Hotpot Restaurant

 

“Father, I understand what you and Mom mean, but I think you’re worrying too much,” Jing Yi said, not wanting to make it too explicit. He felt that discussing potential conflicts between siblings over wealth was an insult in itself.

 

“Xiao An and Xiao Shu are still very young. You’re limiting them to this small territory. Besides, you’re underestimating your son, me. Are these two shops all we’re capable of?” Jing Yi said proudly. “Our family’s good fortune is yet to come.”

 

Ignoring his parents’ presence, he held Chuxia’s hand and earnestly said, “Although we’ve hired managers for both shops now, you know we’re villagers, and we don’t have strong connections in town. If we don’t keep a close eye, we might be taken advantage of. So, we really need you both to help us in town.”

 

Chuxia nodded vigorously, playfully telling Jing’s mother, “Yes, Mother. I just entered the family, and you’re not going to help in town. I’m a bit scared. Do you not like me anymore? Do you not want to take care of us?”

 

Chuxia usually came across as mature and composed, but only those who knew him very well understood that he liked to be affectionate with close people. His displays of affection were gentle, making him even more endearing.

 

“Oh, it’s not your fault, Chuxia! Mother can’t bear to leave you and Xiao Shu behind. It’s all your father, always coming up with ideas to sow discord between us three.” As she said this, she lovingly stroked Chuxia’s hair, occasionally sneaking a glance at Jing’s father with a hint of guilt.

 

“Well, alright, we’ll continue as usual in our family,” Jing’s father chimed in cheerfully, not minding mother Jing’s “accusations” at all. Being together with their children was what they truly wanted. Talking about enjoying a peaceful life in the village was just for show.

 

In the blink of an eye, it was already December.

 

Life after marriage didn’t bring many changes compared to before. Except that Jing Yi became even more affectionate towards Chuxia, wanting to keep him under his watchful eye all the time. They say that men become possessive when they’re in love.

 

“Hello, dear guests! Welcome to Jing’s Hotpot! Would you like a lively atmosphere in the main hall or a private room on the second floor? Alright, our four esteemed guests in the main hall, please follow me!”

 

“Boss Zhang, good afternoon! Are you here again? The usual spot? Alright, please take care of our three VIPs on the second floor!”

 

On the seventh day of December, Jing’s Hotpot was bustling with customers during lunchtime, and the business was booming.

 

At the very beginning, when the hotpot restaurant first opened, people didn’t think much of it because the concept of hotpot was familiar in the area. However, when the Jing family’s restaurant opened, with its bright two-story layout, a first-floor dining hall, and a second-floor private room, it had an elegant and unique décor. The predominant color theme was red, but it was arranged tastefully and creatively. The grand opening was warm and lively, and just from the atmosphere, it attracted a wave of customers.

 

The Jing family’s hotpot wasn’t like the traditional style where everyone shared a single large pot. Instead, each person had an individual small pot for cooking and dining. In a society that favored aristocratic customs, this approach felt luxurious and cosmopolitan.

 

In the past, during banquets held by true aristocrats in the Da Yuan Dynasty, they adhered to a strict system of separate dining. Guests would kneel on mats with low tables in front of them, holding their eating utensils. Even during conversations and drinking, they maintained an elegant demeanor, speaking softly and leisurely, which was considered high-class.

 

However, later on, due to the formality and lack of communication, as well as the discomfort of kneeling for extended periods, even in the upper echelons of society, people gradually adopted a more relaxed and comfortable communal dining style, especially during important occasions where traditional customs were still observed.

 

But commoners rarely used separate dining because, at that social level, adopting such practices would be seen as pretentious.

 

Now, Jing’s Hotpot served individual small pots for separate cooking while sharing the dishes, which satisfied people’s curiosity and vanity simultaneously.

 

The most crucial elements of hotpot were the broth base and condiments, and these had always been the Jing family’s secret recipes. Jing Yi had also saved many delicious broth bases that he planned to introduce periodically.

 

Because of the outstanding taste and occasional innovations, the restaurant stood out and excelled even when many copycat hotpot restaurants sprouted up during that period. It secured a dominant position in the market, even experiencing a burst of growth.

 

Today, Jing Yi and Chuxia were both overseeing the hotpot restaurant.

 

At this moment, Chuxia sat behind the spacious counter, reviewing last month’s accounts, while the accountant sat beside him, handling customer payments.

 

The young accountant, named Xie Shi, was originally a struggling scholar. He had shown promise as a young scholar but repeatedly failed the provincial-level imperial examination several times. His family lived in the town, and they had been financially strained to support his education. Seeing that his elder brother, who was already in his twenties, couldn’t afford to get married, Xie Shi felt guilty and made the tough decision to give up on pursuing the imperial examination.

 

They say that a scholar is useless if he doesn’t pass the imperial examination. When Xie Shi was on the verge of resorting to setting up a stall at the marketplace to write letters for people, he saw Jing Yi’s job posting: “Hiring an accountant, literate, proficient in arithmetic, salary negotiable.”

 

It was a rare opportunity because, in those days, getting an accountant job typically required recommendations from well-connected individuals. Xie Shi decided to wait, along with a few others who wanted to apply, until the hotpot restaurant opened its doors. Jing Yi then conducted a round of written tests and interviews, and Xie Shi and another middle-aged scholar were selected.

 

Xie Shi was slightly better at arithmetic, so he was assigned to manage the larger hotpot restaurant.

 

Many people couldn’t understand why a well-educated scholar like Xie Shi would work as an accountant. They thought it was a waste of talent and an affront to his scholarly background.

 

Xie Shi sneered in his heart, thinking that those who had plenty to eat didn’t understand the hunger of those in need. Whether working for Master Jing was worthwhile or not was something only the employee himself knew. Letting others know might invite competition for their job.

 

“Thank you for your patronage, 360 wen,” Xie Shi handed the bill to the customer for careful examination and then collected the payment. This was a regular customer, so it wasn’t unusual for the accountant to let them double-check the bill before leaving. They even lingered for a chat with Chuxia.

 

The man said, “Tomorrow is Laba Festival. Do you have Laba porridge in the restaurant?”

 

His wife added, “Yes, Brother Chuxia, last year Brother Jing made that ice-cold fruit and milk porridge. It was sweet and refreshing, perfect to have after hotpot or spicy hot pot.”

 

Their child chimed in, “Uncle Chuxia, that sweet porridge was really delicious!”

 

Chuxia, looking at the family, couldn’t help but smile. At first, Jing Yi had misunderstood their intentions, but later inquiries revealed that they simply admired good looks and had no ulterior motives. They just enjoyed looking at attractive people and used appreciative glances as their way of showing it.

 

Chuxia replied with seriousness, “Tomorrow is Laba Festival, and both of our restaurants will have special offerings. We will have three types of porridge: one cold porridge is a milk and fruit porridge, and two hot porridges are preserved egg and lean pork porridge and eight treasure porridge.”

 

As the customers chatted, others in the dining area began to eavesdrop. Someone couldn’t help but interject, “Ah, why don’t you have last year’s fresh spinach and pork liver porridge? I was looking forward to it!”

 

Another chimed in, “Yes, yes! That porridge was really well made last year. I tried making it at home, but it never tasted the same.”

 

“It’s so delicious; Brother Chuxia, you should definitely offer it this year!”

 

“Agreed!”

 

The crowd was enthusiastic, and Chuxia was about to respond when they heard Jing Yi’s voice from inside the kitchen: “Are you all bullying my husband while I’m not around again?!”

 

Seeing the intimidating presence of the owner, the diners who were eating returned to their meals, and those who were drinking continued with their conversations. No one wanted to be caught up in the commotion.

 

Jing Yi glanced around the dining area and noticed the family of three by the counter. He remembered that they had joined in the fun earlier.

 

The husband whispered, “You’re so stingy; you’re watching us even when your husband talks to others.”

 

Then, he suddenly spoke loudly, pretending, “Ah! Brother Chuxia, I’m leaving now. We’ll come for the porridge tomorrow!”

 

With that, he hurriedly left with his son. Both of them were chubby and adorable. The wife didn’t want to stay behind alone, fearing the intimidating presence of the owner.

 

“Everyone, as for the spinach and pork liver porridge, I’m afraid it won’t be available tomorrow. But don’t worry; we’ll add it to the menu in a couple of days. In the meantime, please try our new hot porridge, preserved egg and lean pork porridge, tomorrow. I guarantee it will satisfy most of you!” Chuxia replied, addressing the whole dining area.

 

Yes, for that extremely small portion who can’t enjoy the taste of preserved egg, don’t blame him.

 

“Agreed! Master Jing speaks sensibly!”

 

“To be honest, I quite like eight-treasure porridge. Last year’s eight-treasure porridge was especially affordable, the cheapest.”

 

“That’s right, Master Jing, when you sell it tomorrow, be lenient with the pricing!”

 

Jing Yi bowed slightly, “In this past year, our hotpot restaurant has been favored by the people of Fuyang Town. My husband and I are truly grateful. Tomorrow’s eight-treasure porridge will be prepared in three large pots. We’ll set up a stove at the front door and distribute the hot porridge to everyone for free, starting at the first hour.”

 

“Please help spread the word, and if some households find it inconvenient to cook porridge, don’t hesitate to come and get a bowl. If any of you don’t like eight-treasure porridge, our restaurant also has preserved egg and lean meat porridge as well as milk and fruit porridge, both of which are delightful surprises. So, please bring your coins with you!”

 

Jing Yi’s words were subtle, but everyone understood. Eight-treasure porridge was a charitable act, specifically for the poor and beggars. If anyone present minded sharing a pot with them, they were told in advance that they could come and buy the other two types instead.

 

“Master Jing is truly compassionate!”

 

“I think this must be Master Jing’s wife’s idea for sure, such a kind-hearted person!”

 

“Hahaha, well said.”

 

Because Jing Yi was wholeheartedly devoted to his wife, and the couple was deeply in love, the icy-cold dog food would inadvertently splash onto the faces of the diners. So, the diners occasionally teased the couple.