"Grandma, anyway, this is a good thing. When you have time, take out the seeds inside, and remove all the impurities. Do not wash it. Once it's cleaned up, you can make cotton-padded clothes for us."

With this cotton, there's no need to make clothes from reed fluff in winter; it's warmer, softer, and lighter than reed fluff.

And our winter quilts will all be made from this cotton from now on.”

Zhao Ruyun's eyes burned with excitement, and she clutched cotton in both hands as she said, "Luo Luo, this is a really good thing."

"Yes! So when you clean it, leave the seeds inside so we can plant them in the ground next year."

Su Luo explained to Zhao Ruyun that she was good at wielding swords and spears, but she really couldn't make clothes.

"Can we grow this ourselves?"

Su Luo nodded: "This cotton can not only be used to make cotton clothes, but it can also be turned into thread and woven into cloth."

Tear off a small piece of cotton fiber and roughly demonstrate it to Zhao Ruyun.

“Really! Luo Luo, I’ll take care of these things from now on. I’ll come and sew your cotton-padded clothes when I don’t have to cook in the afternoon or evening.”

The cotton in the space is not yet fully mature; some of the cotton bolls have not even opened.

However, if Su Luo picks all the cotton-padded clothes, it will be enough for her family of four to make cotton-padded clothes and quilts.

...

Only two days later, Nangong Qing sent a coachman to pick up Su Luo and take her to the county.

"What did you say? Nangong Qing bought Hechunlou?"

"Yes, Madam Su, the young master wants you to go and see what other places need repair."

Didn't they say they didn't have that much money? Did Nangong Qing really sell the calligraphy and paintings?

Upon arriving at Hechunlou, Fu Deyong summoned the original waiters, chefs, and other staff members.

Standing in rows, Nangong Qing sat in a chair, drinking tea.

"Young Master Nangong, everyone is here. Take a look and see if there's a bell you can use."

They've all been with me for many years and are familiar with the restaurant's procedures. If you think any of them are capable, please keep a few.

Fu Deyong himself left with nothing, but he also wanted to help those who had followed him for many years to find work.

Su Luo saw this scene as soon as she entered, before she could even ask Nangong Qing how he had taken over Hechunlou.

Nangong Qing got up first, pulled Su Luo's sleeve, and walked to Fu Deyong's side.

"Su Luo, come and take a look. They're all old hands at Hechunlou. Should we keep them or hire new ones?"

Whether they are waiters or kitchen staff, they all hope to stay.

From now on, Hechunlou will be called Fumanlou, because they've heard that Fumanlou pays even higher wages.

If you don't work in a restaurant, you won't find a higher-paying job in Yongle County.

"Keep it. If it doesn't perform well in the future, we'll replace it."

Experienced people are always better than inexperienced ones.

Feng Bin is already in jail, so a new manager needs to be recruited.

Su Luo's words brought a sigh of relief to Fu Deyong and the dozen or so chefs and waiters.

"What are you all standing there for? Call him 'Master'!"

"Hello, boss!"

More than a dozen people bowed to Su Luo in unison.

“From now on, everyone can still call me Madam Su, but this young master is your boss, and Ah Xu is the head steward.”

"You can contact them anytime if you need anything, okay?"

"Yes, we've remembered."

Chen Mengqing returned to Hechunlou to pack his things and saw everyone calling Su Luo "boss".

He was uneasy because he had been brought in by Feng Bin, and Fu Deyong had no intention of recommending him to his new employer.

Moreover, this person is Su Luo, so why would Su Luo let him be the accountant?

He's gone, he has nothing left. He pawned the fields, and he's used up all of Chen Xique's betrothal gifts.

Now that he has no work, what should he do?

What will his parents think of him now that he's become like this? His family can no longer hold their heads high in the village.

Since Hechunlou is no longer Hechunlou, Su Luo will make some nice changes.

It gives people a refreshing feeling as soon as they walk in.

When Su Luo turned around to look at Nangong Qing behind her, she also saw Chen Mengqing.

His back was desolate, and he walked away with a look of utter dejection on his shoulders.

However, what does this have to do with Su Luo?

"Su Luo, you don't still want to keep him here as the accountant, do you?"

Nangong Qingshun followed Su Luo's gaze and also saw Chen Mengqing.

Su Luo sneered: "I'm not that stupid."

He then turned to the dozen or so people in front of him and said, "Who are the chefs? Take a step forward."

Ten people stepped forward, and none of them showed any disrespect to Su Luo because she was a woman.

“Very good. Before the restaurant opens, all of you go and help out in the kitchen of Fu Man Lou.”

The chef there will teach you how to cook our new dishes.

If you master the skills, you'll still be head chefs in the future; if you don't, your jobs will be tending fires and chopping vegetables.

The wages for these two positions are not at the same level.

Su Luo explained it to them first to avoid any complaints.

"Yes, Madam Su, we will definitely study hard."

There were six younger staff members left to help with the setup and tidying up.

"You can all leave now. We'll reopen as usual once the Fumanlou branch is fully renovated."

Fu Deyong took one last good look at this place; it was the culmination of his life's work.

Seeing the plaque with the three characters "Hechunlou" taken down again felt like his own flesh and blood had been strangled.

I feel sorry for them, but I'm powerless to do anything about it.

"Young Master Nangong, please manage this restaurant well. I... am leaving..."

The tone of the last three words seemed to extend indefinitely, and no matter how reluctant Fu Deyong was, he had to leave resolutely.

"Boss Fu, we will."

After arranging all this, Su Luo looked at Nangong Qing, but before she could speak, Nangong Qing spoke first.

"I know what you're going to ask. I just pawned those paintings and calligraphy, I didn't sell them."

"Once we make money, we'll redeem them. So this restaurant can only make a profit, not a loss. Su Luo, the fate of my calligraphy and paintings depends on you."

Su Luo crossed her arms over her chest, sighed helplessly, and finally said only one sentence.

I tried my best!

Nangong Qing sat downstairs drinking tea, leaving the arrangement to Su Luo.

Ah Xu was responsible for following behind Su Luo, taking notes on the parts Su Luo said needed to be changed.

"Ah Xu, the tables need to be renovated and painted brown. We also need to add some green plants, and each of the private rooms on the second floor should have one."

I need something tall that doesn't take up too much space; something like a green jade tree would be perfect.

Ah Xu nodded: "No problem, I'll send someone to look for it on the mountain."

Save as much as you can; if you can do it yourself, never buy it.

"The most important places are the stairwell corners, the lobby on the first floor, and the large private rooms on the third floor. We need two large green plants there, and a small artificial hill in another corner."

Su Luo stopped: "We don't need to buy a rockery. Just have someone pick up some oddly shaped stones and dig up some green algae from the stream, and I can put it up."

Looking at the empty walls of the large private room, it would be perfect if there were some calligraphy and paintings hanging on it.