"Miss Qi really is a beauty with both grace and wisdom. Her exquisite appearance masks profound knowledge within. I have just heard the multiplication rhymes you recited, and they are truly marvelous!"
Lin Xiang had a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, giving him an honest and upright appearance. Though his words were clearly flattery, coming from his mouth they sounded more credible.
Qi Huan graciously accepted these praises. She put down her wolf hair brush and made a welcoming gesture, smiling as she said, "Please, Master Lin."
She led Lin Xiang upstairs to a private room, calling for a waiter and ordering some of Qi's Restaurant's signature dishes to entertain him.
"I didn't expect Miss Qi to be so young yet so accomplished. Just half a month after our last meeting, you've even opened a restaurant," Lin Xiang said as he picked up his tea cup and moistened his lips before making polite conversation.
Facing this wealthy businessman, Qi Huan kept a charming smile on her face. "It was opportune circumstances... But enough about that, how has Master Lin's spicy strip business been doing?"
"Not bad," Lin Xiang said with feigned modesty, unable to hide a look of self-satisfaction on his face.
His uncle had entrusted him with full responsibility for the spicy strip business. He had rented a shop and hired some women to make and sell the product. The business was now thriving.
In Lingzhou, from officials and the wealthy to peddlers and pedestrians, everyone praised spicy strips, unable to get enough of them.
He had amassed great profits, and his standing in the Lin family had risen as well.
Qi Huan could discern hints of this from his subtle expressions.
Guessing that his business was doing well, Qi Huan asked directly, "Master Lin, on this trip to Mo County, do you need to restock on starch and spices to take back?"
"Yes!" Lin Xiang nodded eagerly, then inquired, "This time I'd like to purchase more. I wonder how much inventory Miss Qi has remaining?"
During the New Year, Qi Huan had used up all her points. But in recent days, thanks to Li Shuchen earning more, she had accumulated nearly two thousand points, enough to restock.
She smiled and said confidently, "Of course, Master Lin can have as much as he needs."
"This trip isn't easy, so I'll take a month's supply in advance. Forty pounds of starch and ten pounds each of various spices. What does Miss Qi think?"
"Very well, after the meal you can come with me to Qi's Spicy Strip Shop to pick up the goods."
After settling the business deal, the waiter gradually brought out the dishes.
"Please, Master Lin," Qi Huan gestured for Lin Xiang to start eating first.
Following the host's lead, Lin Xiang picked up his chopsticks and reached for the closest dish, a small crispy meat dish. He took a bite, chewed for a few moments, then widened his eyes in surprise.
Beneath its plain appearance lay exquisite flavor. If this dish appeared at the Shengyan Building, it would undoubtedly capture the hearts of many gourmets.
The Lin family traditionally selected heirs based on ability. With his uncle advancing in age, now was the time for the younger generation like himself to step forward and prove themselves.
Lin Xiang could hardly wait to taste the other dishes. Eagerly he asked, "Miss Qi, what is the name of this dish?"
"Small crispy meat."
"Would Miss Qi be willing to share the recipe for this dish?... Rest assured, you can continue selling it in Mo County while I sell it in Lingzhou. Our businesses won't interfere with each other."
Qi Huan was slightly tempted but didn't show it. "But this is our signature dish at Qi's Restaurant. Selling the recipe may not be appropriate..."
Seeing that she didn't outright refuse, Lin Xiang persisted in persuading her, "Miss Qi needn't worry. The diners in Mo County won't travel all the way to Lingzhou just for this one dish. We're not competitors but in a mutually beneficial relationship...
Don't reject the idea so quickly, Miss Qi. Why not take this additional money-making opportunity?"
Feigning difficulty, Qi Huan frowned as if deep in thought, indicating she would consider it further.
In Lingzhou she had no connections. If she chose to sell a share of the recipe to the Shengyan Building, it would be like operating blind without any way to verify their true sales volume. If they cheated her, she could only blame her own misfortune.
Selling the full recipe outright was currently her best option.
What is too easily obtained is seldom treasured. Playing hard to get while occasionally giving hope is most tantalizing.
Sorting out her thoughts, Qi Huan wrung her fingers, lowered her eyes demurely, and appeared very hesitant.
An hour later, Lin Xiang conceded first, holding up one finger to test the waters, "Miss Qi, I truly wish to purchase it. How about one hundred taels of silver?... With no loss to you, an extra hundred taels of silver, why hesitate?"
Based on prices in Mo County, one hundred taels was already a very fair offer from Lin Xiang.
But in bargaining, of course there must be back-and-forth.
Qi Huan bit her lip, feigning a difficult decision, "One hundred taels is too little. If it were five hundred, I could accept that."
After some negotiations, the two parties compromised at four hundred taels of silver.
After drafting a contract, Qi Huan first brought him to the kitchen to observe the preparation of the small crispy meat dish. Then they went to the next room to find Li Shuchen.
Ever since Qi Huan's abduction, Li Shuchen, once bitten twice shy, insisted on staying by her side at all times to protect her safety.
If she went to the noodle shop, he followed to the noodle shop. If she went to the restaurant, he came along to the restaurant.
Qi Huan understood his concerns for her wellbeing, so she didn't object. She just arranged a spare private room for him to read in and called for him whenever she went out.
"Li Shuchen, I sold the small crispy meat recipe to Lin Xiang for four hundred taels of silver," she said with a giggle. "He's drinking tea in the next room now. I've come to ask you to write down the recipe for me."
Hearing this, Li Shuchen lightly tapped her head with his book. "If you set aside some time each day to study writing, in time you won't need me to write for you anymore. Wouldn't that be better?"
"No, I like your handwriting best. It's bold and vigorous, strokes like brushed iron and chiseled silver. Very nice!"
Qi Huan flattered him a little, then spread out a sheet of paper and weighted the corners before starting to grind ink.
Seeing her preparations, Li Shuchen showed a hint of resignation in his eyes but obediently began writing on her behalf.
With the recipe ready, it was a simple matter of one hand giving money, one hand giving goods.
Qi Huan happily received four hundred taels of silver notes.
In the afternoon, she brought Lin Xiang, with her bodyguard Li Shuchen following behind, to Qi's Spicy Strip Shop.
Since making small crispy meat also required a large amount of starch, Lin Xiang requested an additional forty pounds.
Nearly all the shop's inventory was cleaned out.
Starch sold for one tael per pound, so eighty pounds brought in eighty taels.
Then, to conceal the source of the spices, Qi Huan took Lin Xiang back to her home.
After seating him in the hall, Qi Huan went into her room and restocked ten crates of spices.
She took out ten pounds each of chili powder, five-spice powder, cumin powder, and Sichuan peppercorn powder. At two taels per pound, the total came to eighty taels.
Added to the previous eighty taels for starch and four hundred taels for the recipe, in just one day Qi Huan had earned five hundred and sixty taels.
After seeing Lin Xiang off, Qi Huan clutched the silver notes in one hand and the silver ingots in the other, grinning from ear to ear.
"Little money grubber," Li Shuchen tapped her forehead, then took out a writing primer he had prepared and called out, "Come study."
"Oh..." The smile faded from the face of student Qi Huan as her head felt heavy with dread.
She longed to develop elegant handwriting too, but her hands seemed to have a mind of their own.
Whenever she picked up a brush, her strokes ended up crooked and misshapen.
"System, when can I unlock ballpoint pens or fountain pens?"
"Sorry, host. I'm also uncertain about that. I've searched and found the following suggestions for practicing good brushwork: First, don't take breaks from practicing. You must persevere relentlessly, letting the steady dripping of water bore through stone..."
"...Oh. Mute."
While she conversed with the system, her right hand went rogue, her writing growing increasingly sloppy and unsightly.
Behind her, Li Shuchen let out a soft sigh. Leaning forward, he rested his chin on her shoulder, held her hand, and murmured, "It seems I'll have to guide you like this..."
