Chef Hua
Chapter 232: Episode 140 Going to Open a Restaurant_2

Chapter 232: Episode 140 Going to Open a Restaurant_2

"Since you have a plan in mind, your second sister and I have little to say. Tomorrow I’ll go find that Zheng kid and have him pick a suitable time to take us to see the shop. That’s only proper," Jing Taihe wasn’t insistent. After thinking it over, he added, "I just think, since Yuhuai Brother has traveled far and wide as an Escort Master and has seen more than us, getting his advice might make things even more fitting."

Hua Xiaomai thought to herself that ever since that person spoke those words to her a few days ago, she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him and didn’t even know where he was. She pouted and said twice, "There’s no need for that," then discussed some details with the two of them. As it got late, she went back to her room to rest.

...

Since the matter had been agreed upon, Jing Taihe went to find Zheng Yakuai again. The family of three followed him to check out the shop at the village east.

The shop had been renovated about seven or eight years ago, presumably due to poor business, which explained why it was usually deserted, yet the building was still in surprisingly good condition. It was neat and tidy, one story with a basement, and remarkably square. The interior was bright and clean, especially luminous with light streaming in from all sides once the door was opened. Standing in the center of the room, one felt completely enveloped in sunlight.

It was just a small tavern, with downstairs barely accommodating five or six tables, which wasn’t spacious, but since Hua Xiaomai had decided to start small, it was enough. To the right was a kitchen, where though the pots and pans were somewhat old, due to the need to prepare meals for lodging guests, things like the stove and water tank were all complete. A bit of tidying up would make them usable again without needing to rebuild anything, saving a considerable amount of money.

Upstairs, there were only three guest rooms—beds, cabinets, and the like, all of which Hua Xiaomai didn’t need. She thought it best to convert upstairs into private dining rooms, providing a quiet place for people who wanted to host dinners. After inspecting the shop thoroughly inside and out, she made a special trip around to the eastern entrance of the village to take a good look from the roadside.

What Zheng Yakuai said was true. The traffic on the official road was quite substantial, with about sixty percent of the passersby, judging from their attire and the cargo on their carriages, appearing to be merchants. Fire Knife Village was just a small place, and these people might not be inclined to stay in a village tavern, but stopping to grab a bite as they passed was an excellent option.

Pleased with the shop, Zheng Yakuai went to the tavern owner that very day, and after a lengthy negotiation, managed to talk the rent down by two more strings of cash, finally settling on eighteen strings of cash per year. Without needing Hua Xiaomai to worry, he handled all the paperwork, and the shop formally came into her use.

From that day on, the Jing Family’s small courtyard bustled with activity.

As Sister-in-law Hua was pregnant and couldn’t meddle too much in business, Hua Xiaomai and Jing Taihe spared her the trouble and split up the responsibilities.

Jing Taihe took over crafting the pots and buying furniture and other necessities. He also found several reliable craftsmen in the village to refurbish and repaint the tavern; meanwhile, Hua Xiaomai focused on perfecting the menu and dish offerings. In addition to tending the garden, she also had to carve out time to prepare the sauces that Pan Ping’an had requested. From dawn till dusk, she was constantly busy, using both physical and mental labor until she went back to her room to sleep at night, finally enjoying a moment of peace.

The news that the village east tavern had been rented spread quickly throughout the village, evoking a mix of emotions in people, with some envious and some resentful of her success. One evening, as Hua Xiaomai was setting up her stall by the river, the goods were not yet unloaded from the cart when a crowd surged around her.

"Xiaomai, I heard you’ve rented the tavern in the village east and are going to open a restaurant there?" asked a regular customer who frequented her stall, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, "If we want to taste your cooking again, won’t we have to travel two miles? It’s too far, too far!"

Having anticipated such comments, Hua Xiaomai smiled and was about to reply when Chun Xi squeezed through the crowd and said in a loud voice, "Uncle Zhang, people strive for better. You always praise Xiaomai’s cooking, and now that she’s opening a restaurant, you should be happy for her. Just because the shop is a bit far, does that mean you won’t go to eat? Humph, I’ve heard your wife’s cooking isn’t particularly good. What will you do when you get cravings?"

The man named Zhang gave an embarrassed smile, scratching the back of his neck, "I’ll definitely still go to eat, but it’s really a bit too far, costing me a walk..."

"If you’re going, then just go. What’s the point in complaining?" Chun Xi pushed forward brazenly, grabbing Hua Xiaomai’s arm, "Xiaomai, I just found out today that you’ve rented the shop. I’m really happy for you! Let me tell you, in opening a restaurant, everything else is negotiable, but the most important thing is to choose a favorable and auspicious day for the opening, to get off to a good start! Near our Fire Knife Village, there’s Taiping Temple, and I know an old Taoist priest there well. Tomorrow, I’ll have him pick a good day for you. I guarantee your business will boom."

At home, Sister-in-law Hua had mentioned this too, knowing that people of this era held such beliefs. Having Chun Xi willing to help was more than welcome. Thereupon, Hua Xiaomai smiled and said, "Well then, I thank you in advance, Sister-in-law Chun Xi. On the opening day, you should come too..."

Chun Xi wasn’t listening to what she was saying and, waving her hand, continued, "I’m saying, when you open the restaurant, you’ve got to invite people, right?" (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)