Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Chapter 249

After hearing Nanzhi’s explanation, Liao Da nodded in understanding, but Wang Sheng couldn’t help but ask, "Will you need our help over these coming days?"

"The restaurant will need to be organized and cleaned up. If you guys are willing to help, I’ll pay you sixty wen each day, including two meals," Nanzhi offered.

Liao Da, Zhang Yun, Wang Sheng, and Lin Xiaoquan were all ready to stay and help; after all, earning sixty wen for each day’s work, including meals and lodging, would add up to several hundred wen by the opening day.

However, Li Jun went quiet, suddenly scratching his head awkwardly before whispering, "Um, Boss, I’ll come on the evening of the 14th, is that alright?"

"That’s fine. They’ll just save a bed for you."

Lin Xiaoquan, a little curious why the older brother, Li, didn’t stay to work, but Liao Da held back a smile.

Seeing Lin’s curiosity, he finally whispered something into his ear.

After all, the two owners weren’t married women; some things weren’t suitable to say out loud.

Lin Xiaoquan’s ears turned red after whatever he was told. He stepped back, now standing behind Wang Sheng.

"There isn’t much to do today, you all can go. Come back early in the morning and I will tell you what needs to be done," Nanzhi said.

Only after the workers departed, did Nanzhi turn to Uncle Ping.

"Uncle Ping, I know you used to be a steward at the Shangshu Residence. I hope you don’t feel too wronged working as an accountant for my restaurant."

"What’s there to feel wronged about? You offering to buy my contract is more than enough," Uncle Ping dismissed with a shake of his head. At the end of the day, he was just a household servant. The opportunity to do accountancy outside was a good one in his eyes.

"I will pay your monthly wage too: a tael and a half of silver every month. I’ll take care of your food and lodging. You won’t have to do much else, just manage the accounts, what do you think?"

"Thank you, boss!" Uncle Ping thanked them both, bowing in gratitude. Shen Miaomiao was about to stand and help him up, but Nanzhi gently held her hand, letting him finish his bow.

With those words and action, Uncle Ping had confirmed Shen Miaomiao’s and Nanzhi’s positions as the bosses. They ought to accept his respect.

"An Wazi, you’re still young. You should learn from Wang Sheng, alright? I’ll pay you five hundred wen per month."

"Thank you, boss," An Wazi joyfully thanked Nanzhi, mimicking Uncle Ping’s gesture of respect, creating a burst of laughter from the rest in the room.

"Aze, you’ve never waitered before. But since Miaomiao chose you, I trust you will do well. If you aren’t sure about something, just ask Liao Da and the others. I’ll pay you five hundred wen per month too. If you do well, I’ll increase your wage," Nanzhi said to Aze. He appeared indifferent, but Nanzhi had noted his exceptional appearance, slight frailty, the soft way he carried the dishes, and the lack of callouses on his hands, all indications of his lack of manual labor experience.

"Sure thing, boss." Aze bowed in gratitude, his eyes unconsciously drifting towards Shen Miaomiao.

Nanzhi noticed his glances and looked back at Shen Miaomiao, who seemed a bit dazed. She sighed quietly.

She was unsure whether keeping Aze around was a good idea.

Once everyone else was taken care of, Nanzhi called Xu Chou.

"Xu Chou, you will be our head chef. We’ve tasted your cooking before and found it much more delightful than the chefs at the Hongfu Building. I’ll pay you one tael and two coins a month."

"Thank you, boss!" Xu Chou’s eyes welled up with tears at the news of his promotion. He tried to kneel in gratitude.

Fearing that he might hurt his knee, Nanzhi quickly stopped him, then continued.

"We think highly of your culinary skills. Would you be interested in learning more dishes?"

Xu Chou was a little hesitant, staring blankly at Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao.

It had taken five years to perfect his cooking skills and, if Nanzhi wanted him to learn another style of cooking, he would need a cookbook. Those were private, everyone wanted to keep their own, so it seemed unthinkable to get one.

"Don’t worry about the cookbooks. I just need to know if you’re willing to learn."

"Yes, yes I am," Xu Chou readily agreed, wiping the tears from his face.

"Good, your willingness matters most."

With all matters settled, they returned to the Yahang to sign the contract and pay out. Then they planned to go to the government office for registration.

This cost them forty-four taels of silver. Nanzhi winced at the thought, and Shen Miaomiao pursed her lips as she handed over the silver notes and received back ten taels of silver.

After all, she had only given thirty taels. Becoming a real boss was something she found hard to believe.

After storing the indenture contracts, Nanzhi paused for a moment before handing Aze’s over to Shen Miaomiao.

"Miaomiao, you hold onto Aze’s contract," Nanzhi suggested with a look in her eyes that Shen Miaomiao couldn’t quite read.

Shen Miaomiao hesitated a moment, looking from the contract to Aze. He did indeed bear a resemblance to Twelve, but he was no Twelve.

"Sister Nanzhi, it’s fine if you keep them. I still feel like I’m dreaming," she said, clutching Nanzhi’s arm in wonder.

"Mmm, it’s an unbelievable situation," Nanzhi agreed, gazing up at the bright blue sky.

She too felt like she was in a dream.

Hu San, watching them stand outside the county office, approached, grinning, "Miss Shen, Miss Lin, if you ever need anything from me, just say the word. I’ll give you a good price."

"Thank you in advance, Brother Hu."

"No problem, no problem," he said before walking away, whistling on his way. He had made over six taels of silver today. Xu Chou was already indentured to him and Nanzhi had paid him more. Despite doing nothing, Hu San had made two taels off it.

After Hu San left, Nanzhi glanced at the four people behind them and then at the dream-like Shen Miaomiao. Smiling, she lightly tapped Shen Miaomiao’s forehead.

They went on to buy blankets and pillows. Noticing their worn clothes, Nanzhi bought two more sets of cotton clothes. Although not of the highest quality, they already spent more than three taels on clothes. Feeling the silver coins in her pocket growing lighter, Nanzhi sighed to herself.

Silver certainly was an easy thing to spend.

After a long shopping trip, the horizon was tinted orange. The stalls and shops selling food started to get busy again.

Nanzhi led Shen Miaomiao towards the restaurant, with the four workers each carrying their own bedding and clothes.

Their laughter and joy caused Uncle Ping to smile at their youthful innocence. He concluded that being an accountant here wouldn’t be bad.

An Wazi, clutching his soft comforter, was already wearing the new clothes he was given. Happy and laughing all the way, he looked blissfully silly.

Aze hauled his things with some difficulty, but they were all new so he had no complaints, quietly following behind.

Xu Chou lumbered a bit in his walk, but he carried his things easier than Aze.

Since the boss had said that once they’d settled in their new wardrobes, they could go home, Xu Chou was feeling relieved. Now that he had money, he could afford a proper burial for his mother and let her rest in peace.

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