Chen Xiaobei smiled indifferently. He had thought of a plan on the way.
"Shopkeeper Tian, could you bring me a cleaver and a plate?"
Tian Wen nodded and signaled a shop assistant to fetch a knife and plate from the kitchen.
Soon, the shop assistant brought the knife and plate to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei picked up an apple, weighed it in his hand, then placed it on the table. He raised the knife and, with a *crack*, cut it in half.
Another *crack*, and it became four pieces. Then, *cack-cack-cack-cack*, he cut the apple into more than a dozen pieces.
Next, Chen Xiaobei arranged the cut apple pieces, one by one, onto the plate.
One apple seemed insufficient. Chen Xiaobei cut half an apple, using one and a half apples in total to create a very beautiful and substantial fruit platter.
"Shopkeeper Tian, look at this plate of apples. Your cost is only one and a half copper coins. When guests order dessert, you can serve this. What do you think?"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Tian Wen was still a bit tempted. To be honest, the apples tasted good.
Today, the shop assistant had brought a large plate, and it only used one and a half apples. If he used a smaller plate, one apple would suffice.
Currently, a dessert at his restaurant cost at least three *dazi*. If possible, he could even profit from these apples, and more importantly, they were simple to prepare.
"Young Master Chen, this is indeed a good idea, but I don't know if the esteemed guests who dine here will accept it."
Chen Xiaobei smiled indifferently. "How about this? I will leave these fruits here. I will return in three days. If you don't wish to keep them, I will take them away."
This was equivalent to consignment sales, a concept he was familiar with from his previous life. Sell what sells, and take back what doesn't.
Upon hearing this, Tian Wen was naturally delighted. "Young Master Chen, please rest assured, I will take good care of them for you."
Chen Xiaobei dared not leave too many. He only left about twenty apples with Tian Wen and set off for other places with the rest.
After a great deal of effort, he finally managed to distribute the apples he brought. However, he was unsure how many would actually be sold.
After delivering the apples, Chen Xiaobei headed to the county office.
When they heard he had arrived, Hu Fan personally came out of his office to greet him, which made Chen Xiaobei feel somewhat overwhelmed.
Inside the office, someone served tea. Hu Fan waved his hand, dismissing everyone from the room.
"Xiaobei, everyone in the prefectural office praises your youth and capabilities."
Chen Xiaobei knew these were polite words. He cupped his hands towards Hu Fan and said humbly, "County Magistrate Hu, you flatter me. I have only been a *lizhang* for a few days and understand nothing else. If I make any mistakes in the future, please bear with me."
As he spoke, Chen Xiaobei took out the ginseng and reishi mushroom he had already wrapped from his sleeve and placed them on the table. Su Dan Novel Network.
"This is a place of mountains and wilds, and I have nothing else to offer. These are ginseng and reishi mushroom I gathered from the mountains. It's just a small token, please accept it, County Magistrate Hu."
Hu Fan paused, took them, and unwrapped the cloth bag. He held the ginseng in his hand.
The ginseng, perhaps twenty years old, was no bigger than a small radish.
But clearly, Hu Fan was an expert. After examining it, he smiled and nodded, saying, "Hmm, this ginseng is about ten to twenty years old."
He then put the ginseng back, rewrapped it in cloth, and said, "Since it is your kind gesture, I shall not refuse. I will accept the ginseng and reishi mushroom."
Hu Fan took the two items back to his desk, opened a drawer, and stored them. He then took out another item.
It was a cloth bag. Hu Fan approached Chen Xiaobei and placed it beside his hand.
"This is the official seal of the *xiangzheng*. You must keep it safe."
Chen Xiaobei looked at the item and instantly felt a great weight of responsibility.
Seeing his solemn expression, Hu Fan smiled slightly.
"Don't worry, Master Mao has been arranged for you in the village."
"There is also someone named Geng Sheng. You can assign minor matters to him."
"You are far away, so you don't need to go every day. Just visit every few days. Geng Sheng will find you if anything comes up."
Such good fortune?
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei did not know that the reason he received such treatment was simply because he was a temporary worker and not yet officially appointed. Of course, Hu Fan did not mention this, and Chen Xiaobei was unaware.
Therefore, Chen Xiaobei returned home feeling quite happy.
However, Cui Hongyu listened to Chen Xiaobei's account and found it somewhat inexplicable.
"Husband, why did you leave all the apples at the restaurant for Old Wu to sell? Wouldn't it be less effort?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed helplessly. "Alas, Old Wu said he can only sell a few dozen catties a day. Look at the mountains filled with countless catties of fruit. If we rely on them, it will take ages."
"Oh, right, I need to go back up the mountain to get some more today, and go to Xiao Jia Town tomorrow."
"Are you willing to go up the mountain with me again?"
This question was both a hint and an invitation. Cui Hongyu's face instantly turned red. "Husband, I..."
As Cui Hongyu hesitated, the four dogs in the courtyard began barking at the entrance, which perfectly alleviated Cui Hongyu's awkwardness.
Turning to look, it was Liu Rumei who had arrived.
Chen Xiaobei quickly smiled and stepped forward. "Greetings, Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei smiled and nodded. "Li Zhang Chen, you don't need to be so polite with me in the future. Just call me Rumei."
This made Chen Xiaobei slightly embarrassed. Addressing a woman by name so intimately was reserved for Cui Hongyu.
Cui Hongyu, however, remained calm. She brought a bowl of water from the house and placed it on the stone table, inviting Liu Rumei to drink.
The moment Liu Rumei sat down, Chen Xiaobei detected a faint fragrance in the air. He couldn't identify the scent, but he knew it was very pleasant, almost intoxicating.
Liu Rumei exhaled like a fragrant breeze. "I want to send someone to Qing Niu Mountain tomorrow. I'll have to trouble you to arrange for two people to guide them."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and nodded. "No problem at all. I will arrange for people today and they will be at your disposal tomorrow."
Liu Rumei smiled like a painted eyebrow and took a sachet from her sleeve.
She handed it to Cui Hongyu. "Sister Hongyu, this is for you."
The moment Liu Rumei took it out, Chen Xiaobei was enveloped in a strong fragrance. Yes, this was the scent from Liu Rumei just now. It was truly pleasant.
A flash of joy flickered in Cui Hongyu's eyes. Although fleeting, Chen Xiaobei saw it clearly.
It was the kind of light that emanates when one sees something they deeply cherish.
Cui Hongyu did not reach out to take it. Instead, she bowed to Liu Rumei. "Miss Liu, as they say, one should not accept rewards without merit. I cannot accept this."
Liu Rumei stood up, took Cui Hongyu's hand, and directly placed the sachet into her palm.
"Alas, Sister Hongyu, if you say that, we will be strangers. If you like it, next time I go to the capital, I will bring back more."
Cui Hongyu looked at Chen Xiaobei inquiringly.
Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, "Since it is Miss Liu's kind gesture, you should accept it."