"I started from a food stall, and it was only with everyone's support that I dared to take over this shop and continue doing business. If I could, I could certainly set a very high price, half a tael of silver, or even five taels of silver, but would anyone still come to my business then?"

Jiang Yong'an looked at the serious-looking person; his suggestion seemed to have angered Gu An'an.

"Perhaps you are very rich, so you don't care whether the price is half a tael of silver or ten taels of silver, but I am different. I want more people to eat the food I make, so that everyone can afford it."

She had already earned half of the fifty coins.

That's enough.

"There aren't that many people in this world who spend money like water."

In fact, the poor make up the majority; they are the mainstream.

Jiang Yong'an looked at the person speaking each word carefully, a slight seriousness appearing in his eyes, "It was my oversight."

His apology came so quickly that Gu An'an felt she had been a little too serious just now.

Jiang Yong'an doesn't read Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought, so why should I bother arguing with him about these things?

"I know you mean well, but I know how to do business, but thank you for reminding me anyway."

Perhaps one day she will open Gu Ji in Anzhou Prefecture and in the capital, and then it will no longer be such a small shop.

But that's for later.

Gu An'an's current task is to go home, slaughter a pig, process the pork, and prepare braised pork for tomorrow.

Jiang Yong'an watched the people leave, standing there motionless for a moment, like a statue.

Gu An'an is different from many people; she does some things as if they are perfectly natural.

But why?

How could someone so eccentric appear in his life?

Perhaps he should visit the Gu family to find out the reason.

...

On the second day after Gu An'an's braised pork became a bestseller, Gu's Food Shop introduced a new dish—

Sweet and sour pork.

This sweet and sour meat dish caught the eye of many gourmets.

"Madam Gu has such ingenious ideas! I never imagined there were so many ways to cook pork. I wonder what new dishes she'll be introducing tomorrow?"

"No, not at all." Gu An'an coughed lightly. "I just tried it by chance, and it tasted alright, so I thought I'd let everyone give their opinions."

"Delicious! To be able to perfectly blend these two flavors, Gu Niangzi, is truly a genius."

She wouldn't call herself a genius, but Gu An'an thought her improved version of sweet and sour pork was really good.

The key is that this dish uses fewer ingredients, but because the process is slightly more complicated, it is priced the same as braised pork, and diners don't complain about it. That's the most important thing.

The news of Gu Ji Restaurant launching new dishes quickly spread like wildfire throughout Anping County.

The direct result is that Taibai Restaurant has seen fewer customers recently.

Bai Qiaoyin watched as the diners gradually left, "What's wrong with the kitchen? Can't they come up with a few new dishes?"

People who are used to eating and drinking in restaurants can't even compete with a small shop. Wouldn't that be a laughing stock if word got out?

The waiter felt very wronged. "The head chef has been racking his brains lately too."

However, the soup offered by the restaurant was not very popular.

Even though the method is the same, and the ingredients are even more generous, I don't know why it just doesn't taste as good as Gu Ji's.

Even a master chef who has been cooking for over twenty years is questioning his life, but what can he do?

I just can't figure out the answer.

Bai Qiaoyin angrily slammed her teacup on the table.

The waiter jumped in fright and was about to speak when someone walked in through the door.

"What's wrong? Who made you angry?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Bai Qiaoyin immediately put on a smile, "Young Master, you're back so soon?"

Lin Zixing took the cup of tea. "The longer I stay outside, the more I miss the peace and tranquility of this place. Who made you angry?"

"It's nothing." Bai Qiaoyin didn't want to say that it was because of Gu An'an's two dishes that Taibai Restaurant lost customers. If she really said it, how could she face people in the future?

"Young master, you must be tired. Why don't you go upstairs and rest for a while?"

With her folding fan obscuring her slender fingers, Lin Zixing smiled and shook her head. "I'm not tired at all. I'm going to see an old friend."

Old friend?

What old friend? Isn't it just Gu An'an?

Bai Qiaoyin concealed her dissatisfaction, "Some things did happen while the young master was away."

"What?"

"Lady Gu's husband is back."

As she said this, Bai Qiaoyin carefully observed Lin Zixing's expression.

There wasn't much surprise on that handsome face?

Did they already know all along?

“I happened to run into Madam Gu’s family when they came to the restaurant for dinner earlier,” Bai Qiaoyin said cautiously. “That man didn’t seem like a country bumpkin, and his martial arts skills were quite good.”

Lin Zixing looked at the cautious man, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Is that so? You suffered a loss at his hands?"

"No, not at all." Bai Qiaoyin skipped over what happened that day. "I just didn't expect that Gu Niangzi's differences were somewhat related to her husband. No wonder they say that a woman should follow her husband wherever he goes."

"Heh." Lin Zixing chuckled. "What's the big deal? But you're getting more and more short-sighted these days, spending all your time on trivial matters. I'm a little disappointed in you."

The drawn-out ending of the syllable sent a shiver down Bai Qiaoyin's spine.

disappointment?

What became of those who disappointed the young master in the past?

In an instant, Bai Qiaoyin felt her heart tremble. "Please forgive me, young master."

"Why would I blame you? But I heard during my trip back to the capital that the young lady of the Fu family is looking for you."

Bai Qiaoyin trembled upon hearing this. Fu Lingshu?

The daughter of Minister Fu whose face she had schemed to ruin.

"Young Master..."

"Don't cause trouble, you know. I never like to say the same thing twice."

What kind of person is Lin Zixing, whose patience has been completely exhausted?

He doesn't even show mercy to his blood relatives.

Would they show leniency to themselves?

Bai Qiaoyin watched the departing person, her eyes filled with an indelible sadness. She thought she was different.

She was personally rescued by the young master from that filthy place.

He held her close and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I will avenge you."

Having seen all sorts of men in the brothel, those men saw her as if she were a delicious piece of meat.

He was different; he took her away from that filthy brothel and bought her beautiful clothes.

He even taught her martial arts so that she could protect herself.

He kept his word, making those who harmed him regret their actions.

The young master who once treated her so gently was clearly different from everyone else.

But now, she seems to have become a discarded pawn.

If I do anything outrageous again...

Bai Qiaoyin had no doubt that the young master would kill her.

What is there that he wouldn't do?

He only loves himself.