Chapter 85: The First Restaurant
Translator: Storm in a Teacup
He was so nervous that he even felt himself short of breath. Staring at An Rushuang, Cheng Gong wanted to see her response at the first time.
Would she be surprised? How could a small owner of a restaurant make such an unrealistic request?
Would she feel dismissive? Baiwei Restaurant was on the edge of bankruptcy. How dare he promise to stage a comeback?
However, the girl in front of him did not reveal either of the emotions. Instead, An Rushuang gave him a smile as gentle as the clear stream in the summer afternoon, making people feel relaxed. But Mr. Cheng felt somewhat stiffened. No response was the most horrible thing.
One thousand taels of silver should be a huge sum for the girl, but she never revealed a single bit of “surprise” or “astonishment”, which made Mr. Cheng even more anxious.
Later, An Rushuang said slowly, “One thousand taels of silver? But as far as I am concerned, Baiwei Restaurant has never earned a profit of two thousand taels of silver with half a year, has it? Mr, Cheng, you are just working on your own. Are you putting yourself out there too much?”
Twisting his lips, Mr. Cheng didn’t say anything...
“Who are you? How dare you request one thousand taels of silver the first time you met us. Do not ever try to fool us. If it was not Xiaotao who wants to repay your help, we would have already notified the government!” Hong Yu said.
The man requested such a huge sum of money. Hong Yu indeed did not like him. He had already got a hundred taels of silver and now he wanted even more. What a greedy man! Miss An could not agree him. Perhaps he would request 10 thousand taels of silver later!
Hearing this, Mr. Cheng felt embarrassed. It was true. One thousand taels of silver could now purchase two Baiwei Restaurant. Although he was ambitious, he could not prove his words anyway.
Thinking so, Mr. Cheng stepped backwards and let them go, with his head lowered. Feeling somewhat lonely, Mr. Cheng decided to abandon Baiwei Restaurant.
But at the same time, girl’s gentle voice was again heard. She said in such a calm manner as if her voice was flowing stream water, “I have one thousand taels of silver. But how can I know that you could earn twice the profit for me?”
Actually An Rushuang was anxious. As the owner of this restaurant, the man should be eloquent. She wanted to give him the money to help Baiwei Restaurant, but she was indeed worried about the man in front of her. It was said that operating business was just like fighting a battle. How could she trust a businessman like this to win?
An Rushuang really doubted that was there another person who would be in charge of Baiwei Restaurant...
“In six months, I don’t know whether you will make profits or not, but I am really worried that you would lose the one thousand ounces of silver that I give you.”
Obviously, An Rushuang didn’t believe him.
Hearing this, Mr. Cheng blushed.
Looking at Mr. Cheng, Zhao Xiaotao felt anxious for him. She wanted to say something for him, but did not know what to say. So she could only stand at the side.
After a while, Mr. Cheng raised his head and pulled up his courage, saying, “I know I am just the owner and cook of this Baiwei Restaurant, which is quite poor and small. It’s natural that you don’t believe me. But I am confident that I can make Baiwei stand firm in six months.”
Hearing this, An Rushuang finally knew that why he was not as eloquent as other heads of restaurants. He was both the head and the cook.
It was really hard for him to wear two hats at this time.
But that was not enough...
If An Rushuang just wanted him to make one thousand taels of profits, why would she wasting time on him?
“Humph! Only stand firm...” An Rushuang chuckled and then shook her head, “No, that’s not enough. What I want is a prosperous Baiwei Restaurant, which is the first restaurant in the capital. That would be worth my investment.”
“The...the first?” Hong Yu stammered, staring at An Rushuang.
Today Miss An seemed to be so tough that Hong Yu didn’t dare to say a word.
Mr. Cheng was also stiffened in shock. Was the girl making fun of him? But when looking at An Rushuang, Mr. Cheng saw a serious face with determined eyes as if An Rushuang was urging him to make the decision. He couldn’t believe that this kind of pressure was from a girl.
With larynx slightly sliding, Mr. Cheng could feel he was sweating. Shaking his head, Mr. Cheng said, “Do not make fun of me. Changting Pavilion is the most famous restaurant. Apart from that, Linglang is also one of a kind. How could Baiwei Restaurant become the top in the capital?”
He didn’t dare to think of it.
Seeing his reaction, An Rushuang couldn’t help taking a sigh, “If you do not have this ambition and just want to have this small restaurant, why should I give you the money?”
Curving up her lips, An Rushuang got onto the carriage with disappointment, thinking the owner of the restaurant she knew must have been changed.
“You can have the one hundred taels of silver. Today’s noodles were good. As for the future, it’s all up to you.”
Putting down the curtain, Hong Yu glanced at Mr. Cheng and the money in his hand. Hong Yu still felt it was not fair. Even one hundred taels of silver was a huge sum; how could Miss An give it to a strange person?
Would the noodle be worth of that amount?
Then Hong Yu angrily shouted, “Zhao Xiaotao, why are you standing there? Are you going to stay there till night?”
Feeling embarrassed, Zhao Xiaotao went onto the carriage.
“Miss An!”
Seeing An Rushuang leaving, Mr. Cheng felt nervous and somewhat furious. He could have agreed on her words, but he couldn’t say something that was unrealistic.
“So Miss An just wants to hear those unrealistic words? Everyone can say it. I can even brag that Baiwei Restaurant will become the first restaurant in the world. But I cannot lie to you for the money, because I think it is impossible. Even if I stretch resources to the limit, I cannot do it...”
Saying so, he turned frustrated. Baiwei Restaurant was just like his child and no one would be happier to see its development than he was. But looking at the restaurant, Cheng Gong didn’t dare to dream big.
The carter sadly looked at Mr. Cheng and was about to leave when Miss An said slowly, “You should bear in mind that your ambition decides your future and what I see today was just your insubstantial words.”
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