Li Kui frowned and stared at her intently.

After a few breaths, he asked again, "What requirements does the owner have for the kitchen and the dishes?"

Yun Zhiyi understood his meaning and smiled slightly.

"The kitchen and dishes are your chefs' domain. I'm only responsible for keeping the restaurant running. As long as you can maintain the standard and introduce new dishes in a timely manner, I won't interfere. However, I need to make one thing clear first: I will be in charge of the ingredients for the time being."

Restaurants typically delegate the task of purchasing ingredients to their chefs.

This can also be considered as additional income for some chefs.

Of course, this also largely depends on the person's character.

She believed that someone like Li Kui wouldn't be greedy for such a bargain.

So after she finished speaking, she added another explanation.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I have another source of ingredients. This source needs to be kept secret for now. Also, the ingredients will include all categories. As long as you have the need, meat, vegetables, fruits and vegetables can be available.”

At first, Li Kui did indeed think she was afraid he would skimp on her grocery money.

But before his anger could rise, it was suppressed by her explanation.

Hearing that she could even provide fruits and vegetables, I was somewhat surprised, and my eyes inevitably held a hint of suspicion.

Even the Princess's mansion can't do this, so where does she get the nerve to be so arrogant?

Seeing his suspicion, Yun Zhiyi smiled faintly.

"You'll know in a few days whether I can find the ingredients or not. I can guarantee that as long as I'm here, we won't run out of ingredients. The choice is yours."

Li Kui remained silent for a few moments before nodding.

"Okay, as long as the owner promises not to interfere in the kitchen matters, I have no other questions."

Yun Zhiyi smiled, stood up and reached out her hand, "Then I'll leave the dishes to you, Master Li. If you have any needs, such as what utensils you need or what people you need, you can just tell me."

Li Kui looked at the slender white hand that was being extended towards him, somewhat puzzled.

Yun Zhiyi realized what was happening and calmly withdrew her hand.

"The restaurant will be closed for three days. I will give everyone three days off with wages. You can leave now and come back in three days."

Li Kui opened his lips, as if he wanted to ask something.

But in the end, he didn't ask. He just nodded silently and turned to leave.

Yun Zhiyi continued drinking her tea, casually flipping through the account books from the past month.

A short while later, Manager Zhao came over with the roster and account books.

“Mr. Yun, this is the list of those who have decided to stay, and also the ledger for settling wages, as you mentioned.”

Yun Zhiyi flipped through the book and glanced at it.

The restaurant originally had 27 people left, including servants, waiters, accountants, apprentices, chefs, and purchasing staff.

There are now 16 people left. Besides Li Kui, there are 4 apprentices, 3 handymen, and 8 waiters.

Now, not only is the position of manager vacant, but the accountant position is also gone.

She asked, "Does Manager Zhao have any recommendations for managers or accountants? The benefits and compensation should be excellent. Ideally, the person should be reliable, calm, and of good character."

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhao hesitated slightly.

"I do know someone who would be a good fit, but the current situation at the restaurant is unclear..."

Yun Zhiyi sensed his unspoken meaning but didn't mind.

"Could you please help me arrange a meeting with them, Manager Zhao?"

Manager Zhao readily agreed this time, "Okay, but I can't guarantee it will work out."

"It's alright. If the other party is unwilling, I won't force them."

After resolving the restaurant issue, Yun Zhiyi went to two cloth shops.

The cloth shop business is neither good nor bad; it can barely break even each month.

Yun Zhiyi wasn't very interested in the cloth shop business.

She's currently planning to run the restaurant, so she probably won't have much time to manage the fabric shop in the future.

So she plans to sell the fabric shop.

Unlike restaurants, cloth shops don't have many staff members to begin with.

She asked the two shopkeepers to help connect her with potential buyers and sell the property at a reasonable price.

As for the staff in the shop, she also said that if the new owner is unwilling to take them in, they can report to the restaurant.

After finishing, she got back into the carriage and headed towards Dongyang Manor.

The sun began to set in the west.

In the fields, many farmers were carrying hoes as they returned home.

The children played and ran around in the village.

Smoke began to rise from the chimneys of each household.

Just then, a horse-drawn carriage slowly approached, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Yun Zhiyi looked up at the somewhat out-of-place archway at the village entrance, which had become a landmark of the farm.

After confirming that she hadn't gone to the wrong place, she continued driving the carriage inside.

At the entrance of the village, several seven- or eight-year-old children were playing a game of riding bamboo horses.

When they saw the horse-drawn carriage entering the village, they were all startled and quickly moved aside.

Yun Zhiyi stopped the carriage, turned her head and asked softly, "Little one, do you know how to get to the main estate of Dongyang?"

A manor is a private fiefdom, and naturally it also has the owner's residence.

Dongyang Manor was no exception; it became Yun Zhiyi's residence thereafter.

The children weren't so scared when they saw that the person asking the question was a kind older sister with a lovely voice.

A slightly older boy cautiously pointed to a certain spot, "It's over there, the largest manor there."

Yun Zhiyi looked at the crisscrossing village roads ahead and took out a paper package.

"I have a package of osmanthus pastries here. If you lead the way for me, these pastries are yours?"

Upon hearing this, the children's eyes lit up slightly.

But when he looked at the carriage, he hesitated with some apprehension.

Finally, the older child who had spoken earlier gritted his teeth and stepped forward, saying, "Yes, it's okay."

After saying that, he took the initiative to walk forward.

Seeing this, the other children quickly followed and led the way.

They just huddled together, occasionally turning their heads curiously to look at the carriage behind them.

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