The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

That night, apart from Shen Chen, the entire Shen family worked in the kitchen until midnight, finally preparing everything needed for the opening the next day.

Considering it was the first day of business, Shen Cao specially asked someone to calculate the auspicious time, saying that it would be best to officially open at noon. Therefore, Shen Cao did not prepare breakfast on the first day.

The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is an auspicious day for opening a business.

The weather was sunny and cool, with not a cloud in the sky; all the good omens indicated that today was a good day.

At the stroke of 3:45 AM, the lion dance troupe that Shen Cao had invited began to beat drums and gongs, attracting a large number of passersby.

Shen Chen happened to be resting at home today and also participated in the opening ceremony.

The lion dance troupe had just finished their performance when Shen Cao was about to say a few words when he saw Wei Siyu and Shen Yu'an arrive together.

The two men, one in white and one in black, walked into the crowd, and the crowd automatically made way for them. In the entire Xin'an County, who didn't know the eldest son of the Shen family and the young master of the Wei family?

Wei Siyu stepped forward first, clasped her hands in a fist and palm salute, and said, "Little Grass, congratulations on your opening!"

Shen Yu'an, holding a fan, strolled leisurely a step behind Wei Siyu. Only after Wei Siyu finished speaking did he offer his congratulations.

Shen Cao was very happy. Wei Siyu and Shen Yu'an were new friends she had just made, but both of them had helped her a lot. It could be said that without Shen Yu'an, her shop would probably have taken a long time to open.

"Brother Shen, Brother Wei, what brings you here today?"

"If it weren't for waiting for your opening, would I have been able to wait until now?" Shen Yu'an fanned himself with his jade-bone fan and spoke slowly.

Shen Cao pursed her lips. You'd better think about the opening rather than that meal.

"Thank you very much, Brother Shen. Please come in."

"Wait, I've prepared a big gift for you too." Wei Siyu immediately grabbed Shen Yu'an, who was walking inside.

Shen Cao glanced at Shen Yu'an, who waved his hand, indicating that he didn't know either.

Wei Siyu clapped her hands and then shouted, "Butler Wei!"

A group of people dressed as servants of the Wei family walked over one after another, each carrying a flower basket. After putting down their baskets, they congratulated Shen Cao.

After waiting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shen Cao finally heard the last servant's congratulations.

Shen Cao was speechless. Looking at the flower baskets that almost took up the entire street, she thought she owned a huge restaurant.

Shen Yu'an looked at him with an expression that said, "I don't know him," and was also speechless.

Wei Siyu seemed oblivious to the expression on Shen Cao's face, and walked up to Shen Cao with a cheerful smile. "How about it, Xiao Cao? I'm pretty generous, aren't I? I even called all the servants from my boat and my house."

Before Shen Cao could speak, Shen Wan ran over and said to Shen Cao, "Big sister, some rich and powerful fool bought a whole street of flower baskets, and they've almost filled our front door. It's so crowded that no one can even stand in front of our house."

Looking at her older sister's expression, Shen Wan's voice grew weaker and weaker, "This flower basket isn't for our family, is it?"

Shen Cao nodded at Wei Siyu.

Wei Siyu had already slipped up to Shen Yu'an. He pointed to his nose and asked, "Do I look like a fool?"

Shen Yu'an nodded. "Be more confident and remove the image."

Shen Cao waved his hand, "Brother Wei means well. Wan'er, take a few people and bring the flower baskets from the doorway inside and put them in the backyard."

When the area around the entrance was almost tidied up, Uncle Li arrived with his wife. Uncle Li carried a large rack of spare ribs for Shen Cao, and Shen's father quickly took the ribs and carried them to the kitchen.

Uncle Li clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Cao'er, congratulations! I knew you were capable."

"Uncle Li, you're here, why did you bring anything?"

“You know, Uncle’s family has no shortage of meat, these ribs aren’t worth much. You run a restaurant, right? This is perfect for you,” Uncle Li’s wife replied.

Shen Cao sized up Aunt Li. It was quite a contrast that Uncle Li, a big and burly man, had married such a beautiful and delicate wife.

"You must be Aunt Li. I used to mention Uncle Li and you often when I was selling meat. It's so nice to meet you today, Uncle Li is really lucky."

After hearing Shen Cao's words, Uncle Li touched his head and said, "I am indeed very lucky."

"hey-hey!"

Aunt Li blushed at Uncle Li's words, and Shen Cao invited the two of them inside.

Shen Cao's guests were all led into his own main room to have tea and snacks.

At 15 noon, the opening ceremony officially began, and the guests came out.

Shen Cao also specially arranged a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the guests who cut the ribbon were several guests invited by Shen Cao and Shen's parents.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, firecrackers were set off, and Shen Cao pulled back the curtain on the signboard, officially opening Shen Family Restaurant.

"Reporting, the county magistrate congratulates the Shen family restaurant on its opening and has specially presented a pair of bronze lions."

Upon hearing that the county magistrate had sent someone to deliver gifts, everyone began to speculate about the background of the Shen family's restaurant.

The man who had just shouted came up with a servant carrying a pair of stone lions on a tray.

He assumed Shen Yu'an was the owner of the restaurant and walked up to him.

Shen Yu'an pointed to Shen Cao next to him, indicating that he was not the boss, and that the other person was the boss.

The man was taken aback at first, then walked up to Shen Cao and said, “Boss Shen, I am a clerk in the county government. The county magistrate is too busy today, so he specially asked me to personally deliver the congratulatory gift.”

Shen Cao first clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the clerk, saying, "It is an honor for Shen Cao to have you here, clerk!"

Li Quan looked at the young girl in front of him, who was only fourteen years old. Although he was very puzzled as to why the county magistrate had asked him to personally deliver the gift today, he did not deliberately neglect her because of her young age.

Looking at the two large Buddha statues standing at the entrance, he guessed the reason.

"No, no, I wish Mr. Shen a prosperous business and abundant wealth."

"Thank you so much! Would you like to stay for dinner, sir?"

Li Quan waved his hand, indicating that he had already conveyed his message and could not linger. "I have important matters to attend to at the county office, so I won't disturb Mr. Shen's opening any longer."

After saying that, he left with his men.

Shen Cao guessed that the county magistrate sent people because of Shen Yu'an and Wei Siyu.

After all, who would send a gift after the opening ceremony is over? It's obvious they inquired and found out that Shen Yu'an and Wei Siyu were there, so they hurriedly sent someone over.

Shen Cao didn't care about this little incident and warmly greeted the first customer who came to her shop.

"Shen Family Restaurant is opening today. For the first three days, all dishes will be half price."

People who were initially hesitant rushed in as soon as they heard about the half-price offer on the first day. After seeing the prices displayed in the restaurants, they quickly found seats, afraid that they wouldn't be able to get one.

Shen Cao's guests were still arranged in the backyard, so they didn't have to squeeze in with the people in the main hall.

The fast food prepared by Shen Cao consisted of more than twenty dishes. A vegetarian meal cost eight coins, one meat dish and three vegetarian dishes cost nine coins, two meat dishes and two vegetarian dishes cost ten coins, three meat dishes and one vegetarian dish cost eleven coins, and a vegetarian meal cost twelve coins.

The dishes were all cooked in advance. Mr. and Mrs. Shen greeted the customers in the front, while Shen Cao greeted the guests in the backyard.

Once the lively lunchtime was over, Shen's Restaurant officially opened for business.