Chapter 31: Reviving the Moonlit Pavilion
You should know that the Moonlit Pavilion is a luxurious three-story restaurant. Just paying the staff salaries and purchasing ingredients costs a significant amount of money each month. If the business turnover continues to plummet, the losses will undoubtedly be substantial.
“Dad, what’s going on? Didn’t you say a while ago that the lack of business at the Moonlit Pavilion was due to the appearance of evil spirits? But three months ago, there were no evil spirits invading Jinyang City. Look at these account books…”
Qin Feng looked up at his father, only to see his eyes avoiding contact. After a while, his father explained the reason.
It turned out that three months ago, for some unknown reason, the mansion of the city lord of Jinyang City started aggressively buying up restaurants in the city and pressuring the remaining ones by engaging in price wars. Many small restaurants lost their business, and the Moonlit Pavilion naturally suffered a significant decline in business as well.
The city lord’s mansion took this opportunity to swallow up these small restaurants. At present, about sixty percent of the restaurants in Jinyang City are under the ownership of the city lord’s mansion. They also set their sights on the Moonlit Pavilion and proposed buying it several times. However, Qin Feng’s father, being quite stubborn, never agreed. As a result, the losses kept piling up.
Of course, the main reason for his father’s refusal was the unattractive offer from the city lord’s mansion. They wanted to buy the restaurant at half its original price, making it difficult for his stingy father to agree.
After listening to all this, Qin Feng fell into contemplation. The city lord’s mansion’s bold actions surprised him. It seemed like they were attempting to monopolize the entire restaurant industry in Jinyang City.
But Jinyang City was just a small city with not a very large population. Even if they succeeded in monopolizing it, how much profit could they really gain from it?
At this point, Qin Jian’an sighed and said, “The Qin family’s wealth is almost dragged down by the Moonlit Pavilion. I have been considering whether to sell the restaurant to the city lord’s mansion at a low price. Since we bought this restaurant, our family hasn’t made any money. Maybe if I get rid of this burden, I can succeed in other businesses.”
Qin Feng immediately comforted him, “Dad, don’t say that. Besides this restaurant, you haven’t made money in other businesses either.”
The most frightening thing was the sudden silence in the air. Watching his father’s face turn red and then pale, Qin Feng decided to be straightforward, “Dad, I have a way to revive the restaurant.”
“You?” Qin Jian’an sneered at his words, as if this could somehow help him regain the lost dignity.
“Feng’er, it’s not that I look down on you, although you are a scholar with a sharp mind, business is not as simple as what you read in books. I’ve been studying this for more than ten years and still can’t claim to have mastered it. You have never been exposed to it; how can you boast about it? You should focus on your studies. Leave the money-making matters to me.”
“I just don’t trust you, that’s why I want to take charge of the family finances,” Qin Feng said, his lips curling into a smile. “Dad, how about we make a bet?”
“What kind of bet?” Qin Jian’an raised an eyebrow.
“If I can revive the Moonlit Pavilion, from now on, let me handle the finances of the Qin family,” Qin Feng proposed.
Qin Jian’an, with a raised eyebrow, asked, “And what if you fail?”
“Then I won’t interfere in these matters anymore.”
“Hmm? This bet is clearly in my favor. Why should I agree?” Qin Jian’an retorted.
“Because if you don’t agree, I’ll show these account books to Second Mother.”
The silence fell again. Qin Jian’an pointed at Qin Feng, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.
“Where’s Second Mother?” Qin Feng held the account book, ready to leave.
“I promise you!” Threatened, Qin Jian’an could only reluctantly agree to this unequal bet. “So, what do you plan to do?”
Qin Feng turned to look at the sky. It was already November, the weather getting colder day by day. In such weather, what could bring more happiness than enjoying a steaming hot and spicy hotpot?
“Dad, I need you to go to Qiyang Town again.”
The next day, just before dawn.
Outside the Qin residence, more than ten horse-drawn carriages were lined up.
Behind each carriage, thick quilts were spread, looking very secure.
Qin Jian’an and Qin Feng stood at the front of the line. Beside them, Xing Sheng stood with a halberd. On both sides of the carriages stood four men dressed as warriors, hired guards from the Demon Slayer Department.
Qin Jian’an slowly lifted a corner of the quilt, a chill rushing out. Inside the quilt, all that could be seen were blocks of ice!
“Feng’er, can this method really ensure that the fish from Qiyang Town will remain fresh?”
“Dad, this is a method I read about in a book, called refrigeration. As long as you’re fast enough, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Qin Feng had read about refrigeration in books from his previous life, and he was confident that it would work.
Qin Jian’an nodded, but still seemed half-believing.
“Also, don’t forget, Dad, besides buying enough fish from Qiyang Town this time, the Cold Star Grass is also essential. Buy as much as you can!”
“I know, you’ve reminded me so many times. I don’t understand, it’s just some weed near the rocks at the bottom of the lake, why do you attach so much importance to it?”
“I have my reasons.”
The father and son chatted a bit more before parting ways.
Before leaving, Qin Feng said to Xing Sheng, “I’m entrusting you with this journey.”
“Young Master, you’re being too polite. I will do my best to ensure your safety.”
The procession moved towards the western city gate. Only when the last carriage disappeared on the horizon did Qin Feng retract his gaze.
The sun had slowly risen. Qin Feng turned around, about to go to the Demon Slayer Department. At this moment, a graceful figure in blue caught his eye.
“Miss Lan? What are you doing here?” Qin Feng asked curiously.
“Xing Sheng isn’t here, so naturally, I’m responsible for your safety.” Lan Ningshuang held a long sword, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.
Qin Feng once again thought of that night’s scene, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the area wrapped in pristine white cloth, feeling a sense of pity.
Why wrap it up like that? Who invented the concept of binding chests? Can’t they stand before all men with pride?
“Master, what are you looking at?” Lan Ningshuang frowned.
“Huh?” Qin Feng snapped out of his thoughts and cleared his throat. “Nice sword, where did you buy it?”
“The Divine Craftsman Workshop in Heavenly City.”
Qin Feng nodded. “It clearly isn’t an ordinary item. By the way, if you’re following me, what about your young miss?”
“Miss will stay in the Qin residence and won’t be in any danger. But I heard from Xing Sheng that Master, you are leaving the city?”
“That’s right. I need to go somewhere to collect something. I’m planning to hire a guard from the Demon Slayer Department.”
“I’ll go with you.”
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