Chapter 99: Jin Zhao Zui’s Grand Opening

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Jin Zhao Zui’s Grand Opening Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update Pay one time and unlock the full story and Future Chapters from the Shop After preparing for so long, Jin Zhao Zui finally welcomed its opening day. Su Li arrived early at Jin Zhao Zui with her three maids. Stepping down from the carriage, she saw the imposing golden plaque with the three large, gilded characters ’Jin Zhao Zui’ written in flamboyant calligraphy, followed by the slightly smaller characters ’Authentic Hot Pot’. Two rows of uniformly dressed, high-spirited shop assistants already stood outside the door. "Young Miss, you’ve arrived?" Xu Mubai had also arrived early. Seeing Su Li enter, he quickly came forward to greet her. "Young Miss, there’s still a little while until the opening hour. Let’s go upstairs first." Su Li nodded and followed Xu Mubai’s steps to the third floor. "Young Miss, this private room is the best one in Jin Zhao Zui. It’s not open to the public; reserved as your exclusive room." Su Li looked at the place; it was surprisingly large. Around the room were placed a chessboard, a writing desk, and a guqin. There was another door further inside. Su Li pushed open the door; there was a bed inside. Su Li looked at Xu Mubai quizzically. Xu Mubai stepped forward and said: "Young Miss, in the future, you might come here to check the account books. You can take a short rest if you’re tired. Or, if someone gets drunk, it might also be needed." Su Li had to admire Xu Mubai’s thoughtfulness. After Xu Mubai finished the introductions, Su Li let him go attend to his duties. As the hour of Si approached, a clear and melodious voice came from outside the door. "Cousin! I’m here!" Her voice arrived before she did. Wei Yuanyao pulled Meng Zhirou inside, walked to the window, and looked down from above. "Wow! Wow! The view of the lake from here is really beautiful! Cousin, I just looked around downstairs. Let’s not even talk about the taste of your food here; just this environment alone is unique in the entire capital city! I can already see silver taels waving at me!" Su Li smiled: "It’s not that exaggerated." "It is, it is! Ask Zhirou if you don’t believe me." Meng Zhirou smiled: "Ah Yao is right. The layout here clearly took a lot of thought. It makes one feel pleasant just stepping inside." Wei Yuanyao said: "Li’er, what’s the signature dish here?" Su Li said: "You’ll know in a moment." Wei Yuanyao smiled: "Quite mysterious." As the three were chatting and laughing, Xu Mubai entered and said: "Young Miss, Young Master Wei and Third Young Master Ji have arrived." Su Li glanced at Wei Yuanyao and smiled: "Go ahead and invite them in." She hadn’t sent out invitations for her shop opening; she didn’t expect anyone to come. "Cousin Li’er, you’ve really made a big splash this time!" Wei Yuanling entered with a smile, followed by Ji Huaizhou, who was fanning himself with a folding fan. Su Li couldn’t help but glance again. Fanning himself on such a snowy day? Just looking at him feels cold. Under Su Li’s gaze, Third Young Master Ji unnaturally put away his folding fan. "Miss Su, congratulations on your opening," Third Young Master Ji handed over an exquisite box. Su Li accepted it and smiled: "Thank you, Third Young Master Ji." Handing the box to Si Qin, Su Li said: "Please sit. It’s not the auspicious opening hour yet." After they sat down, Wei Yuanling took out a box and handed it to Su Li, saying: "This is from your older cousin." Su Li didn’t accept it. "Older cousin has already given Li’er so much silver; Li’er cannot accept this gift." "That won’t do. You accepted Third Young Master Ji’s, so you must accept mine. Besides, this isn’t anything rare, just a small token of your older cousin’s regard." Since he put it that way, Su Li could only accept it. "Li’er, I’m not as rich as my brother. This is something I chose for you, a bracelet. Don’t dislike it." "And mine, it’s nothing valuable either." Su Li smiled and accepted each gift one by one. "You are all too kind." After chatting idly for a while, Xu Mubai entered and said: "Young Miss, the auspicious opening hour is almost here. Will you be going down?" Su Li shook her head. "You represent me." Xu Mubai thought for a moment; that made sense. The Young Miss was a woman; showing her face publicly could easily lead to gossip. "Alright then, I’ll head down now." Su Li nodded and walked to the other side to open the window. The beauty of this room was that the back offered a lake view, while opening the front window revealed the street. One could see that Jin Zhao Zui’s grand setup had already attracted many people peeking inside. Quite a few were asking what this ’hot pot’ was. The sound of firecrackers erupted, instantly drawing even more onlookers. Xu Mubai cleared his throat. "Everyone, the weather is so cold! Come into Jin Zhao Zui for hot pot and fine wine! It’s very warm inside, and there are free snacks and tea provided. Today is Jin Zhao Zui’s grand opening, all food and wine are 20% off! Come in and take a look!" "Shopkeeper, what is hot pot?" Xu Mubai smiled: "Hot pot? It’s most suitable for eating in winter. You’ll feel warm all over after eating. Eat it once, and you’ll want it a second time. Just go inside and see!" "And the wine! I dare guarantee, in all the restaurants in this capital, you won’t find wine better than ours!" "Bragging! What wine haven’t I, this young master, tasted?" Xu Mubai smiled: "You’ll know once you go inside and try, sir." Just then, a fresh, fragrant, spicy, and numbing aroma drifted out, mixed with a strong fragrance of wine. "Smells so good!" "This wine fragrance, just smelling it makes one feel tipsy! Let’s go, let’s go, have a cup!" "This young master will also go see what this wine you’re hyping up to the heavens tastes like." "This young master will also go see what hot pot looks like." "It’s warm inside, and there’s free tea and snacks! Let’s go, take a look!" ... Instantly, those attracted by the aroma, those wanting to take advantage of small benefits, and those who were curious, all surged forward. Entering Jin Zhao Zui, exclamations arose. Exclamations at Jin Zhao Zui’s unique ingenuity, exclamations at Jin Zhao Zui’s thoughtful generosity. "It’s truly warm! This is Gold Thread Charcoal burning! Who is the venerable owner behind this Jin Zhao Zui? To be so generous!" "Even the free tea and snacks are this delicious? Then how delicious must their signature dishes be?" "It’s really big inside." "What’s that thing on their table? Why does the stove not look like a stove?" At this time, someone ordered hot pot. The waiter quickly served the dishes and wine, explaining how to eat these dishes. "This is quite novel; you have to cook it yourself." "This wine is truly excellent! Waiter, another pot!" With an attitude of trying it out, they cooked their favorite ingredients, dipped them in sauce, and put them in their mouths. Instantly, their eyes lit up. Immediately, praises arose continuously. Those still observing saw this and quickly ordered hot pot as well. For a time, the first-floor hall and second-floor private rooms were packed to capacity, and the waiting area was also full. Waiters moved methodically through the crowd, delivering dishes and wine. Third Young Master Ji unconsciously fanned himself: "This shopkeeper is a talent. Where did Miss Su dig up such a treasure?" Su Li smiled: "I’ve always had good luck." Wei Yuanling wrinkled his nose, sniffing the aroma: "Cousin, look, it’s almost noon. Shouldn’t we start eating too?" Su Li said apologetically: "Let’s quickly go inside. Si Qin, you can serve the dishes now." "Yes, Young Miss." Everyone entered the private room and sat around the table. Si Qin entered shortly after, followed by several servers. After serving the wine and dishes, they withdrew and closed the door. Su Li smiled: "Everyone, don’t be restrained. This wine is quite strong; drink sparingly." Wei Yuanling took a sip, his eyes brightening. "Cousin, where did you buy this wine? It tastes even better than Zui Xian Ju’s!" "I brewed it myself. When you leave later, take a few pots back for Maternal Grandfather and Uncle." Wei Yuanling smiled. "I was just waiting for you to say that! Didn’t realize Cousin also knew how to brew wine." Wei Yuanyao also said: "Li’er, is there anything you can’t do?" Su Li said shyly: "How could it be as exaggerated as you say?" Third Young Master Ji took a sip of wine, his eyes also brightening. Later, I’ll bring two pots back for Dad and Big Brother; they’ll definitely be happy. "Miss Su is truly wealthy. I see you’re even using Gold Thread Charcoal for the hot pot here." Wei Yuanyao shot him a glance: "Why do those words sound so sour? If not Gold Thread Charcoal, should we use wood charcoal? Wouldn’t we be eating and crying at the same time?" Third Young Master Ji shut his mouth. He noticed that recently, no matter what he said or did, this girl had to retort. How had he offended her? Su Li laughed out loud. "Everyone, don’t just focus on talking; quickly try the food." "I was wondering why I didn’t see you two today. So you snuck off here," a clear, gentle voice came.