Chapter 8: Another Pitfall

Well, then you can serve the plates and bowls for me in a while, as I am also quite busy.

Jia Yiman forcefully pulled Jia Er, who was kneeling on the ground, up and glared at Lin Ruyu, questioning fiercely: "You did this on purpose"

Please give me the meat sauce oil-splashed noodles.

Boss Wang picked up a piece of meat and placed it in his mouth. The initially tough piece of meat, as he chewed, suddenly revealed a crisp texture that brightened his senses. The unique aroma of the meat began to spread in his mouth, and while his face displayed excitement, his heart was bleeding. He knew that if he could not obtain the secret recipe for this meat, he would no longer be able to keep his inn open.

The authentic meat scraps were divided among three individuals for breakfast, while the counterfeit meat scraps remained in the kitchen, awaiting the arrival of noon

"Let's go, brother, it's time for a meal." Jia Yi's breakfast may not be considered lavish, but it is undoubtedly delicious. The scallion pancakes, which have yet to be tasted, are so fragrant that they make one's mouth water just by the smell. The porridge made from millet, cooked to a soft consistency, exudes a subtle and refreshing aroma. The meat scraps, which can serve as a side dish, are barely acceptable for breakfast.

Jia Er, unaware of what tragic experiences he had endured, was instantly moved to tears upon hearing Jia Yi's words. His legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, unsure whether he was touched by Jia Yi's perception of him as a younger brother or frightened by Jia Yi's threats of beating and scolding.

"From today onwards, you are my dear younger brother. If you make a mistake, I will scold you and even hit you. However, only I have the right to hit or scold you. If anyone dares to hit or scold you, let them try."

I have my own purposes and can assure you that I will not spend it recklessly

Jia Yi once again pulled Jia Er up, staring into Jia Er's eyes and imparting the first principle: "A man should not kneel without reason; beneath a man's knees lies gold. We must live with dignity, so as not to have lived in vain in this world. Do you understand?"

Before using the oyster sauce, first cut some irregular pieces of meat, then take a large chunk of fatty meat to start using the oyster sauce. Scoop out the authentic meat residue and place it in a ceramic bowl, then throw all those irregular pieces of meat into the firewood pot.

Everyone has arrived, whether one recognizes them or not, it is what it is with Jia Er. Since there are no relatives by my side in this world, I might as well consider him my own brother.

With the addition of these fifty taels, Jia Yi felt that his plan should be ready to be implemented. As long as the tools are prepared, he will lead a significant transformation in the culinary world.

Watching the small pieces of meat sizzling in the pot, Jia Yi thought wickedly: "You are forcing me to do this; I do not wish to fabricate, but you are compelling me..."

As the opening time approached, Jia repeatedly glanced at the little one following behind him. He truly did not know what to have this little fellow do. Could he carry trays and bowls?

I understand, brother

Have you eaten? The day is getting late, and in another hour it will be time to open for lunch. Looking at Jia Er's frail appearance, Jia Yi truly lacks the interest to make use of him.

Mr. Wang, with a sullen expression, once again visited the Sifang Restaurant. It is evident from his facial expression that the incident involving the meat scraps at the Laifu Inn had a significant impact on him yesterday

Lin Ruyu reached out and slapped Jia Er on the back of his head. It was unclear whether Jia Er was startled by the slap or by something else, but with a thud, he knelt down in front of Jia Yi, his voice still unbroken and somewhat childish: "Elder brother, please accept a bow from your younger brother."

Jia Er called out, "Alright, please wait a moment." He then moved his little legs and ran towards the kitchen, picked up a bowl of noodles that had already been prepared, casually grabbed a few pieces of meat, placed them into the bowl, and then brought it out.

This is the companion I found for you, Jia Er. From now on, this person will be your elder brother. Why don't you quickly pay your respects to your elder brother, Jia Yi

"Whether intentional or not, I have bought a household servant, and since your name is Jia Yi, I will name him Jia Er. What is wrong with that?"

Neither of us has eaten yet

Early this morning, Lin Ruyu and Lin Meiyu went to fetch Jia Er, whom they had arranged to meet yesterday. They did not even have time for breakfast, while the household servants were enjoying their meal. The two masters could only watch with wide eyes, prompting Lin Meiyu to finally voice this reality.

Lard-fried pork, what does it taste like? Jia Yi has never tried it. Looking at the white chunks of meat in the pot, he thinks the taste should not be better than that of meat scraps. But it doesn't matter to him, after all, he is not the one eating it.

After a busy half-night, a basin of pork scraps was prepared. Jia Yi nodded in satisfaction, finally feeling that there would be enough to eat for tomorrow.

That night, the ragged Jia, limping on one leg, returned to the restaurant. Without a word, he lifted the large pot and began to prepare more meat scraps. The diners were utterly frantic; it was just a meal, just some meat scraps. Was it really necessary to go to such lengths? They had even broken their noses.

If you haven't eaten, why didn't you say so earlier? Hurry over to eat, there is plenty.

Hehe, alright, alright, it truly is the young who are the heroes of our time, so go ahead and name a number

"Jia Yi, how do you plan to spend this money?" Lin Ruyu approached Jia Yi and asked seemingly with concern.

Although the meat scraps obtained from using cooking oil and the meat pieces fried in lard are not truly the same in essence, in an era devoid of any fried foods, being able to consume something that has been fried is, in itself, a form of happiness. Who still cares about the differences between the meat scraps and the meat pieces

Jia Er, upon seeing this, could not stop the action of slurping his saliva until Jia Yi pushed the food in front of him and said, "Go ahead and eat." Only then did he extend his claw and begin to eat the scallion pancake in large bites.

As soon as Jia Yi finished speaking, he began to go to the gate. With the allure of meat scraps, the business of the Sifang Restaurant once again flourished. Before the gate was even properly set, people rushed in all at once, and after securing their spots, they began to pound on the tables demanding meat scraps.

Jia wore a smile on his face, but the words he spoke sounded different to Boss Wang's ears, "You haven't paid, so why should I give you anything to eat"

I can do anything, from washing clothes and cooking to cleaning the house, serving dishes and bowls, all of it." Jia Er looked up at Jia Yi and said with unwavering determination

In fact, a considerable number of scallion pancakes have been made, as this dish can be stored well. By making a larger batch at once, it can save time in the coming days. There isn't much porridge left, but that is not a significant issue. Adding a ladle of water transforms one bowl of porridge into three bowls.

Without saying a word, Jia Yier extended a hand.

As the bustling scene faded away, chaos ensued. Jia Er slowly cleaned up the mess left behind in the restaurant after the guests departed, while Yi and Tu were tidying up the disordered tables. Lin Meiyu and Lin Ruyu were counting today's earnings, and no one paid attention to Boss Wang, who remained seated on the mat, knowing that Jia Yi was approaching from the back kitchen

Elder brother

Lin Ruyu hesitated to speak, ultimately suppressing the words that weighed on her heart. She watched Jia Yi return to his room with the money, her slightly furrowed brows indicating that she must have something important on her mind, yet due to the constraints of social propriety, she found it difficult to voice her thoughts.

"You are ruthless." In fact, what Jia Yi resents is not Lin Ruyu herself, but the slave trade. They are all living beings, yet due to the sale by their parents or the capture by human traffickers, they ultimately fall into the hands of the slave owners, becoming slaves without identity or status. This society does not seem very fair.

After Jia Er finished tidying up the hall, he returned to Jia Yi's room. Looking at the little adult before him, Jia Yi felt that this room was indeed too cramped, and it was time to expand the restaurant.

You rascal, why didn't you mention such a good thing earlier? You've truly made me suffer greatly. Although Boss Wang hated Jia Yi to the core in his heart, he still wore a faint smile on his face, as if this was not a question but rather a casual remark.

Boss Wang suddenly felt a pang of heartache. Previously, the oil-splashed noodles were considered a main dish, and fifty coins were just fifty coins. However, this small amount of meat scraps was merely a side dish, yet it also cost fifty coins. But upon further reflection, without these meat scraps, he could forget about competing with the Sifang Restaurant at the Jinfuke Inn. Despite his numerous grievances, he could only grit his teeth and accept it.

Lin Meiyu watched as Jia Yishou tossed the money pouch back and forth in his hands, and she truly wanted to snatch it away from him. Fifty guan, after all, was not something her father could earn even after years of hard work. Yet, Jia Yishou had managed to earn it just by a few words. The envy and jealousy she felt perfectly captured her current state.

Jia Yi believed that with his own hands and over a thousand years of knowledge from later generations, he could completely establish a foothold in the Tang Dynasty. However, he felt that the change in the system of slave trading could only be eliminated if one entered a later civilization; otherwise, it was fundamentally impossible to eradicate.

Casually grabbing a handful of meat scraps from the earthen bowl, I tossed them into my mouth and began to chew heartily. It was fragrant, the authentic flavor, unlike the imitation from the pot, which lacked genuine aroma

No ... ...

Jia Yi quickly placed the door panel and turned to lead Jia Er back to the kitchen, then began to repeat the actions from the previous few days, the only difference being that he grabbed some pieces of meat to put into the bowl

Another fifty taels have been received. Jia Yi casually tossed the money bag in his hand, watching the departing figure of Boss Wang, feeling that this person is indeed his own God of Wealth

You see what you said, how would I know you have a taste for this? If I had known earlier, would I not have brought it out for you to try?

Early the next morning, Lin Ruyu and Lin Meiyu arrived at the restaurant, followed by a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy. Judging by the patched clothing he wore, it was evident that the boy's family was likely of very ordinary means

Jia Er is shorter than Jia Yi by more than a head. In just a short while, the two became deeply bonded brothers. This scene left Lin Ruyu and Lin Meiyu wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief

In fact, from this perspective, the Lin family can indeed be considered a kind and virtuous household. If it were another family, it would be acceptable for a servant to earn extra money and keep it for themselves; forcing the servant to continue earning money would be considered unscrupulous.