Chapter 230 Strawberry Shop Opening, Cher and Diana, etc...
The war between the orcs and the demons in the orc territory and border areas seems to have reached a stalemate; the fighting continues without a resolution.
The demons are like cockroaches that can't be killed; you kill one wave, and a new wave crawls out from the warp rift.
Both sides are vying for control of the main boundary marker.
One side wants to repair the damage as soon as possible, while the other side keeps obstructing it. The tug-of-war between the two sides has never stopped.
The throne has been vacant since the death of the former king.
The various factions have been locked in a power struggle, and a new king has yet to be chosen. The country is currently being governed by Prince Anselm of the First Territory as regent.
Regardless of the war situation outside, the royal city remains the same magnificent and ever-shining royal city.
With the harvest festival over, the annual winter social dances have begun as scheduled.
The tailor shops and jewelry shops on the main street became the busiest and most popular places.
Lei also became busier.
The winters in the royal city are too cold.
Eaton was bitterly cold. The howling north wind, carrying rustling snowflakes, transformed the entire city into a silver-clad wonderland overnight.
Exhale, and it instantly turns into a cloud of white mist. Cotton-padded clothing and animal hides are the most effective ways to keep warm.
It's so cold outside that you wish you could stay by the fireplace all the time.
The royal city, on the other hand, is the opposite.
Due to the influence of the maritime climate, the temperature here doesn't drop that low in winter, so there's no snow.
The whole winter was shrouded in dark clouds, and the sun was rarely seen.
The cold was bearable thanks to thick clothing, but the sudden cold rain was the most unbearable part of the royal city's winter.
The winter wind here is so cold; it doesn't cut your face, but it scrapes your bones.
The cold wind often carries large raindrops that pelt people, making them feel damp and cold, as if their very souls are about to tremble.
The campfire in the manor fireplace was almost never extinguished, 24 hours a day.
Lai's usual office space was changed from the study on the third floor to a small guest room on the first floor.
The fireplaces in the two greenhouses burned three times a day, and the thick straw covers that were prepared in advance to cover the glass made a great contribution to keeping the greenhouses warm.
Every night, I have to put them down to keep them warm and protect those delicate strawberries.
In contrast, the glass room is quite cold, practically an outdoor ice cellar, so growing vegetables there is out of the question.
The greenhouse and villa consumed too much energy, so in order to maintain the temperature, Lai bought ten more truckloads of firewood.
I haven't even started making money yet, but my pockets are getting emptier every day.
There is no shortage of fresh vegetables in the royal city during winter.
Nobles and officials had wood-elemental mages who specially provided vegetables in their homes.
The vegetable vendors also have a long-term cooperative relationship with a monk who supplies them with large quantities of vegetables, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
The price is a bit high, but it's not like you can't buy it.
Lai originally planned to close the grocery store during the winter, but after thinking it over, he decided to keep it open.
After the strawberries ripen, I have to deliver them there every day. It's not like I'm missing out on a little extra time; I'll also deliver some vegetables there at the same time.
He taught Karma and Diana how to make bean sprouts.
The price was a few copper coins more expensive than when it was sold in Rosen, but it was still much cheaper than ordinary greens.
In winter, only a minority of families can afford to eat fresh vegetables every day, so the mung bean sprouts in the store sell extremely well.
Lai then had Kama and the others try to grow some soybean sprouts and peanut sprouts to sell.
In addition, with the bok choy, lettuce, and spinach he cultivates every few days, as well as the bird eggs he produces himself, the vegetable shop's business has remained stable since the beginning of winter.
Sales were even better than in the fall. All of this was within Ray's expectations.
The principle of small profits but quick turnover applies, and not everyone can afford to buy out-of-season vegetables every day. Cheap bean sprouts are a good choice whether for soup or stir-fry.
This was already proven true back in Eaton City.
As December approaches, regular strawberries are beginning to ripen in large quantities. White strawberries will be available in about fifteen more days. However, there's still time.
For the past two months, the fruit shop's renovations have been carried out under tarpaulins, keeping it completely covered up, which has whetted the appetites of nearby residents.
Everyone is curious about what kind of shop will be opened here.
However, Leigh forbade the workers from sending any messages, and no one knew the exact answer.
Although the renovation was complete, the canvas outside had not yet been removed. It was only three days before the official opening that he had Vincent spread some news.
Strawberries are a type of fruit that is very easy to bruise and don't keep for long. In winter, they can barely last for two or three days, and the ones delivered to the store every day need to be picked fresh.
Lei divided them into two categories based on size and priced them accordingly.
In even worse cases, Karma and the others boiled it into strawberry jam.
On opening day, everyone except the three children got up very early. They picked fifteen boxes of strawberries, a basket of pink and purple lettuce, and a basket of green cherry tomatoes.
In addition, Lei ordered many beautiful woven baskets and lace paper.
Just as clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse, products also need exquisite packaging to attract wealthy customers.
Stepping through the misty morning air, the horse-drawn carriage, laden with fresh strawberries, finally arrived at the shop before dawn.
Four people came: Ray, the butler, Vincent, and Diana.
Everyone wanted to see what the new shop would look like after the renovation, but unfortunately the carriage had limited space, so only a few of them could squeeze in.
Ray and Vincent took a ladder from the grocery store and removed the canvas that had been blocking the store entrance for two whole months.
The group turned on three small lights and quickly arranged the strawberries into various attractive shapes.
After everything was finished, Vincent drove back to the manor to pick up the vegetables, while Ray and the other two continued with the packaging work.
Diana, dressed in a light-colored floral dress, stood on either side of Cher at the doorway.
"With Young Master Lei's thorough preparations, we're sure to sell a lot of strawberries today!"
Diana's face was flushed, her long hair was combed high behind her head, and she radiated a different kind of beauty.
Cher looked tenderly at his youngest daughter and softly echoed her words. He hadn't seen Diana look so radiant in a long time.
If he hadn't agreed to let her marry that bastard, she might have had a different life instead of raising her young child alone.
"Dad, do you think my new dress is pretty?"
"nice."
"Young Master Ray made the same dresses for Karma and Jane too. We didn't really want them, but he said they were for our work clothes. He's so generous!"
"Then you must help Young Master Lai sell more strawberries."
"Yes, definitely!"
Diana made a very solemn promise.
It was already daylight outside, and more and more pedestrians were gradually appearing on the road.
Lai came down from the second floor and lit up the slightly flamboyant crystal chandelier in the store.
Despite being called a crystal chandelier, it's really just made of highly transparent glass.
Looking through the large display window from the outside, this place doesn't look like a fruit shop; it looks more like an exquisitely decorated jewelry store.
"Young Master, are you done with your work?"
Diana greeted Rye warmly.
"Yes, this dress suits you very well."
"thank you."
Diana gave Rye a standard curtsy.
"I'll go check next door. If any customers come, I'll sell them at the agreed price."
"good."
Cher nodded and opened the shop door for Rye. The two watched Rye leave.
Cher noticed her youngest daughter's gaze frequently drifting outside, and her face gradually hardened.
"Diana".
"What's wrong, Dad?"
Diana looked at her serious-looking father, puzzled.
“There are some things and some people that we can’t have our way with. You already have children, and what you need now is a stable job to plan for your future.”
Cher's words weren't subtle, and Diana immediately understood what he meant. Her face turned pale.
“Dad, I didn’t mean to seduce Young Master Lai.”
Diana's eyes became a little moist.
“I am very grateful to him for giving our family this kind of life, but I am not the kind of person who can’t resist wealth and status.”
“I acknowledge your excellence, young master, but not to the point that I should abandon my self-respect! I also know that I am not worthy of you, young master Lai, and I have that much self-awareness. You overestimate me.”
Diana was both amused and exasperated.
Cher was just testing Diana's attitude, and she felt much more at ease after hearing her answer.
He raised his hand to touch her hair, but Diana dodged it.
"Don't be angry, Diana, I just don't want you to get caught up in another mess."
If you have someone you like and want to get married, your father won't stop you. What parent wouldn't want their children to be happier?
“I know, Dad.”
"Diana said softly. A brief silence fell over the store."
"I just want to do my job well."
“I know that you have always been a well-behaved and conscientious child since you were little.”
jingle.
The clear sound of a copper bell came from the doorway; the fruit shop's first customer had arrived.
Cher opened the door for her, and Diana also composed herself.
"Hello."
Diana wore a kind smile.
The newcomer was a middle-aged woman wearing a dark blue overcoat and a colorful thick shawl.
After she entered the room, Diana realized that there were two even younger girls following behind her.
The two of them chattered away, looking very happy.
"I knew Grand Duke Eugene was no good; he's so quick in bed. Mom should prepare more medicine powder for him, hahaha."
The two were talking softly, just loud enough for Diana to hear.
Having been married before, she took a moment to process what they were saying and immediately understood what they meant, her face turning red instantly.
The middle-aged woman glared at the two girls, then gave Diana a friendly smile.
"Does your shop sell strawberries? It's really rare to find fresh strawberries at this time of year. Judging from the exterior, we thought it was a newly opened hat shop."
"Yes, ma'am."
Diana's answer was somewhat stiff, but remembering the training Ray had given them, she quickly adjusted herself.
"We not only have fresh strawberries, but also strawberry jam that was just made yesterday, and magical vegetables that can make you more energetic."
Cher observed them discreetly.
Girls from respectable families wouldn't wear such heavy makeup, nor would they behave so frivolously. If I'm not mistaken, these three must be prostitutes from some mansion.
Cher was already considering whether or not to kick them out.
Normally, shops do not welcome prostitutes, let alone on the first day of business.
Diana was still showing them around the store and gave them three small strawberries to try.
After thinking for a moment, Cher decided to go next door to ask Rye's opinion.
"Are the three customers who have just entered the shop prostitutes?"
"Yes."
Cher nodded.
Should we continue to entertain them?
"Did they do anything inappropriate?"
When asked by Lei, Cher hesitated for a moment and then gently shook his head.
"No."
"It's alright, just treat them like any other customer."
"good."
Cher returned to the store, his expression unchanged, still meticulous.
Having frequented places of entertainment for a long time, the middle-aged woman sensed something the moment Cher left.
When Cher returned and found that he hadn't chased them away like he had elsewhere, the middle-aged woman's smile became somewhat enigmatic.
"My God! This strawberry costs ten copper coins!"
One of the girls in the group exclaimed.
Leie priced the strawberries of two different qualities separately: one for ten copper coins and the other for four copper coins, with the two sizes differing by a factor of two.
The large box contained one hundred strawberries, and the small box contained fifty. They were already packaged and displayed elegantly under the display lights; the strawberries looked incredibly tempting in color and size.
"What's the big deal? With such a cheap price, surely Mom can afford it?"
Another girl whispered a rebuke and secretly glanced at the middle-aged woman's expression.
"Could you please pack two small boxes for me?"
"OK."
Diana took two new boxes from the cabinet, opened them and let the guests check for any damage before repackaging them and handing them over with both hands.
Cher took ten silver coins from the middle-aged woman.
The two watched them leave in their carriage.
"they......"
Diana seemed hesitant to speak, but Cher shook her head.
"That's right, don't worry about it, just pretend you don't know."
Diana nodded.
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As night falls and the lights come on, the pink gauze curtains of Rose Mansion are hung high once again.
Two burly men stood guard at the entrance of the mansion, occasionally calling out to the carriages that stopped one after another.
"Ariel, bring Ariel here."
The man sat on a champagne-colored, soft sofa, surrounded by three or four women with loosely draped clothes.
"She went out with her mother this morning and is still combing her hair."
"Have your mother come over."
"Why."
One of them gracefully rose and, as she passed the other men, didn't forget to throw them a couple of flirtatious glances.
"Grand Duke Eugene, you've arrived!"
I noticed your beautiful beard immediately.
The woman's face was covered in white powder, and half of her breasts were exposed.
She leaned gently on Eugene's shoulder and teasingly tugged at his beard.
"Stop talking nonsense, where did you take my delicate little rose this morning?"
The woman clapped her hands twice, and a girl in a pale yellow blouse walked out from behind the curtain carrying a plate of strawberries.
If Cher and Diana were here, they would definitely recognize the two main characters present; they were the first customers to patronize the business that morning.
"Come sit here, my dear Ariel."
Eugene pushed the woman next to him aside and patted his thigh.
Ariel smiled and walked over, feeding Archduke Eugene a strawberry.
"Are strawberries still available this season?"
"It's sold at the new shop that opened two streets away. We went out this morning just to buy the freshest strawberries for Grandfather."
The woman replied, subtly giving Ariel a wink.
"Sir, let's go upstairs, I have something to show you."
"Oh? Really?"
Eugene squinted his cloudy eyes.
Really?
The two left the luxuriously decorated lobby on the first floor. The same scene was playing out repeatedly there all night.
In the smoggy air, you can faintly smell the sweet aroma of strawberries.
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Author's note: Humans—the most numerous race in the world.
One of the eight major races. Due to their large population, people living in different regions have different physical characteristics (for detailed distribution and characteristics, see Sir Hendrick's Encyclopedia of Humanity).
They primarily worship a chief god and other deities, and those without faith constitute a minority of the population.
Among the eight races, they have the shortest lifespan.
As people age, there are obvious functional changes, which are often manifested as gray hair, wrinkles, and hunchback.
They live in groups, often building settlements based on family units, forming larger groups such as villages, towns, cities, and countries.
They are not reproductively isolated from other races, and their offspring are mostly mixed-race with obvious external characteristics, thus rejecting pure-blooded species.
Their emotions, personality, and other aspects are quite complex and they have diverse characteristics.
Editor's Note: This is a layered armor design, and the editor is also human. Further layering of armor, with much of the content selected from the *Encyclopedia of Humanity*, so please refrain from criticism if you disagree.
—Excerpt from "Vagura on Anecdotes of Race"
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