Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 122 - 47: Establishing the Contract

Chapter 122: Chapter 47: Establishing the Contract

"Of course, then could you trouble yourself to write down the contract and recipe?" Manager Liang was aware that these two dishes were fresh, and it wouldn’t be long before they could be imitated. However, Taihe Building recently launched a new dish, and the business in the restaurant has been somewhat lackluster these days.

Shanhe Town only has two major restaurants, Taihe Building and Yingkelai, and due to the wharf in Shanhe Town, it’s not inferior to the county towns elsewhere. Among the ships passing through here, there are quite a few wealthy merchants, some even frequenting Shanhe Town regularly, so the restaurants must constantly introduce new dishes. Otherwise, guests might grow weary of the same old dishes.

Gu Chengyu watched as Manager Liang wrote two copies of the contract and then invited Manager Zhou to witness it. Mr. Gu trusted Manager Zhou. Gu Chengyu glanced at the freshly written contract and saw that it was very detailed, except it did not mention purchasing the dried wood ear mushrooms from the Gu Family.

"Manager Liang, since Yingkelai intends to purchase the wood ear mushrooms from my family, I think this should be included in the contract, including the purchase price. The specific time limit can be written as one month later. Does Manager Liang agree?" Gu Chengyu couldn’t guarantee that their picking of mushrooms wouldn’t be seen by others. If Manager Liang buys mushrooms from another household, what then?

And adding a month to the deadline is because, after all, wood ear mushrooms are mountain delicacies, so the price can’t stay high forever. Later, as more people imitate the dish, more folks will search for wood ear mushrooms, and by then, the mushrooms might not be worth much Silver. Earning money for a month already satisfies him.

"I didn’t expect a small child like you to be literate? This can be added." Manager Liang was shrewd and understood Gu Chengyu’s intention, although he was quite curious about his literacy.

Mr. Gu felt proud upon hearing Manager Liang’s words. "Xiao Bao studies with Mr. Wen in the town! We rushed today because after taking a break, he still needs to attend private school."

"Oh? I’ve heard Mr. Wen is quite strict in selecting students, it seems Xiao Bao is truly talented!" Manager Zhou had been impressed by Gu Chengyu’s demeanor since coming in, inwardly admiring the family for raising such a clever child.

"He’s only got a little intelligence, nothing worthy of Manager Zhou’s praise!" Mr. Gu hastily replied modestly.

Gu Chengyu was slightly speechless. Dad! Can your smile stretch even wider?

"Let me borrow Manager Liang’s pen and paper for a moment!" Gu Chengyu wanted to quickly write down the recipes, or else he’d be late.

"Feel free to use them!" Manager Liang gestured invitingly.

Gu Chengyu picked up the pen and briskly wrote down the recipes for two dishes, adding taboos at the end of the recipes.

"Manager Liang, please take a look. As for the taboos regarding wood ear mushrooms, I’ve written them at the bottom of the recipes. Kindly check them thoroughly," Gu Chengyu pointed to the text at the bottom and said to Manager Liang.

"Perhaps I didn’t write clearly above, let me explain to Manager Liang here. Wood ear is a benign food and should not be consumed by bedridden patients. Also, it should absolutely not be consumed by pregnant women." Seeing Manager Liang still inspecting the text carefully, Gu Chengyu paused for a moment before continuing, "The cold snails, paired with the slippery wood ear, are not conducive to digestion, so they shouldn’t be eaten together. Those with hemorrhoids should avoid eating wood ear with pheasant; pheasant has slight toxins, and together they can trigger hemorrhoid bleeding. Wood ear should not be eaten with wild duck; wild duck is sweet in taste and cool in nature, leading to indigestion."

"Hmm! Very detailed! I’ve memorized it all! Your handwriting is quite good too." Manager Liang had immediately observed that Gu Chengyu’s writing was excellent when he received the recipes. Though lacking a bit of strength, it’s already far superior to most scholars’ handwriting.

He attentively inspected the recipe, diverting some of his attention to appreciate Gu Chengyu’s penmanship, pondering how strange it was that the child appeared no older than five, yet penned such good characters. Could it be that he learned to write straight out of the womb?

"Manager Liang gives undue praise! Since the matter is settled, my father and I will head to private school. It’s almost 7 AM! As for the wood ear, I’ll bring it in two days." Gu Chengyu didn’t want to be late, as Mr. Wen was reputed to be strict.

"Then Manager Zhou, Manager Liang, we’ll take our leave! Many thanks to Manager Zhou for your assistance today, and to Manager Liang for recognizing the talent. Dad! Let’s escort Manager Zhou back first!" Gu Chengyu expressed his gratitude to Manager Zhou and Manager Liang, recalling the Double Fish Jade Pendant lying in storage. It couldn’t be returned, so he’d choose something of equal value to repay it later or gradually.

Since ancient times, favors are difficult to repay, perhaps Manager Zhou also wishes to repay the life-saving grace of Mr. Gu?

"Yes! Thank you both, managers! Manager Zhou! Shall we depart now?" Mr. Gu guessed the hour was about right and, not able to dwell on formalities with the managers, hurried to get Xiao Bao to private school.

"Brother Gu, what’s with being so polite? Just hurry to private school! You don’t need to see me off! The route isn’t far, and I can go back on my own later! I still want to take advantage of Old Liang’s hospitality!" Manager Zhou politely declined.

Before leaving, Gu Chengyu thanked the two assistants and left them some pork belly with preserved vegetables in the pot. The two were helpful, with one handling two pots simultaneously, sweating profusely, and the other chopping vegetables and assisting. He couldn’t leave without some token of gratitude, right?

After bidding farewell to the managers, Mr. Gu and Gu Chengyu hastened towards private school!

Gu Chengyu almost entered Class C with the ringing bell, Mr. Wen following closely behind. Gu Chengyu pocketed the one tael of Silver that Mr. Gu had insisted he take. The Silver was meant for protection or buying stationery, essentially pocket money. After all, he was a scholar now and would need money at some point.

As Gu Chengyu sat at the desk, Mr. Wen entered afterward and frowned slightly but didn’t comment.

Behind him, Wang Qikai wiped sweat from his brow in relief, narrowly avoiding being late. Actually, Mr. Wen wasn’t the sort to be unreasonable; if it was due to weather or actual family matters, he wouldn’t make things difficult.

However, Wang Qikai noted that Gu Chengyu didn’t seem inclined to explain himself, nor did Mr. Wen inquire. Sigh! Studying talent is truly wonderful!

Actually, Gu Chengyu sometimes arrived with the ringing bell back in school in his past life, as long as it wasn’t class time, it wasn’t considered late. Therefore, he continued to believe so here.

Sitting one seat apart was Ma Junhui, irritated, wishing Gu Chengyu had entered a bit later—then surely he’d get to taste Mr. Wen’s ruler. He thought how he arrived half an hour early every day, yet the heavens weren’t fair; despite all his effort, he couldn’t match others’ effortless learning? Since Gu Chengyu came, he hadn’t received any praise from Mr. Wen!