Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 70: There Might Be a Fraud
The guys had toiled for days on this. After closing, Tan Huaike invited everyone to dinner and solemnly toasted them, saying, "Yanzhisi's successful opening is thanks to everyone's hard work and help. This is my toast to you."

Everyone raised their glasses, and one waiter said loudly, "The more prosperous the restaurant business is, the more generous our wages will be. With a boss like you, we are full of energy!"

According to the remuneration Tan Huaike had negotiated with them, in addition to a fixed salary, they would also receive a bonus from the restaurant's revenue at the end of the month. The more customers the restaurant served and the more dishes it sold, the more bonuses they would receive. This offered more promise than a fixed salary, so they all hoped the restaurant would continue to prosper.

Today, Tan Huaike also discovered that the waiters worked not only diligently but also attentively. The sweet talkers would proactively introduce the dishes and their flavors, making diners salivate and order an extra dish they had never tried before. When diners waiting in line at the door grew impatient, someone would promptly offer them tea and snacks, doing everything they could to keep them waiting. And the waiters, despite diners' urgings and complaints, remained orderly and meticulous, remembering exactly which dishes were missing.

Although there were many people and it was the first day of opening, there were bound to be some omissions. For example, sometimes he took things for granted and forgot to ask customers about their taste preferences. Sometimes he could not keep up with the orders or the side dishes, resulting in the dishes being served too slowly and the diners having to wait for a long time... But overall, Tan Huaike was quite satisfied and he would definitely make up for the remaining shortcomings in the future.

After thanking his guys, Tan Huaike went to thank Zari alone.

She asked with concern, "Uncle Zhali, you've been so busy today, how are your legs?"

Zhali said with full energy, "As for me, I'm fine! After Doctor Qiu reattached my injured leg, it quickly recovered. It was a bit painful when I broke it again, and I couldn't move for several days, but I figured out a lot of things during that time... Well, it's all in the past, and everything will be fine."

"Yeah, everything will be fine." Tan Huaike asked jokingly, "So how does Chef Zari feel about taking the helm again? Is there anything that doesn't go well? I can make adjustments."

"Don't tell me, it's been ages since I've exercised like this, and I'm a little uncomfortable for a while." Zhali didn't play nice with her and just said what he wanted to say. "Madam, this job is much more tiring than being a chef at the Yue Mansion. There are only so many people in the Yue Mansion, and even if we have a banquet, we wouldn't be this busy every day. I didn't even have time to drink a sip of water today. If it keeps going like this, I won't be able to handle it all by myself."

"Uncle Zhali, don't worry too much. We've just opened these past few days, and we've been offering a lot of discounts. Seeing us as new, we'll naturally attract more customers. And it won't stop there. Once the number of diners we serve daily stabilizes, we'll be able to handle it more smoothly," Tan Huaike said. "But I'm also considering the lack of staff. Uncle Zhali, you can start by looking for someone. If they seem like someone you like, you can take them in as your apprentice so they can share some of the work with you."

"Taking me as a disciple isn't impossible... Let me think about it."

"No hurry, just wait and see."

Seeing that she was about to return to the table, Zhali stopped her again: "Madam, wait a minute."

Tan Huaike turned around: "What?"

Zhali moved his mouth, but hesitated to speak. Then he suddenly lowered his head, scooped a cup of wine with a wooden ladle, raised it and said, "I know that your madam has good intentions. I don't need to thank you for your kindness. I toast you."

After saying that, he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp, then sat down as if nothing had happened and started chatting and laughing with others.

Tan Huaike thought about it and couldn't help laughing.

No wonder two dishes were too salty today. I guess Uncle Zhali took the time out of his busy schedule to see Shan Yi who appeared quietly. His legs no longer hurt, but his heart couldn't remain indifferent.
-
After the guys left, Tan Huaike wandered around the store alone.

It's not that there's anything that's not been cleaned up, but she just wants to take a quiet and careful look at this restaurant, the first shop that truly belongs to her and in which she has poured so much effort.

Tuk-tuk-tuk.

There was a knock on the closed door.

Tan Huaike came to the door and said, "Sorry, our store is closed. Please come back tomorrow."

The man outside laughed and said, "I'm not a guest. I'm here to check with the boss to see if I've been deceived and if the money I invested in this shop will be a loss." Tan Huaike then opened the door and sighed, "How dare I turn you away? It seems that my hidden boss is as meticulous as a hair and will not be fooled in the slightest."

Outside the door are people returning home under the stars, and inside the door are relatives living with the flickering candlelight.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Shentu Zhuo casually found a seat and sat down: "I am honored to be hosted by the host himself. It is worth the trouble and danger to rush back."

"What's so difficult and dangerous?" Tan Huaike poured him some wine and served him some peanuts and date cakes. "Just make do with it. There's nothing else in the store, and the stove fire is out."

"Because of the canal diversion, I was stopped by more than a dozen families and my carriage was confiscated. In the end, I secretly went to Xiao Jizi's family to borrow an ox cart and hurried back." Shen Tu Zhuo drank his wine and slowly picked up some date cakes to eat. He didn't look very hungry. "The wine is enough. Xiao Jizi's grandfather and mother brought me some dry food for the road. Don't bother working so hard. You look tired. You don't even have the energy to talk or walk."

Tan Huaike no longer forced himself to stay awake, and sat down lazily, resting his elbows on the table, and talked to him in a disjointed manner.

Shentu Zhuo talked about the hardships in Rude County, and Tan Huaike also talked about the people he had dealt with during the day.

She told him about Tan Li's suggestion that he should take over his new shop and asked him what he thought about it.

Shen Tuzhuo thought for a moment and said, "I know the shop over there. Chi Fanyu wanted to take over it before, but unfortunately, Mr. Tan got there first. He was quite upset about it."

Tan Huaike asked, "So the county is indeed planning to expand new streets and alleys over there?"

"I thought so before, but you just said that Tan Li wanted you to buy one or two stores so that he could join you and do business together. And you were so aggressive, I think things might not be that simple."

"How to say?"

"He owns all ten shops. If they can really make a steady profit, with the Tan family's capabilities, they can take them all. Even if he's short on cash, he can wait for another opportunity. After all, he's already got the land, so why worry about someone asking him to buy it later? He's so eager to find you to take over. I have a feeling he has ulterior motives and might be up to something."

"You and I see the same thing," Tan Huaike said. "I was originally planning to ask about this, but Tan Li is so anxious. I'm afraid something might happen with the county expansion."

"I've been busy with the canal diversion plan lately, so I don't know about this matter yet. I'll ask about it when I get back."

"it is good."

"Did you specifically invite your 'family' to the restaurant opening just to inquire about those shops?"

"Those shops are just one of them. I invited them here to test the Tan family's background." Tan Huaike looked at him sideways, his eyes shining. "My business has just started. If I want to directly participate in the selection of imperial merchants, I am still too weak. But there is a shortcut in front of me. Do you know what it is?"
-
　Next chapter: Shortcuts and ambition.

　　The New Year was a mess...

　　Thank you for your monthly ticket recommendation tickets~
　　Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing everyone good luck and prosperity!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)