There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 81 The Fruit Shop Opens

Li Shuchen immediately put on a grumpy face and muttered, "Why do I live such a tiring life? I worry so much, it's all for nothing, and I get no credit for it."

What's the point of making money? That's it. Eating and sleeping all day is fine too. Time for bed. No new seasonal items tomorrow.

After saying that, he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

After listening, Jixiang remained silent for a while before speaking, her voice sounding somewhat forced.

"The rosewood box has been placed for the host; please check it."

Li Shuchen rolled over and muttered, "You little punk, I can't handle you? You think you're so tough?"

He went downstairs and checked the storeroom in the backyard. As soon as he opened the cabinet, there were indeed twenty mahogany boxes lying quietly inside, neatly and tidy.

Hmph, he's smart to know his place.

Li Shuchen carried the box to the kitchen, intending to keep it for tomorrow.

She was really exhausted today; she fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes after lying in bed.

She woke up exceptionally early the next day; it was the opening day of the fruit and vegetable shop, so she couldn't be careless about washing up and getting ready—she wanted to dress up carefully.

Grape is very happy today.

"Miss, which dress would you like to wear?"

Li Shuchen: "An orange-green fairy dress, please."

She once wore this dress to pray to the Weaver Girl for skill in needlework, wishing for abundant wealth and hoping it would give her shop a buff.

After getting dressed, I went to the kitchen to check on the preparations for the seasonal dishes.

As soon as Li Shuchen entered, the cook, Wang, said, "Miss, Princess Changning has sent over a bucket of ice."

Li Shuchen looked at the bucket overflowing with ice; Princess Changning truly cared about her.

Li Shuchen: "Hmm, is the season okay?"

Cook Wang: "No, Miss, don't worry."

Li Shuchen: "Prepare ten portions of each seasonal item, and then make another twenty portions randomly. Cover them with this mahogany box and keep them chilled with ice."

Cook Wang: "Understood, Miss."

The kitchen preparations were almost complete, so there shouldn't be any major problems. Li Shuchen glanced at the time; it was almost 9 AM. He hurriedly took the grapes and headed to the Simei Fresh Fruit Shop.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians; it wasn't hot enough to make you sweat yet, and there was a large flow of people.

When Li Shuchen arrived at the shop, the other three were already there. They had even decorated the shop a bit. There were two servants at the entrance carrying firecrackers on bamboo poles, and two large rows of firecrackers, a total of four bundles, were laid out on the ground, waiting for the order to light them.

Princess Changning: "It's time. Light the fire."

As soon as he finished speaking, firecrackers went off with a deafening roar, drawing passersby to stop and watch.

What does this shop sell?

"It looks like they sell fruit."

"There are plenty of fruit and vegetable shops on North Street, who would choose to open a shop here?"

"I don't know, it doesn't look cheap."

Li Shuchen noticed that passersby were only looking and not really paying attention, remaining in the observation phase; this wouldn't do.

They started shouting loudly, but the three of them were all from well-to-do families and couldn't handle recruiting people, so this important task fell to Li Shuchen.

"Don't miss it, come in and take a look!"

Today, 'Simei Fresh Fruit' officially opens! Enjoy great prices, fresh fruits, and satisfaction guaranteed.

We'll give you a gift if you buy more than one pound of fruit in our store. The first 100 customers will receive one, first come, first served.

If you come late, it'll be gone, so you might as well take advantage of it!

A passerby asked, "What's the gift?"

Li Shuchen replied with a smile, "Eggs and candy, two eggs and five candies per serving."

Upon hearing this, the passerby hurried into the shop, pulling his companion along, saying, "Great! Come on in!"

Gu Ziying pulled Li Shuchen aside and whispered, "Where did we get the eggs and candy?"

Li Shuchen: "I'll go buy some later, but no customers are coming in. I can only try to attract customers like this for now."

Looking at the few customers in the shop, Gu Ziying said, "That's all we can do for now."

Li Shuchen pulled Liang Yuying along, saying, "Yuying, come with me to buy it."

Liang Yuying: Okay

Liang Yuying drove the carriage, quickly taking Li Shuchen to the nearest place to buy the necessary items, and then returned to the backyard of the shop.

Li Shuchen: "Let's take the eggs and candy to the counter."

Liang Yuying: Okay

Customer A: "Where are the gifts? Didn't you say you'd give us eggs and candy? Aren't you lying to us?"

The accountant said, "Please wait a moment, sir. Your gift will be here shortly."

Customer A: "What are you waiting for? I think you're just trying to trick us into spending money by not offering any gifts. I don't want this pound of oranges, give me my money back."

Li Shuchen: "Oh, sir, our shop wouldn't do anything to deceive its customers. Here are the eggs and candy."

Here you go, two eggs and five candies. Please take them and have a safe trip.

Customer A's expression softened somewhat upon seeing the items, and he took them and left.

Gu Ziying: "Thank goodness you arrived quickly, otherwise..."

Li Shuchen: "It's my fault for coming up with the idea on the spur of the moment without prior preparation."

Princess Changning: "How can you blame yourself? They were all unreasonable and trying to take advantage of us."

Liang Yuying: "The shop is short of a manager, and we can't always stay here and watch over things. If something happens, someone has to come up with a solution."

Li Shuchen: "Indeed"

Gu Ziying: "It's not easy to train a manager, and it's even harder to find someone trustworthy. I don't have a suitable candidate either."

Li Shuchen suddenly thought of Manager Liu. Even though he was in such a hurry for money, he kept his promise and didn't ask her for payment beforehand. His character was impeccable. She wondered how his mother's health was now; she'd have Uncle Xu take her to visit her another day.

Li Shuchen: "I do have a suitable candidate, but I don't know if he's available. I'll ask him another day."

"Good"*3

Upon seeing the complimentary gifts, other customers flocked into the store to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Two eggs and five candies are not cheap. The eggs alone cost twenty coins, and the candies are even more expensive.

Seeing the store packed with customers, almost overflowing with people, Li Shuchen was overjoyed and said to the three of them...

"Let's go upstairs and sit down; there's nowhere to stand here."

"Okay" *3

The four of them went upstairs and sat down to watch the customers buying fruit downstairs.

Li Shuchen, leaning on the railing, said, "The eggs are still very useful; we're getting more and more customers."

He then looked at Gu Ziying and said, "Thanks to your thoughtfulness, the three accountants are almost overwhelmed."

Gu Ziying smiled and said, "That's good, so we can make more money."

Li Shuchen: "Yes, I'll work hard to make money and become the youngest rich woman in Weijing City."

"Sister? Sister?"

Li Lingxiao looked up at the plaque and said, "It's definitely the 'Four Beauties Fresh Fruit' shop, and it's definitely opposite Yaqingxuan. Where is my sister?"

Li Shuchen heard a familiar voice and looked towards the shop entrance.

It was Xiao'er. Standing next to her were Young Master Xiao, Shi Tou, and a man in pink clothes waving a fan. She didn't recognize him.

Li Shuchen stood up and said, "Xiao'er is here. I'll go down and see her."

Gu Ziying: "I'll go too."

Princess Changning and Liang Yuying exchanged a glance. "Let's not go down and cause trouble. We don't have anyone with us down there anyway."

Yeah, I'm not going.

Li Shuchen and Gu Ziying walked down the stairs

Li Lingxiao stepped forward and said, "Sister, so you're here."