The opening of the snack street was done without any promotion from Hua Zhi. Without employing such tactics, she still believed this place would become a source of profit for her.
Although these were just snacks, the prices were set far from cheap. For instance, a bowl of sour and spicy noodles cost two hundred coins. Her target customers weren't the impoverished masses but those with a bit of disposable income.
Once the volume picked up, the profits would be substantial.
Of course, these earnings couldn't compare to the big transactions of gold and silver shops, but such small-scale businesses were suitable for the Hua family, which had been confiscated and had little capital left. Though in some people's eyes, the Hua family was likely to be tainted with the smell of money.
But compared to survival, what did that matter?
Hua Zhi chose a shop to enter and sat down, gazing at the empty alley as if she didn't notice the unease on the face of the servant dressed in a clean blue gown.
"Make me a portion."
The servant hurriedly got to work. His stall temporarily only served jianbing guozi, and he seemed a bit flustered. Fortunately, his skills had been honed through practice. Fu Dong was usually mild-mannered, but when teaching others how to cook, she was anything but easygoing. It wasn't easy to graduate from her tutelage.
The taste was indeed good. Hua Zhi ate a small portion, while the larger one went into Shaoyao's stomach.
Bao Xia walked over to pay, but the servant didn't dare accept the money, looking expectantly at the steward Chen Liang, who was waiting nearby.
"The Eldest Young Lady has always been strict about separating public and private matters. Just accept it," Chen Liang said as he came over to refill Hua Zhi's tea, explaining softly, "Everyone is a bit anxious, afraid of failing to meet your expectations."
"You've tasted the food. How does it taste?"
Delicious! When he had worked for the master, he had been fortunate enough to try some delicacies. In terms of value, these snacks couldn't compare, but when it came to flavor, he felt those expensive items were far inferior.
Chen Liang understood and bowed deeply. "I understand now."
"Cheer up. Don't let the others lose confidence because of this."
"Yes."
Chen Liang straightened his back, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, feeling much of his anxiety fade away. "Please take your time, Eldest Young Lady. I'll go check outside."
Hua Zhi nodded, acknowledging Chen Liang's competence. From the planning to the completion of the entire alley, she had only given verbal instructions, while Chen Liang had led the team to implement everything, almost always to her satisfaction. It was truly commendable.
Gu Yanxi stood at the entrance of the alley, surveying the transformed street, and immediately spotted the carriage parked at the far end.
"Send people in batches," he instructed before strolling leisurely into the alley with a clear destination in mind.
Chen Qing and the others exchanged glances, once again confirming in their hearts that their Heir had truly taken a liking to the Hua family's Eldest Young Lady.
Gu Yanxi looked into each shop as he passed. When he saw Hua Zhi, he feigned surprise and raised an eyebrow, entering the room with an air of familiarity. "No wonder I didn't see you today, Eldest Young Lady. So you're here. Is the Clan school on break?"
"I made an arrangement with Mr. Mu and had Berlin take my place," Hua Zhi replied without hiding the truth, pouring a cup of tea for Gu Yanxi. "I didn't expect Lu Xiansheng to come."
Gu Yanxi had learned from Shaoyao days ago that today was the snack street's opening day and had anticipated Hua Zhi's presence. After finishing his morning lessons, he had come directly without even noticing that Hua Bolin had replaced Hua Zhi as the teacher.
It was hard to say which of the two siblings was bolder.Taking a sip of the bland tea, Gu Yanxi glanced outside. "I came to take a look after hearing Shaoyao mention this place. It's quite special."
Shaoyao secretly rolled her eyes. He hadn't just "heard her mention it"—he had grilled her for every detail.
"Being special makes it memorable. Would you like to try the food here, Lu Xiansheng?"
Having eaten Fu Dong's cooking frequently during his stay with the Hua family, Gu Yanxi knew these people were trained by her. He nodded without hesitation. "Perfect timing—I'm hungry."
Without needing instructions, the servants swiftly set to work. With prior experience, they were no longer as nervous or flustered. Soon, a piping hot, generously portioned jianbing guozi was served.
Gu Yanxi handed over a tael of broken silver. "Keep the change. Make more of these for me to take away."
The servant glanced at the young lady and hesitantly said, "Young master, this snack is best eaten hot. It loses its flavor when cold."
Gu Yanxi studied him more closely—his features were honest, his gaze clear. Hua Zhi had a good eye for choosing people.
Just then, Chen Qing "coincidentally" wandered over. Gu Yanxi pointed at him and said, "Give the finished ones to him. There are plenty of people to eat them."
The servant said no more and turned to resume his work.
Chen Qing instinctively moved to bow upon entering but, under the Heir's stern gaze, remembered his earlier instructions. He smoothly redirected into a slight bow toward Hua Zhi. "Young Lady."
"Steward Chen." Hua Zhi stood and returned the greeting. Having dealt with him several times, she knew this steward, who helped manage the ice business, held significant status beside the man behind the scenes.
Chen Qing dared not accept her courtesy and subtly sidestepped it. "I heard from Shaoyao that everything here is what she's eaten—absolutely delicious. So, I came today to try it."
Shaoyao nearly rolled her eyes again. She hadn't left the Hua family for days! Which "Shaoyao" did he hear that from?
Gu Yanxi shot him a displeased look. "Stop hovering."
Not daring to watch the Heir, who was unhurriedly eating the jianbing guozi with both hands, Chen Qing walked straight to a nearby table and sat down. He feared he might laugh aloud—when had his notoriously picky Heir ever eaten so unceremoniously? Even during missions outside, he maintained his dignity.
Only after tasting the food did Chen Qing realize it was genuinely good—generously filled and flavorful. No wonder the Heir could eat it, and Shaoyao hadn't even returned home. After just a few days, she'd visibly gained weight.
"Young lady, many people have come to buy and eat outside," Bao Xia whispered excitedly, her worries finally easing. The success of this stall was crucial to the young lady's standing in the family. If it failed, those people would surely oppose her future endeavors. But if it succeeded? Hah! The Hua family would soon follow her lead.
Unlike Bao Xia's anxiety, Hua Zhi remained utterly unperturbed. Delicacies beloved in her former world had no reason to be unpopular in this place of scarce, monotonous food—it was only a matter of time.Gu Yanxi watched, once again lamenting in his heart that it was a pity Hua Zhi wasn't born male. If she were a son of the Hua family, combined with the education she had given Hua Bolin and the current Hua family descendants she was teaching, this generation of the Hua family would be the most outstanding in the capital, and the one to elevate the family to its peak.
However, even as a woman, this generation of the Hua family wouldn't be lacking. Thinking of it this way, Hua Yizheng's downfall wasn't entirely a bad thing for the family. Hua Zhi had been able to conceal her talents for so many years—if nothing had happened to the Hua family, she would likely have been content to continue hiding them, marrying and having children like every other young lady from a prominent family, then watching her children and grandchildren flourish...
Gu Yanxi suddenly found he'd lost his appetite.
PS: Thank you, dear readers. I should also mention that Kongkong isn't a fast writer—normally updating twice a day. If unable to update twice, I'll make an announcement. So hoping for eight or ten chapters a day from Kongkong is impossible. Those who can't wait can always save it in your library and read it later when there's more content. Of course, Kongkong still hopes you'll follow along with the updates, haha. Ah, this is giving me a headache.
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