Chapter 108 Can’t Enter the Door
"This cold pot skewers business is really good." Mrs. Lu was holding a heavy bag of money, very satisfied, "At this rate, I estimate that it won't be long before my brother-in-law and his wife can open new franchisees."

"Yes." Xia Mingyue narrowed her eyes and smiled.

The situation is indeed much better than expected. After a few more days of running-in, adjusting the product and production process, and establishing a standardized operating method, it can basically be released to the public.

Her Xia Ji has a bright future!
Xia Mingyue was very motivated. In the next few days, she increased the quantity of all the skewers a little to see what the market demand was.

As Xia Ji’s cold pot skewers business became popular, news spread to Jinqiu County.

The front line broke through the Changzhou city and won a great victory.

As soon as the news came out, the entire Jinqiu County was in an uproar, and everyone was filled with joy.

Everyone is happy, one reason is for the country.

Since the founding of the Great Zhou Kingdom, the emperor has been benevolent and has been diligent in all areas. There have been few cases of corruption and abuse of power. The people are relieved and are very supportive of the emperor and the Great Zhou Kingdom.

It is naturally a happy event that the Great Zhou Kingdom can expand its territory.

The second is for home.

Jinqiu County is close to the border, and now that Changzhou Prefecture has become a new territory, it is equivalent to pushing the border front line much further west. If anything unexpected happens again, Jinqiu County will not be the only place that is easily affected.

Moreover, the Great Zhou Kingdom was established not long ago, and there were long years of war before its founding. Everywhere needed to recuperate. After the capture of Changzhou Prefecture, the front-line troops also spent some time recuperating and no longer fought major battles.

Many families in Jinqiu County have people serving in the army, and a short-term end to the war means that their families will be safe.

For a moment, Jinqiu County was decorated with lights and the whole city was celebrating. It was even more lively than during the Chinese New Year.

But while I was happy, I also had a lot of worries.

The cost of taking the city of Changzhou was quite high, and it was said that there were many casualties. However, the list of casualties in compensation had not yet been released, and no one knew whether their own family members would become the dead souls on the battlefield.

Many people were frightened by this and even often went to the county government to inquire. Some people even went to the city gate every day to see if they could see the soldiers returning home.

Xia Mingyue and Lu also began to feel a little worried. At night, the candles in the house burned longer than usual.

But no matter how worried we are, we still have to go on with our lives as usual.

The daily work cannot stop, the things that need to be done cannot be neglected, and the busy business still requires full effort.

Everyone understood this truth, and the worries on their faces gradually hid in their hearts.

A few more days passed and it was already August.

First, the list of names of deceased soldiers who were eligible for pensions was sent to the county government office, which then sent people to notify each family of the death and distribute the pensions.

In the following days, some people began to return home from the army to visit their families and report that they were safe.

The former began to hang mourning clothes and handle funeral affairs, while the latter were extremely happy that their family members could return safely.

The contrast between some being happy and some being sad is so huge that it is really sad.

Xia Mingyue and Lu had no time to express their feelings at this moment.

There is no news about Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai yet.

Mrs. Lu was particularly uneasy these past two days. When she was preparing skewers of vegetables in the morning, she was stabbed twice by bamboo sticks and shook her hands again and again in pain.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry too much." Xia Mingyue consoled her, "The county government has reported all the deaths, and Brother Zhao's name is not on the list, so he must be fine."

"He hasn't come back yet. Maybe he's just busy with military affairs. Brother Zhao is the leader of a large group, so he must have gone home first to check on his subordinates."

"Maybe." Lu sighed.

In addition to this possibility, there are other possibilities.

For example, if someone was seriously injured on the battlefield, or even to the point of disability, he would not return for a long time until the army was free, at which time he would be sent back.

But Lu didn't dare to say this.

First, she was afraid that these words would become a curse, and second, she was afraid that Xia Mingyue would worry more about Lu Qiyan. Xia Mingyue advised her not to worry too much, but the apron she wore today was inside out, which showed that she was also in a trance.

By the next day, Xia Mingyue and Lu finally felt relieved.

An acquaintance brought word that Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai were both safe and sound, and would probably be back in two days.

"May the City God bless us." Mrs. Lu let out all the depression that had been suppressed in her heart for some time in one breath, and bowed again and again in the direction of the City God Temple. "This amulet I prayed for in the City God Temple is really effective. When the person returns safely, I must go to the City God Temple to fulfill my wish."

"Yes." Xia Mingyue responded with a smile.

With the accurate information, Xia Mingyue and Lu's mood improved a lot. They just went to set up the stall to sell cold pot skewers and keep an eye on the street so that they could be the first to see Lu Qiyan and Zhao Youcai coming in from the west gate.

Just as the sun was rising higher, Lu Qiyan stepped into the south gate of Jinqiu County.

On the way home, Lu Qiyan went to the food stalls on the street to see if Xia Mingyue was there.

When he saw three unfamiliar women at the Xia Ji food stall, Lu Qiyan guessed that they might be the people hired by Xia Mingyue to do the work, so he simply turned into Xinghua Lane.

Along the alley, Lu Qiyan ran straight...

Home?

Looking at the neat and brand new gatehouse and gate, as well as the newly built blue brick courtyard wall in front of him, which looked completely different from before, Lu Qiyan's first reaction was that he had come to the wrong place.

But there is no doubt that this is Xinghua Lane, and there is no doubt that this is Zhao Youcai’s house next to it.

Xia Mingyue made a lot of money during this period, so she renovated the house and yard?
Lu Qiyan guessed this and reached out to push the door.

The door didn't move at all, as if it was locked from the inside.

Lu Qiyan raised his hand and knocked a few times.

There were soft and gentle footsteps coming from inside the door, coming closer and closer to the door, and then there was a "crash" sound, as if something jumped on something.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Qiyan saw a dog head in the corner where the gate tower and the wall met.

It is Wu Jin.

Seeing this, Lu Qiyan breathed a sigh of relief.

He certainly didn't find the wrong door.

When Wu Jin saw that the person coming was Lu Qiyan, his eyes suddenly widened and his face visibly drooped.

High-profile bag?
Why is he back again!

Really annoying!
Wu Jin made no effort to conceal his dislike for Lu Qiyan. He barked at him several times, his tone full of unkindness.

"Is anyone home?" Lu Qiyan discussed with Wu Jin in a friendly voice, "Wu Jin, can you help me call someone to open the door?"

Wu Jin continued to bark at Lu Qiyan.

"Wow wow wow!"

"Woof woof woof woof woof!"

"Wang Wang Wang!"

Lu Qiyan, "..."

Why is it that every time he comes back, he seems unable to get into the house?

　Wugin: Don't even think about it!

　　Now this door is under my control!

　　Not allowed!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)