My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 36

Everyone arrived at the shop precisely on time today, not a single person was late. As soon as they stepped inside, Zhou Daya and the others eagerly gathered around to hear about their trip to the Full Moon Pavilion the previous day.

When they learned that everything had been resolved smoothly, Zhou Daya let out a long sigh of relief, patting her chest and declaring, Finally, one less thing to worry about!

The others wore relieved smiles as well.

The shop instantly buzzed with activity. Chen Zhen somehow procured a bundle of mugwort and began fumigating the entire place, claiming it would dispel the lingering bad luck from the past few days. Hao Hong rolled up her sleeves and scrubbed the tables and chairs until they gleamed. Zhou Daya worked even harder, cleaning every nook and cranny until not a speck of dust remained.

As expected, yesterday’s half-price promotion had an immediate impact. Shortly after opening, regular customers began trickling in, bringing with them a number of new faces. Everyone was so busy they barely had time to breathe, yet their faces beamed with joy.

The kitchen fire never went out all day.

By late afternoon, when it was time to close, everyone was exhausted but radiant. Partly because the crisis had been averted, and partly because today was a special day—the eighteenth day of the eleventh month, marking one month of operation and payday!

The group gathered around the square table in the center of the hall, their eyes fixed on Ji Xiaoyu as she manipulated the abacus. The young woman, usually adept at accounting, seemed unusually nervous today.

Our total revenue for this month is nearly sixty taels, Ji Xiaoyu announced, clearing her throat, her voice tinged with disbelief. After deducting the cost of ingredients and other expenses, our net profit is over thirty taels.

A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the group.

Zhou Daya and Hao Hong, who had worked half the month, each received half a tael of silver. Chen Zhen, the pastry chef, earned a hefty two taels. Fu Jianxu, Ji Xiaoyu, and Fu Zhixiao, as core members, each received a monthly salary of two taels.

The most anticipated moment was the profit sharing. According to the pre-agreed ratios, Fu Jianxu received eight taels, while Ji Xiaoyu and Fu Zhixiao each received six taels.

However, Fu Jianxu had already advanced five taels earlier in the month. Four of those taels had been spent on new clothes, effectively halving her share of the profits. Fortunately, her monthly salary, combined with the payment from Xie Yinwan for the recipe yesterday, ensured that the couple wouldn’t have to face the New Year with empty pockets.

Zhou Daya watched, mesmerized, as Ji Xiaoyu’s fingers danced across the abacus, effortlessly untangling the complex accounts into perfect clarity. She couldn’t help but exclaim, Sister, your skills are truly remarkable!

Her round face shone with admiration. Just looking at these numbers makes my head spin, yet you can calculate them so clearly.

Ji Xiaoyu’s ears flushed at the praise. She lowered her head and counted out the copper coins one by one, handing them to each person. The crisp clinking of the coins sounded especially pleasing to everyone’s ears. Clutching their newly earned wages, their faces bloomed with joy.

Chen Zhen suddenly suggested, Why don’t we buy some wine and dishes to celebrate? The proposal was met with immediate enthusiasm.

Hao Hong slammed her hand on the table. Exactly! I’ll go fetch two jin of rice wine from Old Zhang’s at the alley entrance!

She was about to dash out when Zhou Daya grabbed her arm. What’s the rush? It’s still early!

Fu Jianxu’s face also radiated undisguised delight. She seized Ji Xiaoyu’s hand. Come on, let’s go buy groceries! I’ll show everyone my cooking skills tonight!

Ji Xiaoyu was startled by the sudden tug, but she quickly returned the woman’s grip, her eyes crinkling into a smile. Sure, let’s celebrate a little early. It’ll be fun for everyone!

Zhou Daya watched the two women leave hand-in-hand, their figures receding into the distance. For some reason, she suddenly recalled the secret technique she had asked Ji Xiaoyu about the other day.

Hesitating for a moment, she tentatively reached out and gently grasped Hao Hong’s rough, calloused hand beside her.

Ouch! Hao Hong jerked back as if burned, clutching the money pouch at his chest. He turned to see it was Zhou Daya and finally relaxed, scratching his head sheepishly. You scared me! I thought some fool was trying to steal my money!

Zhou Daya immediately hid her hand behind her back, her face flushing crimson. W-who wants your money anyway?! she retorted gruffly, turning away to pretend to clear the table, though the tips of her ears remained stubbornly red.

Before long, Fu Jianxu and Ji Xiaoyu returned, laden with bags and bundles. Hao Hong also carried back a jar of wine and placed it on the main hall table.

Soon, the rhythmic thud-thud of chopping vegetables and the sizzling sizzle of stir-frying filled the kitchen. A rich, savory aroma gradually permeated the entire hall.

After joining two square tables together, everyone craned their necks to peer into the kitchen. Fu Jianxu worked with remarkable efficiency in less than two hours, she had the dishes ready and served on the table.

The golden-yellow Golden Soup Fatty Beef glistened with tempting oil, while scarlet slices of Water-Boiled Pork blanketed a bed of dogwood stems. A large pot of rib soup simmered to a milky-white richness, accompanied by several plates of vibrant seasonal stir-fries. Seven people gathered around the six dishes, their mouths watering before they even picked up their chopsticks.

Ji Xiaoyu carefully portioned out some of the food, setting it aside for Fu Zhixiao to take to Fu Chunhao.

My heavens! Zhou Daya exclaimed, snatching a piece of fatty beef with her chopsticks. She gasped from the heat but refused to spit it out. This is better than what we eat for New Year’s!

Hao Hong wolfed down a mouthful of Water-Boiled Pork, mumbling indistinctly, Sister Jianxu, you’re wasting your talent not opening a stir-fry restaurant! She then ladled a spoonful of rib soup over her rice. This soup is so fresh, I could swallow my tongue!

Chen Zhen and his daughter, Chen Siwen, were too busy devouring their food to speak, only pausing occasionally to let out satisfied sighs. Fu Zhixiao, a veteran with combat experience, ate with unmatched speed.

Watching everyone devour the meal, Fu Jianxu’s eyes crinkled with contentment. The exhaustion of the past few days seemed to vanish in that moment.

Under the warm yellow lamplight, the seven diners ate with such gusto that sweat beaded on their foreheads and grease smeared their lips, yet their faces beamed with joy. Outside, the winter wind howled, but inside, the room was steamy and filled with the savory aroma of food, mingling with the lively atmosphere of happiness.

The newly opened jar of rice wine on the table exuded an enticing fragrance, yet no one paid it any attention. Everyone was too busy devouring the meal, leaving no time for conversation, let alone indulging in the wine.

Only Fu Jianxu moved her chopsticks slowly, her mind clearly elsewhere. Her nose twitched repeatedly as she greedily inhaled the wine’s aroma.

Who could truly understand the torment of a wine lover? Back in her modern life, she had craved alcohol, but her allergy had forced her to watch others drink without being able to fully partake.

Now, inhabiting a new body whose original owner had a fondness for wine, she could finally satisfy her long-suppressed cravings!

She carefully retrieved a teacup and filled it to the brim. First, she dabbed a small amount on her wrist, then took a tiny sip, holding her breath as she waited—

Hey, no reaction!

Completely reassured, she threw her head back and took a large gulp. The rich, mellow rice wine flowed across her palate, and she closed her eyes to savor every moment, reluctant to swallow.

Ji Xiaoyu watched her every move, a faint smile playing on her lips. This woman had changed in many ways, but her fondness for wine remained unchanged.

Strangely, the wine-soaked breath that had once repulsed her now seemed oddly endearing. As Ji Xiaoyu picked at her food, she unconsciously followed Fu Jianxu’s every move with sidelong glances, watching her down one cup after another.

Fu Zhixiao, the first to finish eating, noticed her when Fu Jianxu’s cheeks were already flushed crimson and her eyes glazed over. He quickly set down his chopsticks and urged, A Xu, drink less. We still have to get home later.

What’s there to be afraid of? Chen Zhen, his face flushed from eating, swallowed his mouthful of rice and waved his hand dismissively. If you’re too drunk, just stay at my place! I’ll clear out a room for you!

His daughter, Chen Siwen, her mouth stuffed full, nodded vigorously in agreement with her mother’s words.

With a thump, Fu Jianxu suddenly slammed her hand on the table and lurched to her feet, swaying slightly as she steadied herself with her wine cup. Z-Zhen-jie! she slurred, her tongue tripping over itself. This sister raises a toast to you today!

Chen Zhen, looking bewildered, rose with her bowl of rib soup. A toast to me? For what?

Fu Jianxu hiked up her skirt, planted her right foot firmly on the bench, and thrust her wine cup forward with a grand gesture. A toast… a toast to Zhen-jie for taking in me and Sister Xiaoyu! For saving us from ending up on the streets!

Chen Zhen burst into hearty laughter. What’s the big deal? Stay as long as you like, sisters! With that, he tilted his head back and drained his bowl of soup in one gulp.

Fu Jianxu refilled her cup and continued, And… and there’s more! Sister Zhen runs this place so well, and renting it to us made Fu Ji Food Shop possible! A toast to Sister Zhen! A toast to Fu Ji Food Shop!

Her words prompted everyone to rise. Though they hadn’t been part of this group for long, a deep camaraderie had already formed among them.

Some women raised their wine cups, others their soup bowls, all clamoring, A toast to Fu Ji Food Shop! A few, overcome with emotion, even teared up.

Oblivious to the effects of the alcohol, Fu Jianxu began toasting each person individually. She swayed slightly as she pointed at Fu Zhixiao. Th-this one’s for you! To Xiao… Brother Xiao!

Fu Zhixiao was deeply moved. He hastily wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up solemnly, but she continued, Xiao… Xiao… Xiaoxiao! I don’t like calling you ‘Brother Xiao,’ even though… even though you can be a bit… a bit old-fashioned sometimes… But… but you’re a responsible and good person! You’re so reliable! That’s why I admire you!

The look of admiration vanished from Fu Zhixiao’s face, replaced by a dark scowl. Before he could react, even more shocking words tumbled from her lips Y-you can’t be with that big oaf! N-no! Or I’ll die of anger!

Her drunken eyes glazed over as she swirled her wine glass, completely oblivious to Fu Zhixiao’s frozen expression. She continued to spill her secrets like a sieve B-but… I really think you and Xie Yinwan are perfect for each other… You two are meant to be together… J-just for me, please… get together soon, okay?