Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 107

Chapter 107

 

Lu Lin recounted how they were harassed by petty officials when entering the city. “I thought we wouldn’t make it in today, but then a soldier showed up, said a few words, and got us in.”

 

Beside him, Lu Miao added, “It was that Captian Ge.”

 

Lu Yao glanced at his brother with a peculiar expression. “Did he say anything else?”

 

“Not much. After bringing us in, he left.”

 

Mother Lu remarked, “That young man sure has a kind heart.”

 

Lu Yao hesitated to mention that the man seemed interested in their fifth sibling, but he knew he’d have to address the matter clearly to avoid misunderstandings.

 

Soon after, Zhao Beichuan finished cooking a few dishes: a plate of braised fish, sweet-and-sour pork ribs for the kids, and two stir-fried vegetables.

 

Xiaonian and Xiaochun carried in a pot of millet rice. Everyone was hungry and quickly filled their bowls, eating heartily.

 

After washing his hands, Zhao Beichuan retrieved a good bottle of wine from the counter and poured some for his second brother and his brother-in-law. Though he rarely drank, he couldn’t help but indulge a little in his joy.

 

Lu Lin recognized the wine and immediately waved for Zhao Beichuan to pour less. “Last time I had just one bowl and passed out!”

 

Wang Youtian, who could hold his liquor better, still didn’t dare drink too much. They had much to do in the city, and being drunk would only cause delays.

 

As they ate, Lu Lin recounted their journey. “The escort guards you hired really startled us at first. We thought we were being robbed!”

 

Lu Yao chuckled. “I arranged for the Qu family to send them because I was worried you’d get lost. But I admit, that guard leader does have a rather fierce look.”

 

“They were good people, though. They helped a lot along the way. At the inns, they knew the owners, so we got discounts and didn’t have to worry about theft.”

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “In that case, I’ll have to thank them properly.”

 

After eating their fill, the kids wanted to play, so Xiaonian took them to the backyard.

 

The adults, having eaten for nearly half an hour, cleared every plate. They were so full they couldn’t stop hiccupping. Farmers always ensured no food went to waste, especially such delicious meals.

 

Once dinner was over, everyone pitched in to tidy up. The two new apprentices had already washed the dishes and cleaned the stove. Lu Yao instructed them to rest at the distillery.

 

Locking up the shop, the family returned to the house on Changshui Street.

 

“This place will be for your families from now on. The rent is paid for another year,” Lu Yao said, opening the gate. Hu Chunrong and Lu Yun followed curiously.

 

The courtyard was spacious, newer than the house they’d rented in Qiushui Town.

 

Lu Yun asked, “But if we live here, where will you stay?”

 

“We’ll live in the rooms behind the restaurant. They’re already prepared.”

 

Inside the house, tables and benches had been left for them, courtesy of Lu Yao. With so much furniture at the restaurant, they didn’t lack anything.

 

Lu Lin and Wang Youtian moved their luggage in. Lu Lin’s family took the east room, Wang Youtian’s family the west. The central room was perfect for the elderly Lu matriarch and her two grandchildren.

 

Both families were pleased with the arrangements. With accommodations settled, Lu Lin asked about work, as they were here to help, not to idle.

 

Zhao Beichuan suggested they sit and talk. “You’ve seen the shop. Though small, it has many loyal customers. With good management, it earns at least six or seven taels of silver a day.”

 

“How much?!” Lu Lin and Wang Youtian stood up in shock. They’d assumed the little eatery made, at most, two or three strings of cash daily.

 

Six or seven taels a day meant over a hundred taels a month—more than a thousand taels a year!

 

“I’ve discussed it with Lu Yao, and we’d like to hand the shop over to you to run.”

 

“This… this won’t do! Such a profitable business, you should keep it. We’re just here to help out.”

 

Wang Youtian nodded in agreement. They were family, but taking such a valuable shop felt like too much.

 

“Let me finish,” Zhao Beichuan continued. “We’ve acquired a larger shop that will open soon. Managing both will be too much for us. Rather than selling this one to outsiders, we’d prefer you take over.”

 

Lu Lin hesitated but listened closely.

 

“Though small, the shop has a steady customer base. With both families working together, you should manage just fine. Over the next few days, you and Youtian can help in the kitchen while I teach you our signature dishes. When the new shop opens, Xiaochun will stay with you for a few months. He’s already learned the basics.”

 

Zhao Beichuan patted Xiaochun’s shoulder as he spoke.

 

Lu Yao added, “After that, the shop’s success will depend on you. If you can make it work, great. If not, you can return home or work at our restaurant, though wages won’t compare to running your own business.”

 

Faced with such an opportunity, who would choose to go home?

 

Hu Chunrong rolled up her sleeves. “Let’s do it! If the kids can learn to cook, we surely can too!”

 

Lu Yun agreed. “I feel the same way as Sister-in-law.”

 

Wang Youtian was full of enthusiasm. “Teach me, Brother-in-law. I’ll work hard!”

 

Lu Yao nodded with satisfaction. Helping them stand on their own feet was the best way to ensure their future prosperity.

 

Fortunately, his brothers were hardworking and ambitious.

 

The next day, Lu Lin and Wang Youtian began learning to cook in the kitchen. At first, Hu Chunrong wanted to try as well, but she couldn’t even lift the 20-pound wok and gave up after one dish. She switched to bookkeeping with Lu Yao and Xiaonian.

 

Though she had some experience running a breakfast stall, the restaurant’s variety of dishes and pricing was much more complex. Not knowing how to read made it even harder.

 

Unlike her small stall, where she could calculate everything in her head, the restaurant offered over 20 dishes and various drinks. Mental math wouldn’t suffice.

 

Determined, Hu Chunrong began learning to read, focusing on useful characters. By day, she studied. At night, she practiced writing under the covers. In just a few days, she memorized all the dish names.

 

Lu Yun, meanwhile, learned how to source ingredients and handle errands. Lu Yao took him to the west market, pointing out which vendors had the freshest meat and which were unreliable. After three days, Lu Yun could handle the shopping alone.

 

With the eatery running smoothly, Lu Yao shifted his focus entirely to the new restaurant.

 

The first-floor renovations were complete, save for a few decorative paintings. Since the theme revolved around the four seasons and the “Four Gentlemen” (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum), each room needed an appropriate painting. To ensure quality, Lu Yao hired renowned artists from Pingzhou, spending over 200 taels on their fees.

 

Copper pots ordered from the blacksmith were ready, bringing the total to 16—a sufficient number.

 

The eight large water tanks in the backyard were filled with fish that day. The fisherman delivering them grinned from ear to ear. Ever since partnering with the Lu family eatery, his business had flourished. His entire family now focused on fishing, often enlisting relatives to help meet the demand.

 

In addition, Lu Yao had sourced premium dried seafood, including scallops, abalone, sea cucumber, and shrimp roe. These delicacies would be used for the restaurant’s most expensive dish: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

 

Inspired by its rich and unforgettable flavors, Lu Yao planned to price it at eight taels per bowl, targeting affluent patrons.

 

He had also acquired a rare item: dried sea intestines. After searching for over a year, he finally found a sea merchant who could supply them.

 

The merchant was curious. “What do you use sea intestines for? Once dried, they’re just thin strips of skin with little substance.”

 

“I’ve never tried them before,” Lu Yao replied. “I want to see how they taste.”

 

The merchant delivered a sack of dried sea intestines for free with his other goods that autumn, curious to see what Lu Yao would do with them.

 

Having seen a video in his past life about grinding dried sea intestines into a natural seasoning, Lu Yao decided to experiment.

 

At lunch, he added some powdered sea intestines to a dish.

 

Zhao Beichuan immediately noticed the difference. “The flavor today is extraordinary! What did you add?”

 

Lu Yao showed him the dried sea intestines. “This. Ground into powder and added to the dish.”

 

Zhao Beichuan sniffed the dried strips, skeptical. Yet, the results were undeniable. With this, Lu Yao was confident the restaurant’s dishes would become the talk of Pingzhou!

 

The next day was opening day. That night, Lu Yao lit a candle and reviewed the accounts, lying on the kang.

 

From renting the place to renovating it and purchasing items, every expense was recorded in this ledger, amounting to a total of 3,780 taels of silver.

 

“We’ve spent so much money, something I couldn’t even imagine before…”

 

Zhao Beichuan chuckled, “Feeling the pinch?”

 

“How could I not? This amount of silver would last several lifetimes in the village.”

 

“But you wouldn’t choose to stay in the village, would you?”

 

“You know me so well, my dear~” Lu Yao leaned on Zhao Beichuan’s arm. “Have all the invitations been sent out today?”

 

“They’ve been sent. One to the Cao family, the Qu family, the Governor’s residence, the military camp, and the Liang family. Oh, and I also gave an invitation to Huang Yazi. Without his help back then, we wouldn’t have found Xiaonian Douzi.”

 

Lu Yao nodded. “That’s only right.”

 

“I’ve sent invitations to all the notable figures in the city. Whether they come or not, that’s up to them.”

 

“Doesn’t matter if they come or not. We’ve done our part, and that’s what matters.” Lu Yao’s confidence had grown. Providing 1,000 jin of alcohol annually to the military for free had secured solid ties. With the protection of Zhenbei Wang and the Liang family, as long as they didn’t commit any grievous wrongdoings, they’d be safe and sound.

 

Speaking of the military camp, Lu Yao thought of Captain Ge.

 

“I feel like Captain Ge might have some interest in our Lu Miao.”

 

“Really? I didn’t notice anything,” Zhao Beichuan, always busy in the kitchen, hadn’t paid attention to the front.

 

Lu Yao said, “He’s been coming to the eatery every day, always chatting with Lu Miao. The day Second Brother came, he specifically asked why Lu Miao wasn’t around. I told him Lu Miao might have gone with Mother to the city gate to wait for Second Brother. Coincidentally, he ran into Second Brother at the gate and even helped resolve a situation.”

 

Hearing this, Zhao Beichuan raised an eyebrow. “Could Captain Ge really be interested in our fifth brother?”

 

“Ge Changbao is nearly a decade older than Lu Miao, isn’t he? And his family probably already has a wife. We can’t let Lu Miao marry as a concubine.”

 

“Marriage is a major decision. I’ll find time to talk to him,” Zhao Beichuan said seriously.

 

“Alright.”

 

“It’s nearly the end of Xu(7-9pm) hour. Let’s get some sleep.”

 

Perhaps because of his anxiety, Lu Yao tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, details about the restaurant kept swirling in his mind.

 

“Did we buy the firecrackers?”

 

“Yes, three hundred jin, as you requested.”

 

Lu Yao turned over, suddenly remembering that the flowers in the front hall hadn’t been watered.

 

Seeing him get up to water the plants, Zhao Beichuan quickly pulled him back. “They’ll survive missing one day. Don’t overthink it and try to get some rest.”

 

“I can’t help but worry. We’ve poured so much effort into this. Everyone will be watching tomorrow. If we mess up, it’ll be such a joke.”

 

“We won’t. You’ve prepared everything thoroughly. Rest well and save your energy for welcoming the guests tomorrow.”

 

Zhao Beichuan held him in his arms, kissed his forehead, and gently patted his back. Like coaxing a child, he finally managed to lull Lu Yao to sleep.

 

—

 

The next day, just past the fourth watch, Zhao Beichuan woke up. Not wanting to disturb Lu Yao, he dressed quietly and washed his face.

 

Coincidentally, Zhao Fengchun was also up, holding a towel. “Big Brother, you’re up?”

 

“Xiaochun? Why are you up so early?”

 

“I couldn’t sleep, thinking about wiping down the tables in the hall again.”

 

Zhao Beichuan patted the back of his neck. This boy was thoughtful. Though they weren’t blood-related, he already considered him a real brother.

 

The two washed up, carried water basins, wiped down the tables and chairs in the hall, and mopped the marble floor until it was spotless. Remembering the flowers from last night, Zhao Beichuan grabbed the watering can and gave them a good drink.

 

Around Yin hour(3-5am), Lu Lin and his wife, along with Lu Yun and his wife, arrived. Knowing today would be hectic, they’d closed their other eatery for the day to come help.

 

Everyone got busy—washing vegetables, peeling garlic, cutting meat.

 

Lu Lin, aware that his leg made running errands difficult, focused entirely on cooking. Having been shadowing the chef every day, he was now adept at preparing simple dishes.

 

However, since today’s opening would welcome distinguished guests, Zhao Beichuan insisted on handling the cooking himself.

 

Wang Youtian grabbed a few chickens from the coop, slaughtered and cleaned them. The chickens’ pitiful cries woke Lu Yao, Xiaonian, and the others. Quickly dressing, they came out to help.

 

Old hens and pork bones were used to make broth. Eight servings of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall were on the menu today, and the base soup had to be perfect. It needed to simmer in clay pots for four hours before it was ready.

 

After setting up the soup, Lu Yao walked over to Zhao Beichuan and nudged him. “You didn’t wake me.”

 

“I wanted you to rest a bit longer. You’ve worn yourself out these days.”

 

“Once the restaurant gets on track, things will be easier. When Xiaonian is older and capable, and Xiaochun and the others have completed their training, we can become hands-off bosses.”

 

“Deal.”

 

By the end of Yin hour, the staff and the two newly hired apprentices had arrived. Everyone changed into their uniforms and got to work efficiently.

 

The uniforms, designed by Lu Yao and tailored by a garment shop, were distinctive. The top resembled modern jackets, made of green cotton fabric, with lapels and frog buttons. The chest bore the characters for “Lu’s” in embroidery, and the collar was turned down, giving the wearer a crisp, polished look.

 

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan also had their own versions, crafted from black silk. Their outfits included similar jackets and matching trousers, paired with black boots.

 

Standing side by side in their attire, the two looked incredibly dashing.

 

Lu Miao and Xiaonian clamored for similar outfits, so Lu Yao ordered vibrant sky-blue versions for them, though they weren’t finished yet. They’d look great once they arrived.

 

By the time all the ingredients were prepped, it was almost time for the grand opening.

 

Zhao Beichuan removed his apron and led everyone to the front, opening the restaurant’s large doors. Wang Youtian brought over a ladder.

 

The signboard had been hung two days earlier but was still covered with red cloth. Today, it was time to unveil it.

 

A crowd had gathered at the entrance, drawn by the promise of firecrackers and scattered coins. They were here for the spectacle and the rewards.

 

Cao Wuye and Qu Tian were the first to arrive. These regulars, known for their discerning palates, wouldn’t miss an event like this.

 

They didn’t come empty-handed. Their attendants carried gift boxes. Cao Wuye presented a painting by Cai Guangyuan. Cai was a painter from the previous dynasty whose skills weren’t extraordinary, but his name, meaning “wealth and abundance,” made his works popular among merchants. The painting he chose depicted galloping horses.

 

Qu Tian’s gift was a gold-plated bronze toad, weighing a hefty eighty jin—valuable just for the metal alone.

 

“Congratulations, Lu Proprietor!”

 

Lu Yao clasped his hands and returned the gesture. “Many thanks to Master Wuye and Master Qu for gracing us with your presence!”

 

Qu Tian laughed. “No need for formalities! We’re regular patrons of your eatery.”

 

“I’ve prepared some special dishes for you today. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

 

“With that promise, I’m looking forward to the meal!”

 

Before long, Ge Changbao, Liang Zhong, and several military officers arrived, dressed in civilian clothes. Their spirited demeanor unmistakably marked them as military men.

 

Liang Zhong examined Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan. “The outfits you two are wearing are quite unique. Where did you get them?”

 

Lu Yao tugged at his lapel. “I sketched the design myself and had a tailor make them.”

 

Ge Changbao chimed in, “These clothes look great—very sharp.”

 

Lu Yao smiled. “If you two like them, I’ll have some made for you.”

 

“No need, no need. We couldn’t possibly accept,” Ge Changbao said, his cheeks flushing as he glanced at Lu Miao standing behind them.

 

Liang Zhong, observing this, couldn’t help but chuckle at his junior’s obvious infatuation.

 

Soon after, Liang Yong arrived with several prominent merchants from Pingzhou City. It was less about giving Lu Yao face and more about showing respect to Liang Yong. After all, the Lu family was still a minor presence in the grand scheme of things.

 

Seeing that the time was right, Lu Yao announced, “Let’s light the firecrackers and unveil the signboard.”

 

Zhao Beichuan gestured to his second brother. Lu Lin handed over a lit incense stick and moved the crowd aside to ensure safety.

 

As the firecrackers crackled loudly, Zhao Beichuan climbed the ladder and pulled off the red cloth covering the signboard.

 

The dark wooden plaque revealed gleaming golden characters—Lu’s Restaurant—officially open for business today!