The Last Stall

Gu Ning'an's identity was well-known throughout Lexiang County's Underworld Court.

He was a true immortal and had helped City God Xu resolve a "great calamity," making him a benefactor to the City God.

Thus, everyone in the Lexiang County Yin Court knew how to treat Mr. Gu.

Therefore, as soon as Gu Ning'an spoke, the two officials immediately bowed in respect. "We will wait outside."

"Thank you." After giving a polite nod, Gu Ning'an didn't enter the house but turned to Jin Wan and said seriously, "Please run an errand, buy some fresh ingredients to make mutton soup, and also find Grandma Sun's cart and utensils. Is that alright?"

"Good! Good! Good!"

"I'll go right away! I'll go right away!"

Jin Wan responded enthusiastically and quickly stumbled outside.

Although he didn't fully understand what was happening, he had a vague sense of what was going on, which made him nervous.

Now, only Grandma Sun and Jin Xingwang remained in the hall.

Although the ten-year-old child was good at reading the room, he had no idea what to do next.

Grandma Sun showed a kind smile and waved her hand. "Xingwang, come here."

Hearing this, Jin Xingwang timidly walked over. "Great-grandma, what is it?"

"Xingwang… Great-grandma remembers everything now."

"Lying is wrong, do you understand?"

Grandma Sun gently touched Jin Xingwang's head, her gaze holding no trace of reproach.

Jin Xingwang trembled slightly, then lowered his voice, "Great-grandma, I was wrong."

"Since you know you were wrong, kneel." Grandma Sun's voice was gentle, her face still wearing a warm smile.

Jin Xingwang was startled, looking at the elderly woman before him. He knew that this woman had never scolded him before.

But today, she wanted him to kneel?

"Still not kneeling?" Grandma Sun repeated, her tone as soft as if she were asking, "Did you eat?"

With a thud, Jin Xingwang fell to his knees in front of Grandma Sun, lowering his head. "Great-grandma, I know I was wrong..."

"Good, stay kneeling for now." Grandma Sun gently patted Jin Xingwang's head and continued, "When we're done with the mutton soup, you can get up."

"Mm!" Although Jin Xingwang's knees were hurting from kneeling, he felt a sense of relief. It seemed that this brief kneeling would be the least punishment for him…

...

This day, Grandma Sun's mutton soup stall was set up at the Ansi Courtyard.

Due to the urgency with which Jin Wan pushed the stall, it quickly attracted attention, and many curious neighbors gathered outside the courtyard to watch.

The courtyard gate of Ansi Courtyard was open, and people outside could see the scene inside.

Grandma Sun, skilled at preparing the mutton soup, was working in front of the cart, and oddly, her son was standing nearby helping.

What was even more unusual was that some people noticed that the old Jin family's most precious great-grandson, who was usually doted on, was kneeling near the stall, looking like he was being punished, but his expression was as relaxed as usual.

Considering the peculiar nature of the Ansi Courtyard, no one dared to speak too loudly outside. Only occasional murmurs could be heard.

As time passed, the rich aroma of mutton soup wafted from the courtyard, drawing the attention of the neighbors, making them crave the dish.

"Daddy, that old lady's soup smells so good!"

"Zizi also wants a bowl!"

A little girl with braids tugged at her father's sleeve and said this.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it triggered a chain reaction.

The adults present were too embarrassed to say they wanted to eat, but there were plenty of "little gluttons," weren't there?

If they were getting food for their children or buying food, wouldn't it be easier to speak up?

As a result, voices from the adults filled the air. Most of the neighbors had tried Grandma Sun's mutton soup before, so they were well aware of the price.

Many of them held out money and loudly called for a bowl of mutton soup.

In the courtyard, Grandma Sun looked at Gu Ning'an with some concern, and he seemed to have guessed her thoughts. He walked up to the stall and smiled. "Please serve me two bowls of mutton soup."

"Alright..." Grandma Sun responded, and soon she filled two bowls with lamb soup and added four pieces of roasted flatbread.

Gu Ning'an placed them on a tray and walked toward a corner of the courtyard.

The Jin family thought that Gu Ning'an was getting food for himself, but they were surprised to see him place the bowls down after moving a wooden table to the corner. He then returned and put the tray back.

The Jin family was confused, but Grandma Sun understood. Mr. Gu was using her mutton soup to buy himself more time...

"Jin Wan, go tell the people outside that we don't have much of the raw ingredients left, so let each family have a bowl to taste. As for the money for the mutton soup, don't charge them." Grandma Sun finished speaking, and Jin Wan immediately ran outside to relay the message.

Upon hearing this, the people outside were overjoyed, with some thanking Grandma Sun, others praising her culinary skills, and a few families discussing who would eat a little more...

Even though time was limited and the "workload" was large, Grandma Sun made the mutton soup without error. Calm and efficient, she managed to prepare enough for dozens of people in under half an hour.

Outside the courtyard, the neighbors brought out wooden benches for everyone to sit and eat. A rough count showed that there were probably at least a hundred people eating mutton soup outside.

It felt like a festive gathering, with everyone eagerly enjoying the food outside the Ansi Courtyard.

Some people even heard about it and were rushing over.

"We're almost out of mutton soup..." Grandma Sun looked at the nearly empty pot and smiled. "Jin Wan, tell the people still coming that they'll have to go back. Apologize to them for not being able to serve them today..."

"Got it! Got it!" Jin Wan quickly agreed and acted as a messenger, bowing to apologize to the people outside who had missed out.

"It's fine if we didn't get any today! But now we're all craving it! Will we be able to eat it tomorrow?"

Someone from the crowd loudly asked, causing a chain reaction.

Whether they had gotten the mutton soup or not, everyone was asking when the next stall would be set up.

Some even insisted on paying Jin Wan, eager to prove they weren't expecting something for nothing.

Jin Wan was greedy, but that didn't mean he accepted any money. In fact, he tried to refuse the money, but he couldn't. After all, there were many older people present who wouldn't take no for an answer.

At that moment, Grandma Sun stepped forward and smiled at the people gathered. "Everyone, I hope my Sun's mutton soup was to your liking?"

"It was! It was perfect!"

"I wanted some too! I came too late!"

"Grandma Sun, when will you set up the stall again? Will it be here at the Ansi Courtyard? I've already paid Jin Wan!"

Looking at the excited crowd, Grandma Sun's eyes grew misty. She waved her hand and said, "No more stalls. This will be the last time Sun's mutton soup is sold..."