Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao left in a hurry, as if they couldn’t wait to put Shi Wuxiang’s words into practice. Yuan Zhao still didn’t quite understand—how had they managed to grasp it so quickly?
“Ah Xiang,” Yuan Zhao asked, “for the accounts, Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao were already supposed to check them together. If Sun Fu’s calculations really have problems, wouldn’t the restaurant boss also scold them?”
“They’ve been at the restaurant for a long time,” Shi Wuxiang explained. “If they were unreliable, Boss Yang wouldn’t have kept them. He must trust their ability. In that case, even if there are mistakes, the one who gets blamed will still be Sun Fu.”
Moreover, Yang Zixiang was not a foolish man. Having been able to run the restaurant in town for so long, he would not fail to see the underlying issues. The reason he had been tolerating it was likely because the New Year was approaching. He wanted the accounts settled quickly to avoid any sudden inspections from the county office causing trouble.
But when everything is endured for harmony, someone inevitably suffers. Yang Zixiang knew Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao’s temperaments well—they were a bit stubborn, but fundamentally decent people. Naturally, the burden would fall on them.
Yet if Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao stopped compromising, then the anger Yang Zixiang had been suppressing would eventually burn the right target.
Yuan Zhao nodded thoughtfully. “So basically… if no one solves the problem, you just make it blow up bigger?”
“Smart,” Shi Wuxiang praised.
Yuan Zhao scratched his head in embarrassment. “Hehe…”
He felt this method was actually quite good.
By then, their stall was almost finished, so they prepared to pack up. Before they could even call for help, Shi Qingyue returned with the others.
All three of them looked excited—clearly, the shop renovation had gone well.
It was already a finished structure, so only some layout adjustments were needed. Within two or three days, the framework was already visible.
“Big Brother,” Shi Qingyue said, “the shop was built exactly according to the drawings. It looks very nice. We also partitioned a small room upstairs so workers can rest when needed.”
Speaking of workers, Shi Wuxiang suddenly remembered something—something he had completely forgotten because of the recent quarrel with Yuan Zhao.
“What is it?” Yuan Zhao asked quickly. “Is there a problem with the workers?”
Shi Wuxiang shook his head. “No. It’s just that someone from Fragrant Restaurant said they would introduce a worker to me. We agreed to meet today, but I didn’t see him.”
“Teacher Shi, sorry I’m late!”
Speak of the devil, and he arrives.
Shi Wuxiang turned toward the voice. A young man was running toward them—upright, neat-looking, with a somewhat serious expression. Not the talkative type like Liuzi.
He frowned slightly. “Why are you late?”
“I’m very sorry,” the young man said honestly. “A shipment just arrived at the dock. I stayed longer to help carry goods and ended up losing track of time.”
Shi Wuxiang looked at his clothes still stained with dust and his slightly gray hair. It did not seem like an excuse.
“In that case, go back for today,” Shi Wuxiang said.
The young man’s heart sank. “Teacher Shi, I truly was at fault. Could you give me another chance? I promise I’ll watch the time carefully next time!”
“Come again after the New Year,” Shi Wuxiang said.
The young man’s eyes widened. “You mean…”
“That means you can come directly to the shop after the New Year,” Yuan Zhao explained. Then, he couldn’t resist giving Shi Wuxiang a sidelong glare.
Always speaking in such vague ways—no wonder people misunderstand him. He really had a mischievous streak.
Shi Wuxiang gave him a calm look, as if to reassure him.
The young man looked delighted and hurriedly thanked them before leaving, still saying he would go back to the dock to finish his work.
Shi Wuxiang then added, “When you come to work at the shop later, you can’t keep going to the dock. We’re running a food business.”
“I understand!” the young man said happily before running off.
Now there was nothing else left to handle, and they were about to head home when Shi Wuxiang suddenly remembered something else.
Yuan Zhao immediately hit his arm. “Can you not say everything one piece at a time?”
Shi Wuxiang smiled. “We still need to go to a broker and buy a servant.”
“Buy—buy a person?!” Yuan Zhao’s eyes widened. “Do we really need that? I can do it. It’s not a big deal. That would even save money.”
“Didn’t you agree before?” Shi Wuxiang teased lightly. “Or are you going back on your word already?”
Yuan Zhao immediately covered his mouth, face flushing. “I didn’t say no… I just feel bad about spending money… Fine, fine, let’s go.”
Shi Wuxiang took his hand, lacing their fingers together. “Let Shi Qingyue take Mother and the others home first. We’ll go later.”
“Alright,” Shi Qingyue agreed.
Shi Qingran climbed into Yuan Zhao’s arms immediately, hugging him tightly and giggling.
After they left, Shi Wuxiang led them to find a broker. With the New Year approaching, brokers were everywhere in town, eager to make more money.
Shi Wuxiang had dealt with them before. The broker immediately recognized him and became enthusiastic.
“Scholar Shi, are you here to buy someone to work for you?”
“Show me what you have,” Shi Wuxiang said directly.
The broker led them inside.
The interior was divided into small rooms. It wasn’t a prison, but it felt similar—people arranged like goods waiting to be chosen.
Shi Wuxiang sighed softly. “I need someone who can work around a stove.”
“Then come inside,” the broker said, tapping the wall with a stick. “The ones inside have skills. The ones outside are just general servants.”
Yuan Zhao instinctively hugged Yuan Yuan tighter. He already regretted coming. This place made him uncomfortable.
Shi Wuxiang gently patted his shoulder and followed the broker inside.
The people inside were indeed in better condition. When the broker announced, “This is Scholar Shi. He needs someone skilled in cooking,” they all tensed slightly.
Then Shi Wuxiang added, “I need someone willing to sign a long-term contract.”
That single sentence made the room go silent.
No one responded.
These people were selling their skills; short-term work was fine, but a long contract was another matter entirely.
Yuan Zhao whispered, “Ah Xiang, since it’s just simple work, we might as well pick someone from outside and teach them. It would be cheaper too…”
Shi Wuxiang nodded. “Alright. Let’s pick someone outside.”
The broker had no objections and led them back out, eventually selecting a woman in her twenties who looked capable and steady. She had no family left, which—though unpleasant to say—made things simpler for them.
“Give me a fair price,” Shi Wuxiang said.
“Ten taels. Death contract. You may sell or punish her as you see fit,” the broker replied.
Yuan Zhao’s eyes widened. That was more expensive than his own betrothal gift.
No wonder only wealthy people could afford servants.
Shi Wuxiang agreed. “Deal. Clean her up and bring her out. We’ll wait.”
The broker happily went to prepare her.
Soon the woman was brought out neatly dressed.
The broker smiled. “Tomorrow I’ll bring her contract to exchange for the silver.”
“Alright.”
Yuan Zhao helped Yuan Yuan onto the carriage, but the woman immediately stepped forward to take the reins and even tried to help him up. Yuan Zhao refused.
Shi Wuxiang, however, got into the carriage calmly, occasionally lifting the curtain to guide the way.
They returned smoothly.
Once inside the courtyard, the woman quickly led the horse to the stable and fed it hay before returning to kneel.
“My name is Jia Xiaomei. I will work diligently and never cause trouble for my masters.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Shi Wuxiang said. “We didn’t buy you to serve blindly. We have work for you.”
“After the New Year, a food shop will open,” he continued. “You will learn how to prepare and cook during this time. Once it opens, you will be responsible for it.”
That was when Jia Xiaomei finally understood that she had been bought here to do proper work, not to serve tea and water for people. Compared to that, the former actually surprised and delighted her even more.
She had never imagined someone like her could actually be given legitimate work!
“I’m willing! I used to cook at home all the time—I can learn to do this!” Jia Xiaomei said excitedly, almost tearing up. She quickly wiped her eyes and broke into a silly grin.
“Alright then. Tomorrow after we come back from setting up the stall, I’ll teach you,” Yuan Zhao said. “Also, help keep an eye on the children at home and cook for them.”
“I understand!” Jia Xiaomei nodded repeatedly.
By the time everything was settled, it was already getting late. Shi Zhangshi and Yuan Zhao went to prepare dinner, and Jia Xiaomei immediately, very perceptively, went over to help. After asking clearly what dishes needed to be made, she directly took over their hands-on work.
Watching her busy herself, it was obvious she was trying to prove herself, but at least her intentions were good. She worked efficiently and didn’t pretend or cause trouble.
Jia Xiaomei’s cooking was average—just enough to make food edible and add some salt—but for people who had lived through hardship, it wasn’t something they cared much about.
She herself soon realized something was off. At first she was too embarrassed to ask, but she also didn’t dare let her masters keep eating food they weren’t used to, so she forced herself to ask a few more questions.
The rooms in the house had originally been allocated according to the number of people, and fortunately a few extra small rooms had been left. Though it was a bit cramped, it was still more than enough for servants.
Jia Xiaomei had never lived in such a good room before. She felt even more certain she had come to the right place.
Yuan Zhao and Shi Wuxiang returned to their room. Yuan Zhao still remembered what had happened during the day and had been restraining himself in front of others. Now that they were alone, he immediately let out a heavy, displeased hum.
Shi Wuxiang found it amusing. “Young master, what did I do to upset you again?”
“You talk annoyingly. I don’t want to talk to you,” Yuan Zhao muttered, deliberately moving farther away as if disgusted.
“Did I offend you today?” Shi Wuxiang asked, puzzled. “Your way of speaking is strange too. Just say what you mean clearly.”
“I won’t. I’ll talk like you,” Yuan Zhao pouted.
Shi Wuxiang quickly realized it—this was about how he had spoken vaguely to Chen Yishu during the day. That was simply his habit from working in a research setting, where concise communication was enough. He hadn’t thought much of it.
“That’s my fault,” he said.
Yuan Zhao crossed his arms. “What’s wrong with you?”
Shi Wuxiang sighed helplessly. “I spoke too briefly, which makes it easy for misunderstandings.”
“You always talk in a vague, unclear way. It’s really annoying. Who has time to guess what you mean…” Yuan Zhao frowned slightly, though he was no longer angry. “Just be careful next time!”
“Alright, I’ll remember,” Shi Wuxiang agreed without hesitation. Compared to Yuan Zhao being upset, changing his speech style was nothing.
“You always say you’ll remember, but you still do bad things. So annoying…” Yuan Zhao muttered, still holding onto his grudge from before.
Shi Wuxiang paused. Then he said slowly, “Then next time I’ll apologize more slowly?”
Yuan Zhao stared at him in shock, as if unable to believe someone could be so shameless. Without hesitation, he threw off his shoes and climbed straight into bed, turning his back to him.
Shi Wuxiang couldn’t help laughing, shoulders shaking. In contrast, this was the more childlike side of him.
Compared to his usual composed, mature demeanor, he was actually cuter when throwing a tantrum.
“I was just joking. Why are you really angry?” Shi Wuxiang said, still smiling. “Come on, talk to me.”
Yuan Zhao, facing the wall, already felt better, but still a little conflicted. After a moment, he turned back and said quietly, “I’m actually not angry anymore. Stop apologizing…”
“Oh? Then you really are mean,” Shi Wuxiang said, lightly pinching his nose.
“Alright, then we’re even,” Yuan Zhao said.
Shi Wuxiang sighed lightly, smiling as he lay down beside him. Yuan Zhao immediately turned his head to look at him. “You haven’t read your book yet!”
“I won’t die from missing one night,” Shi Wuxiang said calmly. “Am I supposed to read while you sleep? How unfair would that be?”
“You just want to sleep and blame me,” Yuan Zhao huffed, though there was a hint of spoiled affection in his tone.
“Mm, I’m worse than you,” Shi Wuxiang smiled, gently patting him. “Go to sleep.”
Yuan Zhao still had more to say, but the person beside him had already closed his eyes. Annoyed, he bared his teeth slightly and turned his back again, though deep down he was still hoping that hand would come back.
As if reading his mind, Shi Wuxiang’s hand returned to pat him again. The uneasy, sour feeling in Yuan Zhao’s heart immediately melted away, replaced by a sense of comfort.
A small night of fussing, and sleep came quickly afterward.
He slept soundly until he completely lost track of time. When he woke up, Shi Wuxiang was already gone. Yuan Zhao hurriedly got dressed and rushed outside, only to see Shi Wuxiang already eating in the main hall.
“You didn’t go for your run?” Yuan Zhao asked in surprise.
“I already came back from it. This is made by Jia Xiaomei—try it,” Shi Wuxiang said, gesturing for him to sit.
Yuan Zhao’s eyes fell on the table: rice porridge, flatbread, and a dish of salted pickles.
He picked up a piece of flatbread and was about to bite into it when Shi Wuxiang quickly warned him, “It’s a sugar pancake. Take small bites, it’s hot.”
“Oh oh!” Yuan Zhao took a small bite. The brown sugar filling immediately oozed out. “So sweet! Making sugar pancakes in the morning is so troublesome… I’ve never done this before…”
Jia Xiaomei came out with the last bowl of porridge and nervously asked, “Is the taste okay?”
“It’s fine,” Yuan Zhao nodded quickly. He wasn’t used to people speaking to him like that.
“That’s good, I’ll go call Madam and the others for breakfast!”
Yuan Zhao blinked. Such a strange way to address people.
Shi Wuxiang, however, took it in stride. “She’s someone we bought to do housework. As long as she isn’t mistreated, there’s no need to feel uncomfortable.”
“Oh,” Yuan Zhao responded flatly, continuing to eat his sugar pancake. “So much sugar… the crust is soft too…”
“Then eat more,” Shi Wuxiang said.
Shi Zhangshi and the others soon came out. Seeing sugar pancakes for breakfast surprised them a bit, but no one commented.
After breakfast, it was time to head to town.
Yuan Zhao had already arranged it the day before—Yuan Yuan and Shi Qingran would stay home under Jia Xiaomei’s care, while the others went to town.
Jia Xiaomei was very perceptive. She accepted everything without complaint and saw them off with the children.
When they arrived in town, Yuan Zhao was still setting up the stall when the matchmaker from the human broker arrived with the contract.
Yuan Zhao handed over the silver, and Shi Wuxiang checked the contract before nodding. Only then did they let the broker leave. From this moment on, they officially had their first servant at home.
Shi Qingyue went off to inspect the shop, Shi Wuxiang stayed behind to take Yuan Yuan’s place, and the three of them continued running the stall happily.
“Boss Yuan, can I just buy some flatbread? I want to take it home and wrap other things in it. Also give me a small jar of your sauce.”
“Sure, it’ll still soften if you steam it later,” Yuan Zhao replied with a smile. “How many do you want?”
“How much for just the flatbread?”
“With egg, three wen for two pieces. Without egg, one wen for two pieces,” Yuan Zhao said.
The customer chose the egg version.
Yuan Zhao immediately began making them without stopping, only pausing when told. In total, he made thirty pieces.
“Forty-five wen,” Yuan Zhao said. “Plus a small jar of sauce… make it fifty wen total.”
The customer happily paid. The sauce even had meat in it—he was clearly getting a good deal.
More and more customers came afterward, mostly buying meat sauce.
Yuan Zhao was very happy. As long as people liked his sauce, they would naturally like his food.
Even the patrolling guards came over, partly to support him, and bought a couple of pancakes while chatting casually.
“So next month’s rent won’t be paid anymore, right?” one guard asked.
“That’s right, no more rent,” Yuan Zhao said proudly. “We’re officially property owners now!”
The guards laughed along. “Congratulations, Boss Shi and Boss Yuan.”
“Thank you,” Shi Wuxiang replied calmly, as always reserved.
The patrol officers did not take his words as disrespect at all. They responded with a smile, took their pancakes, and continued their rounds.
“Why don’t we stop setting up the stall for a few days?” Shi Wuxiang suddenly said. “Business isn’t as good as before anyway. We might as well take a break and also prepare for the shop.”
Yuan Zhao did not say it out loud, but he was anxious inside. The pancakes weren’t selling well anymore, and even those who had bought sauce rarely came back for pancakes. Just now, someone had even bought a large amount of both pancakes and sauce—there was no way they would return soon.
Shi Wuxiang’s suggestion, however, gave him a convenient way out.
Still, Yuan Zhao was a little unwilling. “There are still people willing to buy the sauce. Why don’t we keep going for a few more days?”
“Ahem… cough, cough…” Shi Wuxiang suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit, unable to even form a complete sentence. “Then… cough… let’s… cough… continue a few more days…”
Yuan Zhao’s expression changed immediately. “No more stalls! No more! We’ll pack up right now! We’ll go home as soon as Ah Yue comes back! Stop coughing—don’t cough anymore!”
He was so focused on Shi Wuxiang’s “weak condition” that he completely forgot he himself was standing in the cold wind. Without a proper excuse, he would never have agreed to stop working.
Shi Wuxiang had simply given him a perfect excuse to step down, and Yuan Zhao immediately grabbed it, hurriedly packing up the stall in panic.
Shi Qingyue returned full of excitement and was stunned to see them rushing around. “What happened?”
“Ah Xiang isn’t feeling well. We need to go back immediately—he was coughing badly just now!” Yuan Zhao said seriously.
Shi Qingyue looked at his elder brother, who was clearly fine and composed, then at Yuan Zhao, who looked genuinely worried.
Who exactly was sick here?
No matter how unbelievable Shi Qingyue found it, Shi Wuxiang only gave him a faint glance. Shi Qingyue immediately restrained his expression and went to help pack things up.