Archives: FS

Shopkeeper Liu was shocked. He didn’t expect that a family that grows peppers and opens an inn would receive such a heavy gift.

This was very embarrassing, and it seemed that his previous congratulatory letter was not sincere.

Shopkeeper Wang also felt embarrassed. Young Master Zhu asked him to come over to congratulate him, so he only gave 20 taels of congratulatory silver. He and Shopkeeper Liu looked at each other, and both of them smiled awkwardly.

Gu Fei was shocked. Su Chen was too generous. The heavier the gift, the more pressure people felt. Whether it was money or other aspects, she could not give the same return.

Gu Fei had a complicated look and ordered Tie Niu: “You and Xiao Lu carry the things in and put them on the wine cabinet.”

Tie Niu hurriedly carried the thing in with Xiao Lu carefully.

Gu Zhang hurriedly invited Zhang Ze to go inside for tea.

Just as he was about to go in, he saw two servants carrying a gift box over, and the two stopped at the same time.

Gu Fei looked over in confusion. It seemed that everyone who was supposed to come had come. Who was this?

The servant followed Shitou.

Gu Fei hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and greeted him: “Brother Shitou, you’re here.”

Shitou waved his hand, and the two servants put down the gift box.

Shitou bowed: “Miss Gu, good luck in opening your business. I am here to congratulate you on the order of my young master.”

“My young master has been living in the military camp these days, so it’s not convenient for me to come in person. Miss Gu, please forgive me.”

Shitou said and motioned the servant to open the gift box. Gu Fei’s eyes widened.

She saw a mutton-fat jade treasure bowl, the size of a sea bowl, which was very delicately carved. The jade was warm and delicate, and the whole body was white and flawless.

This was not the reason why Gu Fei’s eyes widened. She saw ingots of gold and silver in the treasure bowl, piled high out of the mouth of the bowl, which was simply inhumane.

Gu Fei stared at Shitou in amazement, as if saying: Do I have such a deep friendship with your young master?

Although this treasure bowl was not very big, there were at least several hundred taels of gold and silver in it.

No, no, this treasure bowl should be more valuable, this was mutton-fat jade!

Shitou glanced at Zhang Ze standing on the side and smiled: “My young master said that he hoped this treasure bowl would bring wealth to the young lady.”

A few days ago, when he returned to the mansion, he happened to meet two servants of Su Chen carrying a box into the mansion.

The two servants walked and muttered: “I hope the young master will be satisfied with this green jade cabbage. I don’t know whose shop is about to open. I found so many gifts, but the young master is not satisfied.”

Shitou understood it as soon as he heard it. It must be prepared for the opening of Miss Gu’s shop.

He went back and told their young prince.

Their young prince personally searched the warehouse for a long time before finding this mutton-fat jade treasure bowl. After thinking about it, he felt that it was not enough.

Su Chen gave jade, and he also gave jade. How can it reflect his uniqueness?

Since it was a treasure bowl, would it be appropriate if there was no gold and silver in the bowl?

Gold, silver, and jade should suppress the gift from Young Master Su, Shitou raised the corner of his mouth proudly.

Zhang Ze glanced at it and curled his lips, vulgar, the good mutton-fat jade treasure bowl was made vulgar by these gold and silver.

Gu Fei couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice: “Can I not accept it?”

Alas, it seems that she cannot refuse. Today was the opening day. Refusing the Treasure Bowl would be too bad.

Shitou has sharp ears and heard it clearly, but pretended not to hear it, and ordered the two servants: “Carry the things in.”

Gu Zhang was also stunned by the side. Shitou’s young master, isn’t he the benefactor who lent them money?

Why did he suddenly send such a heavy gift?

Is there something he doesn’t know about it?

 

Xing’er glanced at her mother: “It’s nothing. Xiao Fei said that there will be coats distributed in winter, which are also work clothes.”

Mrs. Qian’s eyes lit up, and she said happily, “There are winter clothes? That’s good. I won’t have to make clothes for you in the future. This way, I can save a lot of money.”

Xing’er frowned and wanted to say something, but she was too lazy to say it. She went to the side room with her bag.

The opening day was chosen by Gu Zhang after looking at the horoscope. March 19th was a good day for opening the market and breaking ground.

Gu Fei didn’t go home the night before, she just stayed in the store.

She carefully checked every corner to make sure there were no omissions.

Early in the morning, the Gu family dressed neatly and went into the city.

Xiao Cao changed into a newly made red flower jacket and tied two small tufts on her head with red hairbands, looking very festive.

Although Mrs. Chen had visited this shop many times in the city, she still felt new to it and tried everything.

Everything looked good.

After a while, the village chief came with his sons Gu Jinsheng and Gu Yinsheng, and smiled and bowed to Gu Fei at the door: “Xiao Fei is promising. Such a big shop opened so quickly. It will make a fortune in the future.”

Gu Fei smiled and returned the greeting: “Thank you for your good words. Grandpa Village Chief, please go inside and sit down.”

The village chief waved his hand and said with a smile: “Just call me Sixth Grandpa in the future. There is no village anymore, so how can there be any village chief.”

The village chief’s two sons, Gu Jinsheng and Gu Yinsheng were at the back, each holding a congratulatory couplet, Gu Zhang took it with a smile and asked Gu Erlang and Gu Sanlang to post it by the door.

On the left was: Business is booming all over the world

On the right was: Wealth is abundant and reaches the three rivers

After a while, the Eldest Aunt and Eldest Uncle, as well as the Third Uncle and the Third Aunt, also arrived. Several families jointly presented a plaque, black lacquer, and gold, which must have cost a lot of money.

Gu Fei hurriedly let them into the store.

Young Master Zhou and Sister Dan from next door also came over, followed by two servants, carrying an embroidered screen.

Young Master Zhou bowed: “Miss Gu, good luck in opening the business.”

Sister Dan looked at Gu Fei with a smile: “The little girl is really capable, this sister wishes you a lot of wealth.”

Just as they were talking, Shopkeeper Wang of Yipin Pavilion, and Shopkeeper Liu of Zuixianlou, also came over, and Gu Zhang hurried forward to greet them.

A few people stood at the door and talked, and saw two servants carrying a gift box coming over.

Zhang Ze walked in front of the two servants and bowed to Gu Zhang from a distance. When he came to Gu Fei, he smiled and said: “My young master wants to come here in person, but now he is studying in the academy, so he sent me to bring gifts to congratulate Miss Gu on her opening.”

Gu Fei bowed to Zhang Ze: “Thank you, Brother Zhang, and thank your young master for me.”

The two servants carried the gift box to the door of the store and put it down, then opened it, and the people standing at the door exclaimed at the same time.

In the box was a half-arm-long jade cabbage.

The cabbage’s body was transparent white jade, but the leaves were green and lush, with a very natural color transition, and the carving was lifelike, and the dew on the leaves seemed to be dripping.

Cabbage means wealth, which was a good omen.

The people standing at the door were all knowledgeable.

Young Master Zhou and Sister Dan owned a pawnshop, so when they saw the cabbage, they knew it was worth a lot of money at a glance. It cost at least one thousand taels of silver.

Sapphire was only a mid-range jade among jades, and mutton-fat jade was the top grade, but the carving of this cabbage and the natural color of this sapphire were rare.

This makes the sapphire cabbage surpass the value of the jade itself and rise to the level of a rare treasure.

 

Gu Fei held up a finger: “First, hygiene, that is, cleanliness!”

“Whether it is the food in the store, the dishes, or the bedding in the room, all corners must be clean and tidy without a trace of dust.”

“Including you, you must also be neat and tidy, from head to toe.”

“Second, smile and serve.”

“No matter who is in the store, as long as you wear a uniform if a customer asks you, you must answer with a smile. Whether you can solve the problem is secondary. What is more important is your attitude must be good. Customers stay in our store, not to give you face.”

“Third, the first-question responsibility system.”

“If the customer asks you to feed the horses, and you think that I am a kitchen helper, so it is none of my business, so you just ignore it and leave. That is not acceptable.”

“You have to find the person who feeds the horses, or the shopkeeper, and explain the matter clearly.”

“Because the customer will not care whether you are cutting vegetables or feeding horses, he only knows that you are a worker in the inn, so you should serve him.”

“The above rules must be followed. If anyone violates them, 20 cents will be deducted from the wages for the first time, 100 cents will be deducted for the second time, and if it happens again, you will be fired directly.”

“Did everyone understand?”

There were Lian’er, Xing’er, Tie Niu, Aunt Liu, and several others standing in a row.

Aunt Liu answered loudly: “I understand!”

Then everyone rushed to say: “I understand.”

Gu Fei nodded: “That’s good if you understand.”

“Our goal is to provide the best service!”

“Let the guests feel at home when they enter the inn, no, it’s more comfortable than home.”

“Of course, everyone may feel very hard at first, but after getting used to it, everything will come naturally.”

“Moreover, there will be rewards for hard work. Every month, the store will select an outstanding employee and will be giventhe  reward of 500 copper coins.”

As soon as these words came out, there was a sudden commotion below: “Is this true that there are so many rewards?”

Gu Fei raised her hand and pressed it down: “At the end of the year, the two best employees of the year will be selected, and the bonus is 1 silver coin!”

Hearing this, Xing’er stared at Gu Fei closely. She must work hard to get the bonus of 500 coins a month and the bonus of 1 silver coin at the end of the year.

Gu Fei stood opposite these people and could see clearly that everyone had an expression of chicken blood on their faces. The bonus was indeed tempting.

In the next few days, Gu Fei gave various trainings to the employees every day and asked everyone to play the role of a customer, making various difficult requests and training everyone on how to deal with them.

Time passed quickly, and all the decorations in the store were completed. The customized plaque was also taken back and hung at the door of the store, covered with a piece of red silk. Everything was ready, just waiting for the opening.

After the training that day, Xing’er took a package home.

Mrs. Qian couldn’t stand seeing anything, so she snatched it away: “What is this?”

When she opened it, she saw two identical moon-white fine cotton skirts inside. Mrs. Qian’s eyes lit up, and just as she was about to touch it, Xing’er snatched it away.

Mrs. Qian glared at her: “You little bitch, where did you get this dress? Give it to me. The material is good. It’s perfect for me.”

Xing’er snorted: “This is the work clothes Xiao Fei gave us. We have to wear it in the store. If I give it to you, do you believe that Xiao Fei will send me back home tomorrow?”

Mrs. Qian saw that the fine cotton cloth was still shiny, and said stubbornly, “Okay, okay, I don’t want yours.”

But she couldn’t bear to take her eyes off the dress, and said: “Xiao Fei is rilling to use such good material to make clothes for the servants.”

 

Gu Fei looked at her with a half-smile: “Tie Niu is strong, he can drive a cart, chop wood, and guard the store at night. Aunt Liu is even better at work. Do you think Xing’er can compare to them?”

Mrs. Qian was still a little unwilling: “But, if it’s less than 100 copper coins, it will be less than 1 silver a year.”

Gu Fei smiled: “Then why don’t you go to the city and find another job for Xing’er that pays 500 copper coins a month.”

Gu Zhong glared at Mrs. Qian fiercely: “Xiao Fei, don’t listen to her. You are so capable. I feel relieved that Xing’er is in your store. She can learn some skills from you. This salary is about 5 taels of silver a year, which is not a small amount.”

When they were in their hometown, the whole family could earn about five taels of silver a year.

Gu Fei nodded: “Okay since Uncle said so, I agree. She will start working after training in a while.”

Gu Zhong didn’t know what training meant, but he didn’t dare to ask, just nodded repeatedly: “Then Xiao Fei, you should rest early. Bao’er is still at home, and your grandma can’t take care of him. We’ll go back first.”

Xing’er lowered her head: “Father, you go first, I still have something to ask Xiao Fei.”

Mrs. Qian wanted to say something, but Gu Zhong took her away.

When the two walked away, Gu Fei looked at Xing’er and raised an eyebrow: “How did you convince your mother?”

Xing’er smiled bitterly: “I said I would die if she doesn’t let me work, and then she will not get a single penny.”

“I will give her all the money I earn. As long as I don’t get married, I can earn money for the family.”

“My mother may think this is more cost-effective.”

Gu Fei laughed, Mrs. Qian may think so.

She whispered: “Your wages are still 500 copper coins.”

“After you get your wages, give 400 copper coins to your mother, and keep the rest for yourself. If you have no place to put it, I can save it for you to keep accounts.”

Xing’er looked like she was about to cry: “Xiao Fei, you–”

“I, I–”

Xing’er wanted to say something, but couldn’t. Her cousin Gu Fei, had no other emotions except jealousy.

She didn’t expect Gu Fei to help her like this.

Now think about those little thoughts of hers. How ridiculous she was.

Gu Fei smiled: “Okay, don’t cry. When the store is busy, and you are exhausted, just don’t secretly scold me in your heart.”

Xing’er shook her head with tears in her eyes, and Gu Fei pushed her: “Go back, be careful on the road when it’s dark.”

Xing’er wiped her tears and left.

*

After some time, seeing that the decoration of the store was almost done, Gu Fei gathered all the employees and started her incongruous employee training.

She had no experience in this area, so she recalled the service of the hotel in her previous life and thought of a few.

The training location was in the yard behind the store.

Gu Fei looked at the people of different heights, weights, and thinness standing in a row in front of her, and said seriously: “Since everyone is willing to work in my store and has signed a contract, you must abide by my rules.”

“Whether you are a chef, a helper, or a waiter, you must wear a uniform in the future.”

“When you wear a uniform, everyone represents the image of the store.”

She glanced at everyone: “The decoration of our store is not as good as some high-end inns, so how can we compete with them?”

“The only thing we can do is to surpass them in service!”

“Service, to put it bluntly, is people-oriented!”

“To put it simply, it is to make guests feel comfortable everywhere.”

 

Gu Fei said without hesitation: “No.”

“I’m looking for a helper, not trouble. With your mother’s personality, I wish I wouldn’t ever deal with her in my life.”

Xing’er looked a little embarrassed, and Gu Fei said: “Since you don’t want to get married and want to go your own way, you have to fight for it yourself. You can’t wait for others to arrange everything for you.”

“Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

Xing’er’s face changed a little: “Okay, I’ll tell my mother.”

Gu Fei looked at her and said lightly: “Since you want to work for me, then you should do whatever I say in the store. Don’t take advantage of the fact that you are my cousin. If you just want to take refuge in my store, I advise you to give up the idea as soon as possible. ”

“Also, remember to tell your mother clearly that if she goes to the store to make trouble once, you don’t have to go again.”

Xing’er looked at Gu Fei in a daze. As expected, she was a wolf killer. She was a little scared by her aura. After a long while, she nodded: “Okay.”

She turned and walked out, walking faster and faster, and her back became straighter and straighter.

Mrs. Chen sighed and was about to say something when her aunt brought Tie Niu in again, saying that she wanted Tie Niu to work as a waiter in the store. Tie Niu was sixteen years old, tall, strong, and could drive a carriage. Gu Fei thought he could be used and agreed.

The next day, Gu Fei hired a cook.

The cook was a woman in her thirties.

Gu Fei tried her cooking skills at noon, and they were quite good. Moreover, the woman had great strength in her hands. She seemed to have no difficulty in flipping such a heavy iron pot. It was obvious that she had practiced since she was a child.

Gu Fei called her Sister Hua and agreed to pay her two taels of silver a month.

Sister Hua also introduced a woman surnamed Chen who washed clothes next door. Gu Fei met her and found that Sister Chen was elegant and tidy.

Then she hired two young servants, both of whom looked strong.

A few days later, Mrs. Qian and Gu Zhong came with Xing’er.

Mrs. Qian seemed to have received Gu Zhong’s instructions at home, and she smiled apologetically as soon as she entered the door.

“Oh, I haven’t seen you for a few days. Xiao Fei is beautiful again.”

Gu Fei forced a smile: “It’s rare for my aunt to come here.”

She greeted Gu Zhong and said: “Uncle, please sit down.”

Gu Zhong sat down. At first, he was still a little reluctant to let go of his elders’ airs. Seeing that Gu Fei was just sitting there and didn’t speak, he had to take the initiative: “Well, Xiao Fei, I’m here to ask you for something today.”

Gu Fei nodded: “Tell me, I’m listening.”

“Xing’er is a stubborn girl now, and she doesn’t want to get married. I thought, if that’s the case, why not let her go to your shop to help, she can earn some money, and it can be used as a dowry in the future. ”

Gu Fei smiled and nodded: “That’s fine, Xing’er is my cousin after all, I will naturally help if I can.”

“I’m not worried about anything else, but if my aunt goes to the shop to find Xing’er for no reason, then-”

Gu Zhong hurriedly said: “No, no, Xiao Fei, don’t worry, if she dares to go, I will break her legs.”

Mrs. Qian’s lips twitched.

Gu Fei smiled and said, “Okay, then Xing’er will go to my shop to try, as for what to do, we will arrange it when the time comes, maybe as a helper in the back kitchen, or maybe as a waiter.”

“The salary is 400 copper coins a month, food is provided, but accommodation is not provided.”

Mrs. Qian immediately screamed when she heard it: “Why is it only 400 copper coins? Aren’t Aunt Liu and Tie Niu both earn 500 copper coins?!”

 

Gu Fei has always admired Aunt Liu.

She was a rare sensible person who spoke and acted straightforwardly. She should not do anything to embarrass her.

Gu Fei thought about it and nodded: “If that’s the case, Aunt Liu, go ahead. It’s just that the work is a lot and dirty, and you have to wash dishes and clean up. I’m afraid you’ll be tired.”

“The salary is 500 copper coins a month, and the food is provided by the store. Do you think it’s okay?”

Aunt Liu was delighted. 500 copper coins a month means 6 taels of silver a year. This was net income. She can earn a living and save one person’s food for the family.

“That’s great. Thank you very much, Xiao – hahaha, thank you, Manager Gu.”

Gu Fei laughed. Aunt Liu got into the role quickly.

“Then when can I go to work?”

Gu Fei thought: “There is still more than a month left. We may need to do employee training in advance, but starting from the training, wages will be calculated.”

Auntie Liu didn’t bother about what the training was. She said happily: “Okay, then just let someone tell me when I should go.”

Auntie Liu met Xing’er at the door and left with a smile.

Half a month has passed since she hit the pillar that day. Xing’er has completely recovered. Fortunately, her aunt pulled her that day. Except for a concussion and a little skin breakage, there were no other problems.

Aunt Huang paid for the medicine, but Mrs. Qian insisted on getting two taels of silver, saying that it was to replenish Xing’er’s body, so she stopped making trouble.

Now, Xing’er refuses to marry. She doesn’t want to marry Shanzi, and she doesn’t want her mother to marry her to someone else. This matter was deadlocked.

Xing’er met Lian’er first when she entered the door and said uncomfortably: “I’m looking for Xiao Fei.”

Lian’er stepped aside: “Miss Xiao Fei is in the backyard.”

Xing’er lowered her head and walked quickly to the backyard. Gu Fei heard the voice and stood at the door to see who it was. Xing’er walked in, still two meters away, and suddenly knelt in front of Gu Fei with a plop.

Gu Fei was startled: “What are you doing?”

“Sister Xiao Fei, you are the only one who can save me now.” Xing’er kowtowed to the ground suddenly.

Gu Fei rushed over and grabbed her: “My gosh, you don’t want your head anymore, your injury has just healed.”

Mrs. Chen frowned unconsciously, smiled, and pulled Xing’er up: “Hurry up, you girl, how can you kneel down to your own sister? You are shortening her life, let’s talk it out.”

Xing’er hesitated for a while and made up her mind: “I heard from Juhua that Xiao Fei is going to open an inn in the city and is looking for people to work. I want to work in Xiao Fei’s store.”

Gu Fei didn’t say anything, just looked at her quietly.

Xing’er’s tears welled up in her eyes: “My mother wants me to get married, I don’t want to get married now, but if I stay at home, my mother won’t tolerate me. I think if I can go to work and earn some money, my mother won’t say anything.”

Gu Fei lowered her eyes and said after a while: “The store does need to recruit people, you can go.”

“But this exposure will still have some impact on a girl’s reputation.”

Xing’er smiled bitterly: “What reputation do I have now.”

“As long as I can earn money.”

Gu Fei raised her hand, “I haven’t finished yet, and there’s your mother, you should talk to her first, I don’t want your mother to come to my house every few days after I recruit you, blaming me for kidnapping you to work.”

“If you want to go, let your mother tell me in person.”

Xing’er looked at Gu Fei pleadingly: “My mother, she doesn’t dare to offend you, she will listen to what you say, can you help me talk to her?”