Xiao Jingting looked at the freezer in front of him in amazement.

He had been wondering how to handle iced drinks—maybe by making ice with potassium nitrate? But in this world, he had no such worries. A single array formation solved it all.

“This box was made by an array master. Basically, an ice-condensing array is engraved on its edges. As long as you pour water in, the array activates and instantly forms ice.”

Xiao Jingting looked at the box with admiration.

“If you put prepared drinks inside, they’ll freeze quickly too,” said Xu Muan.

“You’re so clever,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Muan looked up at Xiao Jingting and said, “It’s not that I’m clever, it’s common sense.” She gave him a meaningful look.

Xiao Jingting frowned. Although he had merged with the original owner’s memories, he still subconsciously thought of this world in terms of his past life’s logic. Suddenly, he realized his thinking was wrong. “I’ll be careful.”

Xu Muan smiled and said, “Don’t worry, just take your time.”

“Is the shop all decorated?” Xiao Jingting asked.

Xu Muan nodded, “Yes. The shop was decorated just as you said. The paper cups and straws you requested are all ready. Tomorrow, I’ll bring the cold drinks we made from home and we can open. But the opening day probably won’t have much business.”

“Good wine needs no bush. It’ll grow slowly. You don’t have to pressure yourself so much,” Xiao Jingting patted Xu Muan’s shoulder.

“I know,” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting took out an ID badge and handed it to Xu Muan. “With this, you should be able to mobilize some of the Xiao family servants. Take it.”

“Okay. Tomorrow I’ll bring Xiaofan and Xiaodong along too,” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Good, good. Those two little rascals should be able to help some.”

“This time we have a lot of stuff; the fire cloud bird can’t carry it all. Second Brother said the Xiao family has a special food delivery Jiaoma carriage we can borrow for free,” Xu Muan said.

“That’s great!” Xiao Jingting said. He loved free things the most.

Early next morning, Xu Muan took the two little ones and all the stuff to the shop. Once they left, Xiao Jingting felt a little empty.

Xu Muan put the prepared drinks in the shop. When the time was right, they opened.

Xu Muan initially thought business would be slow at first, but unexpectedly, the trade was quite good.

Some Xiao family servants heard it was Young Master Xiao Jingting’s shop and came to support and get acquainted. Some of Xiao Jingting’s old mischievous friends also came just to see the excitement.

The price was set at one tael of silver per cup. Xu Muan thought it was a bit expensive, but Xiao Jingting insisted on aiming for a high-end market. Xu Muan thought Xiao Jingting pricing the drinks at one tael wasn’t about high-end strategy, but about convenience.

Mo City had many rich people. Although the price was high, many still bought drinks.

Xiao Xiaodong moved a small stool to the counter to handle money.

Xiao Xiaofan stood aside to hand over drinks.

Xu Muan served customers’ orders, preparing drinks and delivering them.

Before sunset, all the prepared cold drinks were sold out. Xu Muan took the two little ones home early.

“Sold out already?” Xiao Jingting asked surprised.

Xu Muan nodded, “Yes! Since it was a trial run, we only made around 400 servings. They sold out immediately.”

“Big towns do have many rich people,” Xu Muan smiled. In a smaller town, who could afford such expensive drinks? But here, people were willing to buy for their kids.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yeah, sold out already.”

“We sold 400 servings today. If that continues every day, the monthly income would be 12,000 taels,” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting was excited. “We just opened today. Maybe income will double or even triple in a few days. Once spirit wine is on shelves, business will be better. But enough about that, prepare tomorrow’s drinks.”

Xu Muan considered and said, “I’ll find a few people to help. Just the two of us won’t be enough. Some simple washing and peeling can be outsourced for a bit of money. But the drink recipe is a secret; no one can know.”

Xiao Jingting nodded. After working all day on the fields, he was almost exhausted. If he had to do night shifts too, he’d be dead from overwork. “Make plenty, better safe than sorry. If we don’t sell it all, we’ll just drink ourselves.”

Seeing Xiao Jingting tired, Xu Muan said quickly, “You’re not looking well. Eat and rest early. I’ll find help…”

“Okay,” Xiao Jingting agreed.

The next day, over 600 drinks prepared by Xu Muan sold out again. However, Xu Muan looked unwell and suggested having Xiao Jingfeng watch the store. She seemed a bit weary.

Xiao Jingting quietly called Xiao Xiaodong out, “Xiaodong, how’s business today?”

“Pretty good. Many people who bought yesterday came again today and even bought more. Drinks sold out again about the same time. Though Xiaofan secretly drank a lot and almost wet his pants. We should prepare more tomorrow to sell more,” Xiao Xiaodong said.

Xiao Jingting: “…” Almost wet his pants!

“What happened with your parents? They don’t look so good,” Xiao Jingting said.

“Grandpa came and wanted Father to prepare thirty cold drinks. Father said thirty taels. Grandpa asked why he was charging him. Father insisted on payment. They argued in front of many customers. Grandpa called Father unfilial and disowned him. It was a big scene and people watched a lot. Grandpa actually sold off Father before, now he comes back to scold him,” Xiao Xiaodong said gloomily.

Xiao Jingting rubbed his nose. Filial piety can be suffocating! Xu Fu, too—if he secretly took drinks, Xu Muan might give them. But openly asking in front of customers? If everyone tried that, who would pay? How would business survive?

Xu Fu’s appetite was big, too! Asking for thirty drinks at once—if Xu Muan just gave it, his demands would only grow.

Xu Muan was a concubine of Xu Fu; the shop was under his name. If she gave so much, people might say she was taking Xiao family money to support outsiders. If she refused, others would think her cold. It was a no-win situation.

“Some Xiao family members came, including eldest aunt who saw the good business and was a bit jealous. Father, ask Second Uncle to help watch the store. He’s free now and can keep order better. If he watches the store, Grandpa definitely won’t create trouble,” Xiao Xiaodong said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. His plan had been too simplistic. Xu Muan was his secondary wife and “er’er” (the effeminate male). Despite her cultivation, her identity was often criticized.

If the business grew, the Xiao family might interfere, and Xu Muan’s status could be repeatedly questioned. But Xiaodong was quite young—yet already knew who could keep order.

“Okay, I’ll ask Second Uncle,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xiao Xiaodong nodded, “Yeah, Dad, go quickly. Actually, I’ll go with you.”

Xiao Jingting: “…” This little rascal, afraid I won’t explain well?

“Want me to watch the store?” Xiao Jingfeng asked.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes!”

“Second Uncle, Father can’t keep order. All those demons running about, only you can handle it,” Xiao Xiaodong said with hands on hips.

Xiao Jingfeng: “…”

Xiao Jingting gave Xiao Xiaodong a playful knock on the head. “What demons? Don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not!” Xiao Xiaodong said.

“Second Brother, if you watch the store, I’ll give you 30% of the profits,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xiao Jingfeng smiled helplessly, “No way I’d take your money.”

They haggled a bit and finally settled on 20% profits.

Xu Muan was not angry with Xiao Jingting for switching the store manager so decisively. Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Better to have Second Brother watch the shop.” Xiao Jingfeng was family and had two parents cultivation at level eight, so had much more influence.

“You’re too tired, and Second Brother is too free. Let him watch the store so you can stay home and develop new drinks and brew spirit wine,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Muan nodded and smiled, “Okay.”

With Xiao Jingfeng in charge, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan still helped.

Xiao Xiaodong acted seriously and professionally. Though not very quick, Xiao Xiaofan did well at simple tasks.

Xu Fu came again, but seeing Xiao Jingfeng as manager, he left without showing himself.

Xiao Jingfeng had heard about the booming business from Xiao Xiaodong, but when he came to oversee the store personally, he realized just how busy it was. Many customers bought ten or more drinks at once; the shop had a buy ten get one free offer.

Xiao Jingfeng watched the busy Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan and felt Xiao Jingting’s children were well taught—so young, yet already sensible.

After selling all the drinks he brought, Xiao Jingfeng closed the shop and went home.

“Jingting, your store is doing really well,” Xiao Jingfeng said excitedly on returning.

Xiao Jingting smiled at Xiao Jingfeng’s enthusiasm. “It just opened. People might buy more out of curiosity. Prices might fall a bit in a few days.”

“But after a few days, you’ll have regular customers, so the drop won’t be much,” Xiao Jingfeng said. “Today’s sales were about 1000 taels. If sustained, that’s 30,000 a month. Your 10,000 monthly debt won’t be a problem.”

Xiao Jingting nodded, “That’s good.”

“Jingting, today many asked if we could do delivery. If drinks could be delivered, sales might grow more,” Xiao Jingfeng said.

“I’ve thought about delivery. We can set minimum order amounts for delivery, but we need to recruit delivery personnel. Second Brother, do you know anyone?”

“I do know a few people,” Xiao Jingfeng scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.

“From the mercenary team?”

“Yeah.” Xiao Jingfeng smiled sheepishly. “There was one who lost his Qi Sea in battle and left because he couldn’t cultivate anymore. Another had a leg bitten off and uses a prosthetic, so moves inconveniently but can help with accounting and shop helpers. There was one more…”

“Second Brother, aren’t you resentful of the mercenary team?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“When I was expelled, most of those people had already left, so it wasn’t related to them.”

Xiao Jingfeng sighed. “Mercenaries gamble with their lives. Once kicked out, life is difficult. When active, they’re family pillars. Once over, they become burdens. I’ve seen old teammates who came back injured and were abandoned by their wives and resented by brothers. It’s pitiful.”

Xiao Jingting nodded, “If that’s so, handle it as you see fit. You can prepare uniform outfits for delivery staff.”

“Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Xiao Jingfeng said.

Xiao Jingting hesitated. “Second Brother, you had a hard time as a mercenary, didn’t you?”

Xiao Jingfeng smiled, “All in the past now.”

 

Edited by: Tetsu

Proofreader: Taalia

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