After returning to the noodle shop, Qi Huan hurried to the kitchen and got busy.
"System, I need to reorder nine sets of meal boxes."
"Understood, host."
In the blink of an eye, nine parcels appeared on the edge of the stove. Combined with the first box she had unpacked earlier, she now had a total of ten boxes that could be used in rotation.
Qi Huan quickly took the meal boxes out of the insulated bags and threw them into the hot water basin for a simple high-temperature disinfection.
These food containers were made of special materials, and she planned to make up a story for her father Qi. She would claim: Father Qi happened to rescue a heroic figure, who then gifted him with many curious objects from other countries.
At that moment, a few small heads peeked around the kitchen doorframe, stacking on top of each other, squeezing at the edge to peer inside.
Seeing them, Qi Huan waved them in.
She scooped up some hot water with a ladle and poured it into a small wooden basin nearby.
"Come and wash your hands. After I finish making the noodles, you can go deliver the meals."
After assigning tasks to Little Shitou and the others, Qi Huan began preparing various toppings.
Once the toppings were ready, she placed them on a steamer tray in the pot to keep them warm with the steam and prevent them from getting cold.
Soon, the bone broth in another pot also began to boil. Qi Huan turned to take out the pre-prepared noodles from the cupboard and started cooking them.
The iron pot had a large diameter, allowing her to boil several bowls of noodles at once, so she served the meals quickly.
One layer of the meal box held the noodles, and another layer held the toppings or bone broth, separating the noodles and soup to preserve the best texture.
Qi Huan sealed the meal boxes, placed them in insulated bags, and then took out cotton strings to tie the handles with butterfly knots.
To prevent mixing them up, she had Nuan Dong buy some colored cotton strings. The insulated bags with Spring Noodles were tied with green strings, those with Beef Noodles with red strings, those with Tomato Egg Noodles with yellow strings...
After packing the takeout orders, Qi Huan handed them to Little Shitou and the others, reminding them, "Hold the meal boxes steady, be careful on the road, and pay attention to safety."
Considering that Little Shitou and the others couldn't read, and therefore couldn't check the delivery addresses, Qi Huan had them carry paper slips to ask Li Shuchen for the addresses.
After the first batch of takeout orders was sent out, Qi Huan didn't have time to rest and started preparing dine-in meals.
After a busy noon, her entire arm was sore and aching, but she regained some energy after seeing the earnings.
"Li Shuchen, we earned nearly two taels of silver today! If we keep working hard for a few more months, by next year when the weather warms up, we can build a new house!"
Infected by her smile, Li Shuchen's lips unconsciously curled up as well. "You can build it whenever you want. Just tell me how much silver you need, and I'll provide it."
"Oh, I almost forgot you're not short on money anymore. After all, you're no longer yesterday's Li Shuchen. You're now the wealthy leader of a merchant caravan, Li Shuchen."
Qi Huan teased him for a while but still insisted, "Let's build the new house next year. The weather is too cold now. In June next year, after the snow melts, we'll build a new house!"
"Alright, as you wish."
After the topic of building a house ended, Qi Huan continued reviewing the account book, becoming happier the more she looked at it, smiling like a little money-crazed person.
Over the next half-month, the weather grew colder, and fewer people went out to eat.
Many restaurants saw a sharp decline in business, but Qi's Noodle Shop only increased in popularity.
The good business day after day caused Qi Huan's purse to grow heavier and heavier.
Once her purse was full, she would take the money out and store it in her spatial inventory.
Fill it up, store it away, then repeat.
By the end of the month, she began to share the profits with the little helpers at the shop.
Strictly speaking, the only employee at the noodle shop was Nuan Dong, so she paid Nuan Dong first.
"When you were hired, we agreed on a monthly wage of three hundred wen. This month, we opened on the eleventh, but considering how hardworking you've been, I'll pay you the full month's wage. Here's three hundred wen, keep it safe."
After handing the three strings of copper coins to Nuan Dong, Qi Huan went to find Tao Su.
"This is your monthly allowance for this month."
Upon receiving one hundred wen, Tao Su was half surprised and half moved.
According to the rules in Mo County, purchased slaves did not need to be paid in silver. The masters only had to provide food and shelter. Only wealthy families would occasionally give them rewards.
So she didn't expect Qi Huan to give her a monthly allowance.
One hundred wen wasn't much elsewhere, but in Mo County, it was considered pretty good.
Tao Su looked at her with grateful eyes and solemnly said, "Miss Qi, I will definitely work hard for you from now on... Before, my father always told me that marrying into a good family was the way to have a full belly and warm clothes. But now I realize that finding a good master can also ensure a full belly and warm clothes."
"That's not incorrect, but I think a better way to put it is—you can also have a full belly and warm clothes by relying on yourself."
After that, Qi Huan made another promise, "Work hard at washing dishes, and once you've saved up five taels of silver, I'll redeem your indenture contract for you. Then, you can continue washing dishes and earn silver through your own labor, relying on yourself to have a full belly and warm clothes."
"...Does that mean I can only wash dishes for the rest of my life?"
Tao Su giggled and tugged at Qi Huan's arm, acting coy. "Dear Miss Qi, the most adorable and kindhearted in all of Mo County, can you please give me a different job? Please, pretty please?"
"Look, my hands are already peeling from being soaked in water... I know how to cook noodles. I can help you cook noodles!"
Swayed by her words, Qi Huan was tempted.
Now that her income was stable, she wanted to find someone to be the head chef and free herself up.
Since Tao Su seemed so eager to improve, Qi Huan decided to give her a chance.
"Tonight, you can make the evening meal. Cook a portion of each type of noodle, and everyone will vote. If they think it's passable, then I'll put you in charge of the kitchen from then on, and I'll hire someone else to wash dishes."
"No problem!"
Tao Su thumped her chest confidently.
She didn't expect that as soon as she asked, Qi Huan would agree to her request.
Indeed, her mother was right—acting coy is the best way for a woman!
So, after cooking the noodles that evening, she employed her acting-coy tactics once again as she handed out the bowls to everyone.
"Remember to tell Miss Qi it's delicious after you finish eating, please, please?"
Upon receiving the noodle bowls, the reactions varied.
Little Shitou looked puzzled and asked, "Sister Tao Su, is your throat not feeling well?"
Yan Qinghe covered his ears and suggested, "You should straighten your tongue before speaking."
Nuan Dong stared honestly at the noodle bowl and said sincerely, "Whether it's delicious or not, I won't know until I've tasted it."
As for Li Shuchen, he gave Tao Su a cold glance and said icily, "Shut up!"
Her whiny voice was truly grating.
Li Shuchen just wanted someone to sew her mouth shut.
But after saying that, he reconsidered. If Tao Su could take over cooking noodles, then Qi Huan could take a break and help him manage the accounts instead.
After clearing his thoughts, Li Shuchen's attitude reversed, and he praised her, "It's very delicious!"
