Ice Cream

 

After dealing with the matters at the Huang residence, Jing Yi and Chuxia didn’t linger in Qingzhou Prefecture, primarily due to the heat.

 

With no worries at the moment, they rushed back to make some ice, thinking about how refreshing it would be.

 

Back in Fuyang Town, Jing Yi started working decisively.

 

Lately, it was getting harder to find a good shop in town, and he didn’t settle for the ordinary ones. So, he decided to temporarily use the ground floor of a hot pot restaurant, planning to open an ice shop there. He would look for a suitable place later and open another shop.

 

As the ice-making process was simple and, to avoid unnecessary losses due to transportation in high temperatures, Jing Yi set up a makeshift workshop in the backyard of the hot pot restaurant, with enough spacious room. He also organized a larger vacant house to store the produced ice, acting as a temporary icehouse. Ordering many large wooden boxes and cheap coarse cotton quilts, he wrapped the ice in them. Even if the ice was changed frequently, it would last for quite some time, and Jing Yi thought it wouldn’t affect his business.

 

This time, instead of letting the elders in the family work, he gathered the younger ones who were on “school break” due to the heat. Along with Gao Kun and Lin Xinsheng, the fourteen-year-old servant from the Lin family, and with Xiao Shu and Ah Qi, there were seven people in total, just enough.

 

Although they were young they easily followed the commands. Even Lin Xinsheng, although obedient and honest, wasn’t foolish.

 

In the backyard, the hall, the same large room where they held the celebration party before, now served as a meeting room for the Jing family. Today, only young faces filled the room, each excited and sweating, unable to contain their inner enthusiasm.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia sat around a large round table, and after observing the eager crowd, Jing Yi finally stopped teasing and gave instructions.

 

“Alright, everyone is here. Xiao An, Xiao Kun, bring those wooden boxes up.”

 

As the wooden boxes were brought to the table, several people leaned forward to take a look. Upon opening the wooden boxes, they found small pieces of quilts wrapped around rectangular sticks covered in various colored oiled paper, emitting strands of white mist.

 

“Big Brother! Is this ice cream we’re selling?” Dongjiang asked immediately upon seeing it.

 

Jing Yi wasn’t surprised by Dongjiang’s quick reaction. This guy usually kept quiet, but he was quite clever.

 

“Yes, this is ice cream. It’s also the food you’ll be helping to sell in the future.” Jing Yi didn’t keep them in suspense, allowing everyone to step forward and take one to taste, cooling down a bit.

 

“Big Brother! This tastes even better than shaved ice! Mine is watermelon-flavored.”

 

“I feel a milky taste in mine, and there’s also the flavor of honey. Delicious!”

 

“Good brother, I love watermelon too. Let me take a bite.”

 

“Get lost, idiot! Eat yours!”

 

“Hehe, I don’t even know what flavor mine is, but it’s so cool and sweet.”

 

Several people laughed heartily while enjoying their ice creams, finding them both delicious and refreshing.

 

Especially for Lin Xinsheng, he had never experienced such a comfortable summer before. Now, his mind was focused on working well in the store, hoping to earn enough to buy ice cream for his father and master!

 

Yes, this group of children wasn’t working for Jing Yi for free. Jing Yi had already promised to pay them in advance, under the guise of “experiencing life and summer part-time work.”

 

Dongshan eagerly asked if he could bring his fellow servants from his own family, and Jing Yi gladly agreed. Lin’s parents had no objections either.

 

After everyone finished their ice creams, their enthusiasm soared, and they were eagerly awaiting tasks from Jing Yi.

 

This business is great! It’s definitely going to sell well in this hot summer!

 

“For our business, it will be on the first floor of the hot pot restaurant. People who come to eat hot pot will be directed to the second floor by the waiters. The first floor, starting from the back, will be your territory.”

 

Jing Yi had a clear command of language, and he understood the children’s sensitivities. Although these little wolf cubs were still growing up, terms like “territory” would instinctively stimulate their enthusiasm.

 

Just looking at the sparkling eyes in front of him made it evident.

 

Then, Jing Yi assigned tasks to everyone. The ice business was a lucrative one, and in the initial stages, he would be the shopkeeper himself. Dongjiang and Gao Kun would handle the accounts together. When the staff was limited, each of them could assist, and when there were more people, they could easily open two cashier windows.

 

These two junior accountants needed some training, so Jing Yi let them learn from Chuxia nearby. The account books for the Jing family had been optimized by Jing Yi before, making them clear and easy to operate, so learning was quite fast.

 

Xiao An and Dongshan had cheerful personalities and were good at talking, so they were responsible for serving and recommending products like ice cream and shaved ice.

 

Jing Yi also specifically instructed them to treat all customers equally. However, they should observe customers’ behavior, clothing, and accessories, recommending different products based on their judgments.

 

In simple terms, all customers were gods, but some gods needed to be served differently.

 

Lin Xinsheng, being more agile, would initially handle collecting plates without washing them, a task that the hot pot restaurant workers would take care of. Later, he would learn from Xiao An and Dongshan, ultimately becoming a server. This would not only train him but also allow him to earn more.

 

Under Jing Yi’s straightforward instructions, he knew that everyone was working for something. They all eagerly agreed, even Xiao Shu and Ah Qi, who were truly the flexible staff. When the staff was limited, they could sit by the counter and help watch the shop, and when there were more people, they could go to the backyard for safety. Under Jing Yi’s iron-fisted policy, Xiao Shu and Ah Qi had to obediently agree.

 

“I believe all of you can do well, but this is my big business. It’s not a playhouse. I have only one rule: follow my rules and standards. If you find problems or have good suggestions, come to me first, don’t act on your own. Can you do that?”

 

“Yes!!!” The seven of them shouted together, making the roof almost lift.

 

Jing’s father and Lin’s father, who were playing chess in the front store, heard the roar. They looked at each other and smiled.

 

“The little guys are still full of energy and spirit, listen to that voice! Hahaha!” Jing’s father exclaimed.

 

“I have to say, it’s Jing Yi who has the ways. I was wondering how to educate these two brats. I just shamelessly let my son-in-law take care of it,” Lin’s father said while making a move on the chessboard when Jing’s father wasn’t paying attention.

 

“Old Lin, that’s not right. He’s half yours now, so feel free to order him around. Hey? Where did you just move?” Jing’s father was annoyed; this old Lin had a cunning mind, making a move when he wasn’t looking.

 

“Why? All’s fair in war. You figure it out yourself!” Lin’s father chuckled. Life was good.

 

Three days later, Jing Yi’s ice shop officially opened.

 

This time, there were no extravagant grand opening ceremonies with firecrackers and lion dances. This business was too enviable; it was better to keep it low-key.

 

They only made an exquisite and elegant signboard with a bit of cuteness, reading “Ice Crystal Coolness Shop.” It was adorned with blue and white silk flowers.

 

Now, it was hanging steadily under the signboard of the Jing family hot pot restaurant. The lower right corner of the signboard still had the unique little maple leaf mark of the Jing family, making it clear that it was a business of the Jing family.

 

The shop’s name was straightforward, making people curious to explore on hot summer days.

 

There were no major changes inside the shop. They simply removed the previous red silk and red lanterns, replacing them with blue and white silk. Six blue lanterns with wave patterns were uniformly hung, bringing a fresh atmosphere.

 

Even the tables were covered with light blue coarse linen tablecloths. Each table also had a small porcelain vase with two or three flowers, making diners feel more relaxed and pleasant.

 

Every day, Xiao Shu and Ah Qi were responsible for picking and changing flowers. Occasionally, they sprinkled some water on the flowers to enhance their vibrancy. The two young gers were keeping a close eye on them.

 

In the backyard, under the two sheds, Steward Tong, Jing Renyi, and Jing Renhe, along with others, were making ice. In the kitchen, Steward Tong and Aunt Cui were making fruit jams for making shaved ice or cold drinks.

 

Basically, it was enough to boil two large pots early in the morning, one for peach jam and one for apple jam.

 

After making the jam, the two of them would go to the small kitchen separated by a screen in the store to prepare. If someone ordered shaved ice, cold honey syrup (fruit juice), or cold sweet soup, they would get it ready and wait for the customer to pick it up.

 

Inside the shop, the children were stiffly waiting for the grand opening. They were nervous, excited, and eager, staring fixedly at the entrance. Even Xiao An and Dongshan stood at the door, gazing intently without uttering a word.

 

Surprisingly, the imposing young children scared away a few waves of customers who just wanted to see the excitement.

 

Jing Yi was speechless, “You scared away all the customers. What are you all doing? Stop staring at the entrance! Look at how you frightened the customers!”

 

“Xiao An, Dongshan, you guys stay behind the counter and watch. I’ll handle the first few waves.”

 

Jing Yi thought he should play the role of the master for the first couple of days. Some laziness couldn’t be tolerated, and his younger brothers shouldn’t grow too fast. He needed to teach them step by step with care for them to truly succeed.

 

As Jing Yi walked toward the shop’s entrance, a regular customer from the hot pot restaurant greeted him, “Boss Jing, you’ve opened a new shop? What about the hot pot restaurant? Don’t change the business; I’m planning to come over for lunch this autumn.”

 

“Brother Zhao, good morning! Long time no see! No changes, no changes. The hot pot restaurant is still upstairs. Definitely won’t change. Otherwise, we won’t be able to chat together if you come.” Jing Yi stood at the entrance, chatting leisurely.

 

“Oh, what does this new shop of yours sell, ‘Ice Crystal Coolness Shop’? Hey, this name feels refreshing just to hear.” It was just past ten in the morning, and the scorching sun was almost sticking to people’s bodies.

 

“Hahaha, my new shop is excellent. Come, come, come in and sit. It’s cool inside!” Jing Yi teased, inviting the regular customer Zhao inside.

 

As soon as he heard that, his interest was piqued. Anything that could be refreshing in this scorching weather was good. He quickly walked into the shop. Once inside, he could indeed feel a noticeable coolness, accompanied by a gentle breeze. It was completely different from the solidified air outside.

 

Taking a comfortable breath, he said, “It’s so cool in here! Boss Jing, don’t keep me in suspense. It seems like you’re into something big. Are you selling ice?” If it was really ice for sale, he couldn’t afford it.