She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Even a Child Can Contribute Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Even a Child Can Contribute Great Crane House was situated in the middle of the main street in Qingyuan County, facing east from the west, and was a two-story earthen-wood structure. The wooden doors, windows, and railings were all carved with a grand and profound feel, and the eaves of the second floor were particularly lofty and exquisite. On the ground floor, facing the street, there was a porch where purple-red lacquered lanterns hung, exuding a deep heritage. The second floor had a balcony railing that faced the main street, and from a distance, it seemed that the railing also had carvings.

For a county town, having such a stylish and exquisite restaurant was no small feat.

Ye Xinyan surveyed the Great Crane House for a moment before lowering her head to ask Qi Jia, “This is the Great Crane House, do you feel scared to go in and see Shopkeeper He?”

Qi Jia shook his head, “Not scared.”

The little fellow truly wasn’t scared. Ever since he had come to live at his grandfather’s house, he discovered that whenever he was with his grandfather, sister, and nanny, no matter the situation, the three of them would always protect him, and there was nothing that could hurt him. With these relatives holding his hand, the things that could scare him had become very distant.

Ye Xinyan nodded in approval, “That’s right, our Qi Jia is a boy, and he isn’t scared.”

The two of them, one large and one small, hand in hand, entered the yet-to-open-for-business Great Crane House.

Upon entering the grand doors of the Great Crane House, they were greeted by a spacious hall neatly arranged with tables and chairs. The furniture here was something that the Qi family’s small stand couldn’t compare to—the tables were dark and majestic, with simple decorations on the surface and around the edges. The matching chairs were high-backed with carved patterns, quite imposing in appearance.

Several waiters were scattered in various corners, each diligently wiping and sweeping in the already tidy hall.

Behind the hall, on both sides, were two sets of exquisitely crafted staircases that led directly to the second floor.

It was not yet the dining hour, and the Great Crane House was very tranquil; the waiters in the hall were very disciplined, all busying themselves with their tasks in silence, without chatting or laughing.

A waiter near the entrance saw the two guests, ceased his work, and approached them, “Are you here to dine, guests? It’s a bit early, as we have not opened yet. Could you please come back a little later?”

These words were likely a professional requirement for the waiters of the Great Crane House. It was clear that the waiter didn’t quite believe that these two, dressed in coarse old clothing… siblings? The age difference seemed a bit large. Mother and son? The age gap was again, too small. In any case, they didn’t look like they could afford to dine at the Great Crane House.

Ye Xinyan quickly smiled and said, “Young waiter, we’re not here to eat. We’re here to see your shopkeeper for business, to discuss a deal with him.”

The waiter glanced at the large, unidentifiable bundle in Ye Xinyan’s hand and then at the small toy basket in the hands of the three-year-old child, making an embarrassed expression, “My dear lady, please don’t joke with me. Our Great Crane House is the leading restaurant in Qingyuan County, and we don’t do business with ordinary peddlers. You’d better ask elsewhere.”

The waiter’s words carried the insinuation of judging a person based on their appearance, but for a waiter in the largest restaurant in the county, his cordial reply was already quite polite when dealing with two poor women and children.

Ye Xinyan, having come from a common farming family, naturally did not have such a fragile ego. She wasn’t embarrassed or flustered by the waiter’s comment and was about to say something else when she heard her young brother speak up, “Big brother, the treats my family makes are really great. My grandpa said, it’s a delicacy not found anywhere else in this world, and I guarantee you don’t have it here either. Why not try some?”

Ye Xinyan was surprised by Qi Jia’s eloquence; she hadn’t expected her little brother to have such a way with words. Since the honest and innocent child had already spoken, Ye Xinyan said nothing more, smilingly watching the young waiter.

Children have always been more endearing than adults, especially Qi Jia at that moment, tidy in his clothes, with a clean little face, a pair of bright, large black eyes, and an expression of sincerity and solemn earnestness on his adorable face.

The waiter, looking embarrassed, thought to himself, Your so-called delicacy not found elsewhere in the world, how can someone like me dare to try it?

After quite some effort, the waiter finally said, “Big sister and young master, our restaurant really doesn’t do business with ordinary households. It’s better not to put me in a difficult position, why don’t you try asking at some other small taverns?”

Ye Xinyan smiled and said, “The thing I have isn’t really suited for other places, except for the guests at your establishment. Patrons at other small taverns probably can’t afford my specialty.”

Can’t afford it at other establishments? The waiter was taken aback and hesitantly said, “Is that so…, big sister, are you telling the truth? If it’s true, I’ll go and speak to our shopkeeper?”

Ye Xinyan nodded solemnly, “It couldn’t be truer. The delicacy I’m talking about isn’t something ordinary customers can afford.”

While the waiter was still hesitant, a person walked out from behind the hall. He was in his thirties, of average height, dressed in a long gown with a headscarf, looking like a businessman.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the waiter immediately sighed with relief, quickly approached, and said, “Shopkeeper, there’s a young widow who has come to our restaurant, those two over there, claiming that she wants to do business with us. She has a unique delicacy that can’t be found anywhere else in the world…”

The waiter was struggling to continue, wasn’t this claim made by the three-year-old, and did it seem a bit exaggerated?

The proprietor of Great Crane House was surnamed He, and Shopkeeper He cast his eyes toward the two people standing in the hall. He saw the young widow holding a tightly wrapped bundle, despite her poor dress, she carried herself calmly, without a trace of timidity. The child holding her hand also showed no sign of fear and seemed quite at ease.

Shopkeeper He inwardly nodded, these two didn’t look like they were bluffing.

Ye Xinyan, seeing the waiter refer to the man as shopkeeper, knew he was the one in charge and stepped forward, offering a slight bow, she said, “You must be the shopkeeper of Great Crane House? I have a specialty here and would like you to have a look to see if it meets your approval.” Seeing the shopkeeper did not show any aversion, she continued tentatively, “If you think it’s acceptable, I would like to consign some here for sale and provide a substantial share of the profits to your restaurant. Perhaps you would like to take a look at the product first?”

“Oh?” Shopkeeper He felt a bit surprised. We at Great Crane House would need to be impressed to consider consigning a portion, not supplying the entire restaurant inventory, quite the lofty aspiration indeed.

Qi Jia was quick to add his support, “Uncle, the food we make at home is very, very good. Please try some.”

Shopkeeper He couldn’t help but smile at that, amused by their combination. Was this an appropriate way to promote a product? But it seemed rather effective.

Ye Xinyan also smiled. She looked around and saw there weren’t many customers, then placed the bucket she was carrying onto a nearby table and tentatively asked, “Shopkeeper, shall we examine it here in the hall? Is this convenient?”

Shopkeeper He hesitated briefly but, having come this far and even the child having spoken up, there was no harm in looking. If the product wasn’t impressive, he could simply send them away without any loss. If it was indeed necessary to examine it, then let’s do so in the back hall, where a bit of mystery could be good, should the item indeed be of interest.

“Let’s go to the back hall then.”

Qi Jia looked at Ye Xinyan, his face full of questions, uncertain whether he should follow this unfamiliar uncle.

Ye Xinyan smiled at him, “Let’s go inside and show Uncle the delicious food we have, your sister will lead the way.”

Does this mean they might be able to sell it and make some money? A smile spread across Qi Jia’s face, and he happily followed Ye Xinyan inside.