Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Chicken Feet Workshop

“Yes, my daughter’s cooking is truly the best in the world!” Lin Hongda said proudly.

In his eyes, his daughter was the best at everything.

Still, he thought it best to remain humble.

“Father, please stop praising me.” Lin Sangqian feigned shyness. “If you keep this up, I’ll start getting arrogant.”

Everyone laughed, even Zhao Lanyer, who had been downcast, managed a small smile.

“Come, let’s eat!” Liao Shuxia said cheerfully. “Lord Diqing, you must try Sangqian’s cooking.”

The moment Diqing tasted the braised pork, he was completely won over.

“This is the most delicious braised pork I’ve ever had in my life!” he exclaimed. “Miss Lin, your skills could rival those of the finest restaurant chefs—no, it’s even better than theirs!”

“Brother Diqing, eat more.” Lin Sangqian smiled. “At the end of the month, we’re holding a housewarming feast. You must come.”

“Of course!” Diqing agreed enthusiastically. “I’ll definitely be there!”

After the meal, Diqing took his leave.

Zhao Lanyer, after sorting through her mother’s belongings, went to rest at midday. Lin Sangqian, meanwhile, opened her system’s space.

The moment she did, she was stunned.

In just a few days, her points had climbed to two hundred!

Thinking back, she realized she’d indeed done many good deeds lately. Just helping Zhao Lanyer alone would have been enough for the system to reward her with extra points.

Overjoyed, Lin Sangqian immediately spent five points to exchange for a large batch of pickled chili peppers.

These chilies would be enough to marinate over a hundred jin of chicken feet.

Once Lu Chengren found workers for her the next day, her small factory could officially begin operations.

When Zhao Lanyer woke from her nap, Lin Sangqian considered for a moment, then shared her suspicions.

“Lanyer, I think your mother’s death may be connected to that Madam Gao.”

“What?” Zhao Lanyer, still drowsy, was instantly wide awake.

She stared in shock for a moment before she spoke. “Madam Gao? That can’t be… My mother always treated her so well. How could she do such a thing?”

“There are some ingrates who can never be satisfied,” Lin Sangqian said softly. “For the sake of profit, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do.”

Seeing Zhao Lanyer’s stricken look, she quickly added, “Of course, it’s only my suspicion. We have no evidence yet. I just mean, if we want to investigate your mother’s death, perhaps we should start with Madam Gao. We’re not going to the authorities right away—if I’m wrong, it won’t hurt her.”

Zhao Lanyer nodded. “I hope it isn’t her.”

Lin Sangqian patted her shoulder. “I know you’re hurting, and I can’t really comfort you. This kind of pain can only be healed by time. I just hope you’ll pick yourself up and not do anything foolish.”

Zhao Lanyer wiped her eyes and smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt myself. My mother is watching from above—she would want me to live a happy life.”

“As long as you understand that, I’m relieved.”

...

True to his word, Lu Chengren sent Yang Shi over with five workers early the next morning.

Four men and one woman, all plainly dressed and looking honest.

What surprised Lin Sangqian most was that the woman was Auntie Niu.

“Auntie Niu? You—”

“Miss, it’s you?” Auntie Niu was equally surprised. “You’re the one hiring here?”

“That’s right,” Lin Sangqian nodded.

Auntie Niu stood silent for a moment, head bowed. “Then I should go. After what my brother did, I’m ashamed to stay.”

She bowed to Lin Sangqian and turned to leave.

“Auntie Niu!” Liao Shuxia hurried over and grabbed her arm. “What are you doing? What your brother Wang Dameng did has nothing to do with you! Besides, he’s in jail and has been punished.”

“She’s right, Auntie Niu. Having you here makes me feel at ease,” Lin Sangqian added.

Auntie Niu’s eyes grew moist. She trembled as she grasped Liao Shuxia’s hand, lost for words.

“All right, everyone, gather around,” Lin Sangqian said, clapping her hands and standing at the front of the courtyard.

Auntie Niu and the others lined up before her.

“I’m sure you all know what kind of work this is—it’s a small workshop making spicy chicken feet. You’ll start at dawn and finish at dusk, with a one-hour break at midday. Wages are paid daily, fifteen wen each, with lunch and dinner provided but not lodging. Is that agreeable?”

The five looked delighted.

Fifteen wen a day meant four hundred fifty a month! That was a lot for ordinary folk, and two meals included!

“That’s more than fine, Miss!” Auntie Niu said excitedly. “Don’t worry, we’ll work hard for you!”

The others agreed enthusiastically.

“In that case, let’s sign the contracts—fingerprints are fine,” Lin Sangqian said, taking five documents from Zhao Lanyer. “The main rule is that anything you see or hear here must not be told to anyone outside. If you do, you’ll owe me a hundred taels of silver and cover any losses.”

All five hurriedly promised to keep everything secret.

One of them could read, so he checked the contract. Satisfied, they each pressed their fingerprints onto the documents.

Lin Sangqian put the papers away and turned to Zhao Lanyer. “Lanyer, from today, you’ll be their forewoman. Is that all right?”

“Of course!” Zhao Lanyer was eager for more work. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”

“Good. You’ll get five hundred wen a month.”

“What? No, I can’t accept that!” Zhao Lanyer refused. “You already provide meals and lodging—how can I take your money too?”

“That’s exactly why I’m giving you five hundred wen. If you weren’t living here, it’d be a whole tael of silver.” Lin Sangqian winked. “Don’t refuse. You need to save for your dowry. Or do you expect me to pay it for you?”

“Don’t tease!” Zhao Lanyer’s face turned bright red. “You’re impossible!”

Just then, Lin Hongda and Lin Wenyan returned, carrying huge sacks of chicken feet, panting from exertion.

“Little sister! We’ve bought the chicken feet,” Lin Wenyan said, scooping water into two bowls and handing one to their father.

“Thank you, Father, thank you, big brother.”

“Where’s your mother?” Lin Hongda asked after finishing the water.

“She’s inside, embroidering pouches.”

“All right, I’ll head to the Yu family now,” he said.

He could have gone tomorrow, but since he’d already been paid two months in advance, he felt he ought to show initiative.

“Go ahead, Father.”

After Lin Hongda left, Lin Sangqian gathered everyone to start preparing the chicken feet.

She brought out some of the pickled chilies from the kitchen, instantly arousing everyone’s curiosity.