Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 209 - 209 209 Xiao He Goes to Shopkeeper Zhou (2)_1

Chapter 209: Chapter 209 Xiao He Goes to Shopkeeper Zhou (2)_1 Chapter 209: Chapter 209 Xiao He Goes to Shopkeeper Zhou (2)_1 Xia Zheng became even more diligent in his visits, having finally improved his relationship with Lin Yuan.

If he didn’t strike while the iron was hot, all his efforts would have been in vain.

Young Master Xia’s eyes hardly ever left Lin Yuan’s figure; he felt itchy and uncomfortable all over whenever he couldn’t see her for even a moment.

Fortunately, Shopkeeper Liu and a few other stewards looked after the business in Fuman Building, ensuring that nothing significant went wrong.

Since Li Chang discovered Xia Zheng’s true identity, he had been coming to Fuman Building to dine every two or three days, hoping to ingratiate himself.

However, after several failed attempts, he abandoned the idea.

This turned out to be to Lin Siyu’s advantage, who, following Li Chang, indulged daily in delicious food and drinks, gaining quite a few pounds in just a few days.

The construction of the new house was progressing smoothly and was ready for the beam-raising ceremony in a day or two.

With Xiao Linzi managing the tofu workshop, things were going rather well.

Lin Yuan returned there a couple of times to check on the few young beggars he had chosen, then picked out a few orphans with no parents to sign indenture contracts.

The young beggars, now well-fed and without worries, were indifferent about the indenture contracts and signed them readily.

However, when it came time for Xiao Linzi to sign, he hesitated and refused.

Lin Yuan had not actually intended for him to sign; she was merely using the contract to test him and understand his background.

Through this, she realized that Xiao Linzi likely didn’t come from an ordinary family and was probably not just a simple family servant, so she only signed a five-year apprenticeship contract with him.

After five years, whether Xiao Linzi chose to stay or leave would be up to him.

Although she had signed him for only five years, Lin Yuan valued him highly.

Not only did she entrust him with managing the young beggars, but she also gave him control over the bean-soaking process.

After purchasing some blue fabric from Mo Sanniang and commissioning Mo Sanniang to make two sets of short clothes and a set of everyday clothes for each of the young beggars, Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng returned in the carriage.

However, Xia Zheng didn’t bring her back to the Lin family estate, but to Fuman Building instead.

It turned out that the shopkeeper he had been asked to find was now ready.

When Lin Yuan first saw Shopkeeper Zhou, she was somewhat shocked.

Was this unremarkable man, who seemed so honest that he probably wouldn’t fight back even if beaten, really the one Xia Zheng had found to manage the tofu workshop?

Could he genuinely make a success of the business?

Sensing Lin Yuan’s skepticism, Xia Zheng hooked up the corner of his mouth and whispered in her ear, “Shopkeeper Zhou is a steward of a branch of Fuman Building.

Don’t be fooled by his honest appearance; he is very conscientious and principled in his work.

Most importantly, he is absolutely loyal.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan realized that for the next half-year, the tofu workshop didn’t need to deal with other merchants.

Moreover, as the workshop was just finding its feet, there were many petty issues to manage in the challenging beginning stages.

An attentive shopkeeper was urgently needed to oversee things.

What’s more, the biggest fear for her tofu workshop was not a lack of business, but the coveting from others.

A serious and loyal man like Shopkeeper Zhou would surely treat the affairs of the tofu workshop as meticulously as his own, and his principles meant that he was unlikely to be bribed by other merchants into committing acts of betrayal.

After carefully inquiring about several matters and seeing Shopkeeper Zhou respond in an orderly manner, Lin Yuan confidently entrusted the hiring and other tasks to him.

Making tofu involved several steps, and she had initially divided the courtyard into separate rooms to prevent the theft of techniques.

Thus, these matters required Shopkeeper Zhou to contemplate proper solutions.

In another day or two, the new house would be ready for the beam-raising ceremony.

She needed to prepare the furniture for the new house thoroughly, and with Shopkeeper Zhou overseeing the tofu workshop, she could rest easy.

On the day of the beam-raising, a significant event unfolded at the old house; Lin Yongle, who had been imprisoned, returned home.

However, he would never be happy again.