Chapter 21: Willing to Collaborate

“How is this made?”
“Why does my tongue feel numb? Such a magical sensation.”
“What did they add in here?”

An unprecedented uproar erupted in the kitchen. Liang Yunqing, overwhelmed by questions coming from all sides, hid in a corner until a commanding voice rang out.

“What’s all this noise? Get back to work!”

Manager Yang, holding a silver bowl with only a little red oil left, stood at the door and scolded the crowd, though excitement was barely concealed on his face. He spoke to Liang Yunqing in the corner,

“Hehe, Miss Liang, our owner sincerely invites you to discuss business again.”

“Why did you only come now? I’m about to go deaf from all this noise,” Liang Yunqing complained.

Manager Yang merely smiled without replying. He couldn’t very well say that the owner had been unable to stop eating after the first bite and only called him over after finishing everything.

“Miss Liang, please.”

He respectfully led the way, this time not through the side path but boldly striding with Liang Yunqing through the main hall on the first floor.

Returning to the third floor, Liang Yunqing entered the room without obstruction. Mr. Xia, the owner, who was seated at the desk, had already put on a serious expression. Without hesitation, he bowed to her.

“My apologies for any offense in my earlier words. At Happy Guesthouse, we are willing to make a deal with Miss Liang.”

Liang Yunqing had come to understand just how flexible merchants could be—one moment proud, the next apologetic.

“Mr. Xia, you’re too polite. Let’s talk about the price.”

“Please, have a seat.”

Mr. Xia gestured, and Liang Yunqing accepted without hesitation, sitting down on the wooden chair.

“Happy Guesthouse is willing to buy the exclusive seasoning outright. Miss Liang can supply us with a batch every month, and we will take it all. The price is negotiable.”

“So, you want a monopoly,” she said with a smile.

“Naturally. Moreover, I am willing to pay handsomely for your dishes.”

Recalling the flavor of the boiled beef, Mr. Xia subtly swallowed. The moment he mentioned ‘handsomely,’ Liang Yunqing’s interest piqued, and she leaned forward eagerly.

“How handsome are we talking?”

“One hundred taels of silver.”

“One… one hundred taels?!”

Suddenly, Liang Yunqing jumped up and, without a word, grabbed Mr. Xia’s slender hand, shaking it up and down.

“Pleasure doing business, pleasure doing business! I’m willing—”

【Warning! Host must not take shortcuts】

Suddenly, the 007 System spoke up in her mind.

Interrupted in her dreams of wealth, Liang Yunqing shouted indignantly, “Shortcuts? What shortcut? I earned all this by my own efforts!”

【Host is not allowed to, all sources of money must be earned by host’s own hands】

“When was this rule set? And I did earn it myself!”

【Host can cook to earn money but cannot earn money by selling recipes】

The 007 System patiently explained, but Liang Yunqing had no patience left to listen. One hundred taels! If she got that, she would never have to endure hardship again.

【Warning! If the host forcibly violates rules, system will enforce punishment】

Liang Yunqing still held Mr. Xia’s hand tightly, for in that grasp was not just a palm, but unimaginable wealth. She kept shouting in her mind,

“System! Just this once, can I make an exception?”

【Release hand】

“Please!”

【Release hand】

“Don’t push me! When cornered, even a rabbit will bite. What power rules? I eat by my own skill, and you still control me?”

【If hand is not released, punishment will follow】

“Damn it! I’m not afraid of you!”

【Warning! Host violated system rules, random punishment now enforced】

“Are you serious?”

Liang Yunqing hurriedly prepared to withdraw her hand, but in the next moment, a shockwave like static electricity surged through her body, instantly making her break into a wild dance on the spot.

“Miss Liang… what’s happening?”

Mr. Xia stood stunned. Just moments ago, they were on the verge of cooperation, now she suddenly shook off his hand and started convulsing.

Liang Yunqing felt a tingling numbness radiate from within, her hair standing on end from the electric shock. The whole scene looked utterly ridiculous.

“System… you’re heartless.”

【Host, since when did you say the system was human?】

Liang Yunqing lowered her head in pain. Amid Mr. Xia’s puzzled gaze, she forced a smile—this time a bitter one.

“Mr. Xia, I just had my ancestor possess me. Whatever I said before doesn’t count. I can provide the seasoning, but the dishes you’ll have to let your kitchen chefs study slowly.”

“Miss Liang, why the sudden refusal? How about I offer 150 taels for your dishes?”

Mr. Xia, naturally, assumed she was just dissatisfied with the price and hastened forward, trying to persuade her to change her mind.

Liang Yunqing felt her heart ache. One hundred fifty taels…

“Please, no more offers. Mr. Xia, I truly cannot sell you the recipes. How about this—if I have time in the future, I can come here to cook and work, would that be acceptable?”

Upon hearing this, Mr. Xia’s expression turned knowing. So it wasn’t that she didn’t want to sell the recipes, but rather wanted to join Happy Guesthouse.

She said no more, and the two returned to their seats to negotiate the supply of Sichuan peppercorns.

Happy Guesthouse was not only in this small county but had branches in the capital and other regions as well. Mr. Xia regularly visited various restaurants to monitor their operations.

Coincidentally, this time he was here. Over tea, they settled on the supply price: cooked Sichuan peppercorns at one tael of silver for two jin, supplying one hundred jin per month. As for the powder, they would grind it themselves.

Liang Yunqing wiggled her fingers cheerfully, counting the money. Just then, she drew a Soil Converter from a beginner’s treasure chest, ensuring even the most barren land could produce high-quality peppercorns.

After the negotiations, Manager Yang had the contract prepared in advance. Both parties signed and pressed their fingerprints.

On the way back, Manager Yang handed Liang Yunqing a box of pastries. By the time they returned to town, it was already late afternoon. From afar, Li Pinghua and Liang Zhiyan sat by the roadside, their stomachs growling.

Seeing Liang Yunqing descend from the sedan chair, the two immediately ran over.

“Yunqing, you finally made it! We’ve bought all the supplies and have been waiting for you.”

“Yes, I and your aunt have been waiting all afternoon.”

Liang Yunqing glanced at the large bundles of rice and flour behind them and nodded.

“Thank you for your hard work. The deal with Happy Guesthouse went through. We’ll talk more when we get back.”

Li Pinghua’s exhausted expression vanished instantly. Her eyes darted around as she eagerly tried to pry into the price Happy Guesthouse had offered, but Liang Yunqing skillfully dodged all questions.

As if! She would never let them know how much she was earning.

Liang Yunqing sat on the carriage holding the wooden box of pastries. The sweet aroma soon reached Liang Zhiyan’s nose, who swallowed repeatedly but dared not say a word.

Li Pinghua also sniffed the fragrant scent in the air with effort. Liang Yunqing looked at them helplessly.

“Stop sniffing. These are Happy Guesthouse’s pastries. We’ll eat them when we get home.”

“I’m just so hungry. Yunqing, can you share a little with me first?”

Leaning forward, Liang Zhiyan’s eyes burned with desire as he stared at the box, almost boring a hole through it. These were pastries from Happy Guesthouse.

Even ordinary pastries were a rare treat for them, hardly eaten more than a few times a year. How could they not crave them?

Liang Yunqing turned her head, clutching the box tightly in her arms, and shot Liang Zhiyan a glare.

“You two kids haven’t eaten yet. How can a father think only of himself first?”

Liang Zhiyan pouted and reluctantly turned away. Li Pinghua swallowed hard as both wondered why the carriage was taking so long. It had been a very long wait.