Chapter Forty: Not Letting Them Off Easily

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Wenyan’s expression changed drastically. “How could that be possible? Our little sister is only ten!”

Although in their village, girls as young as twelve or thirteen were often married off, and while ten was rare it wasn’t unheard of, in their hearts their little sister was still just a child. How could Wu Kuan possibly be interested in her?

For a moment, all three brothers felt uneasy.

“Hmph, our little sister is such a wonderful girl. Anyone who wants to marry her will have to get past us first,” Lin Beitao snorted coldly.

“Alright, let’s stop talking about this. If Mother and Father hear, they won’t be happy.”

The three brothers returned to the house, but they were restless. The thought that their little sister would someday marry, perhaps even far away, left them feeling uncomfortable.

…

The chicken feet were ready, and Liao Shuxia had finished embroidering ten more handkerchiefs. Lin Sangqian was preparing to take the family to the town.

She’d risen early to prepare breakfast and fried a large batch of potato chips, packing them in baskets.

After breakfast, Lin Hongda and Lin Wenyan each carried two jars of chicken feet, Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao carried the baskets filled with potato chips, while Lin Sangqian and Liao Shuxia followed behind. The family set out together in a lively procession.

There was an ox cart in the village that went to town, costing five coins per person.

Lin Hongda discussed with the family, steeled himself, and decided to splurge—they’d all ride the ox cart.

The cart driver, seeing their group was large, even charged them five coins less.

Arriving in town, Lin Sangqian and her three brothers headed straight for Fortune Banquet Restaurant, while Lin Hongda accompanied Liao Shuxia to sell handkerchiefs. They agreed to meet at Fortune Banquet once the handkerchiefs were sold.

Yang Shi was waiting anxiously at the entrance of Fortune Banquet. When he saw them, his face lit up with joy.

“Miss Lin, you’re finally here! Early this morning, the manager asked me to wait for you here!” Yang Shi led them inside, grinning as he spoke. “Those chicken feet last time sold extremely well! It’s just a shame there weren’t enough—people have been asking for them these past days.”

“I’ve brought ten pounds this time,” Lin Sangqian replied with a smile.

Yang Shi sighed, “To be honest, it’s still a bit too little.”

“No matter, my little sister brought something new today,” Lin Beitao said cheerfully. “It might even be more popular than the chicken feet!”

“Really?” Yang Shi’s eyes gleamed. “Quick, let’s go find the manager!”

Yang Shi led them upstairs. Meanwhile, at Wan Hua Restaurant, Bao Mingzhi was sampling the chef’s chicken feet.

Wan Hua Restaurant had previously launched a new dish—Spicy Flavored Chicken Feet. Though the supply was limited, it was a hit, and word had naturally reached Bao Mingzhi.

He’d instructed the chef to try making a spicy chicken feet dish, but after a single taste, he frowned.

“Very mediocre,” Bao Mingzhi said, displeased. “If even I find it lackluster, imagine what the customers will think. How did you make this?”

The chefs exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak.

Finally, one brave soul piped up, “Manager, if we could taste Fortune Banquet’s chicken feet, maybe we could replicate it.”

“I wanted someone to buy it, but Fortune Banquet hasn’t sold any these past days,” Bao Mingzhi replied helplessly. “That damned Lu Chengren—what is he up to?”

At that moment, Qian San rushed in.

“Manager, I just saw the three Lin brothers and that wretched girl!”

“You really saw them?” Bao Mingzhi asked urgently. “Where are they?”

Qian San replied indignantly, “I saw them enter Fortune Banquet!”

“What?” Bao Mingzhi paled with shock. “They... they actually went into Fortune Banquet? Are you certain?”

“I’m sure. No way I’m mistaken!” Qian San insisted.

Bao Mingzhi’s face darkened in fury. “That damn brat! I invited her to be our chef, and she refused, now she’s actually teaming up with Lu Chengren! I bet that so-called Spicy Flavored Chicken Feet is her recipe for Fortune Banquet!”

“Manager, that brat really doesn’t know what’s good for her,” Qian San added, fanning the flames. “And those three Lin brothers are no saints either. They worked at Wan Hua for so long—don’t they have any loyalty? They’re actually helping that brat sell for Fortune Banquet!”

The more Qian San spoke, the angrier Bao Mingzhi became. He grabbed a plate nearby and smashed it violently to the ground.

Afterwards, he felt a pang of regret.

“Manager, if this keeps up, our business might get snatched away by Fortune Banquet.”

“Not a chance!” Bao Mingzhi snarled. “Just wait... I won’t let them get away with this!”

…

Lin Sangqian handed the chicken feet to Lu Chengren and let him taste the potato chips.

They were already a bit cold, but still fragrant and crisp. Lu Chengren couldn’t help but praise them repeatedly.

“The method for making potato chips is simple. I can teach Fortune Banquet’s chef,” Lin Sangqian said. “The chips I brought today are for you directly, but...”

She didn’t finish, but Lu Chengren immediately grasped her meaning.

“The recipe costs money, right?” Lu Chengren said, resigned. “Miss Lin, you’re destined to become a formidable businesswoman.”

“I think so too,” Lin Sangqian replied without a trace of humility.

“How much for the recipe this time?”

“Twenty taels.”

Lu Chengren paused, puzzled. “But last time, the chicken feet recipe was only ten taels?”

“The ten taels for the chicken feet was just a buyout fee. This time for the potato chips, there’s a buyout fee and a recipe fee,” Lin Sangqian explained. “With the recipe, Fortune Banquet won’t have to wait for me to deliver chips—they can make them themselves, as much as they need. Plus, the cost is low and the chips can be sold cheaply, affordable for everyone, so they’ll sell much more.”

Lu Chengren considered this and said, “Alright! Twenty taels it is. Plus the ten pounds of chicken feet you brought today, I’ll give you twenty taels and six hundred coins.”

“Thank you, Manager Lu,” Lin Sangqian said, taking the silver and handing it to Lin Wenyan to keep.

She then went to the kitchen to teach the chef how to make potato chips.

The method was simple, and Fortune Banquet’s chef picked it up at once. They fried a batch themselves; Lin Sangqian tasted them and nodded in satisfaction.

They were nearly identical to hers.

The chefs at Fortune Banquet were indeed impressive.

Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia hadn’t arrived yet—probably the handkerchiefs weren’t all sold—so Lin Sangqian and her brothers waited in the restaurant.

Lu Chengren had the kitchen prepare several signature dishes for them. Lin Sangqian looked over the menu and noticed that while there were many dishes, some modern recipes were missing.

It seemed she would have plenty more recipes to sell in the future.

…

At that moment, Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia had just sold the ten handkerchiefs.

One hundred and twenty coins, which Liao Shuxia placed in her purse with delight.

She was about to hand the money to Lin Hongda when suddenly, someone rushed over, snatched her purse, and sprinted away!