Chapter 68 Chapter 68 New Buddy's Solo Show...
Shopkeeper Shi said, "Madam Lin, look at the grand names of those big restaurants. They're so memorable to customers. Like Ruyi Tower and Chunfeng Tower—they sound impressive. Xiao Family Restaurant... that's not to say it's bad, but it sounds like a small place."
Lin Qiuran felt that what Manager Shi said made some sense. The name was originally chosen because the business was only done on the first floor, with only nine tables, so it was just a small restaurant. Xiao's Restaurant was also easy to pronounce, so that's why they called it that.
Later, the second floor was renovated and used for banquets. Shopkeeper Shi even remarked that customers would sometimes enter with a frown on their faces, only to relax once they reached the second floor. Lin Qiuran had never imagined the shop would flourish so rapidly, and everything was going so smoothly.
Shopkeeper Shi chuckled. Lin Qiuran must have taken his advice to heart. That was good. Regardless of whether it was useful or not, she would think about it and wouldn't feel like she was meddling in other people's business.
In fact, if he had money, he wouldn't want to come to Xiao's Restaurant just by hearing its name. As the saying goes, good wine needs no bush. How good a wine would it be to be good at that?
If the one next door was still called this after it was installed, Manager Shi would feel at a disadvantage.
Lu Fan couldn't help scratching his head. When Wan Niang was not around, she usually went home for lunch, but Lin Qiuran told her about it when he was cooking.
Lin Qiuran knew she had to figure this out herself. She pondered, "In the future, restaurants and diners will have all sorts of names. In this era, restaurant names probably can't be too novel." "Boss, besides Chunfenglou and Ruyilou, what other names are there for big restaurants?"
Shopkeeper Shi smacked his lips. "Some are named after the owner's surname, like Wangji Restaurant. We could also call it Xiaoji Restaurant. Then there are those with auspicious meanings, like 'May everything go well' or 'All we lack is the east wind.' Isn't the jewelry store next door called 'Jin Ruyi'? The word 'easterly wind' is quite impressive. Then there are those that sound pleasant, something to do with wine. Anyway, they have to be pleasant to the ear and easy to remember. And then there's something more elegant, like 'Apricot Blossom Tower'? Isn't there a poem that goes, 'A shepherd boy points to the apricot blossom village in the distance!'"
Shopkeeper Shi touched his chin and said, "It doesn't matter if you call it a pavilion or a square. There's no need to stick to the word 'lou'."
Lin Qiuran thought about it. If it was called Xiaoji Restaurant, regular customers would remember it, but it would still be a little less interesting than Chunfenglou and Ruyilou. She had worked so hard to run the shop, so naturally she wanted everything to be perfect, including the name.
Shopkeeper Shi only made this suggestion; he certainly didn't come up with a name. After all, Lin Qiuran was the owner of the shop. Lu Fan had never been to school, so he didn't know what to call him.
Lin Qiuran thought for a while and said, "Why not call it Jinding Tower?"
Ding is a cooking utensil used in ancient times for cooking. The meaning of gold is pretty self-explanatory. Gold placed in a ding, or a ding made of gold, resembles a treasure bowl, also symbolizing wealth. The name is quite impressive. As for regular customers, since the shop is still here and hasn't moved, the dishes are still the same. After a few visits, you'll become familiar with them.
Shopkeeper Shi thought the name was good and said, "Okay, I'll find someone to make the plaque. I'll give you two pieces."
As he spoke, he looked outside. Although the two shops were adjacent, there were still two walls between them. The walls were there to bear the weight and could not be demolished.
Lin Qiuran nodded and said, "I'm still looking for the same person to do the decoration, but before that I have to go to the Xu family with some gifts."
It was Manager Xu who made the connection in the first place, and when recruiting people, we couldn't go directly to those workers without going through the Xu family.
Two shops next to each other, as long as they look the same from the outside, they're one. Lin Qiuran had encountered this before when dining out. But since the yard could be connected, Lin Qiuran wanted to renovate the kitchen, making it bigger, with the chopping and cooking areas in one place, storing all the casseroles, and adding a few more stoves.
The kitchen is a bit of a mess now. If I want to clean it up, I have to decorate the first floor of the restaurant at the same time.
The workers do these things and are told that they have to pay.
Shopkeeper Shi was indeed more dedicated than ever. He said, "Leave this matter to me. As for the price of vegetables..."
Lin Qiuran: "Vegetable prices will not increase."
You can't spend money on decoration and then raise the price of dishes. You can't pass the money on to the customers. You can always make back the money, so don't rush.
Shopkeeper Shi said, "There's one more thing. Just now at the county government office, Madam Lin and Chief Clerk Wang said they would help find a solution, but there are banquets on the second floor for the next few days, and I'm afraid Miss Lin Dong can't handle it alone."
Lin Dong nodded, she really couldn't do it.
Lin Qiuran said, "Let's ask Xiao Zhao from the teahouse next door to come over and do the work tomorrow. If they need any food, I'll prepare it here and bring it over."
Some of the dishes requested were not available at the restaurant, so Lin Qiuran had to make them specially. She said, "Just charge a nominal fee when the time comes."
Originally, she wasn't doing this for money. In that case, she had to make County Magistrate Li and the others think that she was helping out and not doing it for money, otherwise they would think she was taking advantage.
Shopkeeper Shi thought this was a good idea and said, "Okay."
We're still short of a waiter and a dishwasher. We can wait until the shop is almost finished setting up before looking for one. There are a few waiters at the teahouse, so we can ask them. If they're willing to wait a month and have good character, they'd be nice to have over there.
However, the wages were definitely not much when they first arrived. Manager Shi only paid one or two taels of silver at the beginning, and Lu Fan gradually paid half a tael of silver. At the beginning, he only paid twelve cents a day.
If you are willing, do it. If you don’t want to, it’s easy to find someone to be a waiter.
Lin Qiuran felt that giving this move to Shopkeeper Shi was the right move. With him around, she could worry less. She could cook, but running a shop was still a slow process. Shopkeeper Shi was experienced, so having him around made things much easier.
Since they are tied together and share the same fate, Manager Shi has to consider the shop more.
As Lu Fan listened to what Lin Qiuran and Manager Shi were saying, he felt anxious but couldn't get a word in. He was an old man in the shop, and with this carrot hanging in his eyes, he would definitely work harder.
When Lin Qiuran was at the county government office, she told Zhao Guangcai about buying someone. He said he would wait and see in the next few days and tell her if he had any news.
Lin Qiuran now couldn't wait to go back and tell Sun and the others about this.
*
Xiao Dashi had returned today, having finished planting the fields and looking much darker. Lin Qiuran hadn't noticed Xiao Dashi had returned home at first, but when she got home, a man emerged from the chicken coop. Her eyes and teeth were visible, startling her. "...Dad's back?"
Xiao Dashi grinned, "I'm back. I haven't spent all the money you gave me. I have two taels left."
Buying seeds is expensive, but hiring someone to farm the land is cheap.
Lin Qiuran said, "Take the rest. You have many places to spend the money. Dad, I just need to tell you something. Please come to the main hall."
Xiao Dashi was puzzled. What was going on?
Lin Qiuran went to the side room to call Sun. Tangyuan was still awake, so she took Tangyuan in her arms.
Sun saw that Lin Qiuran was happy and thought that he must have bought the house next door. Lin Qiuran walked in front, holding a bunch of glutinous rice balls. "Gongyuan, ah, my family really needs a big restaurant."
When they arrived at the main hall, several people sat around the table. Lin Qiuran was busy with the shop work, Sun had to look after the dumplings during the day, and Xiao Dashi returned to Xiaojia Village. They used to eat together in the restaurant, but now they didn't see each other very often and talked even less.
Lin Qiuran said, "I bought the teahouse next door for 130 taels, plus another 100 or 300 taels in taxes. I thought I'd combine both and start a business together, so I could have another restaurant at home."
"We need to change the name too. Wasn't it called Xiao Family Restaurant before? I plan to call it Jindinglou from now on." Lin Qiuran said, "If Mom and Dad have a better name, you can tell us. We haven't made the plaque yet, so there's still time."
Xiao Dashi hesitated and said, "It's not called Xiao's Restaurant anymore."
He thought there was nothing wrong with calling it Xiao Family Restaurant. Why not call it that when it gets older? Sun pinched him under the table and said, "Qiuran, this is good. It sounds nice."
Lin Qiuran glanced at Xiao Dashi's expression, then looked away. She took a deep breath and said with a smile, "As long as Mother thinks it's okay. Also, Shopkeeper Shi has put in a lot of effort this time, so I want to give him a share of the shop's profits starting next month."
One cent is one percent. If the shop's profit in a certain month is one hundred taels, Manager Shi can get one tael of silver.
Of course, the shop’s monthly profit is less than one hundred taels now. It’s probably okay this month as the second floor is very full, but the profit is calculated for the whole month, so it has to start from next month. Lin Qiuran was not in a hurry to sign the documents with Manager Shi.
When the store expands in the future, the profit will also be higher.
Xiao Dashi frowned and asked, "Give it all to Yueyue?"
Lin Qiuran patiently explained, "Dad, if you don't give it to him every month, wouldn't it be equivalent to giving him one or two taels of silver? It wouldn't be called dividends. If you give him this, the shop will do well and he'll get more money. He will definitely make plans for the shop."
Xiao Dashi asked doubtfully, "But isn't that what we asked him to do? If he doesn't do it, who will?"
Lin Qiuran smiled helplessly and said, "Dad, there's no right or wrong. We hired him here to do the accounting. He's the accountant, and he also does waiter work. At first, his wages were higher than others because that's how it works for the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper earns more than others, and it's the same for any shop. But you can't say that the shopkeeper should do these things. He was the one who came up with the idea for the second floor renovation, but it's not his shop, so there's no need for him to do these things."
Lin Qiuran didn't know how to explain it to Xiao Dashi. Just like Shi shouldn't be the one doing the purchasing, he was the one who was in charge now. He would help with anything Lin Qiuran asked him to do, and he had also supervised the renovations before.
Human feelings are human feelings, but they cannot be taken for granted.
Seeing Xiao Dashi wanted to say something, Sun said hurriedly, "It's what you should give. You can't let people feel cold."
Xiao Dashi nodded silently. Anyway, everyone at home listened to Lin Qiuran, and Sun also said so, so what could he say.
Lin Qiuran: "Well, from now on, you can't take money from the shop for family expenses. Here's what I think: I'll give you two taels each per month. If it's not enough, tell me."
In the past, the shop belonged to the family, and as long as the accounts matched, it was fine. But now it's different; there's also a share for Manager Shi. A few taels for a small purchase might not be a big deal, but if this continues for too long, it won't be good for the shop's development.
Lin Qiuran looked at the account book. Xiao Dashi always got money from the shop when he bought things. He would rather ask Manager Shi than her, but many of the things he bought were for family use, including donkey fodder, which would have to be separated later.
She thought that Xiao Dashi was probably too embarrassed to talk to her about the money, so Lin Qiuran thought of giving them money every month.
Whether it was for the restaurant, for the family, or to go back to Xiaojia Village to farm, they all worked.
Sun nodded, "That's fine."
They didn't spend the extra money they had, but saved it for Tangyuan. Besides, Lin Qiuran was not at home during the day, so it would be troublesome to go find him when they wanted to buy something, which would delay things.
Lin Qiuran nodded. "That's all. Dad should go to bed early."
Lin Qiuran gave Tangyuan to Sun in the first half of the night. Tangyuan listened to her talk in her arms and fell asleep. He was much heavier than when he was born, just like bamboo shoots in this season, growing very fast.
I heard from Madam Xu that it was a bamboo shoot that could still grow its head. It was a pity that Lin Qiuran didn’t stay at home for long and didn’t see it.
Lin Qiuran kissed him on the cheek. There were things to discuss at home, and how could they go without the dumplings?
Lin Dong and Lin Xia were both under her care. She told them anything, so one of them stayed home to look after the children while the other went to the shop. Lin Xia was too young, and Lin Qiuran didn't want her to do the heavy work, so she decided to just stay home and look after Tang Yuan this year.
Lin Qiuran would arrange other things for her when she was older. He didn't want Lin Xia to learn to cook like Lin Dong because she was lively and he was afraid that she would not be able to keep up.
The family is still lacking a housekeeper and a capable man.
Xiao Dashi is old, and there are more men who can pull carts, fetch water, and chop firewood.
Thinking this, Lin Qiuran walked out of the main hall. The moon was bright in the sky and the night breeze was cool but not cold. He was happy that a big thing had been accomplished at home and fell asleep quickly.
After saying goodbye to Tangyuan early in the morning, Lin Qiuran went to the shop.
Shopkeeper Shi came today with dark circles under his eyes. He was so happy yesterday that he said a lot of bold words to his wife after returning home. He said that he would make this shop the largest restaurant in the county. He also said that he would work hard and not let Lin Qiuran down. He was so happy that he couldn't sleep all night.
Although Wan Niang fell asleep, she came earlier than usual today. She had always envied Lin Qiuran for being able to run a restaurant so well. She did not have the brains of Manager Shi, so she wanted to work hard and strive for a salary increase.
Lin Qiuran also met a new guy named Zhao Xing. He was one year older than Lu Fan, but not very tall and very thin. He had a good-looking face and bright eyes, like a clever golden monkey.
He was very articulate and when he saw Lin Qiuran he said, "Madam Lin, I'm a new guy, my name is Zhao Xing."
Lin Qiuran said to him, "Shopkeeper Shi should have told you that you don't have to stay in the shop all the time. Come in after 15:30 in the morning, finish your work and leave. Come in after 15:30 in the afternoon, finish your work and leave as well. When you first come here, you'll be paid by the day, twelve cents a day. If you do a good job, your wages will definitely increase. Two meals a day, lunch and dinner, are provided, and you can eat with us. Try it for a month, and if you do a good job, you can stay."
The shop is not so busy now, and this person is not the one Zhao Guangcai helps to look after, so this is necessary.
Zhao Xing nodded. "I know. I will work hard."
Lin Qiuran heard that his accent didn't sound like a local, but no matter where he was from, as long as he could do his job well, it would be fine.
Manager Shi told Zhao Xing what he should do. He used to earn eight cents a month, which was not a small amount, but it took him more than a year to earn that much. When he first came to the teahouse, his monthly salary was not much either.
Shopkeeper Shi also told him that Lu Fan only made this much before, but it had increased to half a tael of silver a month in two months. Furthermore, the restaurant provided meals, but the teahouse did not. Shopkeeper Shi also said that the food in the restaurant was delicious, but he had never eaten there before, so he didn't know if it was true or not.
It’s a restaurant now, so the taste shouldn’t be too bad.
Shi, the teahouse's other waiters, had also asked, but no one was willing to come. They couldn't use that many people right now, and the wait for a job would be a month, and the pay was too low. Some couldn't stand the initial pay and looked for other jobs. Others, who had initially looked for work when they saw the teahouse was failing, had already left.
There was no way to force him if he was unwilling, so the other guy could only ask Zhao Guangcai for help.
After Lin Qiuran finished talking to Zhao Xing, Manager Shi took him away. The second floor had been crowded with customers these days, so Zhao Xing familiarized himself with the menu and was able to get started by lunchtime.
Shopkeeper Shi watched Zhao Xing's work, while Zhao Xing also observed the restaurant. Lin Qiuran was both the owner and the cook, and Shopkeeper Shi was in charge of the lobby, so everyone had to obey him.
He also secretly observed the restaurant business. If the business was not good, he would not be able to work here for long and would have to leave, which would not be worth it.
Fortunately, the restaurant business is good, so he only needs to serve the dishes. He doesn't have to do the accounting, as Lu Fan and Manager Shi are the ones who do it.
Can keep going.
Shopkeeper Shi assigned Zhao Xing the job of brewing tea, and even put him in charge of the second floor. He used to work in a teahouse, where he was responsible for brewing tea, serving tea, and bringing water. He knew tea very well, and he knew how long to brew different teas for optimal flavor. He even knew how to tell good tea from bad.
Moreover, teahouses are elegant places, and most of the customers who come to drink tea are there to talk about business. Zhao Xing is very good at observing people's expressions. In addition, he is thin, so he can walk quickly among the crowd and carry things steadily. It is also much easier for him to go upstairs than Manager Shi with his big belly.
This person is good.
Zhao Xing was busy for the whole morning and felt that the restaurant business was good. He also needed to decorate the restaurant and the business would get better and better in the future.
The restaurant said it provided meals, but I had no idea what kind of meals they provided.
Zhao Xing glanced at the kitchen and saw that the food smelled delicious.
Since there were no guests, Lin Qiuran and Wan Niang simply cleaned up the kitchen and served the remaining dishes.
There was leftover braised pork and a ginger duck. While she was entertaining guests upstairs, she made some fish ball soup. It wasn't fish roe or fish balls, but minced fish meat, pounded repeatedly until firm, and then made into fish balls the size of rabbit kidneys.
The soup is made with seaweed and salt, the fish balls are chewy and the soup is delicious.
Someone ordered the Cantonese cuisine menu today. This was a new dish added by Lin Qiuran. The small fish and shrimp in early spring were delicious, and there were also steamed dumplings made with bok choy and pork elbow.
People here don’t often eat pork elbows, but Lin Qiuran stewed two pork legs as stuffing.
The cabbages used are small, not even the size of a palm, and are washed clean. The meat filling is made of fat and lean pork elbow meat and fresh meat mixed with blanched cabbage. The filling is fresh and fragrant.
Lin Qiuran added some cornstarch to the flour and made big willow leaf dumplings. He steamed them in a pot. The dough was white and thin, almost translucent, and the emerald green dumpling filling lay quietly inside.
Lin Qiuran calls these Jade Steamed Dumplings. Fresh bok choy is only available this season, so he won't be making them for a few days. Lin Qiuran really enjoys spring, when there are more vegetables, but winter food can be stored. He buys meat early these days and eats any leftovers. Even after the braising liquid ran out the previous day, Lin Qiuran doesn't dare use it again.
Give the restaurant waiter one cent and that’s it.
After the food was served, Lin Qiuran said, "It's time to eat, stop busying yourself."
Zhao Xing straightened the chairs at the table and saw Lin Qiuran sitting down. He came over and sat down. He said, "There are so many dishes."
Lin Qiuran said, "Wanniang has to take care of the children. She will go back for lunch. No one else can go back with her. You must be tired after a day's work. You should eat more."
Zhao Xing is a little thin, probably because he doesn't eat much.
Zhao Xing nodded, swallowed his saliva, and ate a piece of braised pork first. The fat was soft and glutinous without being greasy, and the lean meat was not tough at all. It was a hundred times better than homemade meat.
Zhao Xing ate three of the jade dumplings. There weren't many fermented rice buns left, so he ate one. He also had two small bowls of rice. He also ate several pieces of the ginger duck. The fish ball soup was even better. And the shredded potatoes—how could potatoes be so delicious?
After Zhao Xing finished eating, he said embarrassedly, "How can I eat more if the food is provided?"
Lin Qiuran said, "Yes, but don't hold on."
At first, Lu Fan and Manager Shi also ate like this, but later the dishes were similar every day, and Lin Qiuran didn't make new food every day, so the two of them returned to their normal appetite.
Zhao Xing chuckled. Those idiots just provided food, and the food was so delicious, which was better than most shops.
After dinner, Zhao Xing cleaned up and said, "I'll do it. I can do it alone!"
Zhao Xing is like a spinning top.
Shopkeeper Shi and Lin Qiuran said, "He's a good person, capable and smart."
Lin Qiuran nodded. Although everyone was full of energy on the first day, one's attitude could be seen from the details, whether it was a performance in front of others or a dedication to one's duties.
Just as she was about to speak, she seemed to hear Tangyuan humming. Lin Qiuran subconsciously looked back and saw Sun coming in holding Tangyuan.
Shopkeeper Shi also turned around and said, "Oh, you've grown so big."
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The author has something to say: Thank you all for the nutrient solution, thank you everyone~[cat head][panda head][crying]
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