novelaction Chapter 306: Changing the Chef
Chapter 306: Changing the Chef
Chapter 306: Changing the Chef
Zhao Ning'er imitated Ji Meiqing's previous singing style, while Zhao Lei sang along while looking at the lyrics. Seeing how quickly they learned, Ji Meiqing happily said, "Ning'er, Zhao Lei, you two need to learn this in the next two days. You need to memorize the lyrics, and you can't hold the lyrics in your hands when you sing on stage." Hearing this, Zhao Ning'er hesitated, but not wanting to disappoint Ji Meiqing since it was her first time performing, she nodded in agreement.
This marks the reopening of Zuixianlou, and this time it must be a success. Ji Meiqing went to Zuixianlou, where Yin Lie was standing at the counter looking at the accounts. When he saw Ji Meiqing arrive, he smiled knowingly.
Ji Meiqing smiled at him and went straight to the second floor to find Shen Bin. She walked over and said, "Young Master Shen, this restaurant will reopen in two days under the name 'Drunken Immortal Pavilion.' Everything needs to be prepared in the next couple of days. I wonder if you could help with the expenses?" Ji Meiqing finished speaking in one breath and quickly drank some water. The opening preparations and manpower required money, but since the restaurant ultimately belonged to Shen Bin, and she didn't have much money herself, she had no choice but to come to Shen Bin.
"Here's a thousand taels. Take it. We can talk if it's not enough," Shen Bin said, taking a silver note from his sleeve and handing it to Ji Meiqing. The month was almost up, and Ji Meiqing was sure she needed money, so he had prepared in advance.
Ji Meiqing accepted the silver note, smiled slightly at Shen Bin, and then slowly put it away. Time was a bit tight, so Ji Meiqing said goodbye to Shen Bin and went downstairs. Yin Lie saw Ji Meiqing coming down, looking hesitant, but Ji Meiqing seemed to be in a hurry and hadn't noticed. Just as she reached the door, Yin Lie called out to her.
"Miss Ji," Yin Lie's voice wasn't loud, but Ji Meiqing heard it just in time. She stopped and looked at Yin Lie, asking, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"
Yin Lie said unhurriedly, "This restaurant doesn't have a chef. I heard that the chef's skills weren't good before, and he was dismissed because the restaurant was deserted."
Ji Meiqing's heart skipped a beat. Luckily, Old Man Yin had spoken up, otherwise, they wouldn't even have a cook when they opened, and they wouldn't know what to do.
Ji Meiqing scanned the shop, her gaze lingering on the waiter. She called him over and asked, "Do you know any chefs you could recommend? I'll come this afternoon to test their skills." The waiter was somewhat surprised, wondering how Ji Meiqing could be so sure he knew anyone skilled in cooking. After speaking, Ji Meiqing turned to leave, but after a step or two, she stopped, turned back, and asked, "What's your surname?" The waiter told her his surname was Zhang.
Upon hearing the waiter's reply, Ji Meiqing left. She went to a place that specialized in buying and selling human traffickers and chose two men who looked honest, could do manual labor, and were around twenty or thirty years old. The two men followed behind Ji Meiqing. Judging from her clothes and appearance, she wasn't exactly a wealthy heiress, and they were somewhat puzzled as to why she wanted to buy them and take them home.
One of the men, not wanting to think too much, asked directly, "Miss, what are we going home for? We're not skilled in martial arts; you can't expect us to kill or set fires." Hearing this, Ji Meiqing couldn't help but chuckle, thinking, "Do I look like someone who makes enemies every day?"
Ji Meiqing replied, "I'll buy you a job as a servant in a restaurant." As she spoke, she looked around the street to see what she wanted to buy. After walking for a while, she stopped in front of a clothing store, went inside, and chose a pink chiffon dress. The price was a bit expensive, but she still reluctantly paid for it.
The shopkeeper wrapped the clothes in a cloth and handed them to Ji Meiqing, his face beaming with smiles. He said, "Take care, sir." Ji Meiqing ignored him. These clothes were so expensive, and he wanted me to take my time? Only a fool would be that foolish. Ji Meiqing quickly left the shop and handed the clothes to one of the shop assistants.
Then Ji Meiqing went to the musical instrument shop and bought a recorder, a small drum, a gong, and a wooden fish. The shopkeeper was delighted to see Ji Meiqing picking up this and that, thinking she had made a big sale. But when Ji Meiqing picked up the wooden fish, he looked at her incredulously. Ji Meiqing's actions made the shopkeeper think she wanted to become a nun. Ji Meiqing looked at the shopkeeper with a strange expression. The shopkeeper, realizing his lapse in composure, smiled awkwardly.
After paying and handing the items to the servant, I realized I didn't know how to address him, so I asked, "What should I call you?" One of them said his name was Xiao Dong, and the other said his name was Xiao Feng.
After walking for a while, Ji Meiqing stopped at a tailor shop, went in and asked for several bolts of red fabric, as well as two embroidered balls that people usually hang on their wedding plaques.
Afterwards, she went to another shop and bought some writing implements. Feeling that she had everything she needed, Ji Meiqing prepared to return to the inn, but suddenly remembered that she needed to buy candles and lanterns. She bought a lot of candles and ten lanterns and headed towards the inn. The two servants' hands were already stuffed full.
It was almost dark when they returned to the inn. Ji Meiqing had the two servants and Uncle Lin stay together. Ji Meiqing put all her things in her room and arranged them carefully. Lu Yu, who had been lying on the bed, was nowhere to be seen. Just as Ji Meiqing was about to rest, Lu Yu returned. He seemed very tired. She wanted to ask him something, but seeing how exhausted he was, she helped him change his clothes.
She only fell asleep after Lu Yu did, but for some reason, she felt incredibly tired. When she woke up the next day, Ji Meiqing felt aches and pains in her back and waist. She got up and massaged her shoulders and thighs, but she still felt very uncomfortable.
At some point, Lu Yu came over and massaged her shoulders and legs without saying a word, just doing his own thing. Ji Meiqing felt warm inside seeing how kind Lu Yu was to her, but she also felt ashamed. Since they got married, she and Lu Yu had hardly ever eaten or gone shopping together, and they had never even had a basic chat.
“That’s enough, I’m not that delicate,” Ji Meiqing said. Lu Yu also stopped what he was doing. Ji Meiqing hugged him and said, “Brother Lu, once the business here is settled, we’ll go back to Rongcheng and live a normal life.” Lu Yu patted his head and hummed in agreement.
Not long after, Ji Meiqing went out again. She went to Zhao Ning'er's room, and as soon as she reached the door, she heard the two of them rehearsing their lines. Ji Meiqing knocked on the door, and Zhao Ning'er opened it. Seeing Ji Meiqing, she happily said, "Sister Ji, we've almost memorized it all. My brother and I will sing a part for you." Zhao Ning'er pulled Ji Meiqing inside. As soon as Ji Meiqing saw Zhao Ning'er, she noticed that she had very dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she hadn't slept all night. Seeing how hard Zhao Ning'er was working, Ji Meiqing couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
Zhao Ning'er and Zhao Lei sang a song for Ji Meiqing, who was very pleased. She told them to get some rest, as they were going to the Zuixianlou restaurant, which wasn't far from here, that evening. She instructed them to take a carriage, not to walk, as she worried about them being too conspicuous.