Chapter 40 Xiao Chenyu's Changes
"Xiao, classmate."
"Two cups of Stardew Passion Fruit Tea, and one order of grilled venison steak!"
Several noble scions who had previously been at odds with Xiao Chenyu walked over, one of them saying with a smile.
Xiao Chenyu's face turned bright red, but he dared not retaliate.
I took out iced tea and grilled meat from the counter and handed them over, hurriedly accepted the money, feeling both angry and aggrieved.
He used to be waited on by others, but now he has to wait on others.
But when she thought of Tang San's threat and the faint, throbbing bloodstain on her neck, she swallowed her anger.
This stark contrast made many students feel both curious and relieved.
The students who had been bullied by Xiao Chenyu and his gang secretly cheered, feeling that Tang's Takeout had really given them a chance to vent their anger.
As a result, I became more interested in the iced tea and barbecue at the shop.
Business is booming like never before.
Some were curious about Xiao Chenyu's change of heart, some wanted to try the iced tea, and others were attracted by the aroma of barbecue. The line grew longer and longer, and Liu Long and Ling Feng were so busy that they were covered in sweat and didn't even have time to look up.
Iced tea is decreasing at a rate that is almost visible to the naked eye, and grilled meat is also in short supply.
Tang Chuan replenished the ingredients behind the shop and recorded how many portions of each type could be sold each day.
Just then, the crowd stirred slightly.
"Director Su is here!"
Just then, Director Su from the Academic Affairs Office walked over carrying lesson plans, and many students consciously made way for him.
"Tang Chuan, Xiao Wu, your shop is quite lively."
He saw the students queuing up and Xiao Chenyu bustling around, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he smiled and said, "Give me two cups of Qingxin Xueying Tea."
"I was thirsty during class this afternoon, so I'll quench my thirst."
Upon hearing this, Tang Chuan went out to greet her and handed her two glasses of iced tea: "Hello, Teacher Su, you don't need to pay, it's on me."
"That won't do."
Director Su smiled and took out two copper soul coins, placing them on the counter: "You're doing business; how can a teacher take advantage of a student?"
"I'll try it."
"If it tastes good, have Wang Sheng send dozens of cups to the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow, and I'll invite the other teachers to try it too."
As she spoke, she nodded to Xiao Chenyu, "Xiao Chenyu, could you please hand me a tissue? Thank you."
Xiao Chenyu was stunned for a moment, then quickly picked up a tissue and handed it over, his face burning.
Teacher Su is known for his gentle nature in the Academy and is usually very polite to his students. Now, asking him to hand over a tissue... this is the first time someone has spoken to him in such a tone, instead of trying to curry favor because of his father's status.
After a while, the dean's voice came from behind the crowd.
"Tang Chuan, I'll join in the fun too."
The dean's gaze swept over the orderly queue, then looked at Xiao Chenyu, who stood awkwardly to the side, a knowing and meaningful look flashing in his eyes.
He didn't point it out, but smiled and said to Tang Chuan, "Give me a skewer of datura snake meat and a cup of Dewy Cherry Blossom Iced Tea."
"Dean, you've arrived!"
Tang Chuan offered the grilled meat and iced tea again: "Why don't you try them both?"
"If you like any of them, I'll have Wang Sheng deliver one to your office every day from now on."
"No need for that."
"I can do it myself."
The dean took a bite of the roasted meat and his eyes lit up: "Hmm, it tastes really good, much better than the stewed meat in the cafeteria."
"No wonder business is so booming."
The dean nodded, chatted with the students in line for a few more minutes, and then left with a smile.
Director Su smiled and handed over a gold soul coin: "Tang Chuan, have Wang Sheng deliver a hundred cups of iced tea to the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow. I'll treat all the teachers to a taste."
"Okay!"
Tang Chuan took the small notebook from the window, wrote down the order, and then put it into the wicker basket under the signboard.
Standing to the side, Xiao Chenyu listened to the dean's praise of Tang Chuan and Teacher Su's support, and looked at the students around him who loved iced tea and barbecue. He suddenly felt a little complicated.
He used to think...
The approval of these students and Academy teachers is not important; as long as he has his father's influence, everyone has to give way to him.
But now, seeing Tang Chuan gain so much recognition and affection through his soul skills and abilities, she couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Moreover, serving tea, collecting money, and doing chores myself, my mood didn't seem so bad.
Night falls.
As the last student left the shop, Tang's Takeout's first day of business came to a successful close.
Xiao Chenyu, Liu Long, and Ling Feng slumped in their chairs, covered in sweat, their voices almost hoarse from shouting. They no longer felt the grief and grievances they had before; instead, they were somewhat numb.
From initially feeling embarrassed, to later enjoying it, and then to mechanically doing the work.
Those few hours almost killed them.
In the past, they had never done such strenuous work; they mostly ate and drank, and occasionally went out to have some fun.
Tang Chuan counted his income and found it was several times more than he had expected.
Although Wang Sheng, Tang San, and Xiao Wu were exhausted, they were all excited as they tidied up the shop and cleaned up the last bits of trash.
"Sales were good today!"
Tang Chuan nodded to Xiao Chenyu with satisfaction: "You must be tired too, go back and rest!"
"Remember to come at 6:30 tomorrow morning!"
Xiao Chenyu stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, we were wrong today. I'll come tomorrow."
"It's alright!"
Tang Chuan smiled and said, "We agreed on a month, so just focus on your work!"
"Here, this is your wages for today."
As he spoke, Tang Chuan counted out several dozen copper soul coins and distributed them to Xiao Chenyu, Liu Long, and the others, five coins to each person.
"Is there any payment?"
Xiao Chenyu took the copper soul coin, somewhat bewildered.
"Otherwise?"
"You've all worked really hard today, we can't let you work for nothing, can we?"
Tang Chuan smiled, turned around, and went to tidy up the shop with Tang San.
Xiao Chenyu didn't say anything more, he gripped the copper soul coin in his hand, and left the cafeteria with Liu Long, Ling Feng and other underlings.
"Boss, are we really going tomorrow?"
Walking back to the dormitory, Liu Long said in a low voice.
Xiao Chenyu kicked a pebble on the roadside, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Let's go. After all, we promised them..."
"Besides, their iced tea is really quite delicious."
Liu Long and Ling Feng exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Had their boss really changed? Was this still the same arrogant and domineering boss?
Inside the canteen, Tang San and Tang Chuan closed the door together.
"Brother, sales are really good today!"
"How about I stop working at the blacksmith's and start selling iced tea and roast meat in Nottingham every day?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Chuan couldn't help but laugh and pat Tang San's head.
"Are you stupid?!"
"We had no choice before, but now that our business is doing well and we've saved some money, of course you have to come to school!"
He put his arm around Tang San's shoulder: "Little San, Soul Master cultivation is the most important thing."
"Both blacksmithing and selling iced tea are meant to aid cultivation; we mustn't put the cart before the horse."
"The teaching resources of Notting Academy, especially the knowledge about Spirit, are very important to you. You need to study them systematically and lay a solid foundation."
[end of the chapter]