My humble days in ancient times

Xu Ruyi was concentrating on making chili oil at home. The pungent smell kept drilling into her nose, making her want to sneeze repeatedly. Xu Ruyi couldn't help but mutter, "Who is thinking about me or cursing me behind my back?"

Xu Ruyuan came over with a smile and said, "Sister, of course I miss you. Maybe it's grandpa and uncle who miss you too!"

Xu Ruyi turned around and looked at her sister's playful and cute appearance, and said with a smile: "You are right, it must be like this."

The next day, Xu Qinghe came back in a hurry, his face full of joy, and brought back an exciting piece of good news: there was a shop for sale at the school.

When Xu Ruyi heard the news, her heart beat faster with excitement and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Without saying anything, the brother and sister immediately rushed to the county school. When they arrived there, they found that the broker was already there, eagerly waiting for them.

As soon as the broker saw them, he hurried over and said, "Finally, you've arrived at our shop. It's been a long time coming! I've been looking forward to your visit every day!"

Xu Ruyi immediately stepped forward and expressed gratitude with a face full of gratitude: "Thank you for keeping an eye on me. We will remember your kindness in our hearts, and we really should thank you very much." After that, he took out two taels of silver from his pocket and continued: "This is your hard work fee. Take it and have a cup of tea."

The broker smiled happily, took the silver with both hands, thanked them repeatedly, and then couldn't wait to take them to see the shop.

The shop was located at the easternmost corner, closest to the school, and was quite large. In front were three spacious and grand front doors, and inside was a large courtyard. In the courtyard stood three tall tiled houses and two neatly arranged east wing rooms.

Xu Ruyi and his sister carefully observed the house inside and out and found that the house was not old, was well maintained, and was clean and tidy inside.

Most of the things have been moved away by the owner, so it seems spacious, which is convenient for their subsequent arrangements.

Xu Ruyi saw it all and was delighted and satisfied. He thought that a bigger shop would be just right so that he could do better business.

The broker came over and said in a low voice, "The owner of this house is moving to another place to develop, so he has to sell it. This house was originally occupied by the owner and his family, so it is very clean and there are many intact places. The quality is impeccable."

Xu Ruyi nodded as she listened, expressing her agreement.

The broker continued, "It's just...it's just that this house is big and in good condition, so the price might be higher."

Xu Ruyi frowned and asked, "How much silver do they need?"

The broker quickly replied, "They originally asked for four hundred taels, but then they wanted to leave early, so they lowered the price to three hundred and fifty taels."

Xu Ruyi's heart tightened, thinking it was really expensive, so she said, "Can you give us a little less? If you can, we'll buy it. After all, this price is still a bit difficult for us."

After hearing this, the broker said, "Okay, I'll go discuss it with the owner later. You guys go back first and come back tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to him, Xu Ruyi and his sister left with full of expectations and a little worry.

On the way, Xu Qinghe asked worriedly, "Ruyi, can I buy it at this price?"

Xu Ruyi replied calmly, "Brother, this is about the same price in the county."

Xu Qinghe frowned and asked again, "Do I have to buy it?"

Xu Ruyi nodded firmly, then said patiently, "In two years, my younger brother will be coming to the county school to study. He can live here, which is very convenient. Our family can also come over often to take care of him, don't you think?"

After hearing this, Xu Qinghe smiled and said, "It seems that this arrangement is quite good. You are very thoughtful."

The next day, when Xu Ruyi and his sister arrived early, the broker greeted them cheerfully and said, "I had a long discussion with the master yesterday, and we finally came to an agreement. I can get a discount of ten taels. I begged and pleaded for this, and I was almost tired of it. Do you think you can accept it?"

The brother and sister looked at each other, lowered their heads and thought for a long time.

This made the dealer so anxious that he scratched his head and rubbed his hands non-stop, muttering to himself, "This price is really a good deal. If you miss this opportunity, you will never see it again!"

Xu Ruyi pondered for a moment, and finally said, "Okay, let's do it this way. Sign now." After that, Xu Ruyi took out three silver notes, which were three hundred taels, and then took out a silver ingot of forty taels.

Upon hearing this, the broker beamed with joy. He immediately brought the deed and respectfully asked Xu Ruyi to sign it. Then he hurried to the government office to register it. When he returned, he carefully handed the registration results to Xu Ruyi.

Seeing the brother and sister leave with great satisfaction, the broker danced with joy. He thought to himself: This is a good deal. The owner gives him money, and the buyer also gives him money. It's really great. It's quite easy to make money.

Xu Ruyi and his sister were now busy decorating the store.

Of the two rooms in the east wing, one was designated as a utility room for storing miscellaneous items; the other was originally the kitchen, so no modifications were needed. The kitchen stove originally had two pots, so Xu Ruyi went to the blacksmith shop and bought a larger stove and a larger pot. Having more pots would also make cooking faster.

Ten iron buckets and ten iron plates were carefully made, along with two large, sturdy shovels and two heavy iron spoons.

Considering that the weather is too cold in winter, stir-fried dishes can be placed in iron buckets to keep them warm. When the weather is not cold, the dishes can be placed on iron plates for easy display.

They also hired experienced renovation engineers to connect the three shops and create a separate room on the east side where the prepared dishes can be placed. This allows students to see the dishes at a glance and order more easily.

There are many tables and stools in the lobby, and a high bar is carefully built against the wall.

Xu Ruyi thought to herself: making omelets and rice balls at the door in the morning, and fast food at noon and in the evening. This arrangement is quite good.

Xu Qinghe no longer set up a stall. He was busy making chili oil with Xu Ruyi and also had to take care of various matters in the store.

Xu Ruyi said, "Brother, please don't set up a stall in the future. It's a waste to leave the place empty. It's such a pity. Why not hire someone?"

Xu Qinghe asked, "Who should we hire then?"

Xu Ruyi thought about it seriously: "Originally, Dad would be fine, but Aunt Tian is pregnant and needs someone to take care of her, and Dad is busy herding sheep and raising pigs every day, so he can't spare the time. Why not hire Brother Zhuzi? Aunt Zhang and Brother Zhuzi have helped us the most, so we should think more about them."

After hearing this, Xu Qinghe nodded repeatedly to show his agreement.

Xu Ruyi thought that making egg pancakes and rice balls at the door in the morning, and fast food at noon and in the evening was a good arrangement.

A month later, the shop was finally renovated. A lot of dirt had been dug up on the wasteland, so we stopped working on it.

Xu Ruyi hurriedly found Shopkeeper Zhao and said apologetically, "Shopkeeper Zhao, next time you need to bring more wooden barrels and pull more chili oil at once. I might be very busy these days and I really can't spare much energy."

Shopkeeper Zhao smiled gently and didn't ask any further questions. He just told Xu Ruyi not to worry.

For the past two days, the brother and sister have been working until midnight every day to make chili oil at home, exhausted and withering. To store more chili oil, they bought three new large vats. Now, there are eleven vats in the house, all holding 300 kilograms.

Shopkeeper Zhao was also very clear-headed and took as much as he could get. Over 3,000 kilograms of chili oil were taken away without any delay.

Xu Ruyi thought it was a good idea, as it would ensure that Manager Zhao could hold on for three days.