Chapter 217: Asking a Favor

Gu Fei said without hesitation, "No."

"I’m hiring staff, not trouble. With your mother’s personality, I’d rather not have to deal with her for the rest of my life."

Xing’er looked embarrassed. Gu Fei continued, "Since you don’t want to get married and want to forge your own path, you have to fight for it yourself. You can’t just wait for others to arrange everything for you."

"Heaven helps those who help themselves."

Xing’er’s expression shifted. "Fine. I’ll go talk to my mother."

Gu Fei watched her and said coolly, "Since you’re going to work for me, then at the shop, you’ll do whatever I say. Don’t think you’re entitled to special treatment just because you’re my cousin. If you’re just planning to use my shop as a refuge, I advise you to drop that idea right now."

"And one more thing, make it clear to your mother: if she ever comes to the shop and causes a scene, even once, you won’t need to come back."

Xing’er stared blankly at Gu Fei. ’She really is the one who killed a wolf,’ she thought. ’That presence of hers is even a little scary.’ After a long moment, she finally nodded. "Okay."

She turned and walked out, her pace quickening and her back growing straighter with every step.

Mrs. Chen sighed. Just as she was about to speak, an older aunt came in, pulling Tie Niu with her. She said she wanted Tie Niu to work at the shop as a runner. Tie Niu was sixteen, tall, and very strong. He also knew how to drive a cart. Gu Fei thought he could be useful and agreed.

The next day, Gu Fei hired a chef.

The chef was a woman in her thirties.

Gu Fei tested her skills at noon and found them to be quite good. The woman was also remarkably strong; when she tossed food in the heavy iron wok, she did it effortlessly. It was clear she had been training since childhood.

Gu Fei called her Sister Hua, and they agreed on a monthly wage of two taels of silver.

Sister Hua then recommended a neighbor of hers, Granny Chen, for laundry. Gu Fei met with her and saw that Granny Chen was very neat and tidy, which was also excellent.

Then she hired two more young workers, both of whom looked strong and sturdy.

A few days later, Ms. Qian and Gu Zhong arrived at the door with Xing’er.

It seemed Gu Zhong had given her a stern talking-to at home, because Ms. Qian was all smiles the moment she walked in.

"Oh my, I haven’t seen you in a few days, and look how much prettier you’ve gotten, Little Fei!"

Gu Fei forced a smile. "It’s so rare for you to visit, Auntie."

She greeted Gu Zhong with a bow. "Please, sit down, Uncle."

Gu Zhong sat down, at first still trying to maintain his airs as an elder. But when he saw Gu Fei just sitting there silently, he had no choice but to break the silence. "Um, Little Fei, your uncle has come today to ask a favor of you."

Gu Fei nodded. "Go on, I’m listening."

"This girl, Xing’er, she’s being stubborn as a mule and refuses to get married. I was thinking, since that’s the case, why not let her help out at your shop? She can earn a little silver, and we can save it for her future dowry."

Gu Fei smiled and nodded. "That could work. Xing’er is my cousin, after all. Of course, I’m willing to help her out."

"I’m not worried about anything else, really. It’s just... Auntie. If she starts showing up at the shop for no reason to ’see’ Xing’er, well..."

Gu Zhong quickly interjected, "That won’t happen, it won’t! Don’t you worry, Little Fei. If she dares go, I’ll break her legs!"

Standing beside him, Ms. Qian’s face twitched.

Gu Fei laughed. "Alright then. Xing’er can come to my shop for a trial run. As for her duties, I’ll arrange them later. She might be a helper in the back kitchen or an assistant out front."

"The wage will be four hundred wen a month. Meals are included, but lodging is not."

The moment Ms. Qian heard this, she shrieked, "Why only four hundred wen? Aren’t Aunt Liu and Tie Niu both getting five hundred?!"