So her journey was still very long.
Without disclosing her own thoughts, Lin Yuan watched while smiling at those seated in the room, stood up, and dusted off her clothes, "Today is a very auspicious day for the opening, and the credit goes to everyone. Let’s go, today Lin Yuan will be the host and treat you all to a good meal at Fuman Building!"
With a wave of her hand, Xiao Linshuang, who had been chewing on spicy strips, immediately jumped up with excitement.
However, although the others were happy, they did not seem eager to join. They had already eaten the food from Fuman Building at noon that day, which was indeed delicious. But dining with the boss and her family felt a bit awkward to them.
"Well, Boss, I think I’d better not go," Aunt Chen suddenly said, embarrassedly rubbing her hands, "I still have my old man and my kid at home. They’ve been working outside all day and are looking forward to a warm meal when they get back. I really need to hurry home and cook for them."
Fifth Sister Bai glanced at Aunt Chen, then shyly spoke up, "Boss, I need to rush back too. My husband, if he knew I went out to a restaurant, he’d definitely be unhappy."
Sister-in-law Luo looked at her disdainfully and retorted, "How pathetic, you clearly miss your husband, yet you’re making up excuses about him being unhappy. If your husband knew you were going to Fuman Building, he’d be too pleased to bother scolding you."
Fifth Sister Bai hadn’t expected to be called out by Sister-in-law Luo like that, and her face turned even redder. She bit her lip and let out a bashful "aiya," hiding behind Aunt Chen, too embarrassed to speak.
Everyone was amused by their conversation, and Lin Yuan also understood their feelings. Just as she was about to persuade them to go together, Lady Liu suddenly whispered a few words in her ear.
Lin Yuan’s eyes lit up, feeling that her mother’s idea was excellent.
"Alright alright," Lin Yuan said with a smile to Fifth Sister Bai and Sister-in-law Luo, who was still teasing her, "I guess everyone is tired after working hard all day and probably wants to go home early to rest. In that case, we’ll have plenty of chances to dine together in the future. By year’s end, everyone should bring their family along. No more excuses then, okay?"
Aunt Chen and the others were surprised that Lin Yuan agreed to have them bring their families along for a meal, but they all nodded smilingly.
Lin Yuan glanced at Meng Liangdong and signaled Liuzi to bring over the silver. Then she added, "Everyone has worked hard today. I had intended to treat you to a good meal to both reward you and celebrate our opening. Since everyone is too busy, I’ll give out an opening red envelope instead. As long as you all keep up the good work, I’ll have red envelopes to give out every month."
In the midst of joyful expressions, Lin Yuan handed out a red envelope with five taels of silver to each person.
Clutching the five taels of silver in their hands, they were all excited beyond words.
Fifth Sister Bai was so moved she was almost choked up, happily saying to Aunt Chen, "If I bring these five taels of silver home, my husband will be thrilled to bits! He didn’t want me to work, but now I’m earning more than him!"
Sister-in-law Luo tapped her forehead and chided, "There you go, that’s your lack of ambition talking. Let me teach you, when you get home, throw the five taels of silver on him and then just sit down on the kang bed and call out, ’Go on, I’m tired today, you cook dinner! My neck is hurting, come on, give it a rub for me.’"
The women laughed so hard at Sister-in-law Luo’s imitation that they doubled over.
Fifth Sister Bai, no longer feeling shy, covered her little mouth and chuckled.
Sister-in-law Luo and the other women lived in town, so having received the silver and expressed their thanks, they each went home. Uncle Wang, needing to catch Lin Fugui’s cart back to the village to take care of his sick wife, had left early as well.