Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 62 Business Contract
Mi He smiled and said, "Oh, why are you so angry? We were just chatting for a while." She patted Tan Huai Ke's back to calm her down and asked her, "Do you want to practice more?"

Tan Huaike knew that she was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and that she said those words just to motivate herself, but at the moment she was so exhausted that she decided to take a break before speaking.

Mihe didn't force her and stood up to continue rehearsing the dance.

Shen Tu Zhuo said, "That's perfect. The dressmaker from Zhiyun Cloth Workshop is here and waiting outside. He said he wants to show you the sample for the dancer's dress."

"Okay, I'll get up right now."

"Do you really want to go on stage by yourself?" Shen Tu Zhuo reached out to support her. "In Daxuan, there are very few hosts who dance themselves to attract customers. And you're my widow... Aren't you afraid of gossip? Why don't you hire someone to dance? If you're worried about not having enough money, I'll pay for it."

"Master Zhuo, are you really going to invite the top performer at Lanying Pavilion? If others can spread rumors about you and make you the most dissolute playboy in Zhangye, it shows that you have a lot of debts of love."

"Oh, why are we talking about Lanying Pavilion again? I swear I'm not their patron..."

"I'm just teasing you, haha," Tan Huaike laughed. "Uncle, the way you try to prove your innocence is really amusing. After I married into the Shentu Mansion, I went out to do business on my own. Aren't there enough people gossiping about me? Let them say whatever they want. I'm just attracting business for my own shop. There's nothing shameful about that. Besides, we Mohe merchants often do things ourselves, so what's wrong with that?"

"..." Shentu Zhuo was helpless. "Daxuan used to be particularly contemptuous of merchants. Although it has improved a little now, there are still people who are dissatisfied and speak harshly. I am just telling you that Lanying Pavilion and other places in the folk can hire good musicians and dancers. Why do you have to suffer this hardship yourself?"

"I know, but I'm the only one who knows what kind of singing and dancing my restaurant needs to attract business," Tan Huaike explained. "There are quite a few Western restaurants on Xiangling Street, and quite a few have singing and dancing to liven up the atmosphere. But when I checked them out, they all hired similar troupes, and the songs and dances they performed were all pretty much the same. They were nice to watch, but they didn't give people a fresh feeling."

"Now that I think of it, it does look quite boring."

"Right? Everyone just hires people to do the job. Those musicians and dancers are just paid to do the job. Who would be willing to choreograph a dance specifically for a restaurant? But since we're opening a new restaurant, we have to do something different. We still have to hire musicians and dancers, but we want them to choreograph our own dance. Even if we don't have as many people as other restaurants, and our dancing isn't as good as the famous dancers, at least we have the "new" element, which can attract diners to try something new."

"When it comes to doing business, my sister-in-law becomes very energetic." Shentu Zhuo said with a smile.

"Of course, especially my own business, I must pay extra attention to it," Tan Huaike said. "In fact, the money spent on this is much more expensive than directly hiring people to perform. Not only do I have to practice well myself, but I also need to give the musicians and dancers time to rehearse and get used to each other. But I've figured that as long as I can spread my reputation, I can earn back all this money."

As they were talking, they arrived at the front yard of Yuefu, where the tailor from the cloth workshop was waiting.

Tan Huaike first took a quick look at the dress samples, discarded one, and hesitated between the other two. After comparing them in front of her, she decided to give them to the dancer to try on. She asked the craftsman to go back to the shop and wait while she tried them on and then went to the fabric shop to place the formal order.
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Mo He's dresses are mostly made of light gauze and gauze, especially the accessories and skirts used for dancing. In order to create a colorful and wind-dancing effect, special care must be taken in the selection of fabrics.

Tan Huaike also instructed the master to embellish the dancers' hair with beads, so that the ceremony would take place during the day, sparkling in the sunlight. She also carefully discussed the length of the skirts with the master, ensuring that they would not be hindered by excessive length or constrained by excessive shortness when the dancers danced or twirled.

Each piece of clothing, anklets, and pearl necklace was meticulously crafted by them. Tan Huaike cherished this opportunity very much and intended to make the cloth workshop the preferred clothing shop of Yuefu.

Mi He and another dancer tried on two dresses each and danced in them. Tan Huai Ke watched their movements, paying attention to every detail of the dresses. He then asked Mi He and the dancer if they felt there was anything that needed improvement. Mi He stretched her arms and said, "The beads on my right arm can't be so tightly connected, otherwise I can't stretch them out. But the rest is fine."

Tan Huaike nodded: "Okay, I'll remember that."

Another dancer said, "I always feel uncomfortable around my waist. I can't explain why... and this strap just got caught on my foot."

Tan Huaike said, "Okay, I'll go back and talk to my master about it and make some changes."

Mi He suggested, "Why don't you just order my set? You guys just focus on altering the beads on this set, and we'll have more time to get used to the new clothes. What do you think, Master Zhuo?"

Shentu Zhuo nodded. "Okay, let's go with this one. You can wear it a few more times during subsequent rehearsals. If it gets damaged, just ask the cloth shop to repair it and replace it. Sister-in-law, is this okay with you?"

Tan Huaike readily agreed and quietly nudged him when no one was around: "Thank you, Master Zhuo, for taking care of our business."

Playing with the lustrous jade pendant around his waist, Shentu Zhuo strode out with his head held high.

It feels really good to be called "Master Zhuo" by my sister-in-law.

Tan Huaike did not leave in a hurry, but found Shan Yi when the musicians were resting. She was also involved in the choreography of the Kupsu-Niro dance.

Shan Yi saw her sitting in front of him and smiled faintly, "What's the matter, Madam?"

Tan Huaike said bluntly, "My restaurant will be opening soon, and I'd like to invite you to try our Western cuisine."

"Why did you invite me?" Shan Yi asked in surprise, "Could it be that Madam Zarito is coming..."

"No, Zari is indeed the chef of that restaurant, but he never asked me to persuade you to meet him. I wanted to invite you there for a meal myself," Tan Huaike said. "First, I want you to taste the authentic black bean curd you've always longed for, and second, I want to ask you to do me a small favor. Are you willing?"

"What help? I don't know if I can help..." Shan Yi hesitated.

"You've seen me practicing dancing hard lately. It's all to attract customers to the restaurant, but the music I'm going to use is a little bland, so I'd like you to help polish it up." Tan Huaike dispelled her concerns. "As for whether you want to meet Zari, that's up to you. If you just come to eat that day, you probably won't see him. He'll probably be busy with the restaurant opening, so there's no need to worry about it."

"Okay, I'll help you polish the music first, and I'll be there on the opening day too."
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　Next chapter: If you don’t know, you might think it’s about naming a child. (Updated at 21:40)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)