Clouds and Moon Shadow

"These are peach kernel crystal dumplings, osmanthus cake, water chestnut cake, mung bean cake, red bean crystal cake, and this is their recently launched layered cake and poria cocos cake. And this is... please try some, how does it look?"

Gu Qingyue's hands trembled as she held the chopsticks; was she about to burst from holding them?

Looking at Rong Qingqing, who was resting her chin on her hand with an expectant expression, Gu Qingyue could only reply tremblingly, "They're all good. Are you going to switch careers and open a restaurant?"

Rong Qingqing rolled her eyes: "I just want to upgrade the food quality at our inn. I've been to other big inns these past few days. Their rooms are clean and tidy, the furniture and decorations are nice, and most importantly, the food they provide tastes great. They're really packed with customers."

Gu Qingyue roughly understood. A few days ago, the two of them had redecorated the rooms in the inn, replaced the furniture, and placed some unique and novel ornaments, although they were not very expensive. However, the quality of the kitchen was just so-so.

The chef in the kitchen was left behind by Rong's uncle. Rong Qingqing is sentimental and has no intention of changing him. Therefore, she completely understands Rong Qingqing's desire to add or remove some dishes to improve the quality of the food.

As for what new dishes to make, she tried several different kinds of food before deciding on these snacks for breakfast.

"You're planning to serve these snacks for breakfast?" Gu Qingyue didn't quite agree with Rong Qingqing's idea, but she could only offer suggestions; the final decision was up to Rong Qingqing herself.

"You don't think it's good?" Rong Qingqing's serious gaze made Gu Qingyue reluctant to say anything discouraging.

From her perspective, eating too many sweet things for breakfast might be too cloying; these are more suitable for afternoon tea.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Qingyue said, "I think we can add one or two of these kinds of pastries to breakfast, but it's best not to have all sweet things. If we really have to add something, we can add some steamed shumai, shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts. But forget about egg tarts, we don't have an oven. How about congee with preserved egg and lean pork, or fish congee? In short, there are many delicious and nutritious breakfast options. We don't have to keep thinking about pastries, right?"

In her previous life, her cooking skills were mediocre, but her ability to appreciate fine food was first-rate.

She never misses a good meal. Aside from missions, her hobbies include going out to find delicious food or cooking various kinds of delicious food at home. Cantonese breakfast is especially beloved by her.

After saying that, she wanted to slip away. She was afraid that Rong Qingqing would make her eat all the snacks on the table, which would be terrible.

Before she could take two steps, Rong Qingqing grabbed her waist belt.

"You little rascal, you're quick to run away. I've never heard of what you're talking about. Have you ever eaten it? Is it good?" Rong Qingqing said, leaving no room for refusal.

Gu Qingyue rubbed her forehead, thinking, "Too much talk leads to mistakes, dear."

She had to sit down again, turned around, and gave Rong Qingqing a very obedient smile: "I saw it in a miscellaneous book before, and tried to make it myself, but it didn't taste good."

"You can read? And you can cook delicious food?" Rong Qingqing's eyes lit up.

Gu Qingyue: Too much talk leads to mistakes! She cleared her throat, "I learned it from a scholar in our village. I often helped him hunt rabbits and pheasants, and he taught me to read and write."

Gu Qingyue felt incredibly clever; her level of lying had reached a new level. She was forced into it! Who would believe her if she claimed to be illiterate yet able to diagnose illnesses? She needed to provide a reason for her literacy.

"As for cooking, I'm not very good at it," Gu Qingyue shrugged. Her cooking skills were really just so-so; it seemed like she was always missing that knack.

"Wait a minute," Rong Qingqing said suddenly, her eyes shining even brighter.

Then I saw her rush into the room and then rush out again, carrying a stack of papers, a pen, and ink.

"Write down how to do it. It doesn't matter if you don't do it well. Let Master Huang try it out. When it's sold in the future, I'll give you a share of the profits," Rong Qingqing said, holding a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone in her hands.

Gu Qingyue gave a helpless bitter smile: "Forget about the dividends, I can't help much anyway, just consider it payment for my rent."

Living here, with food, drink, and shelter provided, one should logically pay some fees.

She didn't want to take advantage of others or take their help for granted. Originally, she was planning to find some time to talk to Rong Qingqing about the rent, and this was the perfect opportunity.

Rong Qingqing gave her an annoyed look: "What kind of relationship do we have that I have to pay for the room? Do you have to be so formal? I'm angry."

Gu Qingyue wanted to say something, but Rong Qingqing interrupted her: "How about this, I'll take your recipes for free, and we'll run this inn together. You can just eat and wear my things without worry, and I'll pay you a monthly salary. At the end of the year, we'll split the profits, okay?"

Gu Qingyue was about to speak again when Rong Qingqing raised her hand, interrupting her once more: "Listen to me, be a good girl."

Gu Qingyue's lips twitched. She wasn't one to be dramatic, so she decided to leave it at that for now and talk about it later.

After Rong Qingqing finished speaking, she got up and knocked on Wen Qinghong and Wen Qinglan's door. By the time the two of them finished washing up and came out, Gu Qingyue had already written half of the recipe.

By the time Gu Qingyue finished writing, the two of them had just finished eating the breakfast on the table. Gu Qingyue was so surprised that her eyes almost popped out. Did they really have to eat so much?

Looking at the empty plates, Wen Qinghong scratched his head sheepishly and grinned sheepishly.

“Just as I thought, he’s a half-grown boy who’s going to eat his father out of house and home,” Rong Qingqing said with great bravado, which surprised the two brothers. Wen Qinghong was embarrassed, while Wen Qinglan remained expressionless and indifferent.

"Finally finished eating. Don't waste it. Come on, Xiao Qinglan, you're too thin. Drink this small bowl of tofu soup."

After Rong Qingqing finished speaking, she handed the last small bowl of soup on the table to Wen Qinglan. Wen Qinglan, with a serious face, pushed it to Wen Qinghong. Wen Qinghong did not refuse and drank the soup in one gulp.

Watching this scene, Gu Qingyue became somewhat interested in the two brothers. The older brother, Wen Qinghong, seemed carefree, cheerful, and honest, while the younger brother, Wen Qinglan, was more introverted and composed, with a resolute yet somewhat cold gaze. He had changed a lot since being rescued from the Pan family and now seemed much more mature than his brother.

Watching Rong Qingqing deftly clear the table of dishes, going back and forth three or four times, Gu Qingyue finally sensed that something was amiss.

Gu Qingyue: "Sister Rong, where are the shop assistants?"

Wen Qinghong: "That's right, I didn't see it when I came out this morning."

Rong Qingqing: "Ahem, right here, right in front of me," she said, and then continued to clear the plates.

Gu Qingyue: "You're not talking about yourself, are you?"

Rong Qingqing put her hands on her hips: "How could that be? I'm the shopkeeper!" Her eyes widened, but no matter how wide she stared, Gu Qingyue could still see a hint of guilt.

There used to be six people left in the shop: two in the kitchen, three in charge of guest rooms and the handling of guests' luggage and horses, and one in charge of running errands in the lobby. But now, there isn't a single person left.

Seeing six eyes staring at her, Rong Qingqing coughed with great difficulty and said, "What's wrong? Master Huang and his apprentice are busy in the kitchen, and the other four..."

Looking up, she saw six wide-eyed people. She straightened up awkwardly, leaned against the table, and said in a low voice, "I fired them."