Chapter Fifty-Four: Bring Lin Sangqian Here

“We bought them thinking they’d be just like the ones from Fortune-Filled Restaurant, but who knew yours would taste so awful? These aren’t even real potato chips, yet you’re selling them under that name—aren’t you just deceiving people?”

“That’s right, hurry up and give us our money back!”

Qian San was so frightened he hurried back inside, slamming the doors of the Splendid Harmony Restaurant shut behind him.

Fortunately, the chips hadn’t been expensive this time, so those who bought them didn’t make too much of a fuss. Soon, the crowd dispersed, with many rushing to Fortune-Filled Restaurant instead.

“Sangqian, you’re incredible!” Yang Shi exclaimed, full of admiration. “You even saw this coming—how did you know their chips would taste so bad?”

Lin Sangqian smiled softly and whispered, “I guessed they’d likely miss two important steps. First, before frying, you have to blanch the potato slices—otherwise they come out raw in the middle. Second, you must wash off all the starch; without that, they’ll never be crisp.”

Yang Shi didn’t quite understand, but it all sounded impressive to him.

He gave Lin Sangqian a big thumbs-up and then joined the others in welcoming guests.

Lu Chengren, however, still looked worried. “Miss Lin, those two steps you mentioned—they’ll probably figure them out soon enough,” he said.

After all, it wasn’t anything too complicated, and the head chef at Splendid Harmony wasn’t a fool.

“I know.” Lin Sangqian nodded. “But I’ve already come up with a new dish. By the time they catch up and launch identical chips, we’ll have already introduced something new. We’ll lower the prices of our chips and fries a little, and they won’t be able to steal much of our business.”

Lu Chengren’s eyes brightened—he’d been waiting for her new creation!

“What’s this new dish? Just say the word, and we’ll work out the price!”

Lin Sangqian grinned mischievously. “That’s a secret for now. You can look forward to it, Manager Lu. I need to take my brothers to the academy. When I return, you’ll find out.”

With that, she left at ease with her family, leaving only her departing figure behind.

Lu Chengren could only sigh to himself.

That incorrigible girl!

…

Inside Splendid Harmony Restaurant, Bao Mingzhi was scolding his dejected chefs.

“It’s just fried potatoes! Even that you can’t manage? Why do I keep you all on the payroll? That blasted chicken feet recipe you still haven’t figured out, now you can’t even do fried potatoes! At this rate, we might as well close down! Just look at how much business Fortune-Filled has taken from us lately!”

Though Fortune-Filled’s recent new items were just snacks, not main dishes, they’d still drawn a lot more diners.

“Boss, I think we can’t just keep copying Fortune-Filled,” one chef ventured. “Even if we do, at best we’ll only split the business with them.”

“Not copy them? Then what do you suggest?” Bao Mingzhi snapped. “You’ve seen how popular those chicken feet and chips are! Besides, why aren’t you coming up with any new dishes yourselves? It’s always the same old things—no wonder the customers are bored!”

The chefs looked at each other in dismay.

It was easy for Bao Mingzhi to say, but was inventing new dishes really that simple?

“Boss, if you ask me, the real problem is the Lin family,” Qian San sidled over, speaking in a conspiratorial tone. “Those chicken feet and chips must have been Lin Sangqian’s ideas for Fortune-Filled.”

“Hmph! That wretched girl…”

“I have an idea, boss—want to hear it?”

“Speak.”

“Why not find an opportunity to kidnap Lin Sangqian, and then…”

…

The Lin family soon arrived at the gates of Haixing Academy.

There were shops selling writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones nearby, so Lin Hongda bought supplies for Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao.

Liao Shuxia gently patted her eldest son’s head, worry clouding her face. “Wenyan, are you truly decided?”

After their discussion the day before, they’d agreed to respect Lin Wenyan’s wishes; since he didn’t want to attend the academy, he wouldn’t go.

“Yes.” Lin Wenyan nodded earnestly. “I want to focus on martial arts. When my brothers return from the academy, I’ll find time to learn characters from them.”

Hearing this, Lin Hongda gave him an approving look.

Truly his worthy successor!

Once the purchases were made, they escorted Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao into the academy.

The same page boy as yesterday greeted them. Learning there were now only two students instead of three, he said nothing, simply collected three taels of tuition and led them to their lodgings.

Each room housed three students. Originally, all three brothers would have stayed together, but with Lin Wenyan not attending, the remaining two had the room to themselves—until another new student arrived.

Bedding and necessities were all provided.

“Class starts in a quarter of an hour. I’ll take you to the classroom soon, so settle in quickly,” the page boy instructed.

“Which teacher will they study under?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“Master Ge—the one you met before,” he replied.

Lin Sangqian nodded.

Master Ge might well be a remarkable man; her brothers were surely in good hands.

Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia asked a few more questions about their sons’ school life before finally feeling reassured.

“It’s time we left. Study hard and pay attention in class, but don’t overwork yourselves—remember, balance is key,” Lin Hongda advised.

“Don’t worry!” Lin Beitao thumped his chest. “I’ll keep an eye on Second Brother!”

Lin Yanbei laughed—he’d be the one watching over his mischievous younger brother.

Liao Shuxia pressed a tael of silver into Lin Yanbei’s hand. “Keep this for expenses.”

“Mother, that’s too much,” Lin Yanbei protested. “Meals and lodging are included here.”

“Take it. You’ll need money while studying away from home,” Liao Shuxia insisted.

“Second Brother, just keep it. Spend what’s necessary, and if you don’t need it, save it for later,” Lin Sangqian added with a smile.

With her encouragement, Lin Yanbei finally accepted.

After a few more reminders, the family bid farewell, and the two brothers followed the page boy to the classroom.

“Where shall we go next?” Liao Shuxia asked.

“To the Yu family,” Lin Hongda replied.

Lin Sangqian nodded as well.

The Yu family was known as one of the wealthiest households in town, so all they had to do was ask around briefly to find its location.

As they left Haixing Academy, Lin Sangqian noticed an alley nearby with quite a few residences.

She wondered if there might be a vacant courtyard in the area.

She made a mental note to inquire later.

The Yu residence wasn’t far; they arrived in less than half an hour.

At the gate stood two guards. Lin Hongda stepped forward, clasping his hands as he’d seen on television, and said politely, “Gentlemen, could you please inform Young Master Yu that we’ve come to see him?”

One of the guards gave him a quick, impatient glance and waved his hand. “Move along! Don’t make trouble here—our young master doesn’t see just anyone!”