Chapter 481 - Chapter 481: Gathering from All Directions

Chapter 481: Gathering from All Directions

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Food Festival.

As dawn broke.

Everyone except Shen Ruyue, who was arranging business at home, went to Guangxi Garden.

This day was of great importance, and they all wanted to witness it.

The gates of Guangxi Garden opened, and Chu Xuhua and Chu Xujin each carried out a paper-made doll and placed them on either side of the gate. The two large bears were positioned in a welcoming pose, looking quite adorable.

Next to the dolls, there were signs saying, “Free candies for all participants of the Food Festival.”

Then, trumpet-shaped baskets full of bright flowers were arranged.

Tang Jinghong, using his lightness skill, hung up a banner saying, “September 1st, welcome to the opening ceremony of the Food Festival.”

Chu Qingzhi stood in front of the gate, pleased with the arrangements, “It’s perfect now. Thank you, everyone, for your hard work. Let’s go in.”

Everyone entered Guangxi Garden, leaving two guards at the door.

These were people arranged by Tang Jinghong, responsible for the safety during the festival. They had arrived early, a total of twenty people, and their tasks were already planned. Today, they just needed to follow the plan.

After the gates opened, the merchants participating in the festival, along with their assistants, quickly entered Guangxi Garden to set up their stalls.

One after another, everything was orderly and organized.

Chu Qingzhi’s mission today was to host the food festival. She needed to put on makeup and wear special clothes. After entering, she went to make preparations.

There were also some dancers who were preparing for makeup with her. She had specially invited them to warm up the venue.

The Chu family also set up a stall in the garden. Everything was prepared the day before and stored in a room; today, it was time to set it up.

The four elders were in charge of the stall, as everyone else was busy elsewhere and couldn’t take care of the stall.

The stalls were set up along the lakeside, next to the houses. Each merchant’s location and size were pre-planned according to the amount of money they paid, and everyone was satisfied.

In front of the stalls were paintings representing each business to promote the business.

After a while, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang brought the few of them to the Guangxi Garden. In a room on the left of the door, they set up a temporary clinic to prevent any emergencies.

As everyone bustled about with preparations, the sun rose higher.

The Food Festival, being a highly anticipated event, attracted a crowd even before it officially began, with people whispering to each other.

“Is the Food Festival starting today?”

“That’s what the banner says, isn’t it? It’s today.”

“With so much fanfare, I wonder what this festival will be like?”

“We’ll find out soon.”

Amidst the whispers, the sound of firecrackers echoed, “Crackle, crackle…”

The noise reached far and wide, drawing more and more people.

“It’s starting, it’s starting…”

The sound of drums and gongs added to the festive atmosphere…

After a while, a row of girls in red dresses and a row of boys in white robes, all with attractive appearances, came out of the garden. Their entrance captivated the audience.

The girls and boys announced in unison, “Welcome to the opening ceremony of the Food Festival, please come in…”

“Let’s go in, we can’t miss such an event!”

The crowd around the gate surged into Guangxi Garden. Inside, everyone received candy.

This was sponsored by a candy merchant. Each person visiting Guangxi Garden in the morning received one.

“Wow, they’re giving away candy too!” Someone holding the candy expressed their surprise.

After receiving the candy, people proceeded further into the garden…

The county magistrate, planning to skip work, was caught by his secretary, “Your Honor, you’re in casual clothes, what’s happening?”

The county magistrate replied with a smile, “I’m going to the Food Festival. Don’t you want to go?”

The secretary replied regretfully, “I’d love to, but there’s important work at the county office.”

Seeing through the clerk’s desire, the county magistrate said, “Fine, let’s give everyone a half-day off today. Let’s all go together.”

The secretary happily agreed, “I’ll join you then.”

“Sure.”

After getting ready, the county magistrate, the secretary, and two constables left for the festival.

Fan Yuru felt refreshed as she sprang out of bed, “Indeed, the medicine worked wonders!”

After getting ready, she called Shen Ruyue and the other two girls to head out together. On the way, Shen Ruyue asked, “Shouldn’t we have breakfast before going?”

Fan Yuru replied, “It’s a food festival, which means a place to enjoy delicious food. Are you worried about going hungry?”

Shen Ruyue was excited. “Then let’s hurry, I’m starving.”

When Xu Guannan and his classmates were about to leave, they bumped into Jiang Zhaoyong, “What a coincidence!”

Jiang Zhaoyong turned around, “Coincidence indeed. Are you guys going to the food festival?”

Xu Guannan nodded, a smile lighting up his handsome face, “Yes, the festival is creating quite a buzz. We have to check it out.”

Mostly, he was curious to see what novel ideas Chu Qingzhi would come up with.

Jiang Zhaoyong gave a thumbs up towards Guangxi Garden, “How about going together?”

Xu Guannan nodded. “Sounds good.”

Sitting under the locust tree, Yan YiXian hesitated as he read the letter sent by Chu Xuyao.

Chu Xuyao had invited him to the food festival, both in person and through the letter.

Yan YiXian seldom left the academy; in fact, he had stayed there for five years without stepping out even once. Should he go out today?

He was a mix of fear, anticipation, and hesitation.

Subconsciously, his hand moved to his knee, squeezing it. His leg had been broken once and, even after healing, it left him with a permanent limp, making his gait quite comical. With so many people at the festival, would they laugh at him?

At that moment, a white cat ran over and jumped onto the table, meowing at him.

Yan YiXian gently stroked the cat’s head, named Blue Glaze due to its beautiful blue eyes, “Are you encouraging me?”

“Meow…”

Yan YiXian smiled, “Or are you just hungry and want me to buy you something tasty from the festival?”

“Meow…”

“It seems that’s what you want.” Yan YiXian took a deep breath and made up his mind. Let’s go and see. With so many people around, no one would notice him. The main thing was to buy something delicious for his cat.

After getting ready, he headed out.

At the county city gate.

A few merchants gathered around a sign. “Food Festival?”

“Do you want to take a look?”

“Of course, we should. In our line of business, we’re always looking for new and novel ideas. I’ve never heard of a food festival anywhere else. It should be interesting.”

“Then let’s go.”

Not just them, many traveling merchants had been waiting for a few days and were now heading from the inns to Guangxi Garden..