Chapter 14

"Hongsheng, it's not that your sister-in-law refuses you, but even if our family wanted to open a restaurant, it would be impossible! Although we've earned some money selling scallion pancakes these past few days, it's still less than two strings of cash. Do you know how much it costs to open a restaurant? We simply don't have the capital!"

The woman continued to find various excuses to persuade Xia Hongsheng, hoping to dissuade him from this idea. She believed that this was just a whimsical thought that Xia Hongsheng had after seeing the money from selling scallion pancakes, not a mature decision. However, no matter what she said, Xia Hongsheng always had a counterargument, making her feel that his words were very reasonable.

This left the woman feeling very at a loss. Her rationality told her that Xia Hongsheng should not engage in business and open a restaurant, as it would bring trouble. Yet, from Xia Hongsheng's words, her thoughts kept drifting to the future he described. In the end, she could only struggle with the lack of capital as her last resort.

To her surprise, this issue did not make Xia Hongsheng show any signs of difficulty. He didn't even seem to need to think for a moment before he smiled, as if he had anticipated her response. He waved his hand and said, "Sister-in-law, I know how much capital is needed to open a restaurant, and I also know that our family doesn't have that capital right now."

Hearing this, the woman's heart finally eased a bit, but then, with Xia Hongsheng's "However," her heart leaped up to her throat again.

"However, Sister-in-law, I already have a plan. We don't need a house, a large space, or extra manpower. Sister-in-law, you'll know in a few days. For now, just continue selling scallion pancakes. When you come back, remember to visit a few pharmacies and spice shops to find the things I wrote down for you. Sister-in-law, you're a smart person. The things I asked you to buy are part of my secret recipe, and I can't let others know about it yet. Sister-in-law, I know you can handle it. I only wrote one item on each piece of paper."

"The paper is so expensive... not using it for writing, you! Sigh! I can't control you, Sister-in-law can't control you!" The woman's eyes turned red. Xia Hongsheng was becoming a stranger to her. The stack of paper on the table was not cheap, and the academy's fees were largely due to the cost of paper. This was because the Luanzhou Academy was relatively large; many other private schools rarely used paper, mostly using sand trays for writing practice. Xia Hongsheng's intense practice and copying in the academy were not for any other reason but to get more paper. After all, he couldn't stand using toilet paper, and even picking leaves would be better! Xia Hongsheng deliberately wasted so much paper to solve the problem of hygiene.

Xia Hongsheng's sister-in-law not only felt heartache over the paper but also a sense of insecurity. Xia Hongsheng was becoming someone she no longer understood. Xia Hongsheng, of course, understood his sister-in-law's thoughts and sighed, saying to the woman, "Sister-in-law, no matter what I become, I will still be the same Xia Hongsheng. I will always remember the kindness you showed me. You have done so much for our broken home, and now it's time for me to take on this responsibility. Sister-in-law, do you believe that one day I will bring back all the good days you lost? Sister-in-law, please trust me this once; I'm not a fool."

The woman's eyes turned even redder, but she felt a strong sense of confidence from Xia Hongsheng. At that moment, she felt that Xia Hongsheng was so reliable, already a towering man!

After finally persuading his sister-in-law, Xia Hongsheng took a few sheets of paper from the stack, ran out the door, and hurried to the carpenter Zhang Lao Han's house. The mobile food cart was already taking shape. Zhang Lao Han's craftsmanship was excellent, and he had implemented Xia Hongsheng's ideas very well. However, after just a few glances, Zhang Lao Han covered it with a tarp, saying it wasn't fully completed and didn't want Xia Hongsheng to see the unfinished, unrefined product. Respecting the craftsman's pride, Xia Hongsheng obediently stopped looking and handed the few sheets of paper to Zhang Lao Han, clearly explaining the methods and the desired results. As he left, Zhang Lao Han was already amazed by Xia Hongsheng, not because of his looks but because of his innovative and creative ideas. Sigh, if this young man had not been a scholar but had learned the old man's craft, he would surely have become a master craftsman like Gongshuban!

Zhang Lao Han stood at the door, lost in thought for a long time before he snapped out of it and called his eldest son to study the things Xia Hongsheng had given them.

Xia Hongsheng hurried to the academy, feeling for the first time how much he had to do. The bucket of saltwater had been soaking for a few days and was already nearly a third gone, and he hadn't had time to test the effectiveness of extracting pure salt. The mobile food cart and its accessories that he was making for his sister-in-law still needed a few more days. Teaching his sister-in-law some suitable foods to sell at the food stall hadn't started yet. Roasting tea, the tea that Master Yan had promised, hadn't arrived. As for the idea of making folding fans, that would have to wait until Zhang Lao Han finished the mobile food cart and made the fan frames. Oh, and he still needed to find a blacksmith, as the woks and other tools from the future didn't exist yet.

Thinking about it, I'm so busy! Xia Hongsheng felt a deep sense of sorrow—when would he be able to live a life of luxury, holding a girl, watching performances, and living a carefree life of idleness?

With these thoughts, Xia Hongsheng became dejected, his steps slowing. By the time he reached the academy, he was already late. This made his mood even worse. He casually made up an excuse about a headache and escaped the teacher's scolding. The teacher must have trusted him too much, or perhaps no one in the academy had ever made up an excuse for being late. These students, considering themselves scholars, were very proud, with little learning but a thorough grasp of the bad habits of scholars. They would rather be beaten than lie. Xia Hongsheng, however, felt no pressure; who in the future hadn't done such things? Perhaps his listless appearance really looked like he was sick, as the teacher even asked if he needed to rest and see a doctor, which made Xia Hongsheng feel a bit guilty. He quickly shook his head, indicating he was fine, and grabbed his book to recite loudly.

After the morning reading ended, the other students left, and Xia Hongsheng lay on the table. After a while, Xu Qixian came in and saw Xia Hongsheng lying on the table, lost in thought. He asked, "I waited for you outside for a long time, but you didn't show up. You were just lying here daydreaming? What are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about how to live a life of idleness and luxury," Xia Hongsheng lazily turned his head and said, "The path of a playboy is long and arduous!"

Xu Qixian chuckled and said, "Then you'll have to use your brain more. If you come up with any ideas, let me know. I wouldn't mind living such a carefree life myself."

"What are you worried about?" Xia Hongsheng asked casually.

"My uncle is coming, and he's already said he will test me. I'm worried about that," Xu Qixian said with a bitter smile, his face pale.

Xia Hongsheng was unconcerned, "Just a test. You've passed your master's tests, what's to be afraid of?"

Xu Qixian smiled bitterly again, "You don't understand. My uncle is not only an expert in Confucianism but also in mathematics. He always emphasizes that we can't neglect mathematics, saying it will be very useful in the future. He was a minister in the previous dynasty, and although he's now a county magistrate, he still has that authoritative presence. I'm afraid of him, and my mind goes blank. I can still recite some classics, but when it comes to mathematics, I'm clueless. I can't even solve a single problem. Sigh, I'm bound to embarrass myself again."

Xia Hongsheng laughed, "I thought it was something serious. It's just a math test? I can teach you some formulas. Once you master them, you'll be able to solve problems quickly!"

Xu Qixian was stunned. He thought Xia Hongsheng might be joking, but he had seen Xia Hongsheng's abilities and believed he might have a solution. He asked, half in doubt, "What formulas?"

"Commutative and associative laws of addition, multiplication table, distributive, associative, and commutative laws of multiplication... Come on, just basic arithmetic, primary school level, not too difficult," Xia Hongsheng said arrogantly, "Not to brag, but you can learn these in minutes. Once you master them, you'll be able to solve any problem your uncle gives you. If that doesn't work, I can teach you how to solve equations. I don't think your uncle's math problems will be that hard."

Xu Qixian was already speechless, his mind blown by the terms Xia Hongsheng used. But suddenly, he felt a surge of confidence. If he learned these mysterious formulas, wouldn't his uncle be helpless against him? His two younger cousins always beat him in math, making him lose face. This time, he could use Xia Hongsheng's new theories, which even the academy teachers found eye-opening. If he learned these formulas and won in math, he could finally redeem himself!

"Xia Hongsheng, teach me!" Xu Qixian's eyes sparkled as he grabbed Xia Hongsheng.

Xia Hongsheng smiled and held out his hand, "Get me some paper and a pen!"

Xu Qixian ran out and quickly returned with a thick stack of paper and a quill pen, knowing that Xia Hongsheng preferred using a quill.

Xia Hongsheng took the stack of paper, thinking, "I can use this to last a few more days in the outhouse!"

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