Chapter 269 - Competition (1/2)
Little Shitou confidently replied, “Second Sister, don’t worry! The headmaster also said that I have a gift for studying. He even said that although we can’t guarantee I’ll get a placement on the entry exams next year, I’ll definitely pass! Second Sister, just wait for when you’ll become the older sister of a scholar who has passed the county level exams ah!”
Little Shitou, who was only seven years old, already had his own plans. He knew that his family had bought a decent amount of arable land in town and they were renting them to some tenant farmers. Judging from the speed of his second sister’s current ability to earn money, in the future, they would definitely be buying more farmland and creating more businesses. He was currently young and was studying to be a scholar, so he wasn’t able to help out much. However, if he managed to pass the county level exams, then everything would be different. All of the farmland and other industries his family had wouldn’t be subject to taxes anymore, so they could save a whole lot of money!
He didn’t do this to pursue fame, to become the person who placed first in the exams. He also didn’t care about becoming someone who had placed first in all three exams either. He only wanted to pass the county level examinations earlier, so he could help his family out. In the future, once he had his feet firmly planted on the ground, he could work harder to get a better result at the exams.
One roasted chicken and one osmanthus duck was more than enough to feed four half-grown children. Little Shitou had also invited over a few more friends to enjoy the meal. Yu Xiaocao felt immensely gratified as she watched the little rascal, who had been just a brat running around in the mud when she first transmigrated over and had now matured into a fine little scholar, interact joyfully with his group of friends.
The children ate exuberantly and praised the food without end. One of Yu Fan’s best friends, Zhao Datong, was born in a salt merchant’s family, so he was very familiar with money. He asked Little Shitou in a low voice, “Yu Fan, did your family reserve this roasted chicken and duck days in advance? My father thinks it’s inconvenient, so he only occasionally reserves one. I don’t necessarily get to eat it every month!”
Little Shitou thought for a bit and decided that he should be magnanimous to his friends. He explained, “My family’s relationship with Zhenxiu Restaurant’s Third Young Master Zhou is decent, so we never have to make reservations to buy their roasted chicken!”
Little Fatty Sun yelped in a voice full of envy and jealousy, “What? You guys are that awesome?? Then in the future, if we want to eat roasted chicken, can’t we just beg you or Second Sister to help buy some?”
Little Shitou somewhat hesitantly replied, “Occasionally is fine. But, after all, Zhenxiu Restaurant’s roasted chicken and osmanthus duck is too popular right now. They also only have a fixed number that’s available every day and all of that is reserved in advance. If we buy too many, I’m afraid we would end up disturbing their sales.”
Liu Jinye was older than the rest of them by two years, so he naturally was a bit more steady. When he heard that, he nodded his head, “Yu Fan is right! We can only occasionally take advantage of this. Otherwise, the mutual regard they have for your family will be wiped away!”
“Heehee! You guys don’t need to say this, I know this already! As long as I can eat some every ten days to half a month, I will be perfectly content. If I eat it too often, my mother will see that I’ve gained weight again when I go back for break and she’ll punish me to jog outside. So tiring!!” Sun Runze’s mother disliked the fact that he was fat and was always thinking up ways for him to lose weight. This made him feel quite helpless!
Situ Qing was on the younger side so he didn’t know how to conceal his curiosity. He gnawed on a chicken wing as he asked inquisitively, “Yu Fan, aren’t your family members farmers? How did they end up having a relationship with the Zhou Family’s Third Young Master?”
All of the other kids were also curious. However, they were afraid that by asking they might end up upsetting Yu Fan, so they endured it and didn’t ask. When they heard the question, all of them stopped eating the chicken and duck meat in their hands and the whole group of them turned their inquisitive eyes over to look at Yu Fan.
Second Sister had often told him that one’s status and position in life can be changed through one’s own hard work. Although he had been born in a poor family, he absolutely couldn’t look down on himself. The environment was only a place for a person to mature and grow. Even though his family was currently farmers, he firmly believed that through his and their own hard work, they could become the envy and goals of others in the future! Historically, weren’t there examples of scholars born from humble families getting first place in the imperial examinations? And weren’t there a decent amount too?
Yu Fan calmly smiled at them, “My father is good at hunting and fishing. In the past, whenever he caught some good game or high quality seafood, he would always sell it to Zhenxiu Restaurant. Gradually, they got to know each other. Afterwards, my family’s out-of-season vegetables also supplied their whole restaurant. Perhaps they make an exception for my family due to these previous favors ah?”
Little Shitou had long known that many of Zhenxiu Restaurant’s specialty dishes were made with the contribution of his second sister. However, the reason why Second Sister knew how to craft these dishes was too mysterious and profound. He didn’t want too many people to find out and cause trouble later on.
His explanation didn’t arouse any of his friends’ suspicions. After all, at the start of spring, only Zhenxiu Restaurant was able to advertise their stunningly expensive green vegetable dishes. For people living in ancient times, after eating a whole winter’s worth of radishes, cabbages, and meat dishes, they all wanted something fresh. Each plate of green vegetables cost at least a couple taels, yet, if you arrived there late, they would be all sold out. Perhaps it was because of their previous relationship that the Yu Family only sold their vegetables to Zhenxiu Restaurant and no others, right?
At this moment, Yu Xiaocao wasn’t even aware that her younger brother was thinking up ways to cover for her. She was currently sitting inside one of the private rooms at Zhenxiu Restaurant. Other than the young royal prince, there was also Third Young Master Zhou in the room, who was looking eagerly at her.
The situation was simple. After she left Rongxuan Academy, it was already close to noon. Yu Xiaocao took the young royal prince and his servant on a stroll and ended up at Zhenxiu Restaurant. Fortunately, Third Young Master Zhou had managed to snatch a moment of leisure time today and was resting in the private room drinking tea. When he heard Yu Xiaocao had come over, he was pleased beyond expectation. He had something he wanted to discuss with Yu Xiaocao!