Jewel and her husband carried a basket of soybeans from the back kitchen and placed it next to the table to use for voting.
Anyone passing by could drop a soybean into the clay jar on the table that had the food they liked best.
This method of voting was simple, though not very advanced, but it worked well.
Dongshun Street was still lively and busy as usual.
People passing by noticed that the large three-story restaurant—which had opened and closed several times before—had a new owner again. They started talking about it.
"What's written on that signboard?"
"What kind of shop is this?"
Several elderly women who couldn't read asked the people nearby.
"It says 'Yanxi Restaurant'—this is a newly opened restaurant. It seems like today they're letting people try the food for free…"
A woman who could read explained to those who couldn't.
As soon as people heard that they could eat for free, they became even more curious and gathered around.
"Wait, it's not just free food. After eating, you also have to vote for which table's food you liked best. Just drop a soybean into that table's clay jar…"
This kind of business approach was new to everyone. The owner was offering free food just to let people choose their favorite dishes.
Someone else stepped forward and asked, "What if I like all three tables? Can I vote for each one?"
The lively host managing the event looked over at Jewel to check her opinion. After Jewel nodded, she enthusiastically explained to the crowd.
Jewel had hired this host after hearing she used to work for wealthy families, telling stories and speaking well. She had sharp wit and strong speaking skills.
Now, the host was showing her strengths—clear speech, good organization, and not the least bit nervous even with a big crowd. Jewel was very satisfied to have such a capable helper.
Before long, Dongshun Street was packed with people shoulder to shoulder.
Crowds flowed into the restaurant, and even the area outside was full of food lovers.
As people from all walks of life gathered and chatted excitedly, a strong and delicious smell spread through the air, making everyone exclaim:
"Wow, it smells amazing!"
"I've never smelled food this good from any restaurant before…"
Just from the smell, people were already eager to see what this restaurant had to offer.
When the first dish by the three chefs was brought out, everyone's eyes lit up!
The servers wanted to introduce the first dish—sweet and sour ribs—but before they could say a word, the food was already gone.
All day long, Yanxi Restaurant welcomed a huge number of guests.
Even after people returned home, they were still savoring the flavors and talking about the food they tasted that day.
This big food-tasting event became a powerful promotion for the new Yanxi Restaurant, which hadn't even officially opened yet.
Many who tasted the unique and delicious dishes were now looking forward to the restaurant's grand opening—it truly won the hearts (and stomachs) of many in town.
In the end, there was no clear winner among the chefs, because the number of soybeans in their jars was about the same.
So Jewel handed out equal prize money she had prepared for all three chefs—who had been trained carefully by her.
In fact, most of the guests forgot about voting by the time they were halfway through eating.
Everyone was too focused on how tasty the food was.
But Jewel didn't bother reminding them. The money she spent on today's event was all worth it—it was to make her restaurant known in town.
As long as people left her restaurant with praise in their hearts, she had achieved her goal.
Besides that, Jewel had also signed supply agreements with local farmers and hunters, ensuring fresh ingredients for the restaurant every day.
This meant Yanxi Restaurant would always have the freshest and best ingredients for its dishes.
In business, reputation is everything. Only with good food and reliable quality can a restaurant build a solid name and attract people from all around.
That day, Dongshun Street was full of life. Every household in Zhong'an Town talked about this newly opened "Yanxi Restaurant" over dinner.
The Wang family, who rented out the building to Jewel, was no exception.
Wang Yuehan spoke eagerly to her mother during dinner:
"Mom, did you hear about Yanxi Restaurant today? I don't know when it'll officially open, but people said the food was amazing. When it does, I want to go try it…"
The landlord nodded repeatedly. "I heard! Looks like this boss Jewel really knows what she's doing…"
---
A few days later, Jewel bought her first house in Zhong'an Town.
As for the small home in Xie Family Village made of thatch and mud bricks, they would just lock it up when not staying there.
Also, now that she was getting serious about running a business, she wouldn't have time to care for the farmland in the village.
If land is left unattended, it'll soon grow tall weeds. In time, good farmland turns into useless land.
Not only would that lower the value of her own land, but it could affect nearby fields as well, causing everyone's crop yield to drop.
After discussing with Aunt Zhang, her neighbor, Jewel decided to let her manage the land. In return, Aunt Zhang's family could keep whatever crops grew from it.
With that settled, Jewel, her husband, their child, and two servants could all move into town.
This way, she wouldn't have to travel back and forth between the town and the village every day, and she could better manage the restaurant.
The house in town was very spacious—a traditional three-section courtyard with three entrances and exits.
Best of all, it was only a short carriage ride—about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—from her restaurant. Very convenient.
The house had originally belonged to a wealthy family in Zhong'an Town. A few years ago, they had moved out of the province to live with relatives, leaving the house empty.
Recently, that family returned and decided to sell the house.
When Jewel went to see it, she found that besides some overgrown weeds, everything else was in good condition.
She also saw that with some care, the house could become very beautiful.
For example, she could build a small fish pond in the yard, or plant her favorite flowers and herbs in the empty, weedy corners of the garden…