Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

324, Inquiry (4 more updates)

“Is that so?” Yin Suwen asked softly.

But she didn’t quite believe what Xiaoyue had said.

Having been through a lot, she had become skeptical of almost everything she heard.

“Mm, Yin Sister, could you please ask Xie Sister for me? I also want a reward!” Xiaoyue whispered.

“Sure, I will ask for you in a moment. Don’t lie here anymore. If someone who doesn’t know sees you, they might think you’re eavesdropping. There will be customers soon, and your pastries are good. Go and make more quickly!”

“Oh!” Xiaoyue nodded.

She headed toward the kitchen, looking back three times with every step.

“…”

Yin Suwen watched her back, pressing her lips together without saying a word.

She stepped into the courtyard.

In the hall, Xie Zhinuan had just finished discussing with the chefs about making hotpot in winter. Preparing hotpot was easy, but the challenge lay in how to make small pots and stoves, and choosing the right charcoal. They couldn’t have their guests crying from the smoke while enjoying their hotpot.

When Yin Suwen came over, Xie Zhinuan glanced at the hourglass, “Alright, let’s stop here for today. You all can go get busy. I checked earlier, and our income for the first month was very good, since we booked many tables. However, in the following months, we’ll have to compensate for this month’s bookings. Regardless, we are making money, and that’s great. When you cook, start teaching the apprentices so they can stand on their own sooner. We have plans to expand to other counties next year!”

The chefs agreed in unison.

They felt that Xie Zhinuan’s approach was good. Both they and their apprentices saw hope.

They were especially motivated in everything they did, hoping that ‘Kechanglai’ would do well and make lots of money. Compared to starting their own restaurants without any support, clinging to the boss’s coattails was safer and more profitable.

They could even earn more without working themselves to death, knowing that local ruffians often came demanding money. If you didn’t pay, they’d trash your establishment.

But those ruffians didn’t dare to cause trouble at ‘Kechanglai’.

Just that fact alone was beyond their comparison.

After everyone had left, Yin Suwen finally said, “Earlier when you were talking, Xiaoyue was eavesdropping by the archway, and I saw her. She said she wanted to ask the boss if she could get a reward.”@@novelbin@@

“…”

Xie Zhinuan raised an eyebrow.

She was silent, her beautiful eyes looking at Yin Suwen, contemplating for a moment before asking, “What do you think of Xiaoyue?”

“…”

Yin Suwen was momentarily puzzled.

But upon closer observation, ever since Xiaoyue arrived at the restaurant, although Xie Zhinuan had given her tasks, she hadn’t really done them. Instead, she went to the kitchen to make sweets, and the sweets tasted quite good-sweet but not cloying, soft and mouthwatering.

Xiaoyue always seemed to be inquiring about the restaurant’s business, either intentionally or unintentionally. She liked to huddle with others, looking pitiful yet clever.

But…

A girl who had lost her entire family, leaving her alone, shouldn’t have been so lively.

Just like her, who had lost both father and mother, she often didn’t feel like talking at all. If it weren’t for her younger brother, she would have long sought revenge, even at the cost of her own life.

Even speaking often felt exhausting.

“Without her relatives, besides appearing pitiful and inducing sympathy, she lacks the sorrow and loss of someone without family. She doesn’t just talk with maids and old women, she also likes to stay with young lads, and she’s fond of delivering the sweets she makes everywhere. There seems to be an ulterior motive!” Yin Suwen spoke softly.

She let out a gentle breath, “I lost my parents, and at many times, I don’t want to speak a single word, preferring to curl up in a corner and be silent for half a day. Where would I find so many words to say!”

Let alone mix with those young lads.

Chapter 326