The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 528 - 517: Opening a Store

Chapter 528: Chapter 517: Opening a Store

The third day of the Lunar New Year had just passed when Junior Ms. Qian and Zhou Dalang headed to the county town together. They tried every restaurant in the big and small streets of the county town, asking questions all along, and then settled on the prices for their dishes.

In the afternoon of the fourth day, Zhou ErLang and the others tidied up some rice, flour, and beans at home, and by evening, they hauled them to the county town for the couple.

Because it was the first time opening the restaurant, everyone was very nervous. Most of the family went to the county town to help. There wasn’t enough room for so many people to sleep, so braving the cold, everyone used the newly purchased tables and stools of the ground-floor restaurant to make shift beds, lying on them with bedding brought from home.

Manbao and a few of the younger children stayed home, only going to join in on the excitement the next day.

Everyone thought that since it was a new store, there wouldn’t be many customers, especially since they didn’t know many people in the county town.

But who would have expected that early in the morning, just after the restaurant opened and the first round of firecrackers had burst, County Magistrate Yang stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back, then led Wantian into the restaurant.

Some of the idlers in the county town, originally there to scope things out, saw County Magistrate Yang and gave way, observing as he brought gifts to the customers. They pondered, "Wasn’t it said that the buyer of the store was just an ordinary family from Qili Village? Why did County Magistrate Yang personally come to give his well-wishes?"

"Who knows, but since they’re acquainted, we should keep our distance. Although our county magistrate appears all smiles, he has quite a temper."

"Such bad luck, finally, a new store opens, and it turns out to have a background."

The crowd watching the excitement outside the store gradually dispersed, and more followed County Magistrate Yang inside to eat breakfast.

Especially the neighboring store owners who also ran eateries—it was almost a customary practice for establishing better relations in the future. When a new store opened, as long as the proprietors were amiable, most people would stop by to offer their congratulations.

In the case of the Zhou Family, who were opening a restaurant, others were even happier, as they could learn the ins and outs without spending much.

Not only non-competitors but also competitors would secretly send people to dine in and assess the situation.

Passersby seeing so many people in the shop, and noticing it was a grand opening, also couldn’t resist the curiosity to come in and buy something to eat.

Indeed, we people of Luojiang County do love a bustling scene.

After all, isn’t eating breakfast from one place as good as any other?

Because of this, the first day of opening turned out to be unexpectedly busy. The Zhou family had plenty of hands, but since this was their first time doing business, everyone was still in a flurry, until Old Zhou and Ms. Qian came with the children.

They had left before dawn, which is why they could arrive so early. Seeing the mess in the shop, dishes ordered at one table being served to another, Datou and Second Son at the counter collecting money, also sweating profusely—not making calculation mistakes, but simply not remembering how much people had eaten.

Seeing this chaos, Ms. Qian frowned and told the scurrying Zhou Xi, "You and your second sister-in-law go to the kitchen and focus on that. Leave the front to others."

Then to Zhou SiLang and Zhou ErLang, who were serving plates, she said, "Both of you go to the counter. Two handles the money—if he can’t remember clients and their orders, have them pay up front. Four, escort clients to their seats. Datou, help your second uncle. Second Son, tidy up the tables. Along with your big uncle, Third Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and Sixth Uncle, bring out the dishes from the kitchen and take care of the customers."

With Ms. Qian’s assignments, things became more orderly, though still hectic.

After walking around the shop, she turned to Manbao, "You go help your second brother at the counter. They can’t remember well, so make sure you keep track of the customers and don’t let your fourth brother deliver the wrong breakfast."

Manbao acknowledged.

Three and Sanya, along with Four, were also dispatched to clean up the tables.

This wasn’t difficult for them, as they often did similar chores at home.

Manbao always had a good memory, which had only improved over the past two years, and she was quick with mental calculations. As soon as customers finished placing their orders, she had tallied up the bill and informed Zhou ErLang.

Zhou ErLang, who had been sweating and counting on his fingers, breathed a sigh of relief, immediately gave the total to the customers, and then collected the money.

With this shift, things sped up considerably.

Manbao watched as Datou led a paying customer to a table and took note of his spot. When her brothers called out the dish names, she pointed them to the seats.

Within fifteen minutes, the shop was running smoothly, no longer as noisy as at the start.

The patrons sitting in the restaurant also felt much better about the service.

Yang Heshu, sitting on the second floor, saw all of this and his gaze finally rested on Ms. Qian, standing at the back entrance, and Manbao behind the counter. He couldn’t help but smile faintly before turning to take a bite of a steamed bun.

Wantian, alongside him, glanced at his young master and decisively averted his gaze.

However, Yang Heshu still looked at him and said with a smile, "I finally understand who Zhou Man takes after. I always questioned it; Zhou Jin doesn’t seem all that clever, and though her brothers have some smarts, they fall just short. Seeing today, it’s clear: like daughter, like mother."

Wantian could only nod, "Mrs. Zhou does seem quite decisive and formidable."

As breakfast time slowly passed, the Zhou family sent customer after customer on their way, with many just buying and taking their orders to go, making the process very quick.

Apart from the distinguished guests on the second floor, the customers in the first-floor hall gradually cleared out.

The Zhou family members were nearly exhausted and collapsed onto their stools, inadvertently forgetting about the guests upstairs.

Manbao didn’t know there were still people on the second floor, but seeing all the customers gone, she heaved a huge sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from her forehead, "That was truly exhausting."

Everyone agreed heartily, Zhou Dalang saying, "It’s even more tiring than ploughing a field; not just anyone can handle this business."

Just as they were talking, two people rushed into the shop, and before the family could see who it was, Zhou Liulang couldn’t hold back his exclamation, "Don’t want any more customers, huh?"

Old Zhou shot a slap on his head.

"What’s going on here?" Bai Shanbao, who had barged in, saw them sprawled on their seats and couldn’t help but glare, "Has someone come to cause trouble? Who is it? I’ll have Daji help you."

Realizing it was the two young masters from the Bai family, the family collectively relaxed and said in unison, "No, no, everything went smoothly today."

Junior Ms. Qian, rubbing her arms, asked, "Young masters, have you had your breakfast yet?"

"We’ve eaten already," Bai Shanbao replied cheerfully, as Daji brought up two congratulatory gifts, "These are from the old madam and my hall uncle, wishing sister-in-law prosperity in business."

Junior Ms. Qian’s smile crinkled her eyes as she accepted the gifts, "Thank you, young masters, and thank Old Madam and Old Master Bai. Have your midday meal here at the shop. For now, go and play with Manbao. If you get hungry, just tell me."

Bai Shanbao happily agreed and walked over to the dispirited Manbao to ask, "What’s happened here?"

Manbao replied, "Exhausted, just absolutely drained."

Bai Shanbao scratched his head and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes, help me count the money. I’ll keep track to see how much we made from breakfast."