Chapter 56: The Food Court Opens
The next day.
Yu Wan made her usual rounds, then sat back in her small room and listened intently to what was happening downstairs.
If someone comes looking for trouble, she has to rush downstairs immediately.
However, a day passed and nothing happened.
This should be good news, but she still has some concerns.
She was staring blankly at the ledger when she heard a noise at the door. She looked up and saw the young man striding up to her.
He immediately asked, "What kind of medicine did you get from Elder Rong?"
Yu Wan, not understanding what he meant, replied, "A drug that numbs the brain will either make you stupid or cause memory problems. After taking it, you'll forget things from at least seven days ago. What's wrong? What happened?"
She had a variety of medicines on hand, such as wound medicine and sleeping pills, all for self-defense and self-rescue.
He Jing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Then that's it. Those two woke up early this morning and said they couldn't remember how they got here. They became confused, chatted in the courtyard for a while after breakfast, and then said they had a headache and were sleepy, so they went back to their rooms to sleep. The steward didn't say much, just that he had found a cook to prepare food for them yesterday, and they received a reward in person before leaving. They were only concerned with going back to their rooms to sleep and didn't ask too many questions."
Yu Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Old Rong's medicine is so effective! I'll ask him for more in the future."
With the weight lifted from my heart, I started thinking about more important things.
"The two men said yesterday that fighting might break out again on the battlefield, and that we need to hurry up with the shelter project."
The flower field near the food court will continue to be built; she won't let herself stop and wait for an unknown fate.
“Some people might get scared after hearing rumors in the coming days, and then there will be fewer and fewer people, and the pressure will increase. You need to reassure the remaining people and not push them too hard.”
He Jing nodded. "I understand."
Two weeks later, several unusual guests suddenly arrived at the restaurant.
There were three men and six women, dressed in fine clothes, and their speech and behavior were unlike that of ordinary people.
After Xue Xiujun hosted them, he learned that they were a family who had come from the south.
They set off from home three months ago, traveling around various places. On the way, they met Tang Yuhui, who told them about the unique features of this remote town, so they decided to come and take a look.
The group spent several days sightseeing and returned home satisfied. After that, many diners from all over came to visit.
Some were recommended by Tao Wenque, some by Tang Yuhui, and others came because of word-of-mouth recommendations from out-of-town diners.
This small county town suddenly became famous.
Yu Wan felt her business was booming and her mood was getting better and better.
Aside from the ever-present threat of war, which weighs heavily on everyone's minds, everything else is progressing in a positive direction.
Thus, under these circumstances, Yu Wan's food court chose an auspicious day to grandly open.
Apart from the hundred shops that Yu Wan used herself, the rest were successfully rented out.
Because local resources are limited, some people from other places come to see what's going on, and then they seize the business opportunity and immediately rent shops.
As a result, not a single shop in the food court is idle, and many people come to the food court to eat and shop every day.
Originally, there weren't many people in the county town, but now many people from other places come here looking for opportunities to make money, and some locals who had left have returned.
The county town is experiencing an unprecedented boom, a sight that even the oldest and longest-living native has never witnessed.
However, Yu Wan knew that many people were simply deceived by the illusion that the war had stopped; they thought there would be no more fighting.
The ceasefire had been in effect for six months, and they thought they had returned to the peaceful days before the war, so they all felt that the good days ahead would be long.
Despite the constant rumors of war, the lack of concrete information eventually led to widespread apathy.
It's more important to live well in the present; we can worry about the future later.
Lord Zhu let out a sigh, and all his helplessness and worries were contained in that sigh.
"If only things could stay like this forever." He couldn't imagine how heartbreaking it would be if the county town, which was doing so well now, were to turn into nothingness one day.
He couldn't help but cast an admiring glance at the girl in front of him.
She was so calm; with her intelligence, she should have easily considered this, but she still did it.
"Awan, what are your plans for the next step?"
Yu Wan replied, "For now, we should just proceed step by step. After all, our county town can't compare to the prosperity and geographical advantages of the capital. The capital is the center of the country. We are just a remote town, which has its limitations."
That's why it's already quite an achievement that the food court can keep operating.
Those merchants from other places brought some things that were not available locally, which also allowed Yu Wan to see the differences between different places and a bigger world.
So, she decided to go out for a walk.
"Oh? You're leaving the county town? Will you come back?" Lord Zhu asked.
He admired the girl's talent greatly, especially in making money and developing businesses; he felt inferior to her.
Over the past few months, he has watched the county town gradually improve, transforming it into a place he no longer recognizes. From a large merchant caravan coming from out of town to the small flowers and plants adorning the roadside, everything has made him realize the value of this small county town and has repeatedly refreshed his understanding of Yu Wan.
How can this girl be so smart?
This dilapidated city was transformed into something beautiful through her series of creative ideas.
Moreover, in this process, many people who were unemployed had the opportunity to make money.
For example, many people went to plant flowers and vegetables, drive horse-drawn carriages, do manual labor, and even portrait painters were willing to go out and set up stalls again.
She didn't confine all business opportunities to her food court; she also redesigned the original food street in the county and the morning market, making everything more orderly and easier to manage.
Lord Zhu even wondered what it would be like if this woman were made the county magistrate.
It will definitely be done better than it is now!
He's really afraid of losing such a rare talent.
Yu Wan smiled and replied, "Of course I'm coming back. All my assets are here, and my mother and younger brother are here too."
Lord Zhu breathed a sigh of relief. "So, where do you plan to go?"
Yu Wan sighed: "The world is too big. I have never really seen this world properly. I am very curious about the outside world and want to see what others have that we don't. If we can find better development opportunities, it will be very good for our county."
She rarely traveled in her past life and often felt that she lacked something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"When will you depart?" Lord Zhu asked.
Yu Wan noticed his nervous expression, but didn't expose him, and smiled, "It's still early. If I'm going out, I'll need your help to keep an eye on the food court. I'll leave a few emergency plans behind."
Lord Zhu was relieved. "That's good, that's good. I've only ever been a county magistrate, not a business owner. If you hadn't given me a plan, I really wouldn't know how to make decisions when problems arise. Your food city is of great significance to our county. Not just me, but also the people. We don't want anything to go wrong with it."
Another month has passed, and the food court's operation has gone from initial chaos to orderly management.
Yu Wan knew the importance of a clear division of labor from the beginning, so she conducted three months of training beforehand. As a result, everyone adapted quickly. They were just too nervous at the beginning, but they got better and better as time went on.
The escape shelter has already been built in the mountains. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack, with a steep terrain. It can be reached by walking three miles past the flower-growing courtyard of the banyan tree.
"If only there were no wars." Xue Xiujun finished his dinner, sat in the pavilion, enjoyed the breeze, and sighed as he gazed at the night sky.
Another boy walked over and sat down opposite him.
Xue Xiujun sighed, "In the past six months, I've watched a woman grow from a small business to own a considerable fortune and become the richest person in the county. I've also witnessed how the people of a county can be inspired to start working hard to make a living again."
During my time as a beggar, I saw many people, mostly just waiting to die. If the whole world were like the people of this county, united as one, striving for a common goal, how wonderful that would be. How wonderful it would be if there were no war. General He, you arrived at the landlady's side before me, and I've heard about her initial hardships, even facing life-threatening situations. Don't you think she's a very strong woman? Don't you think she radiates light? I truly admire her; I can only worship her.”
He Jing remained silent.
Xue Xiujun continued, "I was lost for a while, not knowing where I should go, but now I have finally found my goal."
He Jing looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"If one day I gain power, I will also make my people live such a peaceful and prosperous life. I envy that Lord Zhu so much; he has a landlady as his helper."
He Jing remained silent, simply watching him.
Xue Xiujun felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "Can't you give me some feedback? I'm just expressing some grand sentiments, can't you at least offer some support? Don't you agree with what I'm saying?"
“I agree,” He Jing finally spoke, but then changed the subject, “However, the reality is that neither of us has that right right now. I am a general, and I can only obey orders, while you…”
Xue Xiujun retorted, "If you were truly obeying orders, why would you be standing here? So the boss lady is right; nothing is unchangeable. As long as you work hard, there will definitely be a turning point. Do you regret that decision?"
"No, I don't regret it." He Jing's answer was without the slightest hesitation.
This time it was Xue Xiujun's turn to fall silent, and then he sighed heavily.
The two looked at each other in silence until Xue Xiujun remembered something.
"Have you heard? The landlady is planning to go on a long trip."
He Jing asked in surprise, "Where are you going?"
Xue Xiujun shook his head. "She has such a plan, but it's uncertain when she'll leave. Hasn't she contacted you?"
"How do you know? Did she tell you?" He Jing asked instead of answering.
“No, that’s not it. I heard her talking to Jin Yifei myself.” Xue Xiujun’s expression was unnatural.
He Jing gave him a cold glance. "Eavesdropping again? What did you say?"
Xue Xiujun smiled and said, "The proprietress said, 'Young Master Jin, you travel all over the country, so I feel at ease with you by my side.'"
He even imitated Yu Wan's tone of voice perfectly.
He Jing's face grew increasingly dark, and his voice turned colder, "Jin Yifei agreed?"
"How could he refuse? He was so happy he jumped up from his chair and said he would definitely take her to have a great time."
Before he could finish speaking, He Jing stormed off with a cold face and a huff.
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