With the storm subsiding, Tao Wanniang's Zhaixinglou restaurant, keeping pace with the seasons, launched new dishes and pastries. Of course, other restaurants in the capital also launched their own new products, which made Tao Wanniang feel that she still needed to think of some special activities to make Zhaixinglou stand out.
"Manager Lu, the Dragon Boat Festival is almost here, isn't it?" Tao Wanniang tapped the counter, deep in thought. "Are there any Dragon Boat Festival activities in the capital?"
"What activity?" Luneng didn't understand at first, but then said, "Of course it's dragon boat racing and eating zongzi."
"Manager Lu, think about how we can make our Zhaixinglou restaurant stand out among the restaurants in the capital," Tao Wanniang said thoughtfully.
"Isn't Zhaixinglou outstanding enough?" Luneng retorted. "The membership system and rest days are all things that Zhaixinglou came up with."
“We can’t live off our past achievements. Manager Lu, when you have time, could you mention to Princess Rui that we could sponsor the dragon boats for the competition?” Tao Wanniang suggested.
Luneng was taken aback at first, then said, "This dragon boat race already has people supporting it behind the scenes, and there are also underground casinos betting on it. It will be difficult to get them to put the name on Zhaixinglou."
"Is it difficult? So why don't you ask Manager Lu to talk to Prince Rui's Mansion? This is just a suggestion," Tao Wanniang said with a chuckle, and then went to her kitchen with a flourish.
"Come on, come on, who will make the caramel today?" As soon as she entered the kitchen, Tao Wanniang said to the apprentices. "Hongyu, you're already good enough. Lu Jun, Zhang An, Tang Yueru, Du Dazhuang, Chen Jin, who wants to try first?"
After following her for several months, the apprentices had made some progress in chopping and preparing vegetables, but they still lacked practical skills! After saying this, Tao Wanniang looked at the apprentices to see if they could take the initiative.
"I'll do it!" Tang Yueru said first, rolling up her sleeves to get to work.
"I'll do it, I'll do it!" The others also vied to show off their skills in front of Tao Wanniang.
Looking at them, Zhao Changsheng sighed with emotion. "Young people are really something," he thought, "being a chef is so great!" He added, "I envy their enthusiasm."
"Come, come, Chef Zhao, come and taste whose caramelized sugar is ready to graduate!" Tao Wanniang called out, not forgetting Zhao Changsheng who was standing to the side.
"Can't you just look at it yourself?" Zhao Changsheng said irritably, but still walked over. "Why does it feel like you're going to become a hands-off manager?"
Tao Wanniang thought that she would have to wait until she had earned enough money and the restaurant's profits continued to rise so that she could make money while lying at home.
Zhang Liang met with the rich second-generation heir who bought the land a few days ago. The land was fertile, and even at a low price, it cost him fifty strings of cash. There were ten acres of land in total, and it cost him five hundred strings of cash. All that money!
While Zhao Changsheng was testing the apprentices' skills in caramelizing sugar, Tao Wanniang also left the kitchen to check Bai Yumei's recent accounts. Seeing that the profits were good, she was quite pleased.
"Big sister, the restaurant's profits are truly astonishing, it's practically making a fortune every day!" Bai Yumei checks the accounts daily and knows the restaurant's income best.
"It's not that exaggerated. You do the math. The profits will be split 40/60 with the Prince Rui's mansion. Then there's your wages, and how much we spend on groceries every day." Although Tao Wanniang said this, the smile on her face clearly showed that she was satisfied with the profits!
"Young Master, what brings you here!" Tao Wanniang had just stepped out of the room where Bai Yumei was working when she heard Lu Neng's exclamation. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw the gentle and refined Young Master Xiao Yi.
"I returned to the capital last night. I had nothing to do today, so I came to the restaurant to take a look." Xiao Yi said, glancing in the direction of Tao Wanniang.
Tao Wanniang walked towards Xiao Yi, and upon getting closer, she noticed that Xiao Yi looked somewhat haggard after not seeing him for many days! However, the gentleman was as handsome as jade, and his charm remained undiminished.
"Young Master Xiao, it's been a long time!" Tao Wanniang said with a smile. "But you've come too early; it's only just past 9 AM."
"I've been gone for several months, so I should at least check on the profits of the Star-Picking Tower. Isn't it perfect timing that you've come while you're all still relatively free?" Xiao Yi said gently, still finding Sister Tao more pleasing to the eye!
After returning to the capital, he had a strong desire to see Tao Wanniang immediately. This thought, which had not surfaced while he was away, suddenly emerged with some eagerness after returning to the capital.
If he only returns at midnight, how can they meet? After getting up in the morning and reporting to the palace, he went straight to the Star-Picking Tower.
"Account book, Manager Lu, did you see that? The boss is here to inspect. Why don't you hurry up and hand over the account book?" Tao Wanniang teased. "Since he's here, you must keep it for lunch!"
"Is there any need to say more, Your Highness? Please take a look." Lu Neng immediately took out the account book.
“It’s inconvenient to look here, so let’s go to Yu Mei’s room. Yu Mei also has a copy of this ledger, so the young master can look at it together,” Tao Wan Niang teased. “If there are any mistakes, we can check and correct them in time.”
"Young Master, Manager Tao is being modest. The three of us check the accounts every day, and there are no mistakes," Lu Neng said respectfully with a smile.
Looking at the accounts was just an excuse; he really just wanted to see Tao Wanniang.
"Alright, Sister Tao, has anything happened lately?" Xiao Yi asked casually. "I'm worried that our restaurant is too big and will be suppressed by our competitors."
"Although the young master is not a businessman, he is very thoughtful. However, I, Tao Wanniang, am not afraid. The reason why our restaurant is so popular is naturally because of the enthusiastic waiters, the excellent skills of the chefs, and the pleasant environment of the restaurant."
Tao Wanniang said confidently, "By the way, Your Highness, you haven't met our restaurant's other head chef, have you? His skills are also quite good."
Why would he want to meet with a chef? He doesn't really want to manage the restaurant's business. Xiao Yi smiled, but didn't say anything.
"By the way, did the young master have a smooth trip this time, or did he encounter some unpleasant things?" Tao Wanniang didn't really want to know; she was just asking casually.
Before Xiao Yi could speak, Cheng Feng behind him interjected, "Sister Tao, our trip was truly an ordeal. Our young master seemed to attract unwanted attention wherever he went. Thankfully, we managed to escape."
"Cheng Feng!" Xiao Yi called out Cheng Feng's name, his tone slightly displeased.
Cheng Feng assumed Xiao Yi was embarrassed, so he chuckled and continued, "There's a female island lord who wants our young master to be her husband. How could that be possible?"
"Hmph, Cheng Feng, that's enough." Xiao Yi reprimanded again, feeling particularly embarrassed in front of Tao Wanniang.
Tao Wanniang smiled, not surprised at all. With Xiao Yi's face and figure, it's normal for him to be pressured into marriage by women.
"Sister Tao, I'm sorry you had to see this!" Xiao Yi said in a low voice.
“I understand, I understand. Yu Mei, Your Highness, come in and check the accounts,” Tao Wanniang called out.
Bai Yumei immediately stood up as well. Regardless of Xiao Yi's attitude towards Tao Wanniang, he was the heir apparent, and she dared not offend him.
Tao Wanniang thought that things were almost done in the kitchen, so she told Xiao Yi that she would go and get busy in the kitchen first.
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