Chapter 72 - Qin Anming Invests in a Noodle Restaurant

Ruyi was going to close the noodle shop for a few days. She asked Uncle Xu to write a notice saying that Ruyi Noodle Restaurant would be temporarily closed and would reopen in seven days.

She was planning to give everyone a break when the shop was closed. She had been so busy these days that she had no time to rest. She could take this opportunity to find new maids and prepare the ingredients for Malatang.

Xiaoguo chatted with her for a while longer. Remembering that she still had to buy something, she got ready to leave.

Ruyi happened to be free in the afternoon, so she asked what Xiaoguo wanted to buy. When she heard that she was going to buy bricks and tiles, she laughed and patted her chest, saying that she would take care of it.

She had grown up in the county. She knew the shops around here at the back of her hand and knew where to get the best bargains.

Xiaoguo thought about it. That would be great. It would save her the trouble of having to go from shop to shop to compare prices.

With Qin Anming’s help, Ruyi got on the donkey cart and sat firmly beside Xiaoguo. Zhuang Zhuang stayed by Qin Anming’s side.

Ruyi and Xiaoguo talked about the place they were going to and how their products were well-made and durable.

Xiaoguo steered the cart and drove it towards the location as directed by Ruyi.

On the way, since Ruyi was free from work, she was all smiles and chatted with Xiaoguo about her plans and the things she had to prepare.

Xiaoguo kept her eyes on the road and her ears tuned to what Ruyi was saying. As she chatted with her, she gave some ideas whenever something came to her mind.

Midway through their conversations, Ruyi suddenly stopped talking. Sensing that something was amiss, she turned around to see what was wrong.

She saw Ruyi staring blankly towards the direction behind her. Xiaoguo wondered what she was looking at and followed her gaze. She was staring at Qin Anming, who was talking to Zhuang Zhuang.

Xiaoguo called out to Ruyi twice more before she was jolted from her daze.

“Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking about something. Hehe.”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Ruyi blushed and looked away from Xiaoguo.

Afraid that Xiaoguo would continue to question her, Ruyi quickly changed the subject. Xiaoguo realized that Ruyi must have been looking at her brother.

Indeed! Her brother was really good-looking and tall. He was not the skinny and weak type!

As those thoughts raced through her mind, she gave Ruyi a nudge.

“Oh right, Ruyi, I haven’t had the chance to introduce you. This is my biological brother, Qin Anming. He’s 23 years old this year and hasn’t been betrothed yet.”

At the mention of his name, Qin Anming looked up at Xiaoguo in confusion. What were they talking about?

After receiving a strange look from Xiaoguo, Qin Anming was even more confused. He could only turn to look at Ruyi, imploring her to explain.

Unexpectedly, Ruyi’s face turned even redder. She didn’t even dare to look at him. When she saw him looking at her, she immediately turned her head to Xiaoguo. Her heart was thumping furiously.

Xiaoguo’s brother was really good-looking. She had only taken a glance at him as she was busy in the morning. At that time, her first thought was that he looked good. During lunch, she was preoccupied thinking about the Malatang that Xiaoguo had mentioned, so she hadn’t given him much notice. Now that she had time, she couldn’t help herself. Her eyes kept wandering towards his direction. Was she going crazy?

Xiaoguo looked at Ruyi and could tell what she was thinking. But when she looked back at her silly brother, she felt a little exasperated. The girl was already blushing so hard, but he was completely unaware and still joking around with Zhuang Zhuang.

Xiaoguo thought about her brother. He was already past the age of marriage, but there were still no plans in place for his future.

With that thought in mind, Xiaoguo turned to look at Ruyi. This girl was kind-hearted and pretty. She was old enough to be married. Maybe she should help them?

However, on second thought, this relationship was still between the two of them. She could not get involved. She could only try to create a start.

“By the way, Ruyi, you wanted me to help you, right?”

Ruyi suddenly came back to her senses and thought about what Xiaoguo had said.

Because of Malatang, Ruyi wanted Xiaoguo to help keep an eye on the shop. Otherwise, she wouldn’t feel confident if she was alone.

“Yes, are you agreeable?”

Ruyi instantly put aside her thoughts and focused on what Xiaoguo had said. It would be great if Xiaoguo was willing to help her!

Xiaoguo shook her head. “I can’t be there. I still have Zhuang Zhuang. After the new year, Zhuang Zhuang will have to go to school. I still have to help him with some preparation work before school starts.”

Ruyi nodded in disappointment. Xiaoguo had mentioned before that Zhuang Zhuang was her priority.

“However, I can let my brother go. I’ll give him half of my shares. We’ll each take twenty percent.”

With that, Xiaoguo looked at Ruyi. “How is it?”

Ruyi was stunned. She turned to look at Qin Anming and saw his confused expression. How did he get involved in their discussion?

Ruyi naturally felt that it was a good arrangement, but it would depend on whether Qin Anming was agreeable.

Qin Anming already knew what Xiaoguo and Xu Ruyi were planning to do for the restaurant. He had heard everything clearly along the way.

To be honest, he was very tempted. He wanted to have his own things to do. Although it was good to be with Xiaoguo, there was not much for him to do everyday. Since he had time on his hands, it would be best if he could come to the noodle restaurant to help.

Ruyi had expressed her agreement. The rest was up to Qin Anming.

Qin Anming glanced at Xiaoguo and received an encouraging look from her. He looked at Xu Ruyi and said, “Sure!”

Ruyi was more excited than Xiaoguo. She gave a loud cheer, startling everyone on the cart.

Then, she covered her mouth in embarrassment. “I apologize, sorry, sorry…”

“Sister Xiaoguo, if Brother Anming can come over and help, you don’t have to take 20%. You can continue to take 40%. I’ll give Brother Anming a separate 10%. In addition, I’ll pay him a salary every month.”

Xiaoguo shook her head repeatedly, her expression was dead serious. “No, that’s not right. I will just give him half of my shares.

Business and personal matters should be clearly divided. Ruyi was already not making much. She couldn’t take advantage of her.

“Yes! Sister Xiaoguo!”

Ruyi interrupted Xiaoguo. “Brother An Ming isn’t here to work. He’s here as a shareholder too. It’s right for him to get a cut!”

Xiaoguo looked at Ruyi and saw that she wasn’t joking. After thinking about it carefully, she realized that there was truth to what she said!

When Qin Anming was at the noodle shop, he was actually taking on the duties of Xiaoguo. Since he had to take on the same tasks, it was right for him to get a share of the profits.

However, she could not let Ruyi pay for his share!

Xiaoguo and Ruyi talked for a long time, but Ruyi refused to back down. She said that she would give Qin Anming 10% of the profits. There was no need for Xiaoguo to split with him!

Ruyi was quite stubborn about this matter. Xiaoguo and Qin Anming tried their best to persuade her, but to no avail. Helpless, they could only give up. It seemed that they would have to make it up to her in other ways in the future!

Qin Anming was also filled with motivation. He arranged a time with Ruyi for him to familiarize himself with work and the ingredients on the following day.

Seeing that the two of them were chatting happily, Xiaoguo gestured for Zhuang Zhuang to come over to her. Zhuang Zhuang rolled into Xiaoguo’s arms.

The donkey cart stopped at the place that Ruyi had recommended. When they entered, they could tell that the workmanship was indeed very meticulous and the materials used were very solid.

Xiaoguo ordered five hundred tiles and a hundred bricks, as well as a sack of lime. Coincidentally, the shop carried oil paper too, so Xiaoguo bought a large piece.

It was getting late by the time they were done with the shopping. Xiaoguo dropped Ruyi off and drove home as soon as she saw Ruyi entering the house.

As they rushed back to Peach Blossom Village, Zhuang Zhuang was so tired that he couldn’t open his eyes. Qin Anming hugged Zhuang Zhuang and kept talking to him to keep him awake. If he slept now, he wouldn’t be able to have his dinner and will have problems falling asleep at bedtime.