### Chapter 33: Have You Ever Thought About Opening Your Own Restaurant? - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 33: Have You Ever Thought About Opening Your Own Restaurant? "Madam, I've brought the person you asked for." At the time, Chunzhu's face was flushed red, which worried Madam Huang a bit. “Are you cold? Go inside and warm up for a bit. Next time, switch with Shaoyao for something like this.” “Huh? No need, madam.” Chunzhu hurriedly refused after hearing that. “I’ll be going now, madam. Call me if you need anything.” With that, Chunzhu stumbled back to her room. Huang Qingwan was a bit puzzled. That child has been acting strangely lately. But the most pressing matter now was getting Su Lang out of the general's mansion. Huang Qingwan didn’t know if the future would repeat itself like the past life. If an imperial edict ordered the execution of the entire family, she and Su Lang would never have a day to be together again. She pondered all night and finally decided that no matter what future events might unfold, Su Mo must first leave the general’s mansion, and other plans could be made later. With that thought, Huang Qingwan gestured for Su Mo to come over. “Steward Su, you may come over now.” Her voice was soft and gentle, causing Su Mo's heart to waver slightly. “Yes, madam.” With that, he lowered his head and walked towards Huang Qingwan. As he approached, Huang Qingwan instinctively raised her hand to tidy a stray lock of hair by her temple. Su Mo, however, didn’t notice her subtle gesture. With his head lowered, he only saw her slender ankles and graceful calves. After hesitating for a moment, Huang Qingwan spoke up. “Steward Su, do you have any family left?” Hearing Madam Huang’s question, Su Mo’s mind raced, wondering what her intent was. “Replying to the madam, my family suffered a flood disaster early on; now there’s only me.” Hearing Su Mo’s response, Huang Qingwan's eyes turned misty, as if covered by a layer of fog. She had asked this same question in her previous life. The answers in both lives were exactly identical. Huang Qingwan had once doubted whether it was all just a dream, but with so many matching details, how could a dream possibly explain it? She was indeed back. Since heaven had given her this opportunity, she must cherish and seize it. She must not let happiness slip away from her again. Gathering her courage, Huang Qingwan stated her purpose. “Steward Su, with your excellent cooking skills, have you ever thought about opening a restaurant of your own?” Su Mo chuckled bitterly upon hearing this. I would love to, but I lack the capital for such an endeavor. “Replying to the madam, I don’t have enough capital, so even if I dream about it, it’s like flowers in a mirror, the moon in water.” Huang Qingwan's tone was soft, with a hint of probing. “What if you now have the capital?” Su Mo was taken aback at her words. His candied sweet potatoes had received praise; could it be that Madam Huang wanted to invest because she admired his culinary skills, encouraging him to open a restaurant in Linjiang City? His mind quickly calculated. After a brief consideration, he came to the most likely conclusion. Su Mo’s heart leaped with joy. If that were indeed the case, it couldn’t be better! Without hesitation, Su Mo confidently replied: “If I have the capital, I will surely open a restaurant!” “Good!” Huang Qingwan suddenly revealed two bank notes in her hand. “These are two five-hundred liang silver notes, which can be exchanged for cash at the Shengchang Bank.” “Profits will be split fifty-fifty in the future.” Su Mo was astonished, quickly looking up, only to meet Huang Qingwan’s tender gaze. However, his shock left him little time to think further, and he was instead amazed by Madam Huang’s lavish offer. “Madam, aren’t you afraid I’ll take the money and run?” Huang Qingwan chuckled lightly. “I trust you.” “And, of course, I trust your culinary skills.” ... Returning from Madam Huang's place, Su Mo was still a bit dazed. A thousand silver liang. That’s equivalent to millions if converted into purchasing power on Earth! He never expected Madam Huang to trust him so much, giving him such a large sum directly. However, he had no experience in managing a restaurant. Even if he somehow opened one, he had no knowledge of its operation. Subsequently, Su Mo racked his brain, recalling various books and videos he had seen before his transmigration. Now with enhanced mental capacity, he could recall some details. For instance, he once watched a professor explain on video the various architectural functions depicted in the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." A proper restaurant, or a major establishment, would require an investment of six hundred to a thousand liang. Additionally, to boost profits, obtaining a brewing license from the government was necessary. With the brewing license secured, liquor sales accounted for over 60% of the overall profits. If one could develop exclusive alcoholic beverages, even more patrons would be attracted. Other services like entertainment (storytelling and music), takeout, and so on, wouldn’t need to be initiated immediately. The biggest hassle, though, was dealing with the government. However, with the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion serving as a hedge in Linjiang City, far removed from the capital, it was like a private kingdom. The county magistrate had little say. With the general’s residence as backing, and Madam Huang’s investment, the most daunting challenge was effortlessly resolved. General Guo was stationed at the frontier year-round, leaving no time to return. In Linjiang City, the highest authority was Madam Huang, the household matron. Once the restaurant opened, there’d be no need to curry favor with bureaucrats. Just the thought was thrilling. Carefully placing the banknotes in the inner pocket of his clothes, Su Mo prepared to inform the Guo steward of Madam’s decision. Now that he was to open a restaurant, the position of food manager was naturally no longer necessary. As he proceeded to find the steward, a nimble young girl of about fifteen or sixteen, accompanied by two maids, approached Su Mo. Seeing them, Su Mo quickly stepped aside and lowered his head. The girl wore a red jacket, with cuffs and collar lined with snow-white fox fur, and intricate patterns embroidered with golden threads on the surface. A jade pendant hung at her waist, lightly chiming as she walked. She exuded an aura of nobility and grace. She was the second young miss of the general’s mansion, Guo Lin. Guo Lin, with her arched eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, was charmingly beautiful. However, compared to Madam Huang, she paled slightly in comparison. Now that the eldest young miss had married into the household of the current Prime Minister, only this second young miss, Guo Lin, remained unmarried in the mansion, enjoying a lofty status. Simulation previously hinted that Guo Lin wasn’t her biological daughter, but the child of General Guo and another woman, who died during childbirth, leaving Guo Lin to be raised by Huang Qingwan. For years, she treated her as her own, no different from a biological mother and daughter. Just as Su Mo was about to proceed after the second young miss left, a youthful voice resonated. “You, you’re the new food steward, aren’t you?” Guo Lin halted, examining the tall, handsome man before her. From the maids, she learned her mother had summoned Su Mo to the inner courtyard multiple times, and seeing his tall, handsome appearance now made Guo Lin inwardly unsettled. Even though she knew her mother wouldn’t betray her father, she still felt a bit uncomfortable. “Yes, Second Miss.” Su Mo sensed a hint of animosity in Guo Lin’s tone, unsure what might have caught her attention and drawn it towards him. “I heard my mother often seeks you out?” “It’s because Madam Huang enjoys my culinary skills, so I prepared a few desserts for her.” “Lies!” Suddenly, Guo Lin raised her leg and kicked Su Mo's calf. The force behind Guo Lin's kick was so strong that it caused a sharp pain in Su Mo’s calf, much like the daughter of a general who’d practiced martial arts from a young age. If not for his gift of robust health, he might have collapsed by now! A trace of anger flickered in Su Mo's eyes. Anyone being kicked without reason would naturally feel angry. “Hmm?” Guo Lin was surprised that her powerful kick hadn’t brought Su Mo down. “Strong physique you have.” “But I’ve heard from Qiu Xing that you somehow managed to get close to and draw my mother’s attention.” Su Mo suppressed his anger. “Replying to the second miss, that is simply not the case. You can ask Madam’s maids, Chunzhu and Shaoyao for confirmation.” “It’s all because Madam enjoyed the desserts I made.” Guo Lin pouted. “So, it seems I’ve wronged you?” "Alright, then I'll go ask my mother right away." "If you're lying, pack up and leave today!" With that, Guo Lin left with her two maids. Su Mo lifted his pant leg to find his left calf already bruised. Damn. This girl really doesn't hold back. Watching Guo Lin's retreating figure, Su Mo called upon his "Fated Life" system, setting his target on Guo Lin. "Using the specified real-life fate role opportunity now!" "Targeting." "Target set: Second Young Miss Guo Lin of the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion. Confirm?" "Confirm!" "Binding successful. Next life simulation will fixate on Second Young Miss Guo Lin of the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion!" As the binding was completed, Su Mo felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him. Though it was just a simulation, it gave him a sense of relief. Come nightfall, let’s see if I can’t bring you to tears! (End of Chapter)