Little Ger, Slow Life in Another World

Chapter 27

Business

Translated by Coke
Edited by Coke

It is not good.

Inside the Dahe Restaurant.

“This is the earnings for this month? How could the sales decline so much by the month’s end? Shouldn’t the tofu pudding be the hot item for a while?! Did Miao’s family recipe leak out?!” The restaurant’s new manager, whose surname is Zeng and the first name was Guang San, hurled the account book in a feat, looking terrible.

“The actual, ah, recipe should be alright. This humble one has not heard of any restaurant selling tofu pudding too. Just earlier, Young Master Lin, uh…” shopkeeper Zhang stammered as he racked for the correct words. 

“Based on this humble one’s inquiries, Young Master Xu is a distinguished figure from the capital invited by the Lin, Zhang, and Qian families. This one found it difficult to refute on the spot as this one dreaded offending people, so without no better option, had to let them leave,” Shopkeeper Zhang hurriedly reasoned, hoping the punishment for his negligence would be lighter. 

Zeng Guangshan sneered. “Even if he is a precious noble from the heavens, I doubt what he said alone could incur such a great impact! Speak, what is the reason?!”

Shopkeeper Zhang had never looked so torn for a moment of hesitation. But he proceeded to talk about the new campaign of Yangshui Teahouse. However, he dared not say that since that encounter, Lord Qian, the Qian family’s head, who was once the restaurant’s patron, had spoken up with flattery about Yangshui Teahouse everywhere, attracting many customers to come by.

Zeng Guangsan nearly laughed in anger. “Just this trick, draw lots? Are we that incapable of not making up something like that?! You- could it be that you don’t know how? See here, you draw, and you will get an extra bowl of tofu pudding! Simple, is it not?!”

Shopkeeper Zhang, at that moment, felt reluctant to elaborate. 

Another reason for not mentioning it was the growing number of people calling it unpalatable. Of course, with the novel taste and silky texture of the tofu pudding, and given that the recipe came from the ancients, there was not a day of people who relished trying it not coming in waves. Such a performance induced marvelous sight on the account book. However, once the novelty was tested, people could not foresee and tell how many customers would still be fond of eating the same food, despite it being delicious. Someone could introduce and bring their friends to try it out, but what about next time?

As that young master’s words reached the public’s ears, even the revered air brought by “ancient recipe” could not enshroud the genuine experience of people — as they said, “Tofu pudding was expensive and not so delicious.” Even if you give one plate more, would people still want it?

“It is exactly as what Master said. Initially, this humble one wanted to consult the Master first about the matter. And if the Master agrees, then that would be great!” Shopkeeper Zhang clasped his hands, “Besides, this humble one has recently discovered the source of the popularity of Yangshui Teahouse’s lottery. It came from using one farmer’s excellent vegetables. However, they are of limited quantity. This little one has already tasked someone to ask about the origin of the vegetables! We can steal that opportunity for ourselves when that moment comes, which will help the restaurant’s performance!”

Those last sentences convinced Zeng Guangsan that the shopkeeper was still valuable, so he clarified a few more details to the latter. Shortly after that, it was reported to him that Miao Yuan was at the restaurant. A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zeng Guangsan’s eyes before going down to politely welcome them.

As soon as he entered the room, dressed in a scholar’s robe, Miao Yuan cupped his hands to Boss Guangsan with grace. Behind him followed a pretty ger. Whenever Miao Yuan came to the restaurant to discuss business, a certain ger would always accompany him, telling everyone that he was an essential workshop steward called Min Chun. 

“Boss Zeng, it happens that you are here today. I came to ask Shopkeeper Zhang a few things initially. Now, we can discuss the matter together.”

Zeng Guangsan also cupped his hands in greeting and raised his concerns. 

“There is also something I need to confide in, Older Brother. It’s about the recipe for this tofu pudding. When Older Brother Miao first came here, he claimed the dish would definitely become the restaurant’s signature and most popular dish for a long time. However, after seeing the account book with Shopkeeper Zhang, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, this month’s profits were not as good as last month’s! How can this be good?”

Miao Yuan, who always had a relaxed expression, looked stunned. “It’s worse than before? Aren’t there many customers who patronized the food last month?” Min Chun, seated beside him, also had his brows frowned. 

Shopkeeper Zhang picked up Zeng Guangsan’s signal and promptly proffered. “Yes. It started to lag last month. By the month’s end, the restaurant’s regular daily performance was down to just half. This humble one dread that once the guests have tasted it, perhaps they have lost interest. As of the moment, this humble one is discussing countermeasures with the Boss.”

Min Chun sharply interjected, “Impossible. The flavor shouldn’t be affected even if it was consumed not fresh. Could it be that the recipe was altered without consent?”

When Old Guangsan heard those words, his body jerked toward Shopkeeper Zhang. The latter, however, was more riled up! ‘Did he just name me as someone who cut corners?!’

“This Brother, you are too impudent saying this! Our restaurant does not uphold killing the chickens to benefit the eggs alone! Change the recipe, what?! The recipe is inherited from ancient books, and you also deliver the tofu puddings. How could we have changed it?!”

Miao Yuan seemed to have thought of something and hastily cupped his hands forward to apologize. “You two — I’m truly sorry. You see, our Brother Chun always stays within the workshop and thus is not very good at talking. What he actually meant to ask was whether it was the sauce that was changed by our person. Because if the recipe were changed, it would definitely have a change in taste.”

‘Sure have guts for saying such an absurd claim.’ Shopkeeper Zhang sneered. “We use the same batches of sauces in all our restaurants! I never heard the chef speak of such a ridiculous situation!”

However, Miao Yuan, like before, covered up their shortcomings. “I do not know that the tofu pudding did not cause the last month’s profits of the restaurant. Anyway, how much did it account for?”

Zeng Guangsan and Shopkeeper Zhang’s complexions darkened when this question was asked. Miao Yuan sure hit poke a sore point. If there was no tofu pudding, it was unmistakable that even half of their current earnings would not be reached. Could they still resent them?

But Miao Yuan came not to offend people. Now that they have found a way to climb to the right social connections, they must safeguard it. “Don’t take offense, Shopkeeper Zhang. What was said just now is all for the restaurant’s sake. If the restaurant business is good, only the workshop will last for a long time. I came here today to give you two a new dish to maintain the customers’ interest in novelty.”

Zeng Guangsan was also the kind of person who knew when to give and take. His spirits cheered up when he heard those words and became agreeable. “Older Brother Ming Yuan, could it be that this recipe was also taken from the ancient book?”

At that moment, Miao Yuan raised his hands to signal Min Chun standing behind him, holding a bamboo basket. 

Once the basket was opened, it revealed a square-shaped plate with an earthy-colored dish placed in a delectable plating form. The recipe was a braised tofu skin in soy sauce.

Miao Yuan promptly explained, “This tofu skin was discovered by accident during the production of tofu pudding. It was unexpectedly delicious after cooking it that I would like to recommend one or two to Boss Zeng.”

After hearing that the proposal was another product from the workshop again, Zeng Guangsan despaired in his heart. Previously, the Miao family had insisted on not selling their raw products but only finished products of tofu pudding. Thus, most of the restaurant’s expenses were from buying from the workshop. And now the same trick was used again. ‘Does this sick Miao family thinks they haven’t swindled enough money?

For the sake of the recent addition to their menu, Zeng Guangsan still feigned interest and asked for pairs of chopsticks to taste test the dish together with Shopkeeper Zhang. With a single bite, the tender flesh and the tough exterior of tofu skin immediately exuded flavorful juices of complementing saltiness and sweetness absorbed from the stew. When its skin was chewed, the richness of the flavors blasted like a bomb. Overall, it was better than the tofu. 

Zeng Guangsan could not help admiring this Miao Yuan. Who, despite being a scholar, could still go out and produce so much food, which was awe-worthy. “Sure enough, Older Brother Ming Yuan is amazing. If this braised tofu skin is on the table, the restaurant will recover to its period of prosperity!”

The two parties then struck a bargain. 

Zeng Guangsan knew by rote the underhand, stinky protocol of the Miao family. Hence, instead of asking them whether they could sell the raw ingredients, he resolutely proposed to cut down the cost for each tofu skin. In convenience, the selling price of each tofu pudding dish was also hacked down. After all, if the guests’ interest had been curbed, the best way to combat the sinking performance of the restaurant was to reduce the dishes’ price! Zeng Guangshan spurned the idea of the restaurant’s making subpar profits, so he backtracked and cut it with the Miao family!

Miao Yuan’s attitude this time around was not as uncompromising as before. After all, it was common for interest in novelty to dwindle. Moreover, the Miao family could no longer change directions and sell it to others. Not only would they offend Dahe Restaurant, but the dish would likely not be favored as before, considering that most people have already tasted it. 

Just like that, both parties agreed. They also negotiated a compromised price after a few hours. Beaming, Zeng Guangsan smiled and sent the two out of the building. 

Meanwhile, during the walk back to the village, Min Chun, who had been silent since, spoke with an unpleasant expression, “Tell me honestly. Did you dilute the soy milk with water? Otherwise, eating tofu pudding that is cooked perfectly would not incur resentment.”

He was the only one responsible for ordering salt and preparing the brine solution. He would never rely on others to help him or do his part for him. This was his sole bargaining chip. As a result, he rarely had enough energy to make soy milk. Now that the business was declining and the quality had regressed, Min Chun’s main suspicion was that the soy milk in the workshop had been diluted with water!

Miao Yuan’s face turned away with embarrassment but still appeased the other, “I will look into the matter once I return. Xiao Chun, I know these are all your hard work, so it’s only right to be angry. In the future, it’s best that I should be the one to speak. You are on your own and a ger at that. People will always be stringent with customs, and I’m afraid you will be harmed. Okay?”

Even now, Miao Yuan’s handsome face always had a gentle expression when he glanced at Min Chun, who stood beside him. Min Chun’s suppressed rage subsided a little when he saw the other’s warm face.

Just who made him unlucky? As soon as he arrived in this different world, he was hit by a snowstorm, leaving him and his family destitute and homeless. Min Chun trudged after this body’s mother to Miaojia Village to seek help from relatives, and along the way, he encountered many misfortunes. In their weakened state, they could barely walk straight and had to rely on traversed trudges. Furthermore, the mother of the body he transmigrated into appeared to be planning on marrying off to depend on him. He couldn’t resist as a son. As a result, he fled, becoming a black brother, which was even more precarious. 

Miao Yuan was already the most qualified candidate he could find. Miao Yuan was not only attractive, but he was also the type Min Chun preferred. Furthermore, the former recently passed the university exam, establishing an academic reputation. Min Chun felt he was the only one he could accept among the flock of middle-class rural folk. He was adamant about making that person his, even if it meant going to extreme measures to achieve his dream of a better life in the future. Regardless of whether they obey him, he never once thought that a primitive person might not be under his control using his methods.

With that in mind, Min Chun slackened his stiff expression and softened his voice. “Older Brother Yuan, I was also impatient. If a blunder were to happen in the tofu pudding business, it would be tough to tidy up after the workshop.”

Around this moment, Miao Yuan had already guessed inwardly that except for his mother, who else could take charge and cut corners?

“You need not worry too much. I’m afraid that the number of soybeans harvested recently was insufficient, so the workshop had to make that decision as a last resort. Now that the village chief has appealed to us, it’s likely possible to have an ample amount of soybeans harvested, and the such problem shall never have to occur in the future.”

The corners of Min Chun’s mouth twitched when he heard those words, signifying his acceptance. Meanwhile, Miao Yuan, looking at him, fell into a trance. 

He… Brother He, who used to be with him, always had a radiant and beautiful smile accentuated by a dimple, making it even sweeter. The last time he saw Brother He, the latter became dazzling and lovely. Now replaced by Min Chun’s lackluster appearance, Miao Yuan harbored a little regret in his heart. 

But now that the family could eat and drink well and earn a lot of money, what else could he possibly lament?

That fateful night… Miao Yuan no longer needed to worry about money for his studies or social niceties with his classmates since that fateful night, owing to Min Chun’s recipes. He pledged to climb to the top by becoming a xiu cai after passing the county-level imperial exam. He would then rise to an official opposition and crush Miao Chuo beneath his feet. In truth, those were not the only reasons for his painfully expressed resolve before his mother.

What you give, however, is what you get.

Still, Miao Yuan genuinely believed that as long as he led a successful life, Brother He, who had only wanted the best for him in the past, would eventually understand his decision.

Miao Yuan gave Min Chun a patient smile. “I just did you wrong. I’ll propose marriage to your mother once I become a xiu cai. My grandfather has already given his consent.”

Min Chun bowed his head, appearing to feel bashful. His hand touched the other, which was coiled around his belt.

“I believe you will be fine, Yuan-ge.”