happened, so we shouldn't make random suspicions here, everyone. Eat quickly, let’s get on our way as soon as we’re done eating!”
Everyone immersed themselves in eating again.
After finishing the meal, Xu Feng took out his money to pay for the food, and asked the waiter to bring some lunch boxes to pack up some of the remaining dishes to temporarily satisfy his hunger on the road.
The group of people took their belongings and walked out of the inn. The two servants ran quickly to the crossroads and drove the carriage parked by the roadside.
At this time, the pedestrians on the street had gradually become sparse. The sun was still gentle and bright, shining on the street pavements, casting mottled shadows.
At this moment, two dirty beggars ran quickly down the street. Each of them was leaning on a walking stick, holding a greasy broken bowl in their hands, and carrying a small sack on their backs. Then he gathered around everyone begging for something.
The two men raised the broken bowls in front of everyone and murmured begging: "You noble officials, please do us a favor and reward us with a few coins! We haven't eaten for several days and we are almost starving to death! Sirs, please do us a favor." I’m a great benefactor to the officials, just do it!”
When Xu Feng saw this, he felt unhappy and wanted to drive him away, but Shangguan Hongqin quickly dissuaded him. He took out a few pieces of silver from his arms, about four or five cents, and put them in their bowls.
When the two beggars saw someone generously giving alms and seeing that they still had several pennies, their eyes lit up, they nodded and bowed to everyone, thanked them profusely, and then ran away happily.
Leng Yue saw that her mother was kind and generous, and then said with a smile: "Mother, you are so kind! I think they are also very pitiful!"
Menghua disagreed and curled her lips and said: "They are pitiful? I don't think so. They have hands and feet. Why don't they go to work to make money to support themselves, but they are lazy and beg for charity from others? I think they are just lazy people. It’s not worthy of pity!”
Leng Yue rolled her eyes at her and showed disapproval.
Everyone got on the carriage and continued on their way. The carriage started and drove slowly along the official road at the end of the long street.
Liu Ruyan mounted the white horse and followed the carriage, looking around as he walked.
The carriage drove through the long street and turned into the official road.
Xu Feng lifted the curtain and looked ahead with wide eyes. He said slowly to the two servants who were driving: "Ahead is the Fengsha Crossing. There is a small river there. When you drive to the river, you must be more careful and follow the riverbed. Up there, go a little further, and there will be a stone arch bridge. The bridge is a bit steep, so you should pay more attention to the road conditions on the bridge."
The two men responded, shouting and raising their whips to urge the horse. The horse had just nibbled on the grass by the roadside, drank enough water, and started running at a leisurely pace with a slight neigh.
Liu Ruyan also started galloping briskly with her horse, and not long after, she came to a small river. The water in the river was fast, rolling and flowing towards the east. The water flowed and made a dull sound.
Menghua stuck her head out of the window, looked at the river, and said quietly: "This river is so big! This is the first time I have seen such a big river! There is also a small stream next to Wolong Valley. When I was a child, Brother Liu and I I often go to the stream to catch fish and shrimps, and yes, there are also crabs. The crabs are hidden under the stones. There are many small stones. You can see them as soon as you open them." She recalled the good memories of her childhood, her eyes twinkling. Shining with great joy.
After saying that, he looked at Liu Ruyan behind him, smiled at him, and shouted: "Brother Liu, hurry up! When we return to Wolong Valley, can you accompany me to catch crabs in the creek in the back mountain? good?"
Liu Ruyan caught up and said to her through the car window: "Okay! You are no longer a child and you still want to catch crabs. You are not afraid of Miss Lengyue laughing at you!"
Leng Yue couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled, stuck her head out of the window, and said cheerfully: "My flower sister is always so cute. When we get to Cuihua Mountain and meet Uncle Chu, we will go to the creek to catch crabs together!" When she saw Menghua smiling sweetly and looking carefree and happy, she also became excited!
The carriage quickly drove across the river bed and came to the stone arch bridge Xu Feng was talking about.
This is a long, narrow and steep stone arch bridge. The bridge deck looks quite wide and flat. There are about 20 stone caves arched under the bridge deck. This side is uphill, and the opposite side is downhill. The entire bridge spans the river. , looks very spectacular.
The two servants said respectfully: "Master and Madam, please sit down, we are about to go on the bridge!"
After that, the two of them reined in their horses and crawled slowly toward the stone bridge. The bridge was steep, and the horse seemed to be struggling to carry it. It was sneezing, white foam was coming out of its mouth, and it was making a heavy wheezing sound.
