In the hospital room, seeing that Bai Xiao was all right, Yu Shaoyan’s parents and the elder Bai Family members left. Before they went, Yu Shaoyan warmly invited He Wei to stay at their place, suggesting there’s no need for him to keep staying in a hostel given his close relationship with Bai Xiao.
It made no sense to let this young man stay in a hostel.
However, He Wei still declined with a smile. Bai Xiao suddenly had a bunch of relatives, but He Wei wasn’t used to it, and wasn’t familiar with them. Being around strangers doesn’t necessarily mean that one can easily blend in just because of a label or a relationship.
Bai Xiao also told his uncle not to worry. He Wei, being an adult and a businessman used to traveling around, could definitely look after himself without causing concern.
Only then did Yu Shaoyan leave.
Yu Feixue stayed behind to keep Bai Xiao company, not wanting her to be alone and bored.
Yu Feixue looked at Bai Xiao, "Seeing you bouncing around, you seem fine. So let’s change clothes and go out for hotpot; I’m treating. You have no idea, there’s this new Bai Family Spicy Hotpot that’s recently opened in Modu, and it’s incredibly busy.
Normally Modu residents aren’t too fond of spicy flavors, but this place is truly addictive once you try it," she said.
This was her friendly gift, a private treasure. Her own restaurant had been open for half a year, and it was said to be so crowded that a second branch was about to open.
If they weren’t good friends, she wouldn’t be spending a lot to invite someone out for hotpot.
When Bai Xiao and He Wei heard this, both of them burst into laughter, exchanging glances.
"What are you two laughing at? What does this mean? I am genuinely treating you, and you laugh at me! If you don’t give me a reason today, I won’t let you off," Yu Feixue said, feeling downcast, her invitation was sincere and this was no street stall.
The average cost per person at this hotpot restaurant was eighty yuan.
She, like Bai Xiao, was still a student, and between her monthly allowance and living expenses, if she didn’t budget properly, eating hotpot twice would make her broke for the rest of the month.
He Wei asked with a smile, "How do you not see any connection with the name of this hotpot restaurant?"
His gaze teasingly shifted to Bai Xiao.
Yu Feixue was puzzled, these two were really speaking in riddles.
"What connection can there be?" she asked.
"What’s the name of this hotpot restaurant?" He continued to prompt.
She replied irritably, "Bai Family... oh, Bai Xiao also has the surname Bai, could it be...?"
Yu Feixue widened her eyes in surprise.
Bai Xiao nodded and said with a smile, "This is my sister’s restaurant."
"Great, Bai Xiao, you’ve kept this a very good secret. But hold on, I remember your grandparents saying that your siblings were just ordinary farmers—no, I mean they worked the land, right? How did they end up in the city running a hotpot restaurant and even managed to expand to Modu?" Yu Feixue was completely confused now.
"His siblings did indeed come from a rural background, but later his brother joined the military, and his sister and brother-in-law moved to the city with her to support their kids. This Bai Family Spicy Hotpot was actually Bai Xiao’s idea.
The business was so good back home it made people envious. His sister and brother-in-law are now opening chain stores nationwide, and I bet Bai Xiao doesn’t even know about the Modu branch yet," He Wei explained.
"You’re right, I really didn’t know," Bai Xiao realized, surprised at his sister and brother-in-law’s potential for growth.
They had managed to grow Bai Family Spicy Hotpot so significantly.
The fact that they could expand from a distant northern city to Modu demonstrated that they must have established a chain throughout the region.
This allowed them to keep the base ingredients consistent, maintain the same taste, the same service, the same pursuit of quality.
This, of course, was beyond her wildest dreams.