Chapter 16 Grand Opening

Chapter 16 Grand Opening

Chapter Summary: Why not rent this shop to the two of us?

Fangming Tea House, at the corner of Yanggu County.

It was nearly noon, and the tea room was nearly empty. Pan Yue and Wu Song sat facing each other across the tea table by the window, where the banana leaves cast shadows.

"...You already pushed him back, why are you still so angry?"

The waiter brought the tea and then quietly left.

Through the rising steam of the tea, Pan Yue could see Wu Song's lowered eyes and cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish. With a soft laugh, the gloom that had been weighing on her heart since the two matchmakers appeared at the alley entrance vanished instantly.

"It's not worth getting angry at yourself!"

She offered him the hot tea, looked up and saw the top of his head directly in front of her. Her willow eyes curved downwards, and as she put down the tea, she moved her right hand up to the top of his furry head.

Pan Yue was startled when she felt a softness in his palm that was different from fox fur, and the five fingers that were on his head curled up unconsciously.

Could it be that he was so angered by those two matchmakers that he subconsciously mistook the tall and strong Wu Song for the obedient and soft little fox Songsong?

Fortunately, Da Songsong was just as easygoing and friendly as Xiao Songsong. When he noticed her approach, he not only didn't find it strange, but instead seemed to take it for granted, turned his head to touch her palm, and gently rubbed against it.

Pan Yue's eyes flashed, and she abruptly withdrew her hand, lowering her eyes as if to hide something. She rubbed the faint lingering itch in her right palm with her left hand, her brows furrowed slightly, and gently picked up the teacup with both hands.

"I apologize for bothering you! Gentlemen, are you satisfied with the tea, fruit, and snacks served up here?"

Just as he finished a cherry pancake, his stomach was filled with a jumbled mess of emotions, when a deep, honest voice came from below.

The two instinctively turned their heads to look, only to see a portly man in fine clothes and a folding fan, who appeared to be the owner of a teahouse.

"The arrival of the Commander has truly brought honor to my humble Fangminglou!"

As the two men looked up, the man stopped a short distance away, put away his folding fan, smiled broadly, and bowed to them.

"You're too polite, shopkeeper!"

Pan Yue and her companion quickly rose to return the greeting, nodding and asking, "May I ask how the manager is addressed?"

"My surname is Wang. If you and your wife don't mind, you can call me Uncle Wang!"

Most teahouse owners are skilled at social interaction. After greeting the man with a smile, he turned around and instructed the waiter to bring several more exotic teas and fruits. Then he sat with the two men by the window and chatted about everything under the sun.

From the fashions of the capital to the differences between the north and south, from the elegant gatherings of the previous dynasty to the daily life in Yanggu... After a cup of tea, the three people sitting together felt a deep appreciation for each other, as if they had met too late!

"Are you two going out today to buy household items, or to stock up on fruits, rice, and other staples?"

While the waiter was calling for fresh tea, Manager Wang tapped the tea table and asked curiously.

"To be honest, Uncle Wang..."

Recalling the many changes and fruitless afternoon, Pan Yue sighed deeply, turned to look at the bustling street across the way, and shook her head, saying, "The two of us went out to see if there were any suitable shops in front of the county."

"A shop?" Manager Wang paused abruptly as he tapped the tea table.

Pan Yue nodded and said, "Uncle Wang, you may not know this, but the three of us are currently living in Zishi Street, and it is very inconvenient for us to travel back and forth to the county every day. If there were a suitable shop, it would save Wu Da the trouble of traveling back and forth every day."

"Is that really true?!"

With a quick glance around, Uncle Wang leaned forward, propped himself up on the coffee table, and asked with piercing eyes, "Madam, would you like to rent a shop?"

“Although I have this plan,” Pan Yue said, puzzled. She glanced at Wu Song and then turned to Manager Wang, “I just walked around the county seat, but it seems there are no suitable and vacant shops.”

Shopkeeper Wang straightened up, propped himself up on his folding fan and shook it before quickly closing it. He leaned on the tea table with one hand and pointed to the bustling street across the street with the other, his eyes crinkling as he asked, "When you two passed by earlier, did you see that steamed bun shop opposite Yanzi Hall, with all the people coming and going?"

"A steamed bun shop?" Pan Yue stared in thought, glancing outside the door in the direction he gestured, then turned back to him and asked, "Uncle Wang, do you mean Li San's steamed bun shop?"

"Exactly!"

Manager Wang released his grip, stroking his mustache with one hand and rubbing his teacup with the other. He looked at the two men with a smug expression and said, "To be honest, I have been living in Yanggu County for over twenty years and have some modest assets to run. Besides this Fangming Restaurant, that steamed bun shop is also one of my businesses."

Pan Yuedai raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes filled with confusion. She glanced at the door, then turned to him and said, "Uncle Wang has a discerning eye. Both shops have their own merits!"

"My lady, you misunderstand!" Manager Wang shook his head and waved his hands repeatedly. "I wasn't trying to show off!"

He leaned forward to refill their tea and apologized. After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "I dare not hide it from you two. Yesterday afternoon, Li San from the steamed bun shop came to me in a hurry, saying that he had received an urgent letter from home that his elderly mother in Nanyang County was seriously ill and he had to return home to take care of her. So, the steamed bun shop can no longer operate!"

"Can't it be opened?"

Pan Yue was taken aback. Before she could ask any more questions, she heard a snap. Manager Wang closed his folding fan, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness unique to merchants. A faint, gentle smile played on his lips as he cupped his hands and said to the two of them, "Just now, Madam mentioned that you were looking for a suitable shop in the county. If you don't mind that my shop is small and cramped, how about I do you a favor and rent it to you two at a lower price?"

Is this really true?

Wu Song's eyes lit up, and he turned to Pan Yue, holding the teacup in his hand.

After searching high and low without finding it, it suddenly appears effortlessly!

What does Yunyun think?

"I thought?"

Pan Yueqing's eyes flickered, her fingertips tracing the rim of the teacup, her expression thoughtful.

Having a good rapport is one thing, but actually offering real benefits to "curry favor" is another.

Who in the world doesn't know that "merchants value profit over parting"? With an investment acumen as keen as Manager Wang's, why would he offer his profits to two people he had just met?

"What a coincidence..."

Pan Yue's eyes were filled with thought as she looked around and said, "Uncle Wang, please forgive me. I'm just being presumptuous."

Her fingers, which were caressing the teacup, paused slightly. She turned towards the front of the county and said seriously, "Uncle Wang's two shops, Fangminglou and Baozi, are both very rare, with Fangminglou being quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle and Baozi.

Manager Wang unfolded his folding fan, a smile playing on his lips, his expression one of delight.

"The shops in the very center of the market..."

Pan Yue withdrew her gaze, turned to look at Manager Wang, paused slightly, and then abruptly changed the subject.

"Once the word gets out, I'm afraid people will come to inquire about the price within half an hour."

Pan Yuejian's pupils flickered as she stared at Manager Wang, and said in a deep voice, "May I ask, Uncle Wang, no matter how close we are to each other, we've only known each other for half a day at most. Uncle Wang is so generous, why didn't you rent this shop to the two of us?"

"My wife is quick-witted!"

Shopkeeper Wang nodded and put away his folding fan, but his expression showed no displeasure. He turned his head and pointed in the direction of the county seat, saying, "The steamed bun shop is well-ventilated from north to south and connected from east to west. It is indeed the best shop in front of the county seat!"

Pan Yue's eyes flickered, and before she could ask any more questions, the other person had already gathered his clothes, walked around the tea table, stepped back three inches, and bowed to the two of them.

"What does Uncle Wang mean by this?!" Pan Yue and the other woman quickly stood up.

"Please sit, madam! Please sit, captain!"

Manager Wang waved for the two to sit down, then sat back down at the table. His brows were still slightly furrowed with sorrow. After a long silence, he said softly, "There is something I do not wish for outsiders to know, but upon closer examination, the head constable is not an outsider at all!"

Pan Yue and the other woman were even more puzzled.

Before he could speak, Manager Wang let out a long sigh and said with a wistful expression, "To be honest, I was childless when I was young, and only had a son twelve years ago. Because I had a son late in life, my elders spoiled him terribly, and unknowingly, they raised him to be spoiled, willful, and lawless."

Pan Yue frowned subconsciously. The shopkeeper Wang sitting opposite her had reddened his eyes, sniffed, and said in a hoarse voice, "Last winter solstice, my son Wang Song went to Jingyang Ridge alone without telling his elders. He left only a handwritten note saying that he wanted to see the vast world and get rid of that big white-browed tiger that had been harassing the village for so long!"

"Dark eyes and a white forehead?!" Pan Yuexin's heart sank, and she subconsciously looked at Wu Song.

"Your Majesty..."

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but when she looked up and saw Manager Wang's sorrowful expression, she felt a pang of pity.

"My condolences, Mr. Wang!"

Manager Wang remained silent for a long time, stroking the teacup that had long since lost its warmth. He looked up at Pan Yue and said, "So, does my lady understand why someone as cunning as myself would be willing to rent out the best shop in front of the county to two people I've only just met?"

"...So that's how it is."

The tiger-slaying hero Wu Song was originally the benefactor who avenged his son's death.

Despite her many questions, seeing his bloodshot eyes and heartbroken expression, Pan Yue hesitated repeatedly but ultimately couldn't bear to ask him any further questions.

She turned to Wu Song, hesitated for a long time, then turned back to him and said, "Uncle Wang, please don't be offended. It's always better to be careful when you're traveling. If you don't mind, could you please bring the deed so we can take a look? If it's really as you say... we'll go back and discuss it with Wu Da, and then we can bring the deposit tomorrow!"

"My lady is very sensible! This is the proper way to act!"

The gloom on Uncle Wang's face vanished instantly. He stood up abruptly, smiling broadly, and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll be right back!"

Half a month later, in Yanggu County.

"Crackling and popping"

Amidst the lively and noisy sound of firecrackers, the neighbors who were going to the market in front of the county town came running.

"Wow! It's quite lively in front of the steamed bun shop! Is there some good news in the Li family?"

"Tch! You can't just say things like that! Li San has been back in Nanyang for over half a month!"

"That's... a new shop opening?"

"They said that Wuhan University has rented the shop, so they no longer need to travel back and forth to Zishi Street every day!"

"Won't we be competing against Yanzitang from now on?!"

"Go and see!"

"..."

At the bustling corner of the county town, after a string of lively firecrackers, a group of villagers had gathered in front of the pancake shop.

"Dear fellow villagers! Uncles and aunts!"

With colorful ribbons hanging around his neck, Wu Da rubbed his hands together, his face full of smiles, and his ridiculously short and clumsy figure swayed as he walked step by step to the brightly lit corridor.

"Thanks to the kindness and support of our fellow villagers, Wu Da and his family of three have been able to settle down in Yanggu! My wife has instructed that, to repay the kindness and support of our fellow villagers, the first hundred people to enter today can receive two free steamed buns! If you need more than two, buy one get one free, buy three get two free! We hope everyone will come and support us!"

Is this really true?

Some students from Qingchen Academy, eager to catch a glimpse of Madam Pan's beautiful face, craned their necks to peer into the gate and shouted at the top of their lungs, "Wu Da, why are you outside? Where is your wife?"

"And there's also Commander Wu!"

A neighbor's wife, her cheeks flushed with shyness, looked around and said sweetly, "I heard from the county clerk that the head constable and the county magistrate have taken leave to help out at my brother's pancake shop. Where are they now?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, please don't be anxious!"

Wu Da stepped aside to make way, and greeted them with a smile, "My brother is in the inner room. Ladies, please don't be in a hurry. Please get the steamed buns first, and then go to the inner room to find my brother to settle the bill!"

"Give me five steamed buns!!"

"Me too! Me too! Don't push me!"

"What are you doing, mortar! Move aside!"

"..."

Someone shouted out, and the neighbors all came to their senses. They pushed and shoved each other around Wu Da, jostling each other to get inside the gate.

The pancake shop was instantly packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, and completely overflowing.

Behind the curtain separating the inside and outside, Pan Yue looked at the bustling crowd below and the orderly Wu brothers, her willow-leaf eyes curving into crescent moons.

How can we not use the celebrity effect?

Yesterday she repeatedly instructed the two that today, when the business opens, Wu Da must greet customers outside and Wu Er must handle the cash register inside!

This is how they attract young women and wives to rush inside, grab their steamed buns, and eagerly head to the counter to pay.

As a result, the flow of people in the store became much smoother.

"Mother!"

Pan Yue let out a soft sigh of relief and was about to leave when she suddenly heard a startled shout from below the hall, which made her turn around abruptly.

It was originally Liang Hong and her daughter Zhou Fangyan.

But then they saw Madam Liang holding Fangyan's hand with one hand and carrying a gift box with the other. However, she couldn't withstand the shoving from the villagers and stumbled, almost causing the gift box to fly out of her hands.

"Madam Liang!"

Pan Yue lifted the curtain, strode forward, picked up the dizzy and disoriented Xiao Fangyan, and turned to Liang Shi, saying, "There's a commotion downstairs! Madam, please come with me!"

"Alright!" Liang Hong breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "I'll trouble you to lead the way, my lady!"

"There's a flurry of activity below; I hope Madam and Yan Yan weren't frightened!"

In the quiet and peaceful private room, Pan Yue brought out a small nanmu wood table, brewed some tea, and invited the mother and daughter to sit by the window.

"Don't be afraid, my wife!" Liang Hong waved his hand, put his arm around his beloved daughter's shoulder, smoothed the black hair at her temple, and then looked up at Pan Yue sitting opposite him and said, "The shop should be thriving! We two are fine!"

"Just like my sister's pancake shop and the Lantern Festival!"

Zhou Fangyan, quick-witted and perceptive, glanced at the two men's expressions, played with the little fox, tilted her head back, revealing two dimples, and said with bright eyes, "Sweet and lively!"

Pan Yue breathed a sigh of relief. As she poured tea for Madam Liang, she glanced down at the gift box beside her. While serving the tea, she said respectfully, "Madam and Yan Yan's presence truly honors our humble shop!"

"You're too kind, my lady!"

Liang Hong raised his sleeve to half-cover his face, took a small sip of tea, and then looked around to make sure he was looking at himself. His expression immediately changed and he was taken aback.

"Here?"

The private room where the three of them were located was decorated with windows and tea. Opposite them, on the left side, orchid leaves were unfurled, and on the right side, ancient pine branches were strong. In the center was a three-tiered nanmu wood display stand, with calligraphy, paintings, antiques, inkstones, and rare stones on it, nothing was missing... It was really unlike the back room of a pancake shop on the street.

Liang Hong turned to look at Pan Yue, his face full of confusion, and asked, "Is it your study, Madam? Or..."

Pan Yue smiled, followed her gaze for a moment, then took out an intricately carved pine tea and fruit box from the cabinet, and shook her head, saying, "For Madam."

"I?"

Liang Hong was taken aback, not knowing what to say, when Pan Yue nodded and lifted the pine fruit plate in front of her, lowering her eyes to indicate that the two of them should look at it together.

"And also, masters, officials, young ladies..."

Liang Hong looked down.

Regardless of the exquisite nature of the fruit platter itself, Liang Hong's eyes lit up when he saw the tea and fruit inside.

One resembles a lotus flower, the other a peach blossom, the third a lifelike raccoon, and the fourth a vivid jade rabbit... To be fair, the quality of this fruit platter is even better than that of any other platter from Yanzitang!

"Little tabby cat!"

Before she could even utter a word of praise, Zhou Fangyan looked up and saw a tea cake on the plate that resembled a small tabby cat. Her eyes lit up, and she craned her neck, unable to look away.

"Take whatever you like, Yan Yan!"

Pan Yue lowered her eyebrows and pushed the tea and fruit plate towards her, saying, "The black stripes on the little tabby's back are sesame paste, Yan Yan will definitely like it!"

"really!"

Zhou Fangyan turned to Liang Hong and saw that her mother's eyes were smiling and she did not intend to stop her. Her eyes lit up and she carefully held a "little tabby cat" in her hands, looking it over from left to right, reluctant to take a bite.

"Madam is usually very busy..."

Pan Yue smiled and, while refilling Madam Liang's tea, continued, "Today's visit is to congratulate the opening. Next time I come, I'm afraid it won't be for a few mere white flour cakes."

“It’s always inconvenient to talk in front!” She raised her cup forward and said, “Wouldn’t it be more pleasant to enjoy tea, paintings, and casual conversation as we do now, while also choosing tea and snacks for the next holiday gift?”

Liang Hong smiled and nodded, saying, "My wife has a clever idea!"

"...It hurts! It hurts so much!!"

"Everyone, come quick! Wu Dajia's steamed buns are killing people!!"

"..."

While enjoying a snack and a sip of tea, the three people inside were chatting and laughing about everything under the sun when suddenly a loud, wailing voice came from behind the curtain.

Pan Yue paused slightly in her hand holding the teapot, her expression suddenly darkening.

Is someone causing trouble up ahead?