Just at this critical moment, a clear voice rang out.
Li Kaishan glanced sideways at Zhou Zhizhi, who had spoken up. Behind him were two burly men who didn't want to cause any more trouble.
"Miss, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."
Through their conversation, Zhou Zhizhi had already grasped the whole story. She spoke calmly, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, which made everyone in the room stop what they were doing.
"I'll pay this debt for you."
Upon hearing that someone could repay the debt, Li Kaishan immediately changed his attitude, after all, his goal was to get the money.
"Miss, do you mean what you say? Twenty taels is no small sum."
Zhou Zhizhi's words made Wang Guihua and Liu Chenggang look up at her gratefully.
"Of course it counts."
After saying that, he gestured for them to get the silver notes.
Li Kaishan accepted the silver note. "Then thank you to this great philanthropist. Brothers, let's go!"
After saying that, he left Wang Guihua's shop with his men.
"thump!"
The sound of knees hitting the ground rang out after Li Kaishan left.
“Miss, thank you so much. Consider this twenty yuan a loan from my husband and me. We will definitely pay you back when we earn the money,” Wang Guihua and Liu Dongen knelt in front of Zhou Zhizhi and promised.
Behind them, Liu Chenggang's eyes darted around.
"This young lady is clearly from a wealthy family. She took out twenty taels of silver without even blinking. If my parents could borrow more money from them, I could live a carefree life for a long time to come."
Just as Liu Cheng was making his own plans, Zhou Zhizhi stepped forward and helped Guihua and Liu Dongen up, saying, "Please get up quickly, both of you."
"I opened a restaurant on Zouma Street and am currently looking for a few capable chefs." Zhou Zhizhi wasn't a philanthropist and wouldn't just give money away to others.
"I just tasted Chef Liu's cooking and thought it was very delicious."
“If you two are willing, you can come to my shop. Twenty taels will be used to pay off the debt with your monthly wages.” Zhou Zhizhi smiled at Wang Guihua and her husband.
"This..." Guihua and her husband hesitated for a moment, not expecting such a thing to happen.
"Father! Mother! What are you hesitating for? Hurry up and agree to this young lady's request!" Liu Chenggang rushed to Wang Guihua and grabbed her hand anxiously.
He was just worried that if this rich girl left like this, how would he borrow money from her in the future?
Since this rich girl has offered to let his parents work in her shop, wouldn't they be able to pay on credit for the next few months? Then he would definitely have enough money to redeem his Green Willow girl from her servitude.
"You good-for-nothing brat, what are you doing causing trouble here!" Liu Dongen kicked Liu Chenggang in exasperation. "Get back home! You have no right to speak here!"
The fact that they could drive an honest man like Liu Dongen to this point shows how disappointed they are in Liu Chenggang.
"I know it's understandable that you're reluctant to suddenly close a shop you've run for five years," Zhou Zhizhi said with a smile after Liu Chenggang left dejectedly. "It's only natural, and I understand."
"I'll give you three days to think it over. If you've made up your mind in three days, go to the first shop that's just been renovated on the right after you turn right onto Zouma Street. Someone there will be there to assist you."
Wang Guihua and Liu Dongen exchanged a glance and said gratefully to Zhou Zhizhi, "Thank you so much for your kindness, Miss."
Liu Dongen, who had been silent all along, spoke again, "Miss, I'll write you an IOU. In three days, my husband and I will decide whether to work at your restaurant. Then you can take back this IOU and we can sign a new contract."
Hearing that Liu Dongen had considered everything so thoroughly, Zhou Zhizhi became even more satisfied. Business people like Liu Dongen the most—honest, upright, and trustworthy—because they are easy to work with.
Wang Guihua brought out paper and pen, and soon wrote out the IOU, signed it, and handed it to Zhou Zhizhi.
"Alright, even so, I still hope to see you all again in three days." Zhou Zhizhi extended a final invitation to them before leaving with Wu Da and Wu Er.
After leaving Wang Guihua's small restaurant, the sun had already set and it was getting dark.
"Let's go back to the manor," Zhou Zhizhi said to Wu Da and Wu Er.
Three days passed in a flash, and Zhou Zhizhi arrived at the shop as promised.
Zhou Zhizhi was very eager to open the shop, so everything was progressing very quickly.
In Zhou Zhizhi's plan, she wanted to open at least five stores. Two of them were to fulfill Xiao Xiyou's promise to help her cultivate the Beiming Divine Art, and the other three were to earn money for her retirement.
"Miss Zhou, you've arrived." Foreman Zhang has been diligently collecting referral letters from people applying for design positions for Zhou Zhizhi these past few days.
"Foreman Zhang, have any designers come to apply for the job these past few days?" Zhou Zhizhi asked.
"Yes, yes." Foreman Zhang quickly took out many envelopes from under the desk and respectfully handed them to Zhou Zhizhi.
Zhou Zhizhi took the letter and looked at it quietly, her heart filled with anticipation.
She needs a capable designer to help her turn her ideas into feasible solutions. She hopes to find a designer who is technically proficient, has a good aesthetic sense, and is easy to talk to and communicates with.
“This Li Ping is good, and that Qiao Ming is good too. Did they come today?” Zhou Zhizhi flipped through the envelopes in her hand and selected two people whose design concepts were very similar to her own.
"Miss Zhou, please wait a moment while I go ask." Because so many people have come these past few days, Foreman Zhang couldn't remember them all.
Zhou Zhizhi nodded. "If they come, bring them to see me."
"This humble servant is Li Ping, greetings to Miss Zhou."
"This humble servant is Qiao Ming. Greetings, Miss Zhou."
Li Ping and Qiao Ming were brought before Zhou Zhizhi by Foreman Zhang.
"I've read your letter of introduction, and it's very good. Now I'd like to have a detailed discussion with you."
Zhou Zhizhi smiled as she looked at the two of them, elegantly picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and then continued speaking.
"Li Ping, Qiao Ming, you are both exceptionally talented individuals."
Zhou Zhizhi was also very good at manipulating people's hearts. She immediately praised the two of them and affirmed their abilities.
"Now I'd like to talk to you in detail about how to design the restaurant in front of you to attract more customers."
Li Ping and Qiao Ming exchanged a glance, and then Li Ping spoke first.
“Ms. Zhou, I think a simple yet elegant traditional Chinese style would better suit your requirements for the restaurant’s design.”
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