Chapter Twenty-Five: Accidental Gain

  The shop assistants probably also guessed why Wang Tong was angry, and this young master also had a deep feeling for his own family's life. This anger was not without reason. Filial piety is the most important of all virtues, and Wang usually regretted that he did not have the opportunity to be filial, so when he encountered such things, he naturally could not bear it.

  It was just a minor episode in normal business hours, and as more customers came into the store, it was gradually forgotten.

  On the seventeenth night of the twelfth lunar month, in a secluded mansion somewhere.

  This looks like a living room of an ordinary family, everything is very simple. A woman in plain clothes and a wooden hairpin sits at the head, wiping away tears with a handkerchief, saying emotionally:

  "I thought he would still be as naughty as usual, but unexpectedly he came over to greet me and ask how I was doing. This kid has really grown up... going out for a walk is indeed good..."

  The middle-aged man wearing the uniform was not as majestic and dignified as he was outside, standing with his head bowed and respectfully at the lower position. Hearing this, he couldn't help but smile wryly and recount what happened when he met at Meiwu Guan, finally saying:

  "Perhaps an outsider's words struck a chord..."

  The woman raised her head, and on a face that was less than forty years old, there was an air of majesty, and she said in a solemn voice:

  "Nowadays, nothing can be hidden here, and outsiders are very aware of what's going on. That little guy must have been arranged by someone with ulterior motives to get close to us, investigate him!"

  The middle-aged man hastily bowed and replied, not daring to raise his head. He had just bid farewell and withdrawn when he heard the woman say casually:

  "Don't mention these things to Mr. Zhang..."

  On the second night, in this quiet courtyard again.

  "...thirteen years old this year, lost his father mid-year, not many relatives in the capital, started this restaurant on his own, business is pretty good, but has a violent temper, has fought with colleagues and troublemakers, but never suffered any losses..."

  The middle-aged man spoke in a low voice, and the woman listened attentively. After he finished introducing, she smiled and nodded her head to comment.

  "...and yet, at about the same age, hmm, a lonely child can say such things, shouldn't have any ulterior motives, must be speaking from the heart... quite an honest and capable person..."

  On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, there were no fewer customers in the store that afternoon, and about one-fifth of the seats were still occupied by customers.

  It seems that there is no big change in the flow of customers, Wang Tong finally felt a little relieved, reminded Zhang Shiqiang a few words, and went out himself.

  Although there are only two local shops on Nan Street that are still open, the Ji Yi Fang is still bustling with people. On ordinary days, gamblers have more free time during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, and at the end of the year, all debts must be repaid. They would rather run outside to avoid debt, taking this opportunity to make some extra money, perhaps even enough to repay their debts.

  Wang Tong walked up to the entrance of the Justice Nunnery and, with a smile, clasped his fists in greeting to the two burly men guarding the gate:

  "Wang Tong, the owner of Xia Mei Wei Guan, requests an audience with He Zhuanggui of your esteemed firm."

  Wang Tong, who had nothing to wear, wore this brocade robe with flying fish pattern every day. The big man standing at the door looked at him with some vigilance. Upon hearing these words, they exchanged a glance, and one of the big men spoke up:

  "Wait for a moment, sir, I'll go and inform them!"

  The guards of this casino were surprisingly indifferent to the Jin Yiwei in their embroidered uniforms, not even inviting them in first, just saying "inform" - from this it can be seen that this casino is truly fearless and has a deep background.

  The guard who had gone in soon came out with a smile on his face and said politely:

  "My master is inviting you, sir, please come with me."

  The air inside the casino was quite polluted, with people packed around each gaming table, shouting and yelling, even the dealers inside couldn't see their faces, only the hands holding the dice cups were visible.

  Some gamblers held a piece of baked cake in their hands, eating and shouting while scolding there.

  "Go out and buy a bun, come back and can't squeeze in, wasted old man's good luck!!"

  He Jinyin, wearing a blue satin cotton gown, was sitting in the side room behind the gambling house, drinking wine with a silver wine pot warming on the edge of the sandbox.

  "Rare guest, rare guest! Lord Wang has come to our humble place, wanting to play a few rounds?"

  He Jin and Yin stood up to exchange greetings, then sat down casually, chatting and joking. Wang Tong didn't mind, thinking that he was just a small soldier in the Imperial Guard, and among the many talents in the capital, who would pay attention to him? He smiled and returned the greeting with a bow.

  "Thanks for He brother's kindness, actually this time I came, is wanting to make some money in He brother's place?"

  Upon hearing this, He Jinyin rubbed his bald head and turned cold, saying in a chilly tone:

  "Brother can't be in charge, Lord Wang, do you know who the owner of this store is?"

  "He Brother, of course, took charge. Looking around at the gamblers in the gambling house, they would all rush out to buy some dry rations at noon and then come back to gamble. During this time, the business of the gambling table was delayed. Why not let my younger brother's restaurant take care of these meals? On the one hand, it's convenient and quick to eat, on the other hand, it doesn't delay the work of the gambling table. What do you think, He Brother?"

  He Jin Silver was stunned at first, and after thinking for a while, he slowly nodded. In the eyes of people in this era, if you make money, someone must lose or lose money. However, Wang Tong's suggestion is beneficial to both parties. He Jin Silver pondered for half a day, always feeling that there was a trick, but couldn't think of what the trick was.

  And this is indeed a good suggestion, especially during the New Year's festival, when gamblers go out to buy food, the gambling house becomes deserted and loses a lot of money.

  He Jin thought about Wang Tong's identity as the master of Meishan Hall, and then looked at the other person's brocade robe with the character for "jin" on it. The other person's proposal had nothing to do with him, so he agreed.

  Wang Tong came out of the gambling house with a smile all over his face. The gambling house was the most crowded place on South Street, and these gamblers were reluctant to leave the gaming table. If there was a nearby place selling food, it would have met their needs perfectly.

  Those who can afford to gamble here generally don't care about a few cents, as long as they get a good deal and the food tastes okay, they'll definitely be able to attract these customers.

  Because business in the restaurant has improved, Meiwenguang is going to recruit a large number of staff. However, for this kind of fast food, maintaining service and food quality is extremely important. Customers have low loyalty, so if they want to retain customers and keep the business booming, they must undergo rigorous training. Wang Tong had already thought it through - when the time comes, serving meals to the gamblers and welcoming them would serve as training for new partners. The gamblers don't care much about taste, which gives new and old partners room for growth.

  When Wang Tong returned to the front of the Mei Wei Guan, he saw many idle eunuchs and imperial guards strolling on the street. He was in a good mood and couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. On such a cold day, most of the shops were closed, what's there to stroll around for?

  Pushing open the curtain and entering the shop, he saw that it was empty inside, with only the little fatty who had been scolded as unfilial, and the middle-aged employee sitting in the shop.

  There is still one more period in the afternoon, thank you everyone