Xi Chun naturally took this matter to heart. After they had sold all the goods, she personally took Aunt Zhang to find Manager Zhu. Besides this matter, she also wanted to check whether the tea eggs they made were up to standard.
"Miss Chen, you've arrived! Our manager is already waiting for you." It was arranged yesterday, so when the waiter saw her arrive, he naturally led her to the backyard.
"Manager Zhu, I've come to see how your tea eggs are coming along."
"Miss Chen, you've finally arrived. I tried them today and they all tasted about the same, but since you're the expert, you should try them yourself and see how they taste." When Manager Zhu saw her coming over, he had the waiter bring over the tea eggs.
"Hmm, not bad, this tastes just like mine. I wish you prosperity and many guests, shopkeeper." Xichun tasted it and confirmed that it was indeed the same flavor, so she was relieved.
"It's all thanks to Miss Chen for sharing her knowledge with us so generously," Manager Zhu said with a smile.
"By the way, Manager Zhu, there's another matter we'd like to ask you about."
"Oh, I didn't expect Miss Chen to have something to ask me. Well then, I'll listen carefully."
"This is my aunt. Her son wants to find a place to be an apprentice, but you are the only senior I know. So I would like to ask if you know where they are hiring apprentices or assistants?"
"So that's what it was about. Since you've brought it up, Miss Chen, I was just planning to hire some people, but not in town. It's at my newly opened restaurant in the county town, and we're short-staffed. If your son is willing, he can come work at my restaurant. Don't worry, you can eat and stay here. I've also hired a few waiters. Young people will be more comfortable working with me."
When Manager Zhu heard about this, he pondered for a while before speaking.
"Really? It's a great opportunity to learn in the county town. You can meet more people, understand more about human relationships, and learn something new. It's a good place. However, I have an uncle at home, so we might need to go back and discuss it."
Seeing Aunt Zhang's expression, Xichun knew that she didn't dare to make the decision alone, so she quickly spoke up.
“That’s normal. After all, it’s a trip to the county town. Although it’s half an hour away from the town, there’s not enough time for a round trip. Our restaurant only closes for two days a month, so he can go home and see his parents.”
Manager Zhu had just taken over this restaurant this year. He had originally intended to open a shop in the county town, and that's why he took a liking to Xichun's tea eggs and golden dumplings. These two items are currently novelties in the county town, which is perfect for promoting the new restaurant.
Moreover, the wages for newly hired workers are very low, and they don't mind adding another person.
"Okay, we've thought it over. We'll get back to you tomorrow. We'll head back now." Having received confirmation, the two took their leave.
Uncle Zhang and Qiangzi had been looking out the gate all day, waiting for news. Qiangzi couldn't wait any longer and ran out to the village entrance several times.
"Qiangzi, are you waiting for your new bride to come and meet you? You look so rushed, hahaha." The village children teased him when they saw him like this.
"Go away, go away, you're the one who's looking at people." Qiangzi naturally wouldn't reveal anything that wasn't certain, so he just lowered his head and went home.
He had only been home a short while when he heard Xichun and the others' voices.
"Mother, Xichun, you're back?" Qiangzi looked like a shy young wife; anyone who didn't know better would think he was on a blind date.
"You impatient child, hurry home and come back when I'm done with my work." Aunt Zhang thought to herself that she wanted to leave him alone for a while, seeing how anxious he was.
"Aunt Zhang, please stop teasing Qiangzi. Let's put the car here and talk things over." Xichun also deliberately put on a sad expression, which made Qiangzi think that things had not gone well.
"Xichun, how did it go? What did Manager Zhu say?" Uncle Zhang asked nervously as he heard them talking.
"Don't worry, you don't trust Xichun to handle things? This matter is mostly settled, the rest depends on what you two think." Aunt Zhang stopped keeping him in suspense.
"What do you mean? How come it's more than half done?" Uncle Zhang was a little confused, but after the two explained, he suddenly understood.
"Go to the county town to work as a shop assistant? That's great! Honey, why are you waiting for me to make a decision? Just say yes! This is such a good opportunity; other people want to go but don't even have the connections."
"Hehe, Aunt Zhang is just worried that you won't be willing. After all, the people in the city are more complicated than those in our town. But what do you think, Brother Qiangzi? If you're willing, you can come with us tomorrow. I'll take you to meet Manager Zhu, and you'll be under his control from now on."
"I'd definitely like to, thank you Xichun." Qiangzi immediately smiled.
The next day, apart from Taozi, the whole Zhang family went out. When they arrived in town, they met Manager Zhu. Manager Zhu also thought highly of Qiangzi, this cheerful young man, and said that he would bring his luggage to town the day after tomorrow and go to the county town with him.
On his way back to the village, Uncle Zhang was still reminding Qiangzi and Aunt Zhang that although the matter had been successful, they should not boast about it outside unless others asked, otherwise it would cause trouble for Xichun.
“We all understand. We’ll tell Taozi when we get back, and tell him not to go around talking about it,” Aunt Zhang said, thinking of her youngest son.
Qiangzi followed Manager Zhu to the county town soon. Although Aunt Zhang and the others missed their son, they thought it was a good place and did not show any signs of missing him in front of Xichun.
The business of tea eggs and golden dumplings was even better than Xichun had imagined. She had been worried about the town's spending power, but it turned out there were quite a few wealthy people, though they were usually quite low-key.
With Chinese New Year just a month away, they plan to sell until the 29th of the first lunar month. They'll just have to go home earlier each day. Even Uncle Zhang and Taozi have started helping to pull the cart since the weather got colder.
Qiangzi wasn't home, and all the village kids came to ask Taozi about him. When they heard he'd gone to work in the county town, they didn't think much of it.
On the other side, Chen Cuihua's family, who were preparing their things, secretly went to town to observe for several days before setting up their stall. Seeing that Xichun's business was obviously better than the others, Chen Cuihua felt particularly unbalanced.
"We're opening the stall tomorrow, so hurry up and wash the vegetables. I'll cut the meat. Don't let me down," Chen Cuihua directed her family to help.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the family pushed their cart into town.
Xichun and the others happened to be walking behind when they saw a few people. Uncle Zhang recognized them at a glance as Wang Fuzi.
"Isn't this Wang Fuzi's family? Why did they bring a car? Where are they going so early in the morning?"
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