Crybaby Transmigrated into a Little Husband Chapter 74

Chapter 74: 新店

[New Store]

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Rarely seen, when Ji Ling asked this question, Tang Xiaobao’s expression briefly darkened—as if something had crossed his mind—before quickly returning to normal. He looked at Ji Ling and said, “They said the ingredients there were running low, so our portion wasn’t very generous.”

 

Ji Ling observed Tang Xiaobao, noticing the unusual expression. He sensed something wasn’t quite right, though he couldn’t pinpoint it yet. His thoughts drifted to the affairs within the inner quarters and his recent refusal of his aunt’s request. While he didn’t grasp the full picture immediately, some clues began to emerge. He looked at Tang Xiaobao and asked calmly, “Is someone giving you trouble over there?”

 

Startled by the question, Tang Xiaobao shook his head. He couldn’t burden Ji Ling with every problem; he needed to learn to handle things himself.

 

Seeing Tang Xiaobao’s repeated denials, Ji Ling said no more. He simply picked up a piece of his favorite dish with his chopsticks and placed it in his bowl. When he gave him a silly smile, his peripheral vision discreetly swept over the silent maid standing nearby.

 

After the meal, they rested briefly. As Tang Xiaobao prepared to bathe, Ji Ling excused himself, saying he had matters to attend to and would return later. Tang Xiaobao, trusting him, went off without a second thought. Only after confirming Tang Xiaobao was out of earshot did he turn to the maid who hadn’t followed and ask directly, “You accompanied the young madam out today. Did you encounter anything?”

 

Lühe looked at his expressionless young master questioning him. Though the young madam had told her not to say anything, promising he’d handle it himself, Lühe knew the young mistress’s gentle nature meant he wouldn’t punish anyone too harshly. Her young master, however, was different. After only a moment’s thought, Lühe recounted everything that had happened today, carefully embellishing the words spoken by that matron.

 

Observing Lühe, Ji Ling knew this young maid harbored her own little thoughts. As long as those thoughts were directed toward Tang Xiaobao, he didn’t mind—he might even grant her some privileges. After Lühe finished speaking, Ji Ling gave a faint nod before saying, “I understand. Go tend to things over there. Xiaobao will start to suspect something if he doesn’t see you soon.”

 

Glancing up at Ji Ling’s expressionless face, Lü He curtsied and withdrew.

 

Once the room was empty save for Ji Ling, he tapped the table lightly, replying noncommittally, “Perhaps it’s because this master has been away too long. The servants have forgotten I even exist.”

His expression remained unclouded, yet an icy chill seemed to emanate even from his proximity.

 

That evening, after changing, Ji Ling held Tang Xiaobao close as the younger man gasped for breath in his arms, his own breathing steadying. “Have you been troubled by something lately?” He asked, as if in passing.

 

Still dazed from the earlier wave of passion, Tang Xiaobao hadn’t fully recovered yet. Trapped in Ji Ling’s familiar embrace, his thoughts spiraled out of control, and he blurted out something he’d pondered for a long time, “I don’t have any problem, I just kind of want to open my own shop here?”

 

“Bored?” Ji Ling gently stroked Tang Xiaobao’s still-damp hair and asked softly.

 

Already extremely sleepy, Tang Xiaobao unconsciously nodded, then soon drifted off with half-closed eyes in Ji Ling’s embrace. “No, I just want to open my own shop.”

 

Seeing Tang Xiaobao fall asleep so quickly, even Ji Ling—who had been so energetic moments ago—felt a pang of guilt. He’d been a bit rough earlier. Glancing at the moonlight streaming through the half-open window, he paused for a moment before agreeing to Tang Xiaobao’s request.

 

Before heading out the next day, Ji Ling handed Tang Xiaobao a deed and said, “This is property my mother left me. I think this spot is the most suitable for opening a shop. I have matters to attend to in the coming days and won’t be able to leave. Take Lühe with you to take a look. If you think it’s suitable, I’ll have it renovated for you. If not, we’ll find another place.” With that, he hurried off under Tang Xiaobao’s admiring gaze.

 

Only after Ji Ling and Feng Ling had disappeared into the distance did Tang Xiaobao snap back to reality. Turning to Lühe, he said cheerfully, “Let’s go take a look later.”

 

“Yes.” As a servant, Lühe naturally obeyed her master’s every word. Seeing Tang Xiaobao so excited, she readily agreed.

 

After a quick freshening up, the two headed out onto the streets. Having lived in this area for a long time, Lü He, even as a maid, had opportunities to venture out on ordinary days. Thus, after glancing at the address on the deed Ji Ling had given them, she swiftly led Tang Xiaobao to the location.

 

Looking at the somewhat shabby storefront before her, Lü He hesitated about going inside. She glanced back at Tang Xiaobao, who was already walking in with great interest. Seeing this, Lü He quickly followed suit.

 

Once inside, Tang Xiaobao scanned the surroundings. Though simple, the place was kept reasonably clean. Perhaps because its location wasn’t as prominent as other shops, there were hardly any customers at the moment. Spotting Tang Xiaobao and his companion enter, the waiter, who had been looking rather lethargic, immediately approached with great deference, “What would you like to eat, honored guests? Our shop offers everything. Would you like to see the menu?”

 

Tang Xiaobao nodded, then took the slightly greasy menu from the waiter’s hand. Under the waiter’s slightly embarrassed gaze, he examined it carefully and ordered several common dishes. The waiter took the order slip and headed straight for the kitchen in the back.

 

It seemed that besides the waiter, an elderly proprietor, and the cook preparing the food, there was no one else present. The waiter had gone behind a dark blue curtain, but Tang Xiaobao caught glimpses of the backyard through the gap. It appeared to be quite spacious. Surveying the shop’s decor, he noted the space was extremely compact. Yet, the owner had clearly put some thought into the design during the renovation, as the decorations, upon closer inspection, possessed a certain elegance.

 

Perhaps due to the limited staff, the waiter took quite a while to return with several plates of food. Seeing the steaming dishes, Tang Xiaobao immediately sensed they looked promising, though he wondered how they would taste.

 

At Tang Xiaobao’s request, Lü He sat down beside him. She first served him a bowl of rice, and only after he picked up his chopsticks did she begin eating herself. The first bite proved quite tasty—though not quite as good as her own cooking, it was still better than nothing.

 

After taking a couple of symbolic bites, Tang Xiaobao glanced at the waiter who had been standing by attentively and asked curiously, “Are there only three of you working here?”

 

The waiter froze upon hearing the question, then realized what Tang Xiaobao was implying. His expression shifted to one of awkwardness before he replied, as if struggling to find the right words, “Sir, I really can’t discuss that.”

 

Seeing Tang Xiaobao stop eating, Lü He naturally set down her own utensils. Judging that Tang Xiaobao seemed unconcerned about revealing his identity, she addressed the waiter directly, producing a token signifying her status. “We are from the Ji household. He is the husband of our Third Young Master. We came to investigate the situation here.”

 

Hearing their declaration, the waiter visibly startled. Yet, perhaps seasoned by long service in such places, he quickly regained his composure, though his demeanor toward Tang Xiaobao now held an added note of sincerity. Even the elderly proprietor seated behind the counter rose with trembling respect upon hearing the words. Approaching Tang Xiaobao, he bowed deeply, his voice filled with apology. “Forgive this old fool for failing to recognize your stature, Madam. Please accept my deepest apologies.” He had assumed the Ji family, who hadn’t visited except for audits in recent years, had abandoned this place. Little did he know that wasn’t the case.

 

Observing the two before him, Tang Xiaobao pondered briefly before deciding on candor. He stated plainly, “Go fetch that chef. I may be taking over this establishment soon, so it’s only proper we meet.”

 

Hearing Tang Xiaobao’s request, the old man and the waiter exchanged glances. Both saw awkwardness in each other’s eyes. Finally, the waiter stepped forward resolutely, standing before Tang Xiaobao with a look of resignation. “There’s no one else here besides me and the old proprietor,” he declared.

 

Hearing this, Tang Xiaobao looked at the remaining dishes before him with surprise.

 

Having watched Tang Xiaobao’s reactions, the waiter saw genuine confusion in his eyes. He shook his head with a wry smile and explained, “I prepared all those dishes myself. Business has been slow these past few years, so we couldn’t afford to hire a chef. And since we don’t get many customers anyway, I can manage.”

 

Hearing his words, Tang Xiaobao couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised. So poor they couldn’t even afford a chef, yet still needed the waiter to double as a cook? Thinking it over, the only explanation was that this waiter before him was quite the jack-of-all-trades. He exchanged a glance with Lühe, then turned to face the two men before him. A question arose that piqued his curiosity. “If this shop is so poor it can’t even afford a chef, why do you choose to stay here? I observed him earlier. Given this waiter’s diligence and intelligence, he could easily thrive elsewhere. There’s no need to waste so much time here.”

 

The young waiter remained silent, but the old proprietor beside him spoke up. “Master, it’s because I found Little Liu. He worried I couldn’t manage this shop alone, so he stayed to lend a hand.” After saying this, he cast a cautious glance at Tang Xiaobao, afraid the young man might suspect him of abusing his position for personal gain—though there really wasn’t much worth scheming over in this place.

 

After hearing their explanation, Tang Xiaobao fell silent for a moment. The shop’s location was both advantageous and disadvantageous. It was adjacent to the street yet not directly on it, tucked away in an alley off an intersection. Unless one came specifically seeking it, the place was nearly impossible to find. It was remarkable that the two had managed to keep it going for so long. This spot wasn’t suited for catering to the masses, though. It could work as a private dining establishment—at least it offered better privacy. Entering that alley revealed only their shop, surrounded by walls. Whoever designed this place must have had something in mind; it had that feeling of a great hermit hidden from the world.

 

After a moment of silence, under their anxious gazes, he slowly declared, “I’ve decided on this location. We’ll renovate it thoroughly in the coming weeks.”

 

Hearing this, the two men opened their mouths but ultimately said nothing. The old shopkeeper then handed Tang Xiaobao the ledgers that hadn’t been checked recently and waited patiently. Having spent so much time by Ji Ling’s side, Tang Xiaobao could understand basic accounting. Taking the neatly organized ledger, he scanned the sparse entries and his expression turned slightly peculiar.

 

He looked up at the two men, about to ask more questions, but seeing their flushed faces and the old shopkeeper’s clothes, worn thin from washing, he understood. He sighed. “In that case, the renovation will take some time. You two should rest for now. Come back to work once it’s finished.”

 

“Thank you, Master.” Hearing Tang Xiaobao’s words, the two men, who had feared dismissal, lit up instantly and expressed their gratitude repeatedly.

 

Tang Xiaobao waved his hand dismissively and said to them, “Since renovations are needed, I should familiarize myself with the layout. Take me, take a look, ba.”

 

“Certainly, sir. Please follow me.” The waiter proved quite eager, promptly leading Tang Xiaobao on a tour of the shop. After a cursory glance, Tang Xiaobao had a clear grasp of the situation. He clarified the duration of their break before departing with Lühe.

 

The shop’s layout was better than he’d imagined. The main hall led directly to the back kitchen, though there were several rooms off the kitchen originally used for storing odds and ends. A well stood in the center, and the whole area looked surprisingly clean. The waiter seemed quite diligent. Tang Xiaobao mentally compared the layout to private dining establishments he’d seen in his past life, quickly sketching out a rough renovation plan.

 

The whole journey back, Tang Xiaobao was thrilled at the prospect of owning another restaurant. His excitement lingered even after he finished cooking and Ji Ling returned.

 

Seeing Tang Xiaobao with a perpetual smile on his lips, Ji Ling couldn’t resist teasing him, “So thrilled? I thought you’d complain it’s too remote.” He hadn’t wanted Tang Xiaobao to struggle too much, which was why he’d deliberately chosen such a secluded spot.

 

Tang Xiaobao, however, was completely oblivious to Ji Ling’s thoughts. He happily set down his chopsticks, then spoke with palpable excitement, even gesturing animatedly: “I really like it there. I think with some proper renovations, it’ll turn out great.”

 

Since arriving here, Ji Ling hadn’t seen Tang Xiaobao this vibrant. Seeing his joy, he couldn’t help but feel happy too. Nodding, he said, “Alright, think it over these next few days. I’ll have Feng Ling send you a craftsman. Tell him what kind of renovation you want, and you can discuss it directly with him when you go there.”

 

Thinking of how thoroughly Ji Ling had considered everything for him, Tang Xiaobao nodded emphatically, his face still wearing that trademark silly grin. For a moment, Ji Ling recalled the dazed expression he’d seen on Tang Xiaobao yesterday, and his eyes darkened. Some people really do need to be dealt with.

 

Perhaps because he’d soon have his own shop again, Tang Xiaobao was incredibly excited. Within two days, he’d already taken Lühe back and forth to the shop several times, successfully planning out all the areas he wanted. Now, all that was left was to wait for the craftsmen to arrive.

 

Feng Ling worked with remarkable efficiency. Within two days, he’d found the right people and, seeing Tang Xiaobao’s impatience, brought them straight to him. The group headed straight to the shop to discuss the renovations. The craftsman was a seasoned veteran. He wasn’t surprised to find a young man in charge, and his amiable demeanor during the discussion made him quite cooperative. The generous wages offered by the client motivated them to give their utmost effort.

 

Just as Tang Xiaobao was about to transform his shop into his desired style, a minor incident occurred at the Ji residence. The matron who had once been reprimanded by Ji Ling accidentally broke her leg while out, even chipping several teeth. Out of gratitude for her years of service, the Second Lady arranged for a doctor to treat her. What happened afterward remained unknown to everyone.

 

Since Ji Ling also needed Feng Ling’s assistance with other matters, another guard was assigned to oversee the renovations this time. Compared to Feng Ling, this guard was much more amiable, though he seemed to have inherited Ji Ling’s meticulous nature, demanding strict adherence to standards.

 

Fortunately, Ji Ling was generous with payments, and the foreman didn’t insist on his own ideas during discussions, making the collaboration quite pleasant. Despite Lü He’s repeated warnings that going there might compromise his dignity, Tang Xiaobao was determined to visit whenever he had free time. He seemed to believe that his presence would somehow hasten the shop’s completion.

 

While Tang Xiaobao bustled about like a hamster gathering its little sunflower seeds, Ji Ling, away from home, was equally occupied. Observing the man brought by Young Master Lei, he addressed him courteously: “May I ask your name, sir?”

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