"Aunt Xu, how much silver do you think is appropriate?" Duoduo recalled the problem-solving method her father had taught her.
When you don't want to answer or don't know how to answer, throw the question back at the other person.
Xu Jinxin thought for a moment.
"When opening a shop, the bulk of the expenses mainly goes to rent and labor."
"Then there are the raw materials and equipment."
"We don't need to open a very large one at first; we can start with a small shop to test the waters."
"If business is good, we can figure out a way to expand."
Xu Jinxin still opted for a steady approach first.
"Calculating it this way, we need to prepare at least a thousand taels for the initial stage."
Duoduo's eyes darted around as she remembered the knowledge Li Jin had taught her.
"If the capital is a thousand taels, how much should one portion of fish be sold for?"
"How many portions of grilled fish do we need to sell a day to recover the cost?"
Xu Jinxin nodded in appreciation. "That's a very good question, Duoduo."
"Regarding what you just asked, once I get to the capital, I will survey the market first."
"Then, I will draw up a detailed business plan for you."
"By then, you will be able to see the answers to those questions at a glance."
Duoduo took a bite of the grilled fish and flashed a smile at Xu Jinxin.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Aunt Xu!"
Xu Jinxin smiled happily. "Speaking of which, Aunt Xu should be thanking you!"
"Aunt Xu has wanted to open her own shop for a long time, but your teacher disagreed."
Duoduo tilted her little head. "Why?"
"My father doesn't like my mother getting too tired," Yingniang chimed in from the side.
Xu Jinxin patted Yingniang's head in amusement. "Chatterbox!"
Hearing this, Duoduo was a bit hesitant. "Then Aunt Xu, what if the teacher doesn't agree?"
Xu Jinxin placed the grilled eggplant onto a clean plate nearby.
"Duoduo, if it were anyone else proposing this, your teacher definitely wouldn't agree."
"But since it's you, your teacher will agree one hundred percent."
Duoduo was very surprised. "Why? Is the teacher afraid of me? Or maybe afraid of my father?"
Xu Jinxin pretended to cry.
"Neither. It's because you are the person your teacher cares about the most. Yingniang and I both have to step aside."
Su Xian reached out to poke Xu Jinxin's armpit.
"You're a grown woman, stop talking nonsense!"
Unable to stand the tickling, Xu Jinxin hastily begged for mercy.
"I was wrong, Su Xian, I'm still grilling things here!"
Only then did Su Xian withdraw her hand. She looked down and saw Duoduo looking at her with a face full of smiles.
A hint of a blush flew across Su Xian's face. "Don't listen to your Aunt Xu's nonsense, she's just teasing you."
Duoduo looked at her mother, then at Xu Jinxin.
She secretly decided in her heart that she would have a good talk with her teacher later.
The talk of opening a shop on Duoduo's end soon reached Xiao Yi's ears.
Xiao Yi looked at the grilled fish he had mostly finished eating and pondered for a moment.
"Yunxiao, if I remember correctly, we have a shop in the West Market of the capital?"
Yunxiao recalled for a moment. "Answering Your Highness, yes."
"The manager of that shop previously said it was too big and business was poor, so he proposed a rent reduction."
"Go take the shop back later. We are no longer renting it out," Xiao Yi instructed faintly.
Yunxiao was a bit surprised. "Your Highness, the lease for that shop still has a year left. If we terminate the lease now..."
Xiao Yi lifted his eyelids and glanced at Yunxiao.
"I am not lacking that bit of silver!"
Yunxiao hastily lowered his head. "Yes, your subordinate understands."
"Then your subordinate will have someone tidy it up and find a broker to rent it out again."
Xiao Yi's gaze circled over the grilled fish on the side.
"Isn't Madam Li currently looking for a storefront?" Xiao Yi only spoke half of his thoughts.
Yunxiao instantly understood Xiao Yi's meaning.
So, His Highness wanted to take the shop back to let the Princess use it.
"Then your subordinate will inform the Princess," Yunxiao asked tentatively.
Xiao Yi tapped his fingers on the table.
"Eagerly pushing it on them isn't the way to do business."
"When the time comes, just paste a notice on the shopfront."
Yunxiao understood.
His Highness wanted to help the Princess and the others secretly, but didn't want the Princess to know.
"Yes, your subordinate understands."
Duoduo had no idea that Xiao Yi was already scheming to help her. She was enthusiastically listening to Xu Jinxin talk about how to do business and make money.
"Today, you can eat as much fish as you want!"
Suddenly, Li Jin's smug voice interrupted their conversation.
Xu Jinxin stood up and saw that the bucket Li Jin was carrying was full of moving fish heads. She opened her mouth in surprise.
"Have you been possessed by the Fish God? You actually caught this many fish?"
Li Jin nodded proudly.
"How about it? Am I amazing or what? Today, every time I cast my line, I got a bite. Even Li Jiangyu had to concede defeat!"
"Hmph!"
Li Jiangyu, who was standing to the side, snorted.
Hearing the sound, Su Xian hastily turned her face away.
Seeing this, Li Jin pulled Li Jiangyu away. "Let's go clean the fish."
After Li Jin and the others left, Su Xian stood up. "I can't be of much help staying here, so I'll be heading back first."
Xu Jinxin knew that Su Xian was a typical lady from a prestigious family and was different from them.
"This fish is just ready to be eaten, along with this eggplant and potato. Take them back with you to eat."
Xu Jinxin placed the fish on a plate and handed it all to Su Xian.
"Thank you!" Su Xian took the plate and smiled at Xu Jinxin.
Not long after Su Xian left, Li Jin returned with the cleaned fish.
He skillfully coated the fish in seasonings, skewered them, and set them aside to marinate.
"Li Jin, Duoduo and I are planning to open a grilled fish shop."
Xu Jinxin happily shared the joyful news with her husband.
"Why haven't you given up yet? Now you're even egging Duoduo on?" Li Jin looked exasperated.
Xu Jinxin winked at Li Jin.
"You're wronging me here. Duoduo brought it up, and I just went along with the flow."
Li Jin didn't believe Xu Jinxin's words. He looked at Duoduo. "Duoduo, is it true?"
Duoduo nodded.
"Yes! I think Aunt Xu's cooking is great, and I want Aunt Xu to help me earn silver to spend!"
Li Jin was aware of the bet between Duoduo and Xiao Yi. Hearing Duoduo's words, he fell silent.
"Have you thought out the specific details? Don't end up investing silver only to lose money and cry about it in the end."
Li Jin kindly reminded them.
Xu Jinxin gave Duoduo an "I told you so" look, pursing her lips into a smile without speaking.
Duoduo carefully spat out a fish bone from her mouth.
"Teacher, you have a lot of experience. When the time comes, please guide us."
Xu Jinxin clapped her hands together. "Hey! That's a great idea, Duoduo!"
"With Li Jin joining us, I feel even more confident."
Li Jin looked at the two delighted females. He picked up a skewer of eggplant from Yingniang's plate.
"Hiring me as a consultant is very expensive."
Duoduo's head was full of confusion. "Consultant? What is that? A shopkeeper?"
Xu Jinxin was so amused she burst into loud laughter.
Li Jin glanced at his wife. "It means a strategist, an advisor."
Duoduo tilted her head.
"You are my teacher. Haven't I already paid my tuition fees?"
Xu Jinxin's laughter grew even louder.
