Chapter 31: Opening Revenue

Looking at the gruesome scene before him, Ye Tingjie couldn't help but shiver, feeling fortunate that he hadn't foolishly followed them up there.

"A bunch of idiots!"

Ye Tingjie clutched his head, wishing he could just walk away and leave these fellows to their fate. But as their leader, if he simply left, it would be difficult to manage the team in the future. Helpless, Ye Tingjie forced a smile and stepped forward a few paces.

"Young man, please stop fighting. Have mercy; this is all a misunderstanding..."

"Miss, did you hear a sound?"

Inside the Jun You Lai Restaurant, Xiao Ying scratched her head. She thought she heard someone screaming and couldn't help but ask An Miaoyu.

"What sound? You must have misheard."

An Miaoyu waved her hand, dismissive. She was still busy reminiscing about Shen Xuan’s earlier display of skill!

"I suppose I must have been mistaken then," the little girl said, deciding not to dwell on it.

At night, the Jun You Lai Restaurant closed on schedule. Shen Xuan and his companions, having been busy all day, were finally able to rest.

"Cheers!"

The group sat around a table laden with various delicacies and skewers. They raised their glasses and drank deeply.

"I never imagined business would be so explosive today; it’s truly worn me out," Liu Ruifeng said, exhaling after swallowing his wine.

"It’s because of the Young Master’s culinary skills that we were able to attract so many guests," Lin Gui added with a smile, his eyes filled with admiration for Shen Xuan.

"That's right, that's right. This is all due to Brother Shen. Come, brother, I toast you!" Liu Ruifeng laughed in agreement, filling his cup again to toast Shen Xuan.

"It wasn't just my merit. If it weren't for all of you, I couldn't have managed such a large restaurant on my own," Shen Xuan said, clinking his glass against Liu Ruifeng’s before turning to smile at the others.

"Hehe, Young Master Shen, don't be modest. Everyone worked hard, but you personally prepared most of the skewers today. If we're talking about hard work, you were certainly the most exhausted," An Miaoyu said with a cheerful smile as she ate a skewer.

Looking at the young girl who, despite wearing men’s clothing, still appeared undeniably pretty, Shen Xuan found it somewhat amusing. He didn't know what she was thinking—she wouldn't leave after eating and had even offered to help serve guests. Though he found it strange at the time, there was no reason to turn down free labor, so he had gladly accepted.

However, Shen Xuan always felt that the way this girl looked at him was a bit odd. He unconsciously touched his face, wondering if he had gotten something dirty on it.

"Alright! Let’s stop arguing about who worked the hardest. Old Gu, why don't you tell everyone the earnings for the day at Jun You Lai?" Liu Ruifeng waved his hand and asked Gu An.

Gu An, who had been eating silently, stood up upon hearing this. After bowing to the group, he spoke in a measured tone.

"Today, our Jun You Lai had a net profit of nearly seventy taels of silver!"

"What? Seventy taels of silver!" Liu Ruifeng jumped up, shouting in shock.

"That much? If I recall correctly, all the food at Jun You Lai was discounted by thirty percent today, wasn't it? That would mean..." Fang Tangjin, who had only arrived in the afternoon, did a quick calculation and couldn't hide his astonishment.

One hundred taels! How long would his mother have to sell vegetables to earn that much? Yet Brother Shen had managed it in just one day. Were restaurants truly this profitable?

Even Shen Xuan was taken aback. He had sold skewers as a street vendor before; although he could earn a few taels in a morning, the profit margins hadn't been this extreme. Then again, it was opening day, and it was normal for guests to be attracted by the novelty. Once the excitement wore off in a few days, business might not be as booming. Even so, the income should stabilize around sixty or seventy taels.

Still, Shen Xuan’s brow furrowed.

*Not enough! At this rate, when will I ever be able to leave the Capital Territory? It seems I need to think of other ways.*

As these thoughts crossed his mind, his expression turned somber. Seeing that Shen Xuan had fallen silent, the room went quiet, and everyone’s eyes turned toward him.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" Shen Xuan asked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"We just noticed you hadn't spoken for a while. Are you dissatisfied with today's earnings?" Liu Ruifeng asked with a dry laugh.

"How could I be dissatisfied? I was just thinking about other matters," Shen Xuan replied with a smile.

"That's good. If this level of income doesn't satisfy you, I'd be truly curious about your standards, Brother Shen," Liu Ruifeng joked, acting as if he were relieved.

"Boss, I have a suggestion," Gu An suddenly spoke up.

"Go ahead, Mr. Gu," Shen Xuan said, sitting up straight to show his respect.

"Boss, our business is booming, but relying on just the few of us will certainly be too much to handle. I propose that we hire more staff—cooks and servers—at least five or six more people." Gu An laid out his thoughts at a steady pace.

"Mr. Gu, your point is well taken. I’ll leave this matter to you. As long as their character is sound, hire them. Wages are not an issue." Shen Xuan agreed without hesitation; this was something he had intended to do anyway.

"I am honored by your trust, Boss. Consider it done," Gu An said, thanking him profusely, surprised by the level of trust Shen Xuan placed in him.

Shen Xuan smiled and gestured for Gu An to sit. He looked around at the people present, feeling a sense of emotion. He hadn't expected that after only a few days, he would have so many people around him. Yet, he knew this bustle would likely not last for him, as he would eventually have to leave. For some reason, a touch of melancholy arose in his heart.

"What have you been doing these past few days?"

In a study at the Qin residence, Qin Wunian sat behind his desk and asked his son, Qin Shaotian, who stood before him with his head bowed, in a stern voice.

"I haven't been doing anything, just reading in my room." Qin Shaotian didn't dare to look up, speaking in a low voice.

"Reading? Do you take me for a blind man? Don't think I don't know about the disgraceful things you've been doing!" Qin Wunian’s expression hardened, his voice filled with authority.

"I..." Qin Shaotian opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

"Sigh! Tian'er, the Autumn Examinations are not far off. You should be focusing all your efforts on that. Once you achieve the title of top scholar, what kind of woman couldn't you have? Why covet these common, flashy types?" Looking at his favorite child, Qin Wunian sighed, speaking with earnest, painstaking advice.