Chapter 8: Collaboration with the Restaurant

After a short while, terrified screams echoed from inside the house.

"Ah, don’t come looking for me! Don’t come looking for me! You got sick and died on your own; it’s none of our business!"

After about fifteen minutes of playing, Jiang Lihua and Ni Wenyu returned to rest.

The next day, Jiang Lihua and Ni Wenyu arrived in Lunan Town. As usual, Ni Wenyu went to return some books while Jiang Lihua went alone to find Liu Yunxin, the owner of the Rouge Shop.

Standing outside the shop, Xiao Hong spotted her immediately.

“Jiang Lihua, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Lihua nodded, showing some improvement. Although her tone was still unfriendly, she no longer called her a “stubborn brat.”

“I’m here to talk to your lady. Is she around?”

“Wait here, I’ll go get her.” Without even glancing back at Jiang Lihua, Xiao Hong left.

Xiao Lan invited Jiang Lihua to sit down and served her some tea. “Miss Lihua, please have a seat. The lady will be out shortly.”

“Thank you, Sister Xiao Lan.”

Within the time it takes for incense to burn halfway, Liu Yunxin arrived and warmly greeted Jiang Lihua upon seeing her.

“Lihua, Xiao Hong told me you came. I didn’t believe her at first, but here you are.”

“Hehe, madam, you’re so busy, how dare I disturb you!”

“So, Lihua, you’ve come to see me about something?”

“Yes, madam. Besides running the Rouge Shop, do you have any other businesses?”

“I also have a tavern and a tailor’s shop, but my son manages those. I’m old now and only take care of the Rouge Shop.”

“Madam, actually, I have a small business idea I want to discuss with the tavern.”

“Oh? Let’s move to the inner hall to talk. It’s not convenient here with customers coming and going.”

“Xiao Hong, Xiao Lan, please watch the shop. I’ll take Lihua inside to discuss.”

“Yes, madam.”

Jiang Lihua followed Liu Yunxin into the inner hall.

“Speak, Lihua. What business do you want to discuss?”

Jiang Lihua took out a small bundle she always carried and pulled out a small jar.

These were prepared last night after she took them from the department store.

“What’s this?” Liu Yunxin looked at the jar curiously. Could it be pickled vegetables?

“Madam, this is spicy kimchi. It’s very crisp and delicious. Please taste it first; if you like it, we can talk further.”

She opened the jar and used chopsticks to pick out a piece for Liu Yunxin.

The moment the jar opened, Liu Yunxin caught the sour aroma and instinctively swallowed.

She tasted it. “Hmm, not bad. It’s sour with a hint of spice—appetizing.”

“Madam, since it’s winter, fresh greens are scarce, and with the cold, people tend to eat more meat, which can get tiresome over time.”

“So, serving a small portion of spicy kimchi at the tavern not only cuts the greasiness but also stimulates the appetite.”

Liu Yunxin had been in business for over a decade since her husband’s passing, so she understood all this well.

“I think it’s a good idea, but how do you want to cooperate?”

“To be honest, madam, I’m from Lihua Village under Lunan Town’s jurisdiction. The villagers aren’t wealthy.”

“I want this business to help the villagers earn money and improve their lives.”

“So my proposal is: we produce the kimchi in Lihua Village and supply it to the tavern at ten wen per jin. I won’t interfere with the tavern’s selling price afterward.”

Cabbage usually costs two wen per jin. Making kimchi involves adding sauce, labor, and transport costs. Jiang Lihua felt ten wen per jin was already low.

After finishing, she looked at Liu Yunxin. “What do you think, madam?”

“I don’t think you’re a ten-year-old girl at all,” Liu Yunxin said, making Jiang Lihua a little embarrassed.

“Even more surprising is your sense of justice at such a young age. The people’s hardships should be the government’s concern.”

“Lihua, I’m very curious—who exactly are you?”

Liu Yunxin’s penetrating gaze seemed to try to see through her.

Jiang Lihua replied calmly, “Madam, I’m just an ordinary person dreaming of a better life.”

She wasn’t afraid of Liu Yunxin checking up on her; she truly was Jiang Lihua from Lihua Village.

Liu Yunxin didn’t press further.

“Since it’s for the people, I’ll agree to supply the tavern at twelve wen per jin.”

“Really? Thank you, madam. You’re truly kind-hearted.”

Hearing Liu Yunxin’s acceptance, Jiang Lihua’s smile was as sweet as honey.

“But,” Liu Yunxin began teasing as she saw Jiang Lihua’s joyful face.

As expected, Jiang Lihua nervously asked, “But what?”

“Hahaha, Lihua, at times like this, you seem normal again—just like a ten-year-old child.”

“Madam, please don’t tease me.”

“All right. My son won’t be in town for a few days. Although I agreed, you’ll need to discuss the details with him.”

“Okay, I’ll come back to see you in a couple of days.”

“Good, Lihua. When your business is settled, we’ll talk about mine.”

“Does madam have something to discuss with Lihua?”

“You sold me three jars of Baby Cream last time. I sold them to a noble, and they worked very well. I’m wondering if you have more?”

“Madam, I can bring some next time.”

Liu Yunxin didn’t ask about the origin of the product. “Good, bring plenty.”

“Madam, I’ll take my leave now and prepare the goods.”

“Lihua, stay for lunch. It’s already midday.”

“No, madam. I came with someone from my village, and he’s waiting for me.”

“Alright. Then I won’t keep you.”

After seeing Jiang Lihua out, Liu Yunxin sent someone to inform her son.

Sure enough, at the city gate, Ni Wenyu was waiting for her. The two rode together in an ox cart back.

“Lihua, how did the discussion go?”

“It’s settled. I’ll go again in a few days. Do we have any good carpenters in the village?”

“Yes, Wang the carpenter is skilled and well-known in the surrounding villages. I’ll take you to him shortly.”

At the entrance to Lihua Village, they got off the cart, and Ni Wenyu led her toward Wang’s house. They found Wang planing wood in the courtyard.

Ni Wenyu greeted, “Uncle Wang, busy?”

Wang looked up. “Ah, Ni Xiaoxiu. What brings you here?”

“This is my cousin. She wants to have something made.”

Jiang Lihua stepped out beside Ni Wenyu. “Hello, Uncle Wang. My name is Li Zi.”

“Li Zi, huh? What do you want to make?”

Jiang Lihua tried to describe the modern cushion BB cream box for a long time but found it hard to explain.

She finally took one out from her sleeve—brought from the department store—and showed it to Wang.

“How about it, Uncle Wang? Can you make this? I only need a box and a lid like this.”

Wang examined the small, delicate box in his hands. “No problem. I can make it.”

“But, Li Zi, what material is this box made of?”