Win Him Back (BL)

14. Chain Of Stores

The bakery store is located in a good location. It's quite old and the decor has seen better days.

Ling Wen shakes his head. People in this era know nothing about marketing.

He asks for a menu.

The clerk responds, "Just pick anything. If you don't have money, just leave."

Ling Wen sighs.

Where did they recruit this grumpy shopkeeper? No wonder the store is running out of business.

Ling Wen doesn't have any spare money to buy paper, brush or ink. He is holding a big rice paper and a sharpened charcoal. The paper is used to make buns.

He writes waiter, menu and decor as the biggest problems of the bakery store.

Wen buys two small mooncakes from the shop. His eyes widened when he hears the prices. The waiter is eyeing him as if mocking his ability to pay.

He grits his teeth and pays for one small mooncake. He writes price on the paper.

The bakery store has four major problems. It needs many improvements.

The cake is too hard and not easy to swallow. This is outrageous. Selling dirt in diamond price.

The next destination is a restaurant. It is located quite far from main road. Hardly anyone ever comes here to eat.

Ling Wen and his son sit down.

A slender young man with a smiling face asks, "We have special dish today. Would you like to try?"

The menu looks shabby and too hard to read. The waiter must notice it too. He recites the menu based on memories. The prices aren't too expensive.

Wen picks two dishes and a soup. Fortunately he has received his salary few days ago. Eating out once in a while should be okay.

Fifteen minutes later, they finish their meal. Xiao Bao is smiling widely. His Daddy's meals are more tasty. Better than the food here.

Wen pays for the meal. The waiter bows his head when receiving the money.

Wen asks, "Where is your Boss?"

"Excuse me?"

"I need to talk to him."

"He's out looking to borrow money...err...I mean... Ha...ha...ha..."

Wen squints his eyes.

He asks, "Do you mean he likes to gamble?"

"No, Sir. It's just this restaurant kept losing money. We can't afford to pay for fresh ingredients. Our suppliers have stopped sending to us."

Wen sighs.

He explains, "The restaurant owner sent me here to investigate. I shall report it to him."

"Please tell our Master that the manager has tried hard. It's just this location is no good. Hardly anyone ever come here."

"I know."

Wen decides to go to another store.

The shop has been closed when they arrive on spot. He scratches his head. He goes to a street vendor to buy tanghulu candies for Xiao Bao.

Wen asks, "What happened to that clothing store over there?"

"Local thugs kept asking money. The manager won't pay so they broke his arm."

Wen sighs.

Yu Fei should know this matter. To think anyone dared to ask money from him. It's looking for death.

It's getting dark so they go home.

Don't know why. Walking in the streets after dark giving me goosebumps. I kept fearing getting attacked. Maybe it's residual memories from the original owner.

Wen reports his findings to Yu Fei that night.

Yu Fei nods his head.

He asks, "Do you have a suggestion?"

"I think we should relocate the restaurant. Move it to bakery store. With good renovations, the restaurant would be profitable."

Yu Fei takes out 100 gold taels and puts them on his desk.

He orders, "Use this money and arrange the stores. I'm counting on you."

Wen couldn't believe he drops such big amount of money just like that.

He complaints, "Master, I think I could only take ten taels for now. This is just too much."

Yu Fei scratches his head. Giving him money and items don't make Ling Wen happy. It's hard to please him.

He squints his eyes when Wen tells him about the thugs.

Yu Fei says,"I shall arrange a shadow guard to protect you."

"I don't think it would be necessary."

"I insist."

"Thank you, Master."

After Wen leaves, Thirteen gives his report to him.

Yu Fei orders, "You don't need to come tomorrow. Provide me a mask."

"Milord?"

"I shall protect them."

"Yes, Milord."

Thirteen leaves without making any noise. Like a shadow lurking in the darkeness.

*****

Ling Wen and his son go to sleep after washing up.

A small candlelight is their only source of light. Each servant could only get a candle each month.

Xiao Bao yawns loudly.  His son lets his pet out after he kept making loud noises.

His monkey is dancing weirdly on a table. As if protesting.

Wen scolds, "Behave peanut."

The naughty monkey shakes his butt in front of him. Wen and his son laugh.

The monkey is smart and usually very obidient. He is usually kept in cage in the morning. Only let him out after Wen finishes his work in the afternoon.

Today they went out until dark. Peanut has been in cage for all day long.

"Daddy, could I sleep with him?"

"No. He isn't a rag doll. He could get suffocated."

"Peanut, behave well. I'll give you snacks tomorrow," says Wen.

Wen yawns loudly. It has been a long day for both of them.

The monkey yawns too, imitating him.

Wen puts his hands on his waist and the monkey imitates him again.

He chuckles.

This little monkey is very smart.

Wen shows a handful of nuts. He puts them in the cage. He also adds a bowl of water. The left overs of inedible super expensive mooncake is also stuffed inside.

Peanut goes into the cage to eat.

Xiao Bao brushes his teeth using salt water and soft cloth. Wen wishes someone invented toothbrush to prevent cavity.

They both wash their faces and brush their teeth.

Wen blows out a candle. He is wide awake in bed.

The bakery gotta go. It couldn't be saved. The restaurant shall be moved to the new location. I need to ask Master to solve the thugs.

He kept making list in his mind until he falls asleep.

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