The new manager was transferred from the Xingyue headquarters, and now he's been directly assigned by Boss Zhou to this small Baiyang County. He's somewhat unwilling to do so.
But Zhou Dongjia said that once Xingyuelou's business improves, they can train some capable people and then return to their original place.
The new manager said, "The boss said that the young master has made a scene and lost money, so it's time for him to settle down. We must make sure he goes back to his studies."
Waiter 1: "I wonder if Baiyang's Xingyue Tower is still around. I hope the young master lost so much money that he had to sell the restaurant."
Second operative: "The master is making too much of a sacrifice so that the young master can go back to school. If you ask me, we should just tie him up and take him back."
He also wanted to say that the young master was utterly useless and yet insisted on proving himself, which was overestimating his abilities, but he didn't say it because of his status.
The three of them chatted amongst themselves, speculating about the current dire state of Xingyue Tower.
Soon, their carriage gradually entered Baiyang and passed through various streets.
At the end of the Si hour (9-11 AM), when the carriage stopped in front of Xingyue Tower, the two waiters were dumbfounded by the endless stream of customers.
They rubbed their eyes, somewhat disbelieving their own.
This is... completely different from what they expected.
Shopkeeper 1: "Boss, something's not right. Business at our Baiyang branch is very good. It's not as bad as the boss said, with no one around."
Second clerk: "Something's not right. The young master isn't cut out for business."
The new manager lifted the carriage curtain and also found it unbelievable. "Where did this music come from? You two go in and take a look. See if Xingyue Tower has changed hands yet, so I can be mentally prepared."
Lin Shu saw them through the doors and windows and quickly called Zhou Zifang over, "Young Master, they've arrived."
"Who's here?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Zifang looked outside in the direction Lin Shu was looking.
Upon seeing the person who arrived, his face immediately darkened.
Before the two men even entered, they saw Zhou Zifang. Contrary to their expectations, he was not listless but instead full of vigor.
They were all somewhat incredulous and quickly bowed respectfully. "Young Master."
They thought the person had disappeared.
The new manager finally got off the carriage. He glanced at Xingyue Tower again, and after his initial shock, he looked at Zhou Zifang and got straight to the point, "Young Master, we were sent by the Master to manage Xingyue Tower."
He clearly lacked confidence when he said that.
Zhou Zifang: "Uncle Liao, let's go back. You've seen it yourself, Xingyue Tower is doing very well. Also, I'm studying in Baiyang, so tell my father not to worry."
In about ten days, he will go to Luming Academy.
The three shopkeepers looked at each other, then, without caring whether Zhou Zifang was welcoming them or not, they went into the restaurant on their own.
Manager Liao glanced at Song Jiao. It was a good idea to relax while eating here.
Seeing that Xingyue Tower's business was booming, he voiced his doubts, "Has the young master received guidance from a master?"
"That's right. The reason why our Baiyang branch is doing better and better is largely thanks to her."
After Zhou Zifang finished speaking, he continued to shoo people away.
Manager Liao refused to leave.
"Young master, please understand. We dare not disobey the master's orders."
Zhou Zifang couldn't get rid of them no matter what he tried, so he left them hanging and didn't let them interfere in his business affairs at all.
For half a day, Manager Liao and his employees stayed at Xingyue Tower, watching Zhou Zifang and his team do business.
He wanted to take over the business, but Zhou Zifang objected.
He wanted to go back, but was afraid of being questioned by his employer, so he decided to observe for two days first, so that he would have an explanation when he returned.
They stayed at the Baiyang Inn that night.
The next day, Qiu Yan left Gu Xiaoran in her aunt's care and came to Xingyue Tower alone.
Upon arrival, they discovered that Manager Liao and his two companions were idle and lazy.
Without Zhou Zifang's introduction, she guessed the three people's identities.
Zhou Zifang smiled at Qiu Yan, "Uncle Liao, our expert has arrived. Are you still going to linger here?"
"A master? Just a little girl?" Manager Liao didn't believe it, and his two assistants beside him were even less convinced.
As soon as Qiu Yan arrived, she heard them talking like this.
"How could a young lady be worthy of such a position!" Manager Liao smacked his lips twice, indicating his disbelief.
But seeing that Xingyuelou's business was indeed doing well, he felt that things shouldn't be like this.
Qiu Yan raised an eyebrow. "What, you look down on me?"
Even though Xingyue Tower has been revived with your help, you are still just a woman!
Manager Liao wanted to embarrass Qiu Yan and make her back down.
He would rather believe that the young master's mind had suddenly become sharp than believe a woman.
"Have you been to school? Can you read? Can you do math?"
Mathematics was no challenge for Qiu Yan. "If I can't even do the accounting, how can I help Xingyue Tower do business well?"
"Calculate it for me, let's see how much Xingyuelou has made in the past month." Manager Liao glanced at the ledger and placed the abacus in front of Qiu Yan.
Qiu Yan knew how to use an abacus in the real world, and with her clever mind, she could do many calculations in her head, making it easy for her.
"One thousand nine hundred and eighty taels, after deducting the cost of ingredients, labor and other expenses, the net profit is... one thousand and fifty taels."
Manager Liao didn't believe it, so he calculated it himself with the abacus beads, and sure enough, it was exactly the same.
"Little Baiyang County, aren't your prices too high? As far as I know, there's another restaurant on this street eyeing our business. If we lower our prices, we'll definitely attract more customers."
“If the price is too low, it will affect the image of Xingyuelou. If the price is too high, and we offer small discounts, diners will feel that Xingyuelou is generous.”
Manager Liao felt like he had punched a cotton ball. He asked Qiu Yan some more questions, deliberately asking some loopholes, and found that the woman could answer them all. He left in a sorry state the next day.
Since the young master said he would study in Baiyang, it fulfilled his master's wish.
Whether the employer agrees or not is none of his business.
Zhou Zifang breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that his father would not come again.
...Baiyang County is close to the border area. Although the border has been under constant surveillance by enemy countries, it has been relatively stable in recent years. Therefore, Gu Qian's military camp once again brought him to Lingnan Village.
He was unaware that Qiu Yan had opened a shop in Baiyang.
The house is already half-built, and it should be completed in about another month.
It was noon, and the craftsmen were having lunch. When Gu Qian arrived, he immediately saw the house, which was only half-built.
He walked around the house, imagining what it would look like when it was finished, and felt very satisfied.
He didn't see Qiu Yan, so he went to the Li family's house.
"Master, Mistress."
His voice was filled with joy, and Li Zheng and Ye Shi, who were eating around the table, suddenly looked at him when they heard him.
"Qian'er." Li Zheng's lips curled slightly as he turned his head and murmured, but his expression quickly returned to normal. "You just left, what are you doing here again!"
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