Chapter Seventy-Seven: One Child Is Enough

Has Wanhua come up with a new dish? Lin Sangqian raised her brows, her curiosity piqued.

“Don’t mind them,” Yang Shi said as he walked to her side. “They’ve probably come up with some new recipe, but no matter what it is, it can’t beat our sweet and sour pork. And besides, we’ll soon be launching our mouthwatering chicken.”

Now that chicken feet were in ample supply, many people were scrambling to buy them. In Yang Shi’s eyes, Wanhua was merely making a last-ditch effort.

“That makes sense,” Lin Sangqian replied, smiling and nodding. She then walked over to ask Lu Chengren about the poultry farm.

“Are you looking to buy pigs or chickens?”

“Chickens,” Lin Sangqian replied cheerfully. “I need them all for the chicken feet…”

“Leave it to me!” Lu Chengren agreed readily. “As it happens, I have a friend who raises chickens just outside the town. I’m not sure exactly how many he has, but it’s a sizable operation.”

Lin Sangqian’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful! I’ll go take a look this afternoon.”

“I’ll go with you. With me there, you’ll surely get a better price,” Lu Chengren promised, keenly aware of how closely his business was tied to the chicken feet trade.

That afternoon, Lu Chengren took Lin Sangqian to the poultry farm outside town. She saw it was indeed large, bustling with people and full of chickens. Most importantly, the place was clean and well-kept.

Lin Sangqian was very pleased. After some thought, she decided to order thirty pounds of chicken feet each day for now, planning to increase the quantity in the future if business continued to grow.

The owner was a middle-aged woman named Meng Yufeng, a bold and hearty soul. Upon hearing that Lin Sangqian wanted thirty pounds of chicken feet daily and was a friend of Lu Chengren, she immediately reduced the price by two coins per pound.

The deal was struck without delay. They agreed that Meng Yufeng would have someone deliver the chicken feet to the Lin household every evening—cash on delivery.

“I’ve brought you another big business opportunity. How will you thank me?” Lu Chengren asked with a grin.

Meng Yufeng gave him a playful punch. “Between brothers, do we need thanks? Off with you!”

“Haha, right, we are brothers indeed,” Lu Chengren laughed, though a trace of melancholy flickered in his eyes.

Lin Sangqian noticed, and couldn’t help but wonder—was there a story between Manager Lu and Boss Meng? Still, she wasn’t one to gossip, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

“This young lady is quite impressive, isn’t she?” Meng Yufeng said, ruffling Lin Sangqian’s hair. “So young, and already in business.”

“Children from poor families grow up fast,” Lin Sangqian replied lightly.

“Hahaha… Well said!”

“By the way, this month I only need chicken feet, but next month, I’ll need drumsticks and wings too,” Lin Sangqian said.

“Oh?” Meng Yufeng brightened at once. “No problem! Whatever part of the chicken you need, I can supply as much as you want!”

Lu Chengren couldn’t help but ask, “Sangqian, what do you want the drumsticks and wings for? Are you planning to invent another new dish?”

Seeing the anticipation in his eyes, Lin Sangqian felt a pang of guilt but had to be honest. “Manager Lu, I plan to open my own shop.”

Lu Chengren was speechless.

He felt abandoned!

Lin Sangqian could read a hint of grievance in his eyes. She hurried to reassure him, “But don’t worry. I’m only opening a snack shop, not competing with you. I’ll still provide new recipes for Fortune Pavilion.”

After all, fried chicken and proper meals were quite different. That’s why she felt at ease opening her own shop—if she were to open a full-fledged restaurant, it would have to be somewhere much bigger.

She and Lu Chengren were partners, after all, and she wouldn’t be so inconsiderate.

“That’s good,” Lu Chengren breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that with Lin Sangqian’s culinary skills, if she ever became his rival, he’d be no match for her.

“What’s the matter, Old Lu? This is the first time I’ve seen you so nervous, actually afraid a young girl will steal your business?” Meng Yufeng asked in surprise.

“Do you think she’s just any ordinary girl?” Lu Chengren said, watching Lin Sangqian playing with the chickens. He sighed, “Sometimes I wish I had such a clever and adorable daughter myself.”

Meng Yufeng laughed. “What’s so hard about that? Just find yourself a wife and have one!”

Lu Chengren gave her a long, meaningful look and a dry chuckle.

“What? Was I wrong?” Meng Yufeng pressed.

“No, you’re absolutely right.”

With everything settled, Lu Chengren and Lin Sangqian left together. Meng Yufeng watched him go for a long moment before turning back to her work.

On their way back to town, Lin Sangqian grinned at Lu Chengren. “Manager Lu, I’d actually like to trouble you with one more favor. I’ll give Fortune Pavilion another recipe for free in return.”

Lu Chengren waved his hand generously. “Just say the word! For a recipe, I’d do ten favors, not just one!”

Ever since he’d met Lin Sangqian, profits at Fortune Pavilion had soared. Where they once split the market evenly with Wanhua, now Wanhua couldn’t catch up no matter how hard they tried. Even if Wanhua launched a new dish, it wouldn’t make a difference—he was bound to come out ahead.

“This might be a bit troublesome, but there’s no rush. If you have the time, just ask around. If you hear nothing, it’s fine,” Lin Sangqian said.

“Alright, tell me.”

Lin Sangqian whispered her request. Lu Chengren looked puzzled, but didn’t press for details.

“I’ll have someone look into it for you,” he promised.

“Thank you, Manager Lu. I’ll come by with the new recipe in a few days.”

“No problem!”

With the end of the month approaching, Lin Hongda confirmed the date for the warming feast with Yu Jingxiao, hoping to find a day when he was free so everyone could attend.

To his surprise, as soon as Yu Jingxiao heard about the feast, he became excited and grabbed his wrist, asking cautiously, “Can I come too? And bring Zicheng along?”

He’d been longing to taste more of Miss Lin’s cooking but had never dared to ask. He was already a fan of the potato chips and chicken feet sold at Fortune Pavilion! And he wanted Guan Yanqing to try her cooking as well. Perhaps Miss Lin really was his savior.

“Of course,” Lin Hongda said with a smile. “A warming feast is only truly festive with a crowd.”

“Great! I’m free any day at the end of the month. Just let me know when you pick a date.”

“Will do.”

In the end, the Lin family set the feast for the twenty-ninth. They rose early to start preparing—Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao returned from the academy, and the whole family worked together, chatting and laughing as they washed vegetables and cut meat.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Who could it be, coming so early?” Lin Sangqian wondered in surprise as she went to the door.

But when she opened it, she frowned.