Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C358. Making Progress.

Chapter 358: Making Progress

Speaking of mushrooms, Hua Zhi was reminded, "How is the situation at Zhuangzi? There should be a lot of mushrooms being produced by now."

Nian Qiu stifled a laugh and replied, "I thought you had forgotten. The daily mushroom production is quite high. Aside from supplying the dining hall, Chen Steward sends people to transport the surplus goods elsewhere. He mentioned that those interested in purchasing will pick up their orders at the designated location, and there has been no surplus left each day."

Chen Steward?

It should be Chen Qing. It looks like she needed to find time to visit Zhuangzi. If the timing was right, she needed to kickstart this business. Taking note of this in her mind, Hua Zhi stood up, "Let's go to the Shi Zai. I'll look over the account books."

"Understood."

At lunch in the dining hall, Fu Dong showcased her full culinary skills, preparing a variety of dishes in smaller portions but with a larger quantity. The meal was not only creative but also fragrant and sticky, perfectly suiting Hua Zhi's tastes.

"Oh, and Ying Chun, pick out some good mushrooms and send some to our close acquaintances. Also, make sure to give each household a bottle of the mushroom oil that Fu Dong made. Don't forget Mrs. Sun. Xiao Liu is no longer in the capital, and she seems to have no one to think of her. Remember to send her some food occasionally. You don't need to consult me on this matter; just make the arrangements yourself and be meticulous about it."

"Understood."

After some thought, Hua Zhi turned to Fu Dong, "Prepare two jars of the mushroom oil for me. I'll take them to give as gifts."

Fu Dong acknowledged and immediately went to attend to the task.

Occasionally, sounds could be heard from outside, but there was no clamor, no disruptive loud conversations, and no drunken behavior. The aristocratic restraint was displayed to perfection here. Once a certain level of sophistication was established, anyone who sought to disrupt it would be unwelcome. No matter what was served at the Shi Zai, that person would be embarrassed by the other guests.

Overall, the development of the Shi Zai was as she had anticipated.

Sipping her tea with her head bowed, Hua Zhi reflected that with the low-end food stalls on those two streets, the mid-range seafood business, and the high-end dining hall, as well as holding the mushroom and canned goods trade, there were also profits to be shared from the soap business. All in all, things were starting to look promising.

"Miss, Steward Chen is here."

"Let him go to the back alley," Hua Zhi stood up. "You don't need to follow me, go about your own business."

"Miss!" Ying Chun was alarmed.

How could this be?

The thought of the miss walking alone with a man could lead to all sorts of scandalous rumors spreading.

Hua Zhi gave her a playful tap on the head, "This is an unusual matter. It's better for me to go alone. Don't worry."

"But..."

"No 'buts.' If you have nothing to do, go tidy up a room at home. There will be a child coming over."

Ying Chun found herself utterly speechless, left floundering for any semblance of a response. It was almost infuriating, really, how the young miss—barely out of teenage herself—managed to charm kids effortlessly, as though it were some kind of innate superpower designed purely to make everyone else feel incompetent.