Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
A cold wave swept in, and the air suddenly turned chilly, signaling that winter was approaching once again. In response to this annual occurrence, people began preparing the essential items for the winter season.
The arrangements for the restaurant were even more urgent, as they needed to promote their name before the heavy snow arrived and officially open for business.
To this end, they specially invited the best Feng Shui Master nearby to select an auspicious location and timing for the opening, which was set for after the third day.
In terms of preliminary promotion, Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen had done a commendable job; everyone who needed to know in the vicinity was aware. The next step was to distribute all the invitations during this time.
The staff for the restaurant had been carefully selected by Li, the Innkeeper, resulting in twenty young men who were full of energy and presented a refreshing sight.
For a moment, aside from the stunning Six-Story Restaurant itself, people were filled with anticipation for its grand opening.
"I really wonder what’s inside; it must be amazing."
"Of course! Just looking at it from the outside is surprising. By the way, I heard they sent out invitations. Did you receive one?"
The other person's expression stiffened, and they awkwardly smiled, "How could someone like me be invited? Those who received invitations are surely all important figures."
This anxious conversation clearly reached Liu Qingxi's ears. She slowly spoke up, "Gentlemen, please don't mind. Our restaurant welcomes all guests regardless of status. If you come on opening day, it would be an honor for us, and we would be very pleased."
The other party clearly did not expect that the big boss was right behind them and felt somewhat embarrassed: " Miss Liu, rest assured, we will definitely support you when the time comes."
They were still hoping to receive some guidance from her in the future.
Meanwhile, flyers about the restaurant were distributed throughout the streets and alleys of nearby villages, reaching every ear. The news of the upcoming opening of the astonishing Six-Story Restaurant was truly exhilarating.
Time flew by in an instant, and soon it was the third day.
Liu Qingxi, along with the Wen Family and Yang Yichen, boarded a carriage heading to Biqi Town, accompanied by Village Chief Zhang Wuliang and several respected elders.
Li, the Innkeeper, and his staff were busy preparing for the opening of the inn.
As for the tea leaves and other items needed, Yang Yichen had already made arrangements. He had many talented individuals at his disposal, so that was not an issue.
Everything was ready; they were just waiting for the auspicious time to open.
The inn's main door was tightly closed, yet the lively sounds from inside were not muffled. Perhaps Liu Qingxi intended for people to feel the bustling atmosphere within, as he opened the upper windows to allow sound to carry.
"Quickly, quickly, lay this red cloth on the ground."
"And this too; the performers will be arriving soon, and the stage must be ready."
The calls echoed continuously. Upon arrival, Liu Qingxi heard their conversations and felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him, further piquing his curiosity.
Standing in the middle of the hall, Liu Qingxi quietly observed everyone’s busy activities and the smartly organized arrangements.
Li, the Innkeeper, was on tiptoe as he rushed around: "Is the kitchen ready? Make sure there are enough snacks and tea; we can't run out, understood?"
The pastry chef in the kitchen wished he could split himself in two to keep up with the demands. The fire in the stove blazed brightly, illuminating their darkened faces with a warm glow amidst the winter chill.
Even Liu Qingxi felt comforted watching their busyness. As for other matters, it seemed unnecessary for him to intervene; Li had been managing as a shopkeeper for many years and could handle various complex tasks with ease.
Time passed second by second. Liu Qingxi turned to Yang Yichen and said without waiting for the staff's arrangements: "Village Chief, Aunt, esteemed elders, let’s find a place to sit. It seems we’ll be busy for a while longer. I’ll go grab some pastries for us to snack on."
An elderly man with a white beard shook his head and said, "No need, no need. Everyone is too busy; we shouldn't add to the chaos. We can eat later; there's no rush."
The others, including Zhang Wuliang, nodded in agreement.
Liu Qingxi had a different opinion: "How can we let you go hungry? It's just a small effort; I'll go get it."
Before long, a large platter of pastries and a pot of Clear Tea were brought out. As for the Meat and Wine, those were still being prepared; only the pastries were available as they had prepared plenty and would continue to do so.
The sky gradually brightened as the busy staff continued their work without pause, akin to preparing for battle. Finally, everything was almost ready. The crowd outside was growing larger, and it was time to welcome the guests.
Just then, bright sunlight shone on the main entrance, a good omen that signaled the tavern would be a great success and earn a fortune.
Outside, people were murmuring, "Why isn't the door open yet? I've been waiting for quite a while."
A woman nearby retorted, "You’ve only just arrived! I’ve been here waiting since it opened, eager to see inside today."
Whether they could afford the expensive costs was not even a consideration.
All the pastries inside were free today; even for that free food, they wanted to take a look and witness the Elegance within.
Time passed slowly; some waited anxiously, others chatted happily, while some awaited the auspicious moment.
Suddenly, the grand door carved with intricate dragon and phoenix designs slowly opened with a deep sound. The spacious interior revealed itself in an impressive manner.
Two staff members stood at the front, with Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen in the center. The young girl stepped forward and clasped her hands together towards the crowd: "Dear Uncles and Aunts, Grandfathers and Grandmothers, Young Masters and Misses, today is the grand opening of Chenxi Tavern. Thank you all for your support! Anyone who comes in today can enjoy the pastries freely."
"Great! Liu Boss is generous; Yang Boss is really kind. With this alone, the tavern will surely thrive."
"Thank you, Liu Boss, thank you!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Hearing the announcement from an outsider and hearing it directly from the host felt different, especially for a teenage girl who possessed a boldness that most men lacked.
"However, everyone please pay attention. Due to the large number of people, let's be considerate of each other and avoid crowding to prevent any stampede incidents. If anyone deliberately disrupts the order, then good, my Chenxi Tavern does not welcome you, so please leave."
Liu Qingxi's words were firm yet gentle, commanding respect from the crowd.
"Don't worry, Miss Liu. The big kids are keeping an eye on things; we absolutely won't let that happen. You can rest assured."
"Good, then I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone for your support. I hope you will continue to support us in the future. Now, please come in slowly; our staff will arrange suitable seating based on actual needs."
Even with order and quietness, there was still a buzz of excitement.
After a quarter of an hour, the crowd was finally accommodated into the tavern.
Upon entering through the main door, a large semicircular stage came into view, adorned with warm yellow drapes hanging down from the second floor. Looking up, the vast space felt exceptionally expansive, with colorful ribbons suspended from above.
Yellow sunflowers intertwined with green leaves formed garlands that spread out beautifully, creating a stunning sight.
In front of the stage were milky-white dining tables, featuring a rotating central platter that was refreshing; no longer would anyone worry about reaching dishes placed too far away. They could simply turn it to access whatever they desired.
On stage, performers had already begun singing in melodious tones that were rarely heard at such a level or perhaps were from teams that people were reluctant to spend money to see.
The audience nodded in appreciation: "Not bad at all! The performance is vivid; this voice is truly wonderful."
People applauded and cheered for Flower Dan. As they enjoyed the performance, they couldn't help but cheer even louder. While listening to the play, they savored exquisite pastries that melted in their mouths—sweet but not cloying—paired with a pot of Clear Tea. Instantly, they felt relaxed and content amidst beautiful people, scenery, and food—a feast for the senses.
Liu Qingxi knew that this guest was the most ordinary among them, while the Theatrical Troupe on stage was a specially prepared entertainment activity. As for the real Opening Ceremony, it had not yet begun.
Due to the excessive number of invited Big Shots, the waiting Common People were increasing, so it was just right to settle them first.
As they welcomed the remaining guests one by one, Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen maintained smiles throughout, observing the scene before them.
The Wen Family, dressed in a water green Long Skirt with her hair elegantly styled and lightly made up, appeared increasingly serene and graceful. Standing at the entrance, she was like a living advertisement, attracting many prominent Bosses to pause and admire.
Liu Qingxi silently complained; indeed, men in any era were all lecherous: "Aunt, you don't need to stay here. The two of us can handle it. You and the Village Chief can wait for us in our room."
With her figure and looks, Liu Qingxi genuinely worried that the saying "a beauty brings disaster" would come true. Moreover, there was no need for elders to stand at the door like they were being watched like monkeys.
The Wen Family was used to not stepping out much, so it was hard for her to accept such a scene. Although she could imagine what Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen were doing, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
If it weren't for the two children, she wouldn't have been able to endure even these few moments.
After whispering a few words to the two of them, she slowly walked up to the second floor. One of the rooms marked with Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum was reserved for herself; it had a broad view where she could see all the performances below.
Gradually, those on the invitation list arrived one by one. Liu Qingxi smiled and cupped her fists: "Boss Wang, good to see you! Thank you for coming!"
"Not at all! How could Miss Liu and Yang Scholar's invitation not be attended?"
"Boss Li! It's been a while; you look even younger."
" Miss Liu truly knows how to smile. You are a significant figure; it's an honor for Li to be invited by you. Standing together with Yang Scholar is truly a match made in heaven! Hahaha!"
Though said in jest, it struck a chord and hit the mark. Yang Yichen responded gracefully: "Please come in, Boss Li."
A carriage drove into the street, heading straight for Chenxi Tavern, named after the characters from Yang Yichen and Liu Qingxi, and then came to a stop. One by one, elegantly dressed men and women approached.
Once inside, each attendant had undergone intensive training and could now handle the current situation with relative ease, as each guest had a corresponding room that they were responsible for guiding them to.
The sun gradually rose, and invited guests began to arrive one after another, leaving only a few who had a long way to travel. With less than an hour remaining until the auspicious time, Liu Qingxi felt a bit anxious.
At that moment, a carriage wrapped in gray fabric slowly approached. Among the many luxurious vehicles, it was not particularly impressive, ranking at best as average.
The carriage came to a stop, and a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe with a straight cut, his square face framed by hair standing upright, slowly descended from the vehicle. Liu Qingxi's eyes brightened.
She quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Thank you, Lord Zhou, for gracing us with your presence. Chenxi Tavern is truly honored."
County Magistrate Zhou Bin waved his hand: "You don't need to flatter me, Girl. I know your intentions well enough."
Indeed, Liu Qingxi's invitation was quite clear; she wanted to leverage his status.
Just think about it: having a County Magistrate personally come to offer blessings brings Liu Qingxi what? Naturally, it brings power and instills respect from those with ulterior motives.
Yes, it makes those who are jealous wary and lets them know that Liu Qingxi has a County Magistrate as her backing—who would dare offend her?
County Magistrate Zhou understood this but did not mind because Liu Qingxi had always acted with integrity and had made contributions during the earthquake; she deserved this recognition. That was why he made an effort to attend.
He did not expect that this trip would be worthwhile; even if he did nothing else, it was still good to come and see.
Such a grand and imposing building could not have been constructed in a short time nor could it be achieved by ordinary people; only Liu Qingxi could accomplish this.
"I wish you prosperity in your business, Miss Liu. Thanks to you, I now have some standing in Lingjiang Province."
It was precisely his outstanding performance during the earthquake that caught the attention of the Governor, leading to his name being mentioned by the Sovereign, which secured his current stable position. Although he still held the title of County Magistrate, he was unwilling to move from his post.
However, this County Magistrate was quite different from others with the same title. While the title remained unchanged, his official rank had been elevated by one level, allowing him to enjoy a corresponding salary while still managing all affairs of Linyi County.
Indeed, Liu Qingxi was not only a blessing for Ten Li Pu but also for many others.
After some pleasantries, County Magistrate Zhou was about to enter when another carriage arrived.
Even before the person arrived, their voice could be heard from afar, accompanied by hearty laughter. As the curtain of the carriage was lifted to reveal Lushan's True Face, Liu Qingxi was taken aback.
The newcomer had gray hair and a cheerful voice, moving with a lightness that surpassed that of his peers. His gaze towards Liu Qingxi was filled with affection.
“Hahaha, my dear girl!” The elderly man laughed heartily, clearly overjoyed.
It turned out that this person was none other than Liu Qingxi's master, Elder Ying. No one could have anticipated that he would endure such a long and arduous journey to attend the grand opening ceremony.
County Magistrate Zhou was also stunned. He had heard of this renowned big shot but had never had a direct conversation with him.
Although the elder held no official title, his status and achievements in the industry commanded respect from everyone.
Comment 0 Comment Count