Chapter 69

The next day, Li Qi still kept his promise and went to Bai Qianruo’s nanny’s house to teach the refugees how to read and write and some basic etiquette.

The two of them worked together more and more smoothly, almost giving off the feeling of a man plowing and a woman weaving.

However, Li Qi and Bai Qianruo did not stay there for long today. After lunch, they each returned home.

Back at the shop, dozens of craftsmen were busy renovating.

Tian Mu and the others were working enthusiastically. Now they no longer had to live on tree roots. Although there was no wage, they could at least have three meals a day, which would keep them full.

All of this was given to them by Li Qi. How could they not do their best to help him?

But that wasn't important. The most important thing was that Li Qi finally saw Lady Qin at Zui Xian Ju.

He almost burst into tears.

Lady Qin came today for two reasons: one, she had already negotiated with Yang Lou and came to inform Li Qi; two, Wu Fugrong had to go out to buy fruit wine for Li Qi, and since Li Qi was not in the shop, she had to take over.

Lady Qin first told Li Qi about the contract signed with Yang Lou. The price was set at 150 coins per catty, and the daily delivery quantity was temporarily set at fifty catties. Additionally, Yang Lou had already paid a deposit of 300 guan.

Li Qi was short of money, and this amount came just in time.

After listening, Li Qi didn't give any suggestions, just kept praising Lady Qin, calling her a business genius, which made her face turn red.

Then Lady Qin told Li Qi about her new ideas for the restaurant's renovation.

Li Qi didn't really understand much about interior design in this era, so he didn't pay much attention. He just kept praising her and said that he didn't need to be consulted about these matters in the future; she could decide on her own.

Li Qi knew that Lady Qin lacked confidence the most, so he had to help boost her confidence. As a boss, confidence was very important.

After finishing the main discussion, Lady Qin seemed to have nothing else to say to Li Qi. She glanced outside and frowned, saying, "Strange, why hasn't Uncle Wu come back yet?"

Li Qi chuckled, "It's still early. Uncle Wu has a lot to do today." Wu Fugrong had a lot to prepare, and even Li Qi felt a headache thinking about it.

Lady Qin glanced at him and asked, "I heard from Uncle Wu this morning that you plan to brew the wine yourself?"

Li Qi nodded, "That's right. There are only a few hundred catties of wine left in the shop. When Zui Xian Ju opens, this amount won't be enough."

Lady Qin asked again, "Since you're brewing wine, why did you ask Uncle Wu to buy wine?"

Li Qi chuckled, "This—can't be said for now, please don't blame me, Lady."

How could I blame you?

Lady Qin shook her head helplessly, "Oh, right, I heard you selected twenty refugees to work as waiters at Zui Xian Ju?"

Sweat! Uncle Wu reported so quickly.

Li Qi nodded, "Yes! Is there anything wrong with that, Lady?"

"No, I think it's a good idea. Those refugees are very pitiful, and it's a shame we can only help them so much," Lady Qin sighed lightly.

"Truly, Lady, you are like a reincarnated Bodhisattva. Your kindness is something I can never match," Li Qi sighed.

"You talk as if I can't tell what's real and what's not. A few days ago, you were cursing me for being unrighteous and disloyal, and now you're praising me as a Bodhisattva. Your mouth is something I can never match," Lady Qin rolled her eyes and scolded him.

Li Qi laughed, "No, no, Lady, you're just joking. How could I dare to curse you? That time was out of necessity. Please don't take it to heart."

Lady Qin huffed, "Don't worry, I'm not as petty as you."

"Right, right," Li Qi nodded, but in his heart, he thought, if you're not petty, why did you bring up that day? Clearly, you still hold a grudge.

Lady Qin saw his insincere expression and felt helpless. She didn't want to dwell on this topic and asked casually, "By the way, you've hired so many people. Won't the rooms be insufficient?"

"Oh, I've already discussed this with Uncle Wu."

Then, Li Qi explained his plan for arranging their accommodation to Lady Qin.

Lady Qin listened and frowned, "Even so, it seems the rooms are still not enough."

Li Qi shrugged, "I can't do anything about it. The rent in Bianjing is so expensive. We don't have the money to rent more rooms. They'll just have to make do."

Lady Qin thought for a moment and said, "I think—why don't you move into the Qin residence?"

"What?"

Li Qi exclaimed, eyes wide open, looking at Lady Qin in disbelief.

Lady Qin blushed, "Don't misunderstand. I mean, our wine cellar is right in the back yard of the Qin residence. If you move in, it will be more convenient for you to brew wine, and it will also free up a room for the servants."

Actually, given Li Qi's current status, living with the servants was indeed inappropriate. Even Wu Fugrong had his own residence, so Lady Qin thought it was reasonable for Li Qi to move into the Qin residence.

Although she said this, Lady Qin still had some reservations. As a widow living with a man, it could lead to gossip. She secretly hoped Li Qi would refuse.

Women are always in a state of contradiction.

"This—this isn't quite right, Lady. You are so pure and refined, and I am a man. It would be very awkward for me to live there!" Li Qi lowered his head, rubbing his hands, and said shyly.

This boy can actually be shy.

Lady Qin found it hard to believe, but seeing that he seemed unwilling, she felt relieved and said, "If you don't want to, then—"

But before she could finish, Li Qi interrupted her, stood up, and said very seriously to Xiaotao, "Xiaotao, could you please clean the—oh, the west wing for me? I'll move in tonight."

"Ah?"

Xiaotao stared at Li Qi in shock, clearly taken aback by his sudden change.

Lady Qin was also stunned. After a while, she reacted and said, "Move in tonight? Isn't that a bit too quick?"

"Too quick?"

Li Qi shrugged, "I don't think so. Since I have to move, I might as well do it early and get used to the environment. By the way, Lady, is the west wing facing north and south? And how big is it? Can it fit three people?"

"Three people?" Lady Qin was almost speechless.

Li Qi said matter-of-factly, "Of course. Lady, you have Xiaotao to serve you, and I need someone to serve me too. Don't worry, I've already chosen someone, so you don't need to worry about it."

This boy really treats me like family, as if he's at home.

Lady Qin was almost driven mad by Li Qi. She couldn't even speak, and she deeply regretted saying that extra sentence just now.

Seeing Lady Qin silent, Li Qi thought she might change her mind. He called out nervously, "Lady, Lady."

Lady Qin was slightly startled, glanced at him, and turned her face away, saying, "Then, who do you plan to bring with you?" The rise and fall of Zui Xian Ju now depended entirely on Li Qi. Even if she was unwilling, she had to let him do as he pleased.

Li Qi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Don't worry, Lady, you know them. It's Chen Anan and his mother."

Since Chen Dama came, Li Qi felt he couldn't do without her. She was an excellent nanny, very diligent in cleaning and washing clothes. If Lady Qin didn't allow Chen Dama to live there, Li Qi would rather stay here. As for Chen Anan, he would naturally help Li Qi brew wine.

Lady Qin had only met Chen Dama once yesterday, but she had a good impression. She nodded, "Alright. I'm a bit tired, so I'll go back first. I'll leave the shop to you."

She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, this guy might make more demands. It was better to leave quickly.

Li Qi chuckled, "Alright, Lady, take your time. I'll be over soon. See you at the Qin residence." Then he said to Xiaotao, "Xiaotao, remember to cook our dinner."

Xiaotao nodded dazedly.

Shameless! How can there be such a shameless person in the world.

Lady Qin closed her eyes, not wanting to speak to him anymore, and said, "Xiaotao, let's go." Then she walked out first.

{Piaotian Literature}