Rotating owner

The effects of implementing the "rotating host" system were even faster than Shen Yan had anticipated.

The first benefit he tasted was time.

The schedule, which used to be filled with all sorts of trivial matters and meetings, was suddenly mostly empty.

He finally had a whole afternoon to spare, strolling to the elegant study on the third floor of Yunshangji, slowly sipping the fragrant tea brewed by his daughter, and listening to her bright-eyed recount the inspiration for the new embroidery pattern, the color matching challenges she encountered, and her ideas for a certain type of newly imported gauze from the Western Regions.

Shen Wansu was initially a little reserved, but seeing her father listening attentively and occasionally offering several insightful and encouraging suggestions, such as using different shades of silver lines to represent the flow of light and shadow on the wings of the cloud crane, she became bolder.

Father and daughter quietly enjoyed the passage of time as they discussed fabric and needlework.

Shen Yan watched the confident gleam in her eyes as she spoke eloquently.

The regret of fearing I would miss my daughter's growth was finally replaced by a comforting warmth.

“Wan Su”.

He was weary of his youthful exuberance.

"When your mother comes back, it's time to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for you two... It should be grand and solemn. Make two of your favorite gorgeous dresses, and I'll place an order for them for you."

"Thank you, Dad!"

The girl smiled sweetly, still looking like a child.

Regarding Shen Xing.

Not only him, but all the children he disliked who went to school were personally picked up by him.

Timed precisely when school ends.

Change into the most flamboyant and trendy clothes.

Today, he appeared at the entrance of Jixian Academy wearing a royal blue brocade robe embroidered with gold bamboo leaf patterns, and swaggering in, waving a gold-flecked folding fan.

Among a group of parents, some simple, some serious, and some extravagant, his attire stood out like a crane among chickens, attracting countless glances.

Shen Xingchen and several classmates walked out arm in arm.

Upon seeing her father looking so incredibly handsome, her face flushed with excitement.

They rushed out one by one, still not looking like scholars at all.

"Father! You...you've come!"

The children rushed over, but their little eyes couldn't help but dart towards the shimmering robe.

Hmm...it does look quite nice, but this isn't a ready-made clothing store...

"What? Is it illegal for your father to wear a new outfit?"

Shen Yan saw through the children's thoughts, gently tapped her son's forehead with her folding fan, raised an eyebrow, and didn't care about the surrounding gazes. "Come on, today I'll take you to eat at that new 'Eight Treasure Crispy Duck' on East Street. I heard it's so crispy you can swallow your tongue!"

He never mentioned Shen Xing's fight, but simply put his arm around his son's shoulder and called for his other sons to follow, as if they were father and sons who walked home from school so intimately every day.

The children's other guardians were initially a little awkward.

But Shen Yan was overjoyed by the tempting crispy duck and the promise that they could take their children home after they finished eating.

Surrounded by the pleasant, faint scent of herbal soap emanating from their father, the little ones were overjoyed.

The little girl started chattering about the funny things that happened at school, even recounting the details of her quarrels with the Li family boy.

Shen listened with a disdain, occasionally cracking a joke, but his sharp eyes filtered through the information in his son's words.

He had already made up his mind.

It wasn't the son's fault. If he needed to fight back, he should have. There was nothing he couldn't do.

As for the "bathhouse" business, it was a source of both frustration and obsession for him.

During the precious free time given to him by the "rotating employer," he also encountered an unexpected turning point.

And it became a wonderful practice of his "letting go" of art.

It all started with a complaint from Shen Xing.

The little ones were soaking in the newly built large bathtub in the Little Bull's courtyard, which was filled with hot spring water.

This is the first pilot project that Shen Yan carried out at his home after promoting the concept of "frequent bathing".

They were all humming comfortably when suddenly one of them blurted out something.

"Dad, if only there was a big pool like this in the academy! After practicing my boxing, I'm covered in sweat and don't even have time to shower when I get home. My classmates all say I smell like 'Chenji Medicated Soap' and laugh at me for taking a bath every day like a girl!"

What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.

Shen Yan was leaning against the pool, enjoying the ultimate relaxation of the hot spring water enveloping her whole body, when she heard this, her peach blossom eyes suddenly lit up!

Academy? Children?

yes!

How could he not have thought of that!

Those old-fashioned scholars and moralists opposed "men and women living together" simply because they were afraid it would be immoral.

What if... a bathhouse specifically for men?

No, let's go even further and open it specifically for children?

Or, how about opening a "family bathhouse" specifically for fathers and sons to bathe together?

This idea cleaved through the fog like lightning!

Shen Yan suddenly sat up straight in the water, splashing water everywhere.

"Xing'er! You are truly a good son to your father!"

He excitedly ruffled Shen Xingyan's wet hair, leaving the little guy completely bewildered.

Let's do it!

Shen Yan immediately summoned Su Wan and Shen Wansu, who had just gained the power of "rotation".

He no longer gave detailed instructions, but instead put forward the core concept of this "family bathhouse" and then made a sweeping gesture.

"You two can discuss and decide on the specifics: location selection, design, pricing, and advertising! Su Wan, you're familiar with the market and how things work out; Su Su, you're clever, think about how to make it comfortable and fun for both adults and children! I'll just provide the money, and..."

He winked slyly.

"We'll provide you with our unique medicated soaps and bath beans! By the way, the first pilot project will be located near Jixian Academy!"

Su Wan and Shen Wansu looked at each other in bewilderment.

They were all taken aback by the employer/father's abrupt change of thought.

But then a look of eager anticipation ignited in their eyes.

They are vying to name their children "Chenji-Qingquan Parent-Child Herbal Bath".

This is no longer a rigid task assigned by their employer, but a new challenge where they can give full play to their talents and truly "take charge"!

Su Wan acted swiftly.

Thanks to the connections of Jinyun Manor and the Shen family, especially the prestige brought by the anti-epidemic soap, they are now enjoying a period of great prosperity.

Soon, it will be in a quiet area just two streets away from Jixian Academy.

They acquired a spacious shop with a courtyard.

Shen Wansu then brought out her passion and ingenuity in designing embroidery patterns, and personally drew the designs.

She did not design it as a traditional public bathhouse with a large dormitory-style sleeping area.

Instead, the space is cleverly divided into individual hot spring bath cubicles of varying sizes.

There is a slightly larger pool suitable for fathers and sons to bathe together.

There are also small pools for a few friends to play together.

The pool walls are inlaid with smooth, colorful pebbles, and the pool edges are designed with rounded, anti-collision rims.

The walls are painted with whimsical illustrations of mythical beasts playing in the water from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and the interior walls are painted with mineral pigments that are resistant to moisture.

What's even more ingenious is that she designed a "toy mechanism" with a small waterwheel embedded in the wall in each compartment.

When warm water is poured in, it causes the waterwheel to turn, making a soft gurgling sound that is enough to attract the attention of all children.

When Shen Yan saw the design drawings, he exclaimed in admiration!

This completely exceeded his expectations!

He only offered one idea: "parent-child".

However, her daughter and Su Wan transformed it into a work full of childlike fun and ingenuity.

Preparations for the "parent-child bathhouse" are in full swing.

As Shen Yan had said, he was only responsible for providing a continuous supply of Shen Ji's special medicated soap, which was divided into adult and milder children's versions.

And there are also regular bath powders, those with added menthol for a more refreshing feel, and financial support.

The selection of the site, the decoration, the recruitment and training of bathhouse attendants, the special choice of a kind-looking middle-aged man with experience in taking care of children, the formulation of safety regulations... all the specific tasks were entrusted to Su Wan and Shen Wansu.

Do you despise yourself?

He was busy accompanying Shen Xingchen and the others to try out the small waterwheel mechanism.

Busy going to Yunshangji to "instruct" her daughter on how to design uniform and smart work clothes for the bathhouse attendants.

He was busy putting on one brocade robe after another and wandering around Linzhou City.

Enjoying the leisure brought by being the "rotating employer".

I'm also a little embarrassed to accept wave after wave of compliments about medicated soap and epidemic prevention.

And of course, there's his stunningly handsome face!

When the news of the low-key opening of "Chenji-Qingquan Parent-Child Herbal Bath" spread.

Those "moralists" who had vehemently opposed Shen Yan opening a bathhouse suddenly fell silent.

A public bathhouse for children?

Was it a father and son bathing together?

This...this seems to have been tainted by the aura of "education," "hygiene," and "family harmony."

To accuse it of being "immoral" seems a bit untenable.

Especially after the headmaster of Jixian Academy, a highly respected old Confucian scholar, personally took his grandson to experience it once.

He emerged, stroking his beard in admiration: "The pool water is warm and refreshing, the soap is clean and invigorating, children are playing, it's a scene of family bliss, and it teaches through cleanliness—how wonderful!"

This evaluation undoubtedly bestows an impeccable golden glow upon "parent-child bathhouses."

On opening day, the scene was incredibly lively. Curious parents and excited children flocked to the store.

When Shen Yan appeared, dressed in a low-key yet luxurious dark brocade robe with cloud patterns, leading Shen Xing and Shen Chenchen, who were also wearing brand-new robes, it caused a small sensation.

"Master Shen! Your bathhouse... is truly ingenious!" a familiar merchant greeted him with a smile.

"Master Shen, your young master is so handsome!" a woman praised Shen Xingchen.

Shen Yan smiled broadly, returned the greeting with clasped hands, and appeared completely at ease.

Shen Xing tried her best to keep a straight face and maintain the demeanor of a "young master".

But his big, bright eyes had already betrayed his longing for the little waterwheels inside.

Shen Chen had already gone off to play.

Shen Yan did not get involved in the specific matters; he merely looked around symbolically.

He walked over to a little boy who was giggling with excitement at the waterwheel, squatted down, and magically pulled a children's soap shaped like a small fish with a faint fruity scent from his sleeve pocket, then placed it in the child's hand.

He said with a smile, "Young friend, take this and play with it. This little fish soap smells wonderful. After washing, your whole body will be so smooth that even your mother won't recognize you!"

The child's eyes lit up as he clutched the cute little fish soap.

This scene was witnessed by many parents.

Mr. Shen came in person and even brought such exquisite bath beans for the child?

It seems they really put their heart into it!

The favorability rating skyrocketed instantly.

After taking a stroll around, Shen Yan completely handed over the responsibility of managing the site to Su Wan and Shen Xingchen, who had been temporarily brought in to "see the world."

It was euphemistically called "Internship as a Junior Manager".

He then gracefully withdrew from public life after achieving his goal.

Stepping out of the bathhouse, I basked in the warm afternoon sun and stretched out a big yawn.

I could faintly hear the excited splashing of children and the satisfied laughter of parents coming from the bathhouse.

A lazy and contented smile appeared on his lips.

The feeling of decentralization... is really great.

I don't have to worry about everything. Seeing them do even better than I expected is worry-free, effortless, and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Even more...

Most importantly, he was wearing the most comfortable robe and breathing the air of freedom.

He was thinking that when his wife returned, he would also build a hot spring pool in his room—was it possible... for the couple to take a bath together...?

He shook his head. He couldn't think about it! He dared not think about it!

He quickly shifted his thoughts to the unusual activity in the northern horse market and the lingering presence of the Eshui Gang.

Let Uncle Yang and Zhou Wenqing keep an eye on things for now; the sky won't fall.

He strolled leisurely toward the carriage parked on the street corner.

Sunlight fell on him, and his dark brocade robe shone with a restrained luster.

The busyness continued, and the crisis still lurked, but Shen Yan knew he had found that balance—

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