Outside the inn, the hardworking villagers were already busy early in the morning. Without the usual hustle and bustle of chickens and dogs, the whole village was exceptionally quiet. The occasional laughter of children added a touch of vitality to the village.
The adults repeatedly warned them not to play around near the inn, lest they disturb the immortals. But how could mischievous children completely heed the adults' words? Several naughty children ran towards the inn, frolicking and playing.
An Ge opened the inn's door and saw several six- or seven-year-old children peeking into the inn.
"Huh? Why are there children here?"
Hu Jiu glanced at them and said, "They're probably kids from nearby villages. A couple of days ago, some villagers came to live in nearby villages, and it seems they intend to settle down there permanently."
Ange looked in surprise toward the village; she hadn't expected that anyone would settle in the forest.
Hu Jiu seemed to know what An Ge was thinking and explained with a smile, "The inn is located here, so it's not too desolate." The innkeeper seemed to have seriously underestimated the importance of the inn in people's minds. Since the inn's business improved, this place was no longer a place that people avoided like the plague.
Hu Jiu thought that perhaps soon this place would develop into a sizable market town.
An Ge's eyes lit up: "Then what do you think about us recruiting villagers from the surrounding area? They want to make a living, and we happen to be short of people." Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. She wanted to provide help within her capabilities, but also to avoid simply helping and encouraging the villagers to be lazy.
“That’s a good idea. However, the recruitment target doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to villagers; people in the inn probably also have a need.”
"Huh? Those guests are either staying for a short time or they're not short of money. Is it appropriate to hire them?"
"Not all the guests staying here now are wealthy, and the inn's expenses are quite high, so some long-term guests are probably struggling financially. Many of them don't want to or can't leave the inn for special reasons, so they naturally won't miss the opportunity."
What Hu Jiu didn't say was that as the inn becomes more and more magical, the composition of future guests will become more complex.
After thinking for a moment, An Ge said, "Then let's put up recruitment notices at the inn. But that would mean we'd have to expand our staff canteen, and I wonder if the two chefs will complain about being too busy." In An Ge's opinion, the kitchen was the place with the most severe shortage of manpower.
"Don't worry too much. Anxi is talented in cooking. She was taken on as an apprentice by Chef Wei a few days ago. She will surely be able to work on her own in the future."
The children have now fully adapted to working at the inn and have even changed their names to Ankang, Anxi, Anyue, and Anyang, saying it's to repay the innkeeper's kindness. If Ange hadn't stopped him, Xiao Chen might have changed his surname too.
The group of people also proved to be very capable. Now, Xiao Chen is assisting Hu Jiu in taking full charge of the inn's operation, An Yue is also working under Chang Jin's guidance, and An Xi and An Yang have also found their areas of expertise.
An Ge waved to the few children who were peeking in, and Hu Zi, who was the boldest, hesitated for a moment before coming over.
Ange told the children that the inn was looking to hire people, "The job posting will be posted here tomorrow, so remember to tell your families to come and take a look."
"Fairy Sister, will we be able to eat delicious food in the future?" Perhaps it was An Ge's familiarity that made Tiger feel at ease, as his initial nervousness subsided. He had heard from those nobles that there was plenty of delicious food here.
Ange smiled at the adorable children and said, "Yes, of course. But you can't run around in the forest next time, or there won't be any good food left."
The children shook their heads in fear; they would never run around again.
The news that Xianyuan Inn was recruiting employees caused a huge stir at the inn. The notice board was crowded with people, many of whom wanted to work at the inn.
Yunmo originally wanted to find a job, but after seeing the notice, he gave up on the idea.
The job posting clearly states that job stability is required.
He envied Xiao Chen and the others, but he felt he couldn't put everything aside to focus on his work.
Many others shared Yunmo's sentiments; rather than displeasing the innkeeper, they preferred to peacefully enjoy the carefree life of staying at the inn.
However, this job posting did provide some people with much-needed relief.
"Senior sister, let's give it a try too! They're recruiting quite a few people this time." In a regular double room, Hua Yue, dressed smartly, said excitedly.
Hua Su nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking too. We're really short on money. If we can become employees, then we'll be safe!"
They escaped from their sect and were hunted down along the way. They came here because they heard that the Immortal Fate Inn could provide absolute protection. Now they've spent almost all their money, and if they don't make any money soon, they'll have to leave the inn.
Thinking of the consequences of leaving, the two exchanged a glance, their eyes shining with determination.
"Senior sister, we absolutely cannot be caught and taken back."
"No, we've already escaped, and we'll never go back."
In Xiashui Village, Hu Zi and several other playful children were scolded by adults as soon as they entered the village.
The village chief tapped his cane, his beard twitching with anger, and said, "I told you all long ago that the mountains and forests are dangerous, don't wander around, and don't provoke the spirits. Did you all just listen to my words?"
When he learned that the children had run towards the inn, he was both anxious and angry. The fact that the immortal didn't mind them staying there was already a great favor. If he were to cause the immortal distress…
Thinking of this, the village chief raised his cane and struck his grandson's buttocks.
Tiger, clutching his bottom, nimbly darted away, saying aggrievedly, "Grandpa, you're lying! Fairy Sister wouldn't be angry with us. She even gave us lots of delicious candy. She also said she's hiring and wants us to come back and tell you."
After saying that, she held up the lollipop, as if afraid the adults wouldn't believe her.
The onlookers were in an uproar; they couldn't believe it, but the unusual candies in the children's hands couldn't lie.
"Tell me in detail what happened?" The village chief stared intently at Hu Zi, afraid of missing a single detail.
Tiger scratched his head and stammered as he recounted the events.
"Good, good, good!" The village chief was in tears. He had finally lived up to the villagers' trust and led them to a path full of hope.
That night, many villagers in Xiashui Village suffered from insomnia.
Inside the simple thatched hut, a thin woman held an equally thin child and asked hesitantly.
"Mother, do you think I should go and see them too?" Her husband was paralyzed in bed, and her child was still young. They barely managed to survive by working as a cook. Unfortunately, natural disasters kept occurring, and the family could no longer support many people. They had been fleeing famine with the family, and they didn't have much food left.
"Xiuniang, it's good that you go and take a look. It's alright that we weren't chosen by the gods, as long as our family is safe and sound." The woman looked at her daughter-in-law and said with a glimmer of hope.
In the corner, the man who had been sleeping opened his eyes and weakly pounded his legs.
It's all because he's useless and has dragged the whole family down.
Despair gradually crept into the man's eyes.
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