Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Manager Liu arrived quickly. Xia Yu waited in front of him until the water in the pot boiled, then added the fish balls and fish tofu to cook. The fish tofu looked somewhat like modern fried gluten, but it was made from minced fish. Once the fish tofu had softened in the hot broth, Xia Yu used chopsticks to pick it out and gave one to each of Manager Liu and Chef Zhao.

"Manager Liu, Chef Zhao, this is a new type of fish tofu I developed. It's perfect for hot pot. Why don't you give it a try?" Xia Yu said to the two of them with a smile.

The two didn't hesitate. Knowing that this was a tasting opportunity, they picked up their chopsticks, took a bite, and the fish tofu, soaked in the soup, was soft and smooth, with a rich, sweet, spicy, and savory flavor.

"good to eat"

"good"

The two spoke at the same time, then both looked at the last fish tofu in the pot and reached for it with their chopsticks. Unfortunately, neither of them managed to get any. Xia Yu slowly picked it up, took a bite without dipping it in any sauce, and chewed it carefully. Hmm, not bad, the hot pot broth seems a bit too salty.

Putting down her chopsticks, Xia Yu looked at the two people opposite her and asked, "Don't you guys think the hot pot broth is a bit too salty?"

"Too salty? No, right?" Chef Zhao poured all the fish tofu from the plate into the pot, cooked it for a while, then took out a bite and tasted it.

"It's not too salty, it's just right. Manager Liu, you should try it," Chef Zhao said to Manager Liu.

"Hmm, it's not salty. It's just right. Oh, right, isn't one pound of hot pot base enough for four pots? Master Zhao and I both felt it was a bit bland, so we added some salt to each pot," Manager Liu explained to Xia Yu.

Hearing them say that, Xia Yu was speechless, but she didn't refute them. Well, the customer is the most important thing.

Xia Yu scooped out all the cooked fish balls and gave a few to each of Manager Liu and Chef Zhao. She then distributed the rest to the other people in the kitchen, and also shared some fish tofu with everyone, inviting them to try it.

As expected, everyone present loved both dishes, especially the fish tofu, which was far more popular than the fish balls.

After listening to everyone's opinions, Manager Liu invited Xia Yu to a private room to discuss the recipes and prices of the two ingredients.

"Xiaxia, look at the recipes for these two ingredients. How much are you planning to sell them to our restaurant for?" Manager Liu personally poured Xia Yu a cup of tea and asked.

“Uncle Liu, these two recipes aren’t actually difficult. I believe Chef Zhao can probably make them after studying them for a while. However, with these two ingredients, not only will the ingredients for Zuixiaolou Hot Pot become more abundant, but I can also add several new dishes to your stir-fry menu,” Xia Yu said, taking a sip of the hot tea in her cup.

Hearing Xia Yu's words, Manager Liu knew that the price of today's prescription would probably be high. But he still gritted his teeth and said...

"Then tell me a price and I'll hear it." Manager Liu still wanted Xia Yu to say the price first.

"Actually, I haven't decided whether to sell or not. If I don't sell, I can make fish balls and fish tofu and supply the restaurant daily, which seems like a good idea." Xia Yu thought for a moment before continuing.

"Actually, opening a workshop would be a good idea, specializing in fish balls and fish tofu, which can then be sold to various restaurants, providing a steady stream of income." Xia Yu said this in a low voice, seemingly talking to herself, but Manager Liu was stunned by her thoughts. He hadn't expected that a country girl like her would have such lofty ideals and ambitions.

Having seemingly made up her mind, Xia Yu said, "Uncle Liu, I don't think selling the property is a good idea. How about I supply the restaurant with goods every day? That way, my family can have an income every month."

Hearing that Xia Yu seemed genuinely not planning to sell, Manager Liu was a little anxious, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he gently advised, "Xia Xia, your uncle thinks you're already very tired from stir-frying hot pot ingredients every day. If you also supply fish balls and fish tofu to the restaurant, do you think you'll have time for anything else? Not only you, but your mother will also be tied to the kitchen every day, doing these things in the smoke and heat. It's still cold now, so it's okay to send more at once. But when it's hot in the summer, you'll have to come here every day. Don't you think what your uncle says makes sense?" After saying that, he looked at Xia Yu, waiting for his reply.

Xia Yu frowned and thought for a while before saying, "Uncle Liu's words seem to make sense. Let me think about it some more, my mind is a bit confused right now. Uncle, how about I go home and discuss it with my parents, and then come back to give you an answer in a few days?"

“Actually, I should go back and discuss this with my parents, but Uncle’s shop is in a hurry to serve these two dishes, right? Look outside, there are so many people eating hot pot, the menu is too simple, and there are too few ingredients. I’m anxious too. Can you just consider this a favor to Uncle? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give you a good price.” Manager Liu felt that Xia Yu was too indecisive. He used to think she was shrewd, but now it seemed that all her shrewdness was in studying the menu.

"But..." Xia Yu was about to retort when Manager Liu interrupted her.

"Oh, my dear niece, don't hesitate, your uncle will definitely not mistreat you." Manager Liu patted his chest loudly.

"Uncle Liu, how much silver are you planning to give me?" Xia Yu asked, seemingly embarrassed.

"This..." For a moment, Manager Liu hesitated. He had a price in mind, but it seemed a bit too low.

After thinking for a moment, Manager Liu held up one finger. Xia Yu was overjoyed to see that one finger. "Uncle Liu, that's too much! I'm so sorry!"

"Oh, not at all, not at all. Uncle said he wouldn't let you suffer any loss, and he definitely won't. The recipe is worth the price."

"Uncle Liu, to be honest, I didn't expect you to offer such a high price. Well then, since you're so generous, I can't be stingy. I'll give you ten more recipes for these two ingredients, so I can accept the money with a clear conscience."

Manager Liu was overjoyed to hear that she would also include ten recipes. He immediately had his waiter bring paper and ink to sign the sales agreement with Xia Yu. However, Xia Yu's next words left him speechless.