The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 966 - 945: Inquiring About the Shop (Additional - for Book Friend "遥悠游2017" as a Reward)

Chapter 966: Chapter 945: Inquiring About the Shop (Additional Chapter for Book Friend "遥悠游2017" as a Reward)

The letter was entrusted to Liu Gui for delivery, and Mr. Zhuang only asked once; upon hearing it was for County Magistrate Tang, he inquired no further.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang formally enrolled in the Imperial Academy and their daily routine of leaving for classes at 7 a.m. and returning in the late afternoon had begun.

Meanwhile, Manbao’s life also became regular, riding with Bai Shan and the others in Daji’s carriage at 7 a.m. First, they would drop by the pharmacy, then continue to the Imperial Academy.

At lunchtime, sometimes she would eat at the pharmacy and sometimes she would go straight home. Daji would always pick her up at noon.

Her patients were gradually increasing in number, not yet matching the other three doctors, but no longer was she faced with a line of patients at their doors while having none at hers.

Her relationship with Shopkeeper Zheng and the three doctors had also become more harmonious, making their medical discussions smoother.

The doctors shared their experience with Manbao, offering guidance on her medical skills, while she would bring out cases and prescriptions that she and Teacher Mo did not fully understand to discuss with them. Whenever they had doubts, she noted them down, then went home to research with Teacher Mo and think through some suggestions for them.

In this way, they helped each other, creating an even more harmonious atmosphere. Each day when Manbao entered the pharmacy, the three doctors greeted her with smiles and warm hellos.

Today, Shopkeeper Zheng was particularly enthusiastic, handing Manbao three sheets of paper, smiling and saying, "These are about the shop you wanted to inquire about; I’ve had someone gather the details. I even had someone inquire about the price. Here in the front is their asking price, and at the back is the price assessed by the broker."

Manbao glanced over the papers, touched by the details he had provided, "Shopkeeper Zheng, thank you so much. Once my family buys the shop, I’ll treat you to a big meal."

Shopkeeper Zheng chuckled, "No need, no need. As a doctor in our pharmacy, that’s something I should worry about. You didn’t want to take the standard fees and are here pro bono; if you thank me for this small favor, I’d feel ashamed."

Shopkeeper Zheng had grown quite close to Manbao and spoke more casually. He smiled and asked, "Are you really not interested in taking the sitting fees from our pharmacy? You could continue learning with Doctor Ding and the others just like now."

Because Manbao had also been sharing her knowledge, why were Doctor Ding and the others so enthusiastic about her lately?

Wasn’t it because they could learn plenty from her?

Indeed, Manbao had more to offer than Shopkeeper Zheng initially thought, and he was keener to keep her around.

Not wanting to sign a contract was fine; they could offer money at first to cultivate feelings and discuss the rest later.

Manbao declined again; it was already agreed she wouldn’t take it, and it would be inappropriate to go back on her word now, something her teacher would also disapprove of.

However, holding those three papers again made her feel better; she decided to arrange for a slightly more expensive meal for Shopkeeper Zheng once the shop deal was closed.

After storing the papers, once she returned home at noon, she went to find Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother in the front yard.

Lately, they’d been less anxious about finding a shop. Instead, they strolled through the market daily, checking the prices of vegetables and meat, with all the household meals bought by them at the early morning market.

Zhou Lichong and the other two younger ones had less to do, and Mr. Zhuang, unable to stand it, had pulled them back into studying.

Every morning, he kept them studying at home, only allowing them to leave after Manbao returned in the afternoon for her lessons.

Zhou Lichong and Zhou Liwei, who hadn’t studied for years, were suffering from headaches from all the reading overthese past few days. Even Zhou Lijun felt it was difficult, finding the texts Mr. Zhuang taught them quite challenging.

Manbao handed them the papers, saying, "This is what Shopkeeper Zheng found out. Take a look."

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang had been waiting for this, and upon seeing their previously beloved mansion priced at 3,200 taels, but estimated by the broker at 2,800 taels, they were stunned.

Zhou Wulang couldn’t help but exclaim, "Isn’t that too much of a difference?"

Zhou Liulang, displeased, asked, "Are they specifically taking advantage of us because we’re from out of town?"

Manbao pointed out a note on the paper, "It says the owner has many debts outside, so he is rushing to sell, hence the low estimate. The location is just average, and vegetable prices around there are not set very high, which is why their restaurant didn’t make much money."

Manbao asked, "Sixth Brother, do you think you could turn this shop around?"

Zhou Liulang thought for a moment and hesitated, "I... I’m not sure about the business there; I’ve recently looked, and that restaurant doesn’t have many customers."

"How about the business at other nearby restaurants?"

"It’s okay, but the property prices here are much too high, nothing like our county town."

Zhou Wulang, mulling it over with a leg propped up, said, "The street location is still good. Behind the wall is the inner city, just thirty yards from the city gate, and there are lots of various shops on the street with many people coming to browse. It’s just that the restaurants on that street serve mediocre food, so people have grown accustomed to heading to the next street to eat."

Zhou Wulang continued, "I’ve been thinking, Sixth’s cooking is no worse than that of other restaurants. It will definitely be tough at the start, but as we keep at it, business will surely improve gradually."

Zhou Wulang pointed at the price on the paper, "Originally I wasn’t too keen to buy this shop, it’s too expensive. But if we can get it for 2,800 taels, we might endure losses for a few months, maybe even a year or a year and a half. We won’t need to hire an accountant or helpers; just our family can manage, which will save us labor costs."

Zhou Wulang explained to the others, "I’ve looked, and except for Lijun, we can all live in the shop. Living and eating there will save a lot, and since the shop will be ours, there’s no worry about monthly rent. Holding out for a year or a year and a half, it should turn around."

Zhou Liulang also nodded, "These days we’ve tried all the restaurants on that street, and I believe the food isn’t as good as mine."

Manbao, stroking her chin, said, "Add a good wine, and the restaurant will thrive."

"Forget it," Zhou Wulang replied. "I’ve asked about the wine in the capital; even ordinary sorghum liquor is very expensive. If we buy it and resell it, it’s okay if customers like it—we might make a little profit. If they don’t, we’ll be stuck with it. The good stuff is too expensive; we can’t afford it."

Manbao suggested, "We could just brew our own."

Zhou Wulang looked at Zhou Liulang.

Zhou Liulang replied, "I don’t know how to brew; my sister-in-law doesn’t either. She only taught me how to make sweet wine, which I can do. Fifth Brother, will you drink it?"

Zhou Wulang dismissively said, "No thanks, that’s for women."

Manbao cheerfully exclaimed, "You guys might not know how to brew, but I do!"

Everyone looked at her, "Since when did you learn that?"

"I’ll read up on it and let you know once I’ve learned," Manbao replied.

Everyone: ...