Chapter 239: A Fortunate Mishap
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Big Sis Shu Yao, why aren’t you eating?” Little Chao Chao asked, clutching a duck leg in her tiny hand, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Zhou Shu Yao, sitting across from her, silently shed tears.
“Why you cwying?” Chao Chao inquired, her voice filled with childlike innocence.
“I’m crying tears of joy… just so happy about this grand duck feast,” Zhou Shu Yao replied, trying to mask her true emotions as she continued to eat, her eyes still moist.
Chao Chao’s face was covered in grease from the duck leg. Yuhua, the servant, tenderly cleaned her mouth with a soft cloth.
“Make sure to save some bones for Chasing Wind,” Chao Chao instructed, pointing at the pile of bones she had meticulously gnawed on.
Yuqin cast a glance at the bones but chose to remain silent. Zhou Shu Yao, always direct, couldn’t help but comment, “Even the dog wouldn’t bother with those bones after you’ve gnawed them so thoroughly. There’s not a scrap of meat left.”
Indeed, Chao Chao had not only stripped the bones clean but also chewed them into bits, leaving them utterly dry and devoid of any marrow.
Chao Chao’s cheeks flushed red as she glanced at the pile of bone fragments, realizing not a single drop of fat or marrow remained.
“Well… maybe we can take the leftovers home,” she suggested, her voice barely a whisper.
[That way, I can sneak a midnight snack too…]
Yuhua, grasping Chao Chao’s intentions, promptly instructed the servants to prepare another round of the duck feast to take home.
“Make sure to ask the kitchen to stew it plainly; Chasing Wind shouldn’t have too much salt,” Yuhua suggested thoughtfully.
“Add some spwing onions… yummy…” Chao Chao chimed in earnestly.
Noticing that all eyes were now on her, she added with a serious expression, “Chasing Wind really loves it.”
Meanwhile, the brothel madam, her hair adorned with a flower, looked tearfully at Zhou Shu Yao. The Suyun Pavilion, usually filled with male courtesans, was experiencing a different kind of bustle.
Zhou Shu Yao, a frequent visitor, generally admired the courtesans from a distance, never daring to interact more intimately. At that moment, the two women shared a poignant look.
Before either could speak, customers began filtering into the establishment.
“Hey, when did this place turn into a restaurant?” a voice questioned from outside.
“Did it change owners? It seems different than before…”
Chao Chao, with her small stature, hurried to the door to greet them enthusiastically, “Come and try! The all-duck feast here is super delicious.”
“Really, I’m not kidding,” she asserted with a nod.
Chao Chao’s remarkable charm often drew attention on the street. Now, her spirited endorsement attracted a sizable crowd.
“Madam… ah, I mean, owner, we’ll take the all-duck feast,” a customer announced.
“Owner, bring us whatever this little girl recommends,” another added.
Chao Chao appeared to be a natural lucky charm; her presence seemed to magnetize more and more customers. The madam was taken aback by the sudden influx.
As people continued to arrive, the calls grew louder.
“Owner, why are you just standing there? Serve the food!”
“The waiters here are really good-looking…”
“They’re a sight for sore eyes…”
The customers even started discussing the attractiveness of the waiters seriously. The courtesans, caught off guard by the turn of events, were stunned.
“Oh, coming right up…” The madam hastily removed the flower from her hair and began taking orders.
“The atmosphere here is really special. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a unique restaurant,” remarked the customers, glancing around appreciatively.
“Darn it, I was misled! They said Suyun Pavilion was shady, but this place is perfectly respectable!”
“It’s a proper restaurant!”
The madam wiped sweat from her brow as she managed the bustling scene.
“Owner, are there any seats left?” more customers inquired, peeking through the door.
The scene outside resembled a herd mentality effect. Curious passersby began to gather and soon a line formed.
Little Chao Chao, always eager to help, set out small stools at the door.
“Uncle, Auntie, please have a seat…”
“Granny, Auntie, please sit…”
The little girl, endearing and adorable, played the role of a tiny hostess, delighting everyone with her charm. She even scurried around offering water to the guests.
Overwhelmed by the surge in business, the madam barely had time to process the changes. Even the typically reserved courtesans were bustling about, serving guests with newfound vigor.
“Brother, bring out some sunflower seeds and snacks to attract more customers,” Chao Chao instructed, her innate business sense surprising for someone so young. Not that she was particularly business-minded; her thoughts were usually focused on food.
The best-looking courtesan hesitated, then brought forth a large platter of fruit and snacks. Inside, the restaurant was packed, with a long queue forming outside.
Zhou Shu Yao, now free of tears, observed the transformed male courtesan haven, now a lively eatery. But the real change was noticeable in the courtesans themselves. Usually, their smiles were forced, never quite reaching their eyes. But today, despite the frantic pace, they moved energetically, their eyes sparkling with life.
As the number of customers grew, Chao Chao stepped outside.
“Business is booming,” she observed. “Such delicious food deserves recognition,” she declared with satisfaction.
Zhou Shu Yao, perspiring heavily, managed to pull the madam aside, who was practically radiant with excitement.
“Aunt Lin, I’m…” Zhou Shu Yao began, but the madam clasped her hand, overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Shu Yao, you’re such a good person!” Aunt Lin exclaimed. “It must have been difficult for you to visit Suyun Pavilion daily just to gaze at the courtesans without ever engaging with them. You truly are a good soul.”
“Shu Yao, opening a restaurant has proven far more profitable than running a brothel!” The madam was almost jubilant. “When I first opened Suyun Pavilion, people joked about it being a duck restaurant. So, I hired chefs skilled in duck cuisine. Who could have predicted this would turn into such a blessing?”
The serene atmosphere of the restaurant, coupled with the handsome courtesans and the exceptional all-duck feast, drew numerous diners.
“People desire to live with dignity. Don’t be deceived by their glamorous attire; outside, they face scorn. Not just outside. Even those who come here don’t truly see them as people. They’re treated as objects, mere entertainment. They may smile, but inside, they suffer. I’m no saint, but if we can earn a respectable living, why not?”
The madam patted Zhou Shu Yao’s shoulder, her expression joyful.
“Running Suyun Pavilion used to mean dealing with damage several times a month. Running a legitimate restaurant, we earn honest money.”
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The madam flipped through the account book, her smile wide. “Business is fantastic… far more lucrative than being a madam. Guests frequently praised the food, but I never anticipated such popularity.”
Princess Sunshine truly is a good person.
Outside, Chao Chao suddenly felt a warm sensation envelop her.
“Huh…” She was surrounded by a golden glow, feeling warm and cozy.
“Good deed light… Eating can bring good deed light?” Chao Chao’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Unbeknownst to her, she had altered many lives. Previously, the top courtesan of Suyun Pavilion, because of his beauty, brought disaster, leading to the entire pavilion being destroyed by fire. In this life, they had discovered a new way to earn a living.
Serving others with their looks offered no dignity. Earning money through their own labor, though challenging, was clean and dignified.
Chao Chao’s long eyelashes fluttered as sunlight bathed her skin, giving her an ethereal glow.
“Big Sis Shu Yao, why aren’t you leaving yet?”
Zhou Shu Yao looked back at the pavilion, “Beautiful things deserve to be admired a bit longer.”
“What’s so beautiful about it? It’s not as good-looking as my brother. My brother’s carriage, my brother, my brother…” Chao Chao waved toward the distance.
Zhou Shu Yao smiled softly. To her, family always appeared beautiful. Can a two-year-old even comprehend beauty?
The carriage slowly approached…