Chapter 64: Looking to Hire a Waiter

“This lip rouge has such a lovely color!” Jiang Yu exclaimed as she gazed at the lip rouge in her hand.

Everyone was filled with curiosity as they examined the items they’d been given.

Li Su had brought back a jumble of things, including local specialties from the prefectural city.

As soon as Li Su returned home, the family’s meals improved noticeably; the children couldn’t help but jump with joy—whenever their uncle was home, there were always delicious treats to be had.

Even the meals for the workers building the house improved, “There's meat today!”

“Really? There is! The Li family is so generous. Working for folks like them is a real pleasure!”

Although the Li family was in a hurry, they treated their workers well, providing good food and drink. No one had ever encountered such hospitality before.

“That child from the Li family who went to take the imperial exams is back. Last time, he was first in our county, and now he went to the prefectural city and came out first again! That boy is remarkable. If my own son were even a tenth as talented, I’d smile in my sleep.”

“He’s that good? Is he a scholar now?”

“No, not yet. There’s still one more exam, but I think it’s only a matter of time before he earns the title.”

“Studying is so hard—so many rounds of exams. Just hearing about it is daunting, never mind actually sitting for them.”

“That’s why there are so few scholars. It’s hard to pass!”

The workers chatted as they ate.

After dinner at the Li household, Li Su brought up his proposal, “Mother, Father, I think we should hire two assistants for the shop to help Mother and Second Brother. We can still earn money without exhausting ourselves—why do we have to work ourselves so hard?”

Feng Cui Cui’s expression changed slightly. She thought Li Su had given up on this idea, but now he’d brought it up again. “I disagree! We’re perfectly capable of handling it ourselves, aren’t we, Second?”

Li Zheng Qiang immediately nodded in agreement with Feng Cui Cui. It was hard work, but earning money made it worthwhile.

Li Su looked at them with genuine concern, “It’s fine to earn a bit less. I just don’t want to see the family worn out.”

The Li family fell silent; even Feng Cui Cui opened her mouth several times only to close it again. Li Su was showing his care for them.

Li Su thought to himself—this was the only way to persuade his family. Otherwise, they’d never listen, thinking a bit of hardship was nothing as long as money was coming in.

Li Zheng Yi glanced at Li Su and said to Feng Cui Cui, “Mother, you should listen to Fourth. He just doesn’t want to see you suffer.”

Li Su hadn’t expected his eldest brother to support him. He quickly added, “Yes, Mother, listen to me.”

Feng Cui Cui wrestled with her emotions, finally relenting, “Fine, we can hire assistants, but if no one comes, we’ll work ourselves.”

---

Li Su agreed, but how could there not be willing applicants? There were plenty.

“How should we calculate the assistants’ monthly wages?” Feng Cui Cui felt uneasy at the thought of sharing the family’s earnings.

“How about thirty coins a day?” Li Su asked.

“No, no! Thirty coins a day is nine hundred coins a month—that’s one tael of silver. Two people would be two taels. Oh heavens.” Feng Cui Cui clutched her chest, even more distressed after calculating.

Li Su was speechless. They now had a shop, selling from morning till night, with daily income far exceeding what they’d made as street vendors. Their monthly profit was at least two hundred taels, yet his mother agonized over the extra two taels for wages.

And it wasn’t even two taels—Feng Cui Cui was calculating generously.

“Mother, what amount do you think is suitable?” Li Su asked.

Feng Cui Cui muttered quietly, “I think not hiring anyone is best.”

Li Su looked helplessly at his mother. Her miserly nature was fortunate only because she shared the earnings among her children. If all the money was left in her care, she’d never spend it.

At this moment, Li Da Ping spoke up, “If Fourth says thirty coins, then thirty coins it is. Fourth, should we hire someone from the county, or from our village?”

Li Su guessed his father had someone in mind. “Father, do you have a candidate?”

“Do you remember your Uncle Qin’s family? When things were tough for us, they lent us silver. Though we’ve repaid them, we shouldn’t forget their kindness.”

“He’s honest; his wife passed away early, and he’s raised three children alone—it’s not easy.”

“His youngest son is agile and used to work as a shop assistant in the county. He was wrongly accused of stealing silver and dismissed.”

“I watched him grow up, and he’d never do such a thing. The villagers all believe he was falsely accused, but with that reputation, no shop in the county would hire him.”

Li Da Ping sighed, and Feng Cui Cui added, “Qin’s third son is indeed a good lad. He’d never steal; he was definitely framed.”

With both parents vouching for him, Li Su had no doubts about Qin’s third son. Hiring was meant to ease the family’s burden, and since his mother, brother, and Qin’s third son would be working together, it made sense to choose someone they got along with.

“If you both say so, then let’s do it,” Li Su agreed.

A smile broke across Li Da Ping’s face, “I’ll go tell the Qin family this good news!”

“Fourth, I think just one assistant is enough; we don’t need two,” Feng Cui Cui said after some thought. With one agile helper, she and Second Brother wouldn’t be too tired.

“Qin’s third son has experience. With him, it’ll be fine,” Li Zheng Qiang agreed.

He and his mother had managed on their own before. Now, with an experienced helper, it would be even easier.

---

Li Su was silent for a moment.

“All right… We’ll start with one. If it gets too busy, we’ll hire another.”

Feng Cui Cui smiled, “Yes, we’ll begin with one.”

Because Xi Sheng had mentioned Yun Qin’s existence, Li Su kept this person in mind. “Mother, I’ll go study now.”

Li Su wanted to make the most of this time to reinforce his knowledge. Next time, he would answer earnestly and give his all.

“Go on, go on,” Feng Cui Cui urged, afraid to hinder her child’s studies.

...

Li Da Ping strode briskly to the Qin family’s gate, which was left open. The family sat in the courtyard, faces clouded with worry.

The Qin family had three sons; only the eldest was married. The second son had his eye on a girl, but their family couldn’t afford the necessary funds.

Qin’s second son knew the family’s situation and didn’t want to burden the girl.

Their father had injured his leg hunting in the mountains, so he could only do light work at home, unable to farm. The land was tended by the three brothers and the eldest son's wife. They didn’t own much, and with their father needing medicine, there was little silver to spare.

Qin’s third son knew he’d been dismissed for offending the young shopkeeper, falsely accused of theft. He regretted meddling in others’ affairs—if only he hadn’t, he might still have steady income in the county, and their lives would be better.

The eldest looked at his second brother, “Second, after the busy season, we’ll go to the county to find work. If we must, we’ll borrow again… I can’t let you miss out on marrying.”

“Third, you too—if you fancy someone, the family will do its best to arrange a match.”

Qin’s second son gazed at his brother’s resolute yet weary face, “Brother, perhaps fate isn’t with us. I won’t force it.”

Their father sighed, “It’s all my fault, holding you back…”

“Father, what are you saying? You raised us single-handedly. How could you be a burden?”

“Old Qin, everyone’s here?” Li Da Ping walked up to the gate, smiling at Qin’s father.