TTTQF Chapter 70

Opening

“What’s written up there?”

Early in the morning, a man comes out of the newly decorated shop and pastes a piece of paper on the door. After waiting a moment to see if anyone approaches, he goes inside. The people around see him leave and can’t help their curiosity, so they gather around to see what the paper says.

“It says they’re hiring, looking for two full-time workers and one dishwasher. The full-time workers should have some experience with cooking, preferably having worked in a restaurant or inn before. If you’re interested in the job, go inside to discuss it. The paper doesn’t specify the wages; it should be revealed when you’re hired.” An elderly man kindly explains the content of the paper to those around him who can’t read.

After hearing what he says, everyone understands. Those who are interested go in directly, while others note the information to mention it to relatives later.

Jiang Miao sits in the shop all day, and over the course of the day, thirty people come to inquire. Among them, four seem quite reliable; they have experience in restaurants, and one even knows how to cook a few dishes.

Jiang Miao thinks they are decent and keeps them for further consideration. After asking them a few questions, he informs them about the wages and other conditions. When one person hears that the wage is eight hundred wen, he leaves with a dark face. After he leaves, another person also finds an excuse to leave.

"Manager Jiang, I want to ask, is the wage fixed?” One of the two remaining, a somewhat shrewd young man, asks.

“The wage for the first month is fixed at that amount. From the second month onward, it will be decided based on the shop’s actual situation. The minimum is eight hundred wen, with additional pay depending on the amount of work. In summary, the more work you do, the higher the pay,” Jiang Miao says.

The young man thinks about it for a while and asks again: "Then boss, how do we sign this contract?"

“For the first month, it’s a probation period, so we don’t sign a contract. We’ll get to know each other first, and if both parties are satisfied after a month, we’ll sign a six-month contract.” This is Jiang Miao’s decision after careful consideration.

The young man thinks this is fair; if business doesn’t pick up and wages don’t increase, he can leave after the second month.

"Then boss, when do we start work?” He decides to stay for the trial month.

“We open the day after tomorrow. Come a bit early then. By the way, Tang Lin, where do you live?"

Tang Lin says, “I live two streets away from here, but it’s not far. I’ll definitely arrive by the second bell in the morning.” The morning bell rings three times each day, with fifteen minutes between each ring.

"Okay, then you go back first."

After Tang Lin leaves, Jiang Miao looks at the man who has been sitting silently in the corner and asks, “Li Ping, do you have any questions for me? Is it about the wages or something else?” This man hasn’t left, suggesting he wants to discuss the terms further.

"Manager Jiang, I can accept the wages and all. I just want to ask if you provide accommodation. If you do, I’d be fine with a slightly lower wage.” Li Ping’s voice is soft, and there is a hint of awkwardness in his tone.

Jiang Miao notices a large package by Li Ping’s side, likely containing all his belongings. He wonders if Li Ping has just arrived in town looking for work or if he has been kicked out of his previous residence.

"If you want to stay, I do have a room available. However, the cost of accommodation would be deducted from your wages, two hundred wen. Are you okay with that?” Jiang Miao says. Since Li Ping can cook, it would be best if he could stay.

Li Ping replies happily, “I agree, Manager Jiang. Don’t worry, I won’t wander around at night. If you don’t trust me, you can lock the door from the outside and let me out in the morning.”

“There’s no need for that,” Jiang Miao says, shaking his head. He is not guarding a prisoner.

He takes Li Ping to the room and says, “There are blankets and a mattress in the low cabinet; you can take them out and set them up yourself. Next to it is the lock and key for the cabinet; keep your things safe in there. I’ve also left you the door lock. Since we deal with food, the shop will be busy, so remember to lock the door if you go out.”

Li Ping nods eagerly. Jiang Miao tells him to get settled, then turns and leaves. There are two rooms in the back courtyard: this one for Li Ping and the other for Jiang Miao to rest in during the day.

In the room, Pei Mu sits at the table, carefully practicing calligraphy. Jiang Miao has taught him how to write the characters for "heaven," "earth," and "human." After an afternoon of practice, Pei Mu can write them proficiently.

“This is ‘heaven.’” Jiang Miao points to the character for “heaven,” showing Pei Mu how his mouth moves when pronouncing it.

Pei Mu opens his mouth, seemingly trying to imitate the sound but struggling to get it right.

“Heaven—” Jiang Miao elongates the sound and exaggerates his mouth movements. Pei Mu mimics him, opening his mouth and silently attempting to make the sound.

Jiang Miao praises him a couple of times, pats his head, and then teaches him the other two characters. Pei Mu learns very earnestly, and soon, he can recognize any of the characters Jiang Miao points to.

“Let’s go pick up Xiao Shitou and then head home.”

Jiang Miao decides that after the shop opens, Xiao Shitou will no longer have lunch at the teacher's place at noon. Since the two places are only one street apart, he can bring Xiao Shitou over to the shop and let him nap on a bed during lunchtime.

...

"Crackle..."

Early in the morning, a series of loud noises wake people still immersed in sleep. The sounds are continuous, as if announcing their presence.

“Which shop is opening?” On Mingfeng Street, the owner of the rouge shop, still half-asleep, comes out of his store. Their shop primarily serves the women of wealthy families, and business usually picks up around the si-shi (around 9-11 am), so there is no need to wake up too early.

The antique shop owner, who has come out a bit earlier, responds to his query, “It seems to be the vinegar shop up ahead. I heard they sold the shop, and people have been coming and going for a few days, but I’m not sure what they’re selling.”

“That shop,” the rouge shop owner realizes, “I went there before and saw that they had done things quite differently from others. At the time, I didn’t see the owner, so I asked the workers, and they said it would be selling food.”

“Selling food?” The antique shop owner nods. That doesn’t concern them much. “Manager Zhong, since you’re already up, why don’t we go over and join the excitement?”

“Alright, please wait for me, Manager Zhang.” Manager Zhong goes inside to freshen up and soon comes out. He and Manager Zhang then head towards the newly opened shop.

At this moment, the sound of firecrackers stops. A young man stands with a smile in front of the shop, bows to everyone, and says, "Gentlemen, greetings. My surname is Jiang. This is my first time here, so if there are any rules I don't understand, please bear with me and offer your guidance. Today is our grand opening, and anyone who comes in to support us, regardless of how much you spend, will receive a free snack."

"Manager Jiang, what does this shop sell?” someone asks. A few days ago, when they passed by, they noticed this shop was different from the others. No other shop had windows as large as this one, making it look unusual and a bit intriguing.

“Our shop sells breakfast items—everything from steamed buns to wontons, dumplings, congee, noodles, and soup. We have it all,” Jiang Miao says.

He waves his hand, and Daniu, who has been waiting in the back, brings out a sign and sets it up next to the door. Everyone focuses their attention and sees that the sign is made of thin wooden planks, with a sheet of paper pasted on top. The paper has both pictures and text, giving it a very fresh look.

"This month's recommendation: Soup Dumplings – 20 wen; Mushroom and Pork Congee – 15 wen; Chive and Egg Dumplings – 12 wen.” Someone reads out the top line, and those who hear it are somewhat surprised; the prices of the items in this shop are not cheap.

The bottom part of the sign also has a price list, which is more acceptable compared to the recommended items. Besides the food items Jiang Miao has just mentioned, there are some unfamiliar ones like “fried dough sticks” and “tea eggs.” Tea eggs are understandable—just tea leaves and eggs—but what exactly are fried dough sticks?

Seeing that everyone is hesitating, Jiang Miao knows they are intimidated by the prices. He doesn’t continue to greet them but, together with Daniu, brings out a steaming basket from the kitchen. This basket was previously used for making steamed buns, and it is just right to be placed in front of the door.

When the steamer lid is lifted, everyone immediately smells a savory, salty aroma mixed with the scent of dough. The buns inside are large and look very soft.

Jiang Miao sees that the crowd is beginning to stir, so he adds more fuel to the fire. He takes out the tea eggs that have been simmering slowly on the stove and pours them into a metal basin. Then he instructs Tang Lin to move a small stove outside as well.

The metal basin is placed on the small stove, and bubbles begin to rise as the tea eggs, which look plain but smell incredibly fragrant, cook. Before long, most of the street has caught wind of this unique scent.

“How much are these tea eggs?” someone finally can’t hold back and asks about the price.

“Customer, these tea eggs usually cost three wen each. But since today is our grand opening, we’re offering them as a free snack. As long as you buy anything from the shop, you can get a tea egg for free.”

The customer thinks for a while and says, "Give me two vegetarian buns with tofu filling."

“Alright,” Jiang Miao responds. He goes over, uses bamboo tongs to pick out two tofu buns, and places them in an oil paper bag. He then separately puts a tea egg into another oil paper bag.

“That will be four wen in total,” Jiang Miao says as he takes the money and hands over the two oil paper bags.

The customer is pleased to receive the items. Since a tea egg normally costs 3 wen, getting two buns and a tea egg for just 4 wen seems like a good deal.

He can do the math, and so can others. Consequently, people quickly crowd in, eager to get the free tea egg with their purchases.

Daniu, Tang Lin, and Li Ping are all outside helping, and at first, there is some confusion. Fortunately, they quickly develop a good rhythm. Daniu is in charge of picking up the buns, Li Ping handles taking out the oil paper bags and opening them for the buns, while Tang Lin is responsible for scooping out the tea eggs as freebies and handing the combined orders to the customers.

The three work efficiently, and Jiang Miao, the Manager, stands beside them handling the payments. The clinking sound of copper coins being dropped into the bag creates a pleasing sense of satisfaction, fueling Jiang Miao’s motivation with the fulfillment of earning money through his own efforts.

Soon, the entire three layers of steamer full of buns are sold out. Jiang Miao apologetically tells everyone, “Sorry, everyone, the buns are still steaming and won’t be available for a while. In the meantime, feel free to check out our other items. No matter what you buy, you’ll receive a tea egg for free.”

Seeing the expressions of those who are savoring their tea eggs, those who haven’t received any are naturally impatient to wait. As a result, items with slightly lower prices in the shop quickly become popular.

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