Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 50 Place of shelter
When Zhong Yun said this, Zhong Ming didn't have time to cover her mouth.

Tan Huaike found the two children quite interesting and said with a smile, "Good opportunity? What do you two little brats want to do to me?"

Zhong Yun said: "Brother said you are a very powerful boss, we can uh uh uh ..."

Zhong Ming finally covered her mouth and said awkwardly, "My sister doesn't understand anything, madam, don't listen to her nonsense."

Tan Huaike understood: "Little Quick-Thighed Ming, you are a smart kid. There is nothing shameful about wanting to find a way out for yourself and your sister. I just want to discuss a business deal with you. Would you like to listen?"

Zhong Ming pursed his lips and asked cautiously, "Madam, are you... planning to buy us as slaves?"

"Buy slaves? I don't have the spare money to buy slaves or keep servants. Even my neglected and isolated side courtyard doesn't need children like you to serve it." Tan Huaike looked at the sun and said to the brother and sister, "How about this, you've been busy all morning and you must be hungry. How about I treat you to a simple meal and sit down to discuss the business?"

"Where are we going to eat? What are we going to eat?" Zhong Yun quickly jumped down the stairs with a gleam in her eyes.

"Let's eat in my yard. I'll cook for you and treat you to a meal of Western cuisine. How about that?"

"Okay, okay!"

Zhong Yun readily agreed, but Zhong Ming still hesitated. He knew full well that one should be grateful for what one has received. If someone had offered him a favor, it would be hard to refuse their next request. But he also felt that Tan Huaike wasn't the type to push anyone's buttons. Furthermore, the invitation was sincere, and she seemed to truly respect them as business partners. So, why not talk to her?
Seeing Zhong Ming frown, Tan Huaike continued to persuade him: "Don't worry, I never force anyone to do business with me. I always hope that both parties can benefit. If you don't want to accept it, that's fine. This is business. We can discuss other cooperation opportunities in the future."

"Okay, thank you, madam." Zhong Ming was persuaded.

"Then come with me." Tan Huaike took Zhong Yun's hand and led them back to the side courtyard. "I stewed some mutton before I left today and also made some samosa. Let's go back and roast them on the naan kang. It will be absolutely delicious."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yun handed the remaining candied haws to Zhong Ming: "I've been eating them all morning, you have some, brother."

Zhong Ming took it reluctantly: "You are the smartest one. You dislike candied haws when you have meat to eat."
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Nowadays, Tan Huaike always uses the side door to enter and exit Shentu Mansion, so he doesn't have to deal with the main house.

The Zhong brothers and sisters were originally hesitant, fearing that they would be disliked for not knowing the rules, but they did not expect that the residence of this lady did not have the oppressive feeling of a wealthy family at all, but instead had the down-to-earth atmosphere of an ordinary family.

Pei'er hadn't gone out with Tan Huaike today, staying home to watch over the stewed beef. Hearing the door open, she came out and asked, "Madam, the meat is already tender. Can we add the coriander? Hey? Why are there two children?"

Tan Huaike said, "I'll go put the coriander in. You prepare the dishes for the two children. I'll treat them to dinner."

Pei'er was busy making arrangements while she said with some embarrassment, "But Madam, second..."

"Zhong Ming and Zhong Yun, are you used to eating coriander?" Tan Huaike asked, not hearing Pei'er's words.

"I'm used to it." Zhong Ming replied.

"What is coriander?" Zhong Yun was puzzled.

"We've eaten it before. It smells a bit strange, but it tastes delicious when stewed."

"Wow, I can already smell the fragrance..."

Pei'er placed cushions for the two of them on the wooden platform in the courtyard, laid out the dishes and chopsticks on the table, and asked them why they had returned with the eldest lady. Zhongming then embellished the story of the eldest lady's verbal battle with Mrs. Fu from the Tan family, adding that the eldest lady had invited them to dinner to discuss business.

"What? Madam and Madam Fu are arguing?" Pei'er regretted it deeply. "If I had known, I would have gone with them today!"

"Don't worry, the madam didn't suffer any loss. It was Madam Fu, on the other hand, who didn't gain any advantage from the cloth shop and was so angry that her face turned red and her neck became thick. Hahaha." Zhong Ming rarely showed his childish nature.

"I'm not worried about our eldest lady. I just feel a little unwilling to see such fun and excitement, and Miss Fu's frustrated look." Pei'er said.

At this time, Tan Huaike brought a large bowl of mutton and said to them, "Have a try." Pei'er remembered something and said, "Madam, second..."

"Hiss, it's so hot!" Zhong Yun ate too hastily and burned her tongue.

"Hey, it's fresh out of the pot. Blow on it before eating." Tan Huaike instructed, "Pei'er, get her a bowl of cold water."

"Oh, I'll be right there." Pei'er finished scooping the water and then thought, "Madam, second..."

Tan Huaike sniffed the smell coming from the kitchen and got up to get busy: "The samosa is almost done, I'll take it out, you guys eat it first."

Zhong Yun was curious: "What is Samusa?"

Zhong Ming said, "I don't know either."

Pei'er explained: "Samusa is a baked bun. Our lady has received guidance from a famous chef, and her buns are becoming more and more delicious. Later, you can dip the skin in the stewed beef broth, which is even more delicious."

Pei'er had a very enjoyable meal and forgot what she wanted to say. When she remembered, she looked at the mess of cups and plates on the table and thought it didn't matter whether she said anything or not, so she cleaned up and went to wash the dishes.

After eating and drinking, Tan Huaike talked business with the brother and sister.

She got straight to the point: "This deal is this: I can provide you with food, shelter, and apprentice wages, but you each need to learn a few skills. You can start by helping out in my shop, and when you're done, you can become my assistant. If anything goes wrong in the shop, you must let me know immediately."

"There's such a good thing? What kind of business is this?" Zhong Ming asked in surprise. In his opinion, providing food and shelter, teaching skills, and even getting paid, wouldn't he and his sister be making a fortune?

"This is a business of cultivating trusted individuals," Tan Huaike said. "You two siblings need a place to stay, and I need a trusted individual loyal to me, the owner, to look after the shop. We're mutually beneficial, isn't that business?"

"So... you won't let us sign an indenture?"

"Of course not. I really don't need slaves. What I need is a partner who can help me make money. I'm not looking for you out of pity, or just casually. It's the business you two are doing right now that makes me think you're teachable."

"Then what does the lady want us to do?" Zhong Ming still remained cautious.

"If you're willing, Zhong Ming, I'll arrange for you to go to the Herbal Medicine Shop and learn how to identify medicinal herbs and help the doctors dispense medicine. Zhong Yun can go to the Zhiyun Cloth Shop and learn how to take measurements, tailor clothes, or embroider. She can also deliver Zhiyun paper in the future, and I'll have the other employees accompany her."

"Ah? Xiaoyun has short legs and runs very slowly." Zhong Ming was worried that his sister would be tired.

"Sending Zhiyun paper isn't about speed, but about beauty," Tan Huaike said. "Next time new fabric arrives, I'll have Shopkeeper Du make Xiaoyun an exquisite new dress, and then have her dress up before delivering the Zhiyun paper. That way, Xiaoyun will be the living face of our Zhiyun Fabric Workshop. What lady wouldn't be moved by the sight of her?"

Zhong Yun understood a little and asked, "Madam, will I have lots of new clothes to wear in the future?"

Tan Huaike pinched her chubby little face and said, "Yes."

Zhong Ming admired her even more and felt that he had not made a mistake. This boss was a good connection for them.

At this moment, a person walked in through the gate connecting to the main house.

Shentu Zhuo said excitedly, "I'm starving. Is the beef stew ready? Is the samosa grilled... huh?"

Where was the goulash and samosa he had been looking forward to all morning? —
　Next chapter: You don’t know until you check, and you’ll be shocked when you do.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)