Wen Huaren was frightened and shrank his shoulders, seemingly inclined to dodge to the side.
"Don’t mind them; co in and sit." Hua Xiaomai was both annoyed and amused as she waved him into the house, then turned to Chun Xi and said, "Scholar Wen isn’t the first person to enter the shop today, sister-in-law; stop scaring him."
"How is he not?" Chun Xi retorted confidently, puffing up her chest, "Your family of three owns the restaurant, and La i and I are employees; we don’t count as patrons. As for brothers Yuhuai and Great Saint, they are here to help, not strangers. Only this Scholar Wen is the first custor to enter the shop, and we must seek this auspicious blessing!"
Only then did Wen Huaren realize he had been treated as a token of good fortune, which made him chuckle as well. Naturally a calm and non-confrontational person, he decided to indulge Chun Xi and cheerfully said, "Ah... then consider this my way of coming for a al, and I’ll give you this couplet as a gift."
"You actually believe them?" Hua Xiaomai shook her head in resignation and said, "Today, I had originally planned to set up two tables for a feast. Thanks for giving this couplet, and if you’re not too busy, stay and have a drink. I’ve prepared many fine dishes today; eat as much as you like, for if you want to co back later for more, you’ll have to take a long detour."
While Wen Huaren initially hesitated, he soon felt tempted, egged on by Chun Xi and La i who nudged him gently. Thus, he half-heartedly agreed and enthusiastically fetched the glue, pasting the couplet on the front door.
...
Hua Xiaomai sat in the hall and exchanged a few words with everyone. Seeing that the ti was about right, she went to the kitchen to busily manage the preparations. Chun Xi and La i followed her inside, helping to pick and wash vegetables. They coarsely chopped them first, leaving the finer tasks for Hua Xiaomai.
Running a restaurant was different from setting up a stall by the river. One must not only consider what dishes were popular and easy to cook as before but also display the chef’s true skills, especially on the opening day feast.
The heat from the kitchen fires made Hua Xiaomai sweat profusely, yet she kept busily moving. Besides the crucial at pot, she prepared one or two dishes of all the recipes she had learned throughout her life.
Smooth, mildly tart southern fried liver, spicy and stimulating mustard chicken, refreshing pepper fish soup... Since the restaurant catered to the general public and traveling rchants, it used the most common ingredients available, which further demonstrated the cook’s skill. With determination, she took so chili peppers stored at ho, fried and ground them into powder, and made a cold mixed beef tripe dish. Big plates and small bowls lined up all across the stove, their combined aromas lightly wafting outside, so that passers-by on the official road hardly needed to co close to pause for a mont and inhale the rich fragrance.
As noon approached, the guests invited to the feast began to arrive gradually.
Ke Zhenwu led a group of warriors from the Shun Escort Agency through the doors, imdiately assigning people like Da Zhong to help move and carry things. He also gave Hua Xiaomai a pair of colorful gourd vases as a congratulatory gift, suggesting it would look good no matter where it was placed in the shop. The more practical Qiao Xiong from the paper shop undoubtedly brought sothing more practical, gifting a set of exquisitely made bowls and dishes which could be put to good use daily in the restaurant.
The villagers also brought gifts; without hesitation, Zuo Jinxiang rolled up her sleeves and headed to the kitchen to help. Two tables were set up in front of the house; one was fully occupied by the Shun Escort Agency, and another was filled by Qiao Xiong and other villagers.
A few days earlier, Jing Taihe had discussed with Hua Xiaomai that at the restaurant’s opening, they must invite Old Master Liu, the village chief. No matter what, having a good relationship with him would make future business smoother.
Though Hua Xiaomai was reluctant, she understood the logic and nodded in agreent, thinking to herself that Old Master Liu, who had previously been at odds with them, might not even co if invited.
Unbeknownst to her, the old man had a penchant for taking advantage of situations and actually showed up. Flattered by everyone, he brazenly took the seat of honor. Hua Xiaomai couldn’t stand him, but on this joyous day of the grand opening, she refrained from arguing and simply called over Wen Huaren to have him sit next to Qiao Xiong for so support.
At noon, the banquet began, and the restaurant was officially open.
Jing Taihe lit a long string of firecrackers, which crackled loudly and scattered red paper scraps all around, drawing the attention of passing villagers who paused to watch.
Throughout the feast, glasses clinked, and the noise of lively chatter was incessant. Jing Taihe, despite the help of ng Yuhuai and Great Saint, was still sweating profusely.
Hua Xiaomai was also busy and flustered in the kitchen. As she was serving a plate of ginger duck slices, La i hurried in, tugged at her sleeve, and frowned, whispering, "Old Master Liu is being ridiculous! He chased Chun Xi around, asking what spice was used in the cold beef tripe dish that made it so delicious. When Chun Xi told him it was your ho-grown chili, he started muttering about such a good thing not being shared for everyone in the village to grow and profit from! Uncle Qiao tried to pull him away several tis, but he ignored him. It seems even Mr. Ke from Shun Escort Agency is getting angry!"
Hua Xiaomai’s brow furrowed deeply as she handed her the plate and dashed outside, only to be subtly stopped by ng Yuhuai, who gently shook his head at her.
On such a happy day of the grand opening, was this old man really persisting in making others uncomfortable, and they couldn’t even say a word about it? Hua Xiaomai genuinely felt sickened and couldn’t let it pass. Just as she was about to pull away, she noticed three or five people descending from the official road. The leader of the group searched around, seemingly looking for the owner of the establishnt.
Hua Xiaomai forced a smile, suppressing her irritation: "Gentlen... are you here to dine?"
"Hmm," the man nodded, "Did your restaurant just open today? We slled sothing delicious on the official road. Do you have any special signature dishes?" (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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