Chapter 38
Arriving at the village entrance as usual she met old man Shao waiting and greeted him.
"Girl are you going to sell your fairy tofu today?"
"Yes Grandpa"
Old man Shao seemed more lively and happy today. As he chatted with her she replied gently.
"Girl keep some faiy tofu for me today. The other one my wife and grandkids enjoyed it so much"
"Alright grandpa. I will give it to you when we get back".
"Good...good.. You're such a good girl"
Su Ying smiled shyly. She was slowly integrating into the village. The time she gave him the fairy tofu was not only to repay his favor but to get in his good books which she had successfully done. After chatting for a while, two people arrived and they left. Arriving at the county market he told them when to come back to meet him before leaving.
Su Ying had made extra fairy tofu for two reasons. One was to be distributed to the restaurant while the other she was going to sell at the usual spot. Setting her stall she began calling out and customers arrived and she began selling her stuff. Wave after wave of customers arrived and she attended to them all before she could rest. Taking the opportunity she announced to them.
"I won't be selling Fairy tofu anymore"
Murmurs arose as they wondered what happened and why she wanted to stop selling it. A woman came forward and asked her.
"Miss, what happened?"
"Yes. Is the fairy tofu ingredients no longer available?"
"Does that mean fairy tofu is gone"
"Tell us miss"
Hearing the question she calmly replied.
"Calm down everyone. Fairy tofu is still available but not from me. The 'Phoneix Dine" which is at the east now has access to it since I'm now in a contract with them and they're the one selling it so I can't sell it out anymore".
Everyone nodded in understanding. A man raised another question.
"Miss, what is the price?"
"Is it more expensive?"
"Can we still afford it?'
Everyone's concern was the price so she assured them that it would surely be affordable for everyone to be able to buy it.
She had sold all fifty fairy tofu remaining fifty to be sold at the restaurant. She separated two pieces for old man Shao and kept aside before gathering her stuff and then carrying her exchanged goods and money to the restaurant. After a few turns she arrived at the restaurant and entered.
There was some changes and people were still working. The interior was almost completed leaving the entrance to finish it. She saw Shu Xing ordering workers to the spot to be worked on and she walked over. Seeing her, he excitedly dropped the things in his hands and came to greet her.
"Good morning boss"
"Morning"
"How do you see the renovations boss?"
"Good. You're doing well"
"Thank you boss"
Feeling flattered he thanked her. Su Ying offload the basket before leading him to the kitchen. She took out the fairy tofu and began introducing it Shu Xing who was surprised.
"Boss you're the one that makes this fairy tofu that is popular now"
"Yes it's me. Where is the chef?"
Awkwardly scratching his bald head, Shu Xing could only say.
"Boss...The restaurant wasn't doing well so the chef quit because I couldn't pay his wages on time"
Understanding the situation she nodded.
"Tomorrow go call him and tell him that I'm offering to pay him ten taels if he has real skills"
Shu Xing felt his eyes widen at the price but he agreed. Su Ying began handling the fairy tofu herself for today.
"Go look for someone and tell him the restaurant is giving discount meals for today for the first fifty people"
Shu Xing was shocked. That was a lot of money she was going to loose. A meal here cost fifteen copper coins so selling at discount would be giving half the price which was not profitable.
"Boss are you sure?"
"Just go do what I say. The shop is already deserted so giving discount meals is a way of reintroducing the restaurant to people before we go back to the original price"
"Boss you're so smart. Why didn't think of this method"
"If you thought of it then you would have been the boss'
"....."
That was a critical hit. Feeling speechless he went out to do the job. Soon Su Ying heard the shout of come have a free meal at half the price and her lips curled up. Cutting the fairy tofu into squares she prepared the desert using the sugar water and the savoury with the scallions.
She faintly heard the manager welcoming some people inside and knew that the first batch of customers had entered so she called Li Ning who was the waitress doing dishes the last time she came. The customers looked around the shop and marveled at the interior feeling that it was a high end restaurant. As they walked in manager Xing ushered them to their seat while Li Ning served them.
As the ate the complimented the dish with some good for the desert and others preferring the savoury type and some wanting each type. Batch after batch of people were immediately attracted and soon they had sold out the fairy tofu and then closer the door. Manager Xing then announced.
"The fifty customers are done so is the discount. Thank you for coming to support our restaurant"
After the small speech he went inside and closed the door. He walked into the kitchen where Su Ying was resting and excitedly started recounting while handing over the money to her which was a total of thirty taels.
"Boss, your idea was indeed good. Since opening this restaurant this is my first time attending to do much people that I'm so tired"
"You will get used to it because this is just the beginning"
Smiling faintly Su Ying replied and manager Xing nodded profusely. Noting it was time to go she packed and gave instructions to him.
"Remember to call the chef and look for slaves to buy with their death contracts as workers. Also use this morning to finish the outside renovation and give the construction workers good food".
After saying all that she left through the backdoor to avoid being spotted.