Chapter 45

After running around for so many days, Li Qi finally managed to get the capital. Although it seemed easy, he had also expended a lot of energy.

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, he finally got out of bed.

When he arrived at the shop, Wu Xiaoliu and the brothers Zhuizi had already started working. Although the number of customers buying stinky tofu had decreased, the three of them were still very busy.

Because such opportunities were few and far between.

That night, Uncle Zhangsan would deliver the last batch of tofu, a total of 1,600 pieces, which was also the highest daily output of his tofu mill.

Li Qi did not plan to order any more tofu. With the 1,400 pieces delivered last night and the 1,600 pieces to be delivered tonight, it would be enough for a few days.

In at most 7 days, the first batch of stinky tofu from the opposite Emerald Pavilion should be available. Li Qi knew that at that time, Cai Yuwai would definitely lower the price, and his shop would also provide wine and food. The customers would all go to the Emerald Pavilion.

However, Li Qi did not plan to compete for this lucrative business anymore, nor did he have the capital to do so.

"Good morning, Uncle Wu!"

Li Qi greeted Wu Furong, who was standing behind the counter.

Wu Furong greeted Li Qi and then buried himself in calculating accounts.

Seeing this, Li Qi was quite puzzled. How could there be so many accounts to calculate, day and night? Was it possible that Old Wu was doing this on purpose for him to see?

Little did he know that the accounting methods of that time were not as scientific and advanced as in the future. With a few taps on the keyboard, everything was done, and the error rate was very low.

In ancient times, accounting was very troublesome. One had to use an abacus on one side and a brush pen to record on paper on the other side. The error rate was very high, so one had to calculate repeatedly, even dozens of times, and the efficiency was naturally not to be praised.

Li Qi greeted Wu Xiaoliu and the brothers Zhuizi and then went to the tea and snack stall run by Aunt Cao.

Since Drunken Immortal Inn started selling stinky tofu, Aunt Cao's business had also improved. Sometimes, when Drunken Immortal Inn was full, the customers would buy stinky tofu and go to Aunt Cao's stall to eat, which increased the number of customers at her stall.

When Aunt Cao saw Li Qi, she immediately greeted him with a smile, "Young man, what would you like to eat?"

"Two steamed buns!"

"Alright, wait a moment, I'll bring them to you right away."

Soon, Aunt Cao placed two large steamed buns in front of Li Qi and smiled, "Young man, you must have been very busy lately, right?"

Li Qi smiled, "Not too bad! Has your business improved a lot recently?"

"Oh, thanks to your shop, my business has been much better than before. I've been busy all day, without even a moment to catch my breath. But I owe it to you for not selling your shop to the Emerald Pavilion." Aunt Cao giggled, clearly very happy.

Li Qi smiled, "Auntie, I suggest you find a helper. Don't work yourself to death just to earn money."

"I've thought about it, but in the past two days, the number of customers at your shop has decreased a lot. I'm afraid that when I hire someone, there won't be any business." Aunt Cao's small eyes sparkled.

Li Qi knew she was trying to get information from him and said, "Don't worry, following our boss, you won't go hungry. For now, just keep it like this. After a while, you can hire more people, and I guarantee you'll earn money until your hands are sore."

"That's right, I'll remember that." Aunt Cao nodded and said tactfully, "Young man, eat slowly, I'll go back to work." Then she waddled away.

Although Aunt Cao was a bit mercenary, she had a good heart, and the steamed buns she made were very substantial. So Li Qi also wanted to help her.

In no time, Li Qi finished the two steamed buns, threw a few copper coins on the table, and leisurely walked toward Drunken Immortal Inn.

Hey? Isn't that Xiaotao?

Before he had taken a few steps, Li Qi suddenly saw Lady Qin's personal maid, Xiaotao, walking toward him.

As Xiaotao approached, Li Qi quickly called out, "Xiaotao!"

Xiaotao was slightly taken aback and, seeing it was Li Qi, hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Master Li!"

"Good, good!"

Li Qi waved his hand, glanced at Wu Xiaoliu, who was frying stinky tofu, and saw that he was constantly looking this way, with no heart for his work. He chuckled and raised his voice, "Xiaotao, are you here to see Xiaoliu?"

"I'm not here to see him!"

Xiaotao pouted and said, "Lady Qin sent me to deliver a message to Uncle Wu."

When Wu Xiaoliu heard Li Qi's question, he was initially delighted, but then, hearing Xiaotao say she wasn't there to see him, he wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant and obediently continued frying stinky tofu.

Seeing Wu Xiaoliu's dejected look, Li Qi was secretly delighted and, suppressing his laughter, asked, "Is Lady Qin well?"

At this, he actually missed Lady Qin, whom he had only met once but found incredibly beautiful.

Xiaotao replied, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Qin is well."

"Good, that's good. Uncle Wu is inside, calculating accounts. Go find him." Li Qi nodded and pointed to the shop.

Xiaotao bowed to Li Qi and then walked into the shop.

After Xiaotao went in, Li Qi came to Wu Xiaoliu's side, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "You young man, go find your heart first. I'll take over for now."

Wu Xiaoliu was slightly taken aback, immediately reacted, said a few meaningless words, handed the ladle to Li Qi, and then hurriedly ran inside.

"Ah, having a disciple who can't even flirt is truly a tragedy!"

Li Qi sighed, glanced at Chen Xiaozhu, who looked like he wanted to laugh but didn't dare, and teased, "What? Xiaozhu, do you want to go in too?"

Chen Xiaozhu was taken aback, his face turning red like a monkey's bottom, and he shook his head like a rattle drum.

Li Qi smiled and shook his head. Finding three virgins as disciples, sigh, it looks like he would be busy in the future.

Xiaotao didn't stay inside for long and soon came out, greeted Li Qi, and left.

Encouraged by Li Qi, Wu Xiaoliu finally got the hang of it and, with a thick face, played the role of a protector.

At lunchtime, Wu Furong pulled Li Qi aside and whispered, "Master Li, Lady Qin asked me to go to her residence this afternoon."

Li Qi nodded, "I know!"

"You know?"

Wu Furong was slightly taken aback and asked, "Did Liuzi tell you?"

Li Qi shook his head and smiled, "Tomorrow is the last day of the 15th. Lady Qin will definitely call you first to gather some information and discuss how to deal with me, or rather, what treatment to offer me."

Wu Furong's face turned bitter, "It seems nothing can escape your notice!"

Li Qi looked regretful and sighed, "Not really. For example, I've been racking my brains to figure out Lady Qin's age, but I can't figure it out!"

Wu Furong's mouth twitched a few times, coughed deliberately, and dared not continue the topic. He quickly asked, "Master Li, when Lady Qin asks, what should I say?"

Hey, who would have thought that Old Wu, who usually spoke in a stiff manner, could be quite sensible at critical moments.

Li Qi's eyes twinkled, and he chuckled, "Just tell the truth, but try to praise me as much as possible. Say I'm a one-of-a-kind talent, handsome and charming, and so on—Uncle, what's that look on your face—do you think I'm wrong?"

Wu Furong's face turned red, gritted his teeth to keep from laughing, and nodded, "Of course, Master Li is telling the truth."

"Exactly, I wouldn't dare to deceive Lady Qin. Just tell her about my wise and heroic decisions and how I outwitted Cai Yuwai, dozens of times!" Li Qi said without a hint of embarrassment.

Dozens of times?

Wu Furong suddenly drew a deep breath, stared at Li Qi in shock, and remained speechless for a long time!