Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Just a moment ago!

The restaurant was quiet and empty just a moment ago, how did it suddenly get so crowded?

Xiao Yu could hardly believe his own eyes.

"Little one, over here." A customer who had just sat down, thinking the young child might get lost with the menu, hurriedly waved his hand to signal him.

"Coming, coming!" Minghe trotted over, handing over the menu with a childlike voice, "Here's the menu for you, sir. It has lots of delicious things, with words and pictures, it's really nice to look at."

At the same time, Danzi and Yu Tongtong were also leading some customers in, engaging in conversation with them in a practiced manner.

Excitedly, Xiaqiu came over to take the tray from Xiao Yu's hands, saying, "Boss, you go cook, I'll serve the dishes."

Xiao Yu finally snapped out of it and asked, "Why are there so many customers all of a sudden?"

Xiaqiu explained to Xiao Yu, "Some are attracted by the aroma of our dishes, others are regulars from Xiaohezi Breakfast Shop, but most were invited by you, Minghe, and Danzi."

So that's how it is!

It turns out their efforts in spreading the word these past days were indeed very effective. Xiao Yu was pleased at this realization when Manager Liao approached him.

"Boss, a customer over there says our chestnut-braised chicken smells amazing. They've ordered one, along with sour fish, steamed wild vegetables, dried potato slices, and winter melon pork rib soup," reported Manager Liao.

"Okay, I'll get on it right away." Xiao Yu had just agreed when Zhang Wu also came over to report orders, "I've noted them down. The three kids also took some orders. They're small and can't remember so many dishes, so keep an eye on them."

Xiaqiu and the others acknowledged.

Xiao Yu hurried back to the kitchen.

Chef Yu had already prepared over ten dishes and was genuinely excited, looking at Xiao Yu with an exhilarated gaze.

Xiao Yu smiled understandingly.

"Busy, huh?" Chef Yu remarked.

Confidently leaving the upstairs and downstairs to Manager Liao, Zhang Wu, Xiaqiu, and the three children, Xiao Yu and Chef Yu tirelessly prepared dish after dish: chestnut-braised chicken, sweet and sour pork, braised fish, sugar-coated sweet potatoes... one delicious creation after another was sent out.

It wasn't until the Wei hour that Xiao Yu and Chef Yu finished the last dish and handed it over to Zhang Wu's tray, finally taking a break.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xiao Yu said, "Chef Yu, you've worked hard."

Although Chef Yu was tired, he was happy to be cooking.

"Let's go out and hear what the customers think," Xiao Yu suggested.

"Let's go."

As soon as they entered the hall, they heard the customers' conversations.

"This chestnut-braised chicken is really delicious!"

"The winter melon and pork rib soup is so tasty!"

"How is this braised pork rib made? It's so fragrant!"

"I love the meat sauce on the steamed buns."

"Even the rice is cooked perfectly, with distinct grains and a fragrant, soft texture."

"The complimentary side dishes and cold dishes are exceptional too, good enough to be sold separately!"

"I never expected this little Xiaohezi Restaurant to be so capable!"

"Right, right, right."

"It's so delicious!"

“……”

Xiao Yu smiled.

Chef Yu felt a sense of accomplishment.

Xiao Yu said, "Let's go and greet the customers."

"Having heard their comments already, there's no need for me to go. I'll head back to the kitchen to tidy up." Tidying the kitchen wasn't typically part of the head chef's duties, but Chef Yu, having received Xiao Yu's help in tough times, was willing to do more in Xiao Yu's hour of need.

Understanding Chef Yu's intentions, Xiao Yu didn't let him go, "Let's ask the customers for any criticisms of the dishes, so we can improve further. We'll clean the kitchen together afterward."

Chef Yu reluctantly followed Xiao Yu into the restaurant.

They greeted customers at each table, inquiring about the dishes and receiving some constructive feedback, before returning to clean the kitchen.

Shortly after, Manager Liao and others brought a large number of bowls, plates, and chopsticks to the well.

Xiao Yu called out, "Manager Liao, have all the customers left?"

"Yes, they've all gone," Manager Liao rolled up his sleeves to wash the dishes.

Zhang Wu, Xiaqiu, Yunxiu, Minghe, Danzi, and Yu Tongtong all helped too.

Xiao Yu walked from the kitchen to the well, saying, "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work. Once the restaurant stabilizes, I'll hire more staff so you won't have to work so hard."

"Okay," Manager Liao and the others readily agreed, knowing the boss was a good person and willingly helping out. They also believed the boss would soon hire more help.

Xiao Yu smiled at everyone and then started cleaning both the upstairs and downstairs.

Once Chef Yu had prepared lunch using leftover ingredients, Xiao Yu and the others finished tidying up.

Everyone gathered together for the meal, not forgetting to praise Chef Yu's culinary skills.

Chef Yu modestly said, "It's just a mixed dish."

"Even the mixed dish is tasty!" Minghe commented.

The others nodded in agreement.

Chef Yu felt happy that his cooking was appreciated by others and smiled.

After lunch, everyone reviewed the morning's activities.

Xiao Yu identified some issues and discussed improvements with the team.

The evening was busy with many customers, but everyone was more organized.

Despite the heavy workload for Xiao Yu and Chef Yu, they kept busy until nightfall. After the customers had left, they finally had their dinner together before heading home.

Xiao Yu then had time to check the account books. When he saw "Profit: Four taels, six mace, and eleven wen" written by Manager Liao, his eyes widened.

Profit of four taels, six mace, and eleven wen?

Profit!

Four taels, six mace, and eleven wen!!

Really? Is this true?!

He immediately took out the abacus and began clicking it against the account book.

In the end, he confirmed that Manager Liao's calculations were correct.

Despite offering a 20% discount on all dishes, after deducting costs for chicken, fish, meat, eggs, complimentary side dishes, free cold dishes, and cooking fuel, Xiaohezi Restaurant earned a profit of four taels, six mace, and eleven wen today!

Earning four taels, six mace, and eleven wen in a single day!

If this amount is earned every day, that's one hundred thirty-four taels a month. Even after paying Chef Yu and the other staff, there would still be a hundred taels in hand.

A hundred taels!

To have a hundred taels in a month!

This is even more than he had imagined!

No wonder so many small food stall owners dream of opening a large restaurant.

It really is incredibly profitable.

Suddenly, the dream of owning a house, sending Minghe and Danzi to school, and living better days seemed much closer. Xiao Yu felt a surge of excitement as he looked at Minghe and Danzi playing nearby.

Minghe happened to look up and asked, "Uncle, did we make money?"

Xiao Yu returned the children's wallets to them, adding five copper coins to each and said, "Thank you for your help, we made a lot all at once!"

"Did we make a lot?" Minghe asked.

Xiao Yu didn't respond verbally but patted the wallets, producing a loud clinking sound, indicating a significant amount of money.

"Wow, that's a lot!" exclaimed Danzi.

Minghe nodded.

"We'll continue tomorrow!" Xiao Yu declared, aiming for a monthly income of a hundred taels.

"We'll continue tomorrow!" the children echoed excitedly.

Excitement aside, they were truly exhausted from the day. After washing up, the uncle and nephews climbed into bed. They fell asleep before they even had a chance to talk.

When Xiao Yu woke up, he saw that the oil lamp was still burning. He was relieved that Minghe hadn't noticed, or else he would have been chastised for wasting oil.

He quickly got dressed, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and opened the shop door.

Just then, Chef Yu, Zhang Wu, Yunxiu, and Xiaqiu all arrived.

"Isn't Tongtong coming?" Xiao Yu asked.

"She's gone to offer incense with her grandmother and won't be coming today," Chef Yu replied.

They quickly prepared breakfast.

While serving customers, a woman in her forties or fifties inquired about a job.

Seeing her gentle face, slightly plump figure, and capable demeanor, Xiao Yu hired her to do tasks like washing dishes.

He wanted to hire more staff to ease the workload on Chef Yu and others, but with tight finances, he couldn't afford to spend much and decided to make do for the time being.

Thus, they busily passed the three-day discount period, with Xiaohezi Restaurant making a total profit of sixteen taels of silver. While happy, Xiao Yu was concerned about business on the fourth day.

He remembered that when Wang Daji opened his breakfast shop, business plummeted after a three-day discount period. Although there were reasons for that, he knew customers might dine for discounts and could also abstain when there are none.

Worrying about this, the fourth day arrived.

Anxiously, he stood on the second floor, looking around until the mealtime, when finally four customers walked into the restaurant.

He hurriedly went downstairs.

Manager Liao had already stepped forward to greet them and tactfully informed that the discount period had ended and all dishes were now priced regularly.

"We know, you mentioned it yesterday," all four customers responded together.

Seeing they didn't mind the return to regular prices, Manager Liao smiled and welcomed them into the restaurant.

Then, a few more customers came in, deeming Xiaohezi Restaurant's dishes worthy of their full price. Xiao Yu finally relaxed and happily went into the kitchen to cook with Chef Yu.

The two were busy through lunch and then again in the evening.

After the restaurant closed and the staff had gone home, Xiao Yu sat under the lamp doing the accounts. He couldn't help but smile when he found out that not only had the customer count not decreased, but the profits had soared to eight taels of silver.

Fantastic!

He had done a great job!

Earning a hundred taels a month was no longer a dream!

He put away the account book and slept peacefully. The next day, Yu Tongtong also came in. He gathered the three children onto a cart and pushed them to the market to buy ingredients, chatting loudly and cheerfully with people around.

"Oh, why did you think of buying bamboo shoots today?"

"I want to drink bamboo shoot and cured pork soup!"

"It's the soup from Xiaohezi Restaurant!"

"You know about Xiaohezi Restaurant too!"

"I've eaten there twice already."

"I have too, and I even took my family. Everyone at home said it was delicious. We all love their bamboo shoot and cured pork soup, so I'm planning to try making it myself."

"I tried to make it and failed, so I'm planning to go there again tonight."

“……”

"The dishes at Xiaohezi Breakfast Shop are really tasty, each one of them."

"It's no less than the Wangyue Restaurant!"

"Quietly speaking, many of their dishes are even better than Wangyue Restaurant's."

"Exactly, exactly."

“……”

"Uncle," Minghe called out softly.

Xiao Yu turned to Minghe upon hearing him.

Minghe's chubby little hand stealthily pointed at the passersby, whispering, "Uncle, they are praising our restaurant."

"I heard them," Yu Tongtong said.

"I heard it too," added Danzi.

Yu Tongtong held her pretty little face in her plump hands, "They also said I look pretty."

Minghe confidently said, "Tongtong, you are indeed very pretty!"

Yu Tongtong giggled happily.

Minghe and Danzi both looked at Xiao Yu and said, "They praised us too!"

Xiao Yu laughed, "Yes, yes, they did. You both are beautiful, cute, and smart."

All three children beamed with joy.

Xiao Yu continued listening to the passersby's praise, knowing it was their word-of-mouth that kept Xiaohezi Restaurant's clientele steady and even increasing after the discount period.

He felt grateful to these people and listened closely to their conversations for any suggestions, but all he heard were compliments.

Around the same time, regular customers of Wangyue Restaurant also started praising Xiaohezi Restaurant.

Manager Yao of Wangyue Restaurant had heard several customers mention "Xiaohezi Restaurant." Being in the restaurant business himself, he didn't want to ask directly, so he called a waiter, Xiao Lin, and asked, "What is this Xiaohezi Restaurant?"

"Manager Yao, you don't know about Xiaohezi Restaurant?" Xiao Lin asked in surprise.

"I don't."

Xiao Lin explained, "It's the place that sold breakfast last year, called Xiaohezi Breakfast Shop. It was extremely popular, and a few days ago, they opened Xiaohezi Restaurant right next to it. Both the breakfast shop and the restaurant have excellent reputations now."

Manager Yao asked, "Where is it located? How come I don't know about it?"

The waiter casually pointed, "In Shuiqing Lane."

"Shuiqing Lane?" Manager Yao thought for a moment and asked, "Is that the secluded alley?"

"Yes! That's the alley. There's quite a number of residents living there," nodded Xiao Lin.

Manager Yao sarcastically laughed, "Opening a restaurant in such a forsaken place, they're asking for trouble."