Once bitten, twice shy. Su's mother said that this matter should not be stopped for the time being, and she needed to take a break.
January is up, and Su Yi needs to go back to school to participate in next year's autumn examination. Liu Huan has been away for a month, and she doesn't know how the restaurant's business is doing.
The two quickly returned to the county, this time taking Chen Lian with them. It was Su's mother's idea, saying that she was afraid Liu Huan would be too tired in the county town.
...
"Huanhuan, you're finally back! I almost went to town to look for you!" Guan Chang said anxiously.
"What happened?" Liu Huan asked.
"A new situation has arisen at the store. Many customers have commented that while the food is delicious, the house is too hot from the constant burning of firewood, making it impossible to enjoy hot pot and even causing them to get a sore throat."
This is indeed a big problem; it seems we have no choice but to use our trump card.
"I'll stop making hot pot for the next couple of days and figure something out."
She thought of using saltpeter to make ice. Many people know that saltpeter can be used in medicine, but they don't know that it can also be used to make ice.
I bought two basins and saltpeter, one large and one small.
The larger one is filled with water and nitrate, while the smaller one is filled with water again.
The water in the small basin crystallized rapidly in no time.
"I knew it would work!"
Chen Lian's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Huanhuan, what... what are you doing?"
"Hey Bing, how about that? Aren't I amazing?"
Chen Lian was full of admiration. "My God, this is the first time I've ever encountered ice in this kind of weather."
It was just a lucky accident.
In ancient times, most ice was mined and preserved in winter, and the supply could not meet the demand. It was usually given to the palace or very wealthy stewards.
Ordinary people like them at the bottom of society would never need such a thing.
Seeing the obvious effect, she quickly asked Changfeng to make a few more, and then had people carry them to Chunhui Tower and place them around, where a cool breeze immediately followed.
"Wow, there's ice too! The Guan family is really something, they're generous. I'll come here to cool off from now on."
The news that Chunhuilou had ice spread quickly, and many merchants inquired about where the ice came from.
The manager of Chunhui Middle School was very proud: "This is our boss's skill, how can we tell people so easily?"
Although Guan Chang did not pass the imperial examination to become a scholar, his family still allowed him to study at the county school.
After he finished school and went home, he was called to the main courtyard. When he went in, he looked as wilted as an eggplant that had been hit by frost.
"Mother, I heard you were looking for me?"
In the south, May and June mark the official start of summer. The mornings and evenings are slightly better, but the middle of the day is unbearably hot.
"You, if you need ice, why didn't you send some to your mother and sister? When I went out to a gathering today, the lady asked about it, and I didn't know how to answer."
Mrs. Guan was a little resentful, but she also felt that her son was capable.
Guan Chang looked completely bewildered: "Huh? What ice? I don't know anything about that."
Guan Mei, fanning herself with a round fan, was clearly also feeling unbearably hot: "Third Brother, stop keeping Mother in suspense. I've also heard that Chunhui Tower is filled with ice."
After thinking about it carefully, Guan Chang realized that it must have been Liu Huan who did it.
"Mother, I really don't know. It must have been Su Yi's sister who did it. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow and ask someone to bring some ice back."
Hearing this, he said calmly, "How could a little girl have such ability? Scholar Su is more capable."
In Madam Guan's mind, Su Yi only said that to build a relationship with Liu Huan.
"Mom, is it so hard to admit that someone is a good person?"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Seeing that her mother was about to get angry, Guan Mei quickly went over to explain, "Mother, Brother Yi is not that kind of person. He got the top score this time, and I believe him."
Madam Guan glanced at her indifferently, "Remember to pack your things. Your uncle has sent a letter, and a carriage will come to pick you up in a few days."
Guan Mei's face turned pale. "Mother~ I..."
"You can't go wrong by listening to your uncle. He won't hurt you. Go back."
On the second day of his day off, Guan Chang went to the courtyard rented by the Su family early in the morning, bringing breakfast with him.
"Huanhuan, get up quickly, I brought you some food."
Liu Huan was eating shaved watermelon to cool off in her dream when she was woken up.
Hearing Su Yi's slightly hoarse voice from outside, he asked, "What are you doing here so early?"
"Hehe, I brought you some food, come and have a taste."
"Hey, where's Huanhuan?"
"I'm here~" Liu Huan said, her hair disheveled, her eyes still sleepy, yawning.
Su Yi pushed her into the house and closed the door, saying, "Get dressed before you come out."
Liu Huan was woken up by being nudged. She looked at her clothes and asked, "Is there anything wrong with me?"
Oh, they're pajamas.
After changing clothes and washing up, I ate the breakfast Guan Chang brought while listening to his rambling.
"Huanhuan, you're so unfair! I only found out about such a big thing from my mother."
"What is it?" She remembered that she was always willing to answer any questions she had.
"Tell me about the ice, where did you get it?"
What he said next made him spit out the water in his mouth.
Liu Huan: "I did it."
"You...did you really do this? What did you use to make it?"
Liu Huan disdainfully moved the bowl of food, which was covered in his saliva, aside: "I'm not telling you."
"Huanhuan, my dear sister, tell your brother."
Guan Chang knew that was just her personality: "You suggest how to cooperate."
"I want it 70/30."
Guan Chang chimed in, "I have no problem with 28, I'm just too curious. If this were available all over the country, we'd be rich."
Liu Huan knew that her family couldn't make the ice-making business on their own, so she didn't mind bringing the Guan family along.
After dinner, the two signed a contract, and Liu Huan demonstrated the ice-making process to them.
Guan Chang exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Su, this is amazing! We're going to be rich!"
He immediately had the ice he made brought back to the Guan family home, and there was ice in every courtyard.
Liu Huan used clean water to make shaved ice.
Since we dreamed about it, let's make it and eat it.
Changsheng went to buy fruit and made several different flavors.
"Huanhuan, this is so delicious! If you sold it, you would definitely make money."
Liu Huan went to Chunhui Tower, and after a while, it was written on the sign outside.
"Spend over 20 coins and get a free bowl of shaved ice."
People outside were watching and discussing, "What is this shaved ice?"
"That sounds really refreshing, let's give it a try."
After finishing one bowl, he couldn't wait to ask for a second one, "Waiter, two more bowls, please."
Xiao Nan ran over with a smile, "Sorry, sir, we only serve the first bowl."
"Enough talk, just tell me the price per bowl."
That one bite brought a feeling of complete comfort and a refreshing coolness to the whole body.
It's also very cool inside. When the sun is strong at noon, the booths are all full of people.
The four waiters from the east, west, south, and north were so busy in the booths on the first floor that they were completely overwhelmed, while people kept coming in from outside.
The innkeeper had no choice but to come out and guide the order: "Sir, I'm so sorry, there are no seats available."
"Huh? No way, boss? I want to get something to eat but there's no room?"
Compared to Chunhuilou, other restaurants were practically deserted.
The shopkeeper smiled politely: "Sir, you can go to the second branch in the west of the county; they are the same there."
"You think it's full just because we didn't go?"
The shopkeeper said, "Well... we really can't do anything about it. Sir, you might as well wait a little longer."
Each person waiting outside was given a slushie and candy, and there was also an ice basin next to them. Then the customers were happy to sit outside and wait.
I must say, it felt much more comfortable than other restaurants.
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