Sanni’s brow furrowed, then smoothed out instantly. Indeed, this was just a small town, nothing to make a fuss over. Her eldest sister’s intentions meant that, in the future, they would venture to the county seats, prefectural cities, and even Beijing... The hand by her side clenched unconsciously, stirring a vague sense of excitement within her.
They soon arrived at the entrance of Baiwei Restaurant. It was still early, not yet mealtime, so the doors were closed.
Gazing at the gilded signboard, Yang Ruxin couldn’t help but sigh. The scene of peddling food at a restaurant had ultimately unfolded in her life. However, one day, she was determined to own such an establishment herself.
"Let’s go, let’s head to the back door." After a moment, Yang Ruxin, pulling Sanni along, walked to the back door.
"You can go now, our shopkeeper won’t see you." Approaching the back door, they saw a man resembling a waiter shooing away another man carrying two baskets.
"But these chickens are from my own farm, and these fish, I caught them myself, they are absolutely..."
"Uncle," the young waiter sighed, "it’s not that we don’t trust you, but the restaurant has its rules. We can’t just use anything to prepare food for our customers. What if there’s a problem? Our ingredients are all supplied by specific people with guarantors." He smiled slightly, "If you can find a guarantor, maybe we could take your products."
The man deflated instantly. A guarantor? Where was he supposed to find one?
"Uncle, you might as well try the market." The young waiter, Xiaxia, smiled, "You might get lucky and sell them there..."
The man sighed and had no choice but to pick up his carrying pole and walk away.
"Big sister, will the restaurant accept our goods?" Sanni asked, watching the man’s retreating figure with some concern.
"We have a guarantor." Yang Ruxin smiled, then stepped forward to the young waiter who was about to close the door, "Brother, I am Yang Ruxin from Dapu East Village, is the shopkeeper in?"
The young waiter frowned and was about to shake his head when a voice came from behind, "Is it Miss Yang? Please, come in!"
Hearing this, the young waiter hurriedly opened the back door.
A portly man approached, sizing up Yang Ruxin and nodded slightly: "I am the shopkeeper here, my name is Ma Zhong. Let’s talk inside."
Yang Ruxin knew she wouldn’t meet Shen Wanyin, but she also knew that being a shopkeeper meant being a loyal hound of the Shen Family; to some extent, that represented the Shen Family itself. Thus, she dared not take him lightly. Nonetheless, the flicker of scorn in Ma Zhong’s eyes moments before had not escaped her notice.
He was disdainful of their sister’s poor attire.
Although she felt displeased inwardly, Yang Ruxin didn’t let it show on her face. She was here to do business, and as long as the deal succeeded, other minor details could be overlooked.
Seated in a private room on the second floor, Ma Zhong was very courteous and had refreshments served. After all, the master had ordered that this girl should be treated well. As for the business, a rough deal would do. Even buying the goods with silver to throw them away was acceptable—after all, she had a powerful backer.
However, he simply couldn’t fathom how such a rustic country girl managed to catch the eye of His Highness Prince Yi. It seemed her methods were extraordinarily clever.
Of course, such affairs were not for a shopkeeper to comment on. It was best to send her on her way rather quickly—he wasn’t eager to indulge in child’s play.