Dugu Yan entered the storefront that was currently undergoing renovations and saw Shangguan Li working. "Sister Li, I'm here."
Shangguan Li said happily, "Yan'yan, you're here. Where is your grandfather?"
Dugu Bo, this ultimate doting grandfather, was actually not by his granddaughter's side; there must have been some major matter happening.
"Grandfather was called away by someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it seems there's some matter. But Grandfather promised me that he will definitely return tonight."
After entering the room, Dugu Yan started looking around in all directions. "Sister, this shop of yours is so novel, I've never seen this kind of establishment before."
Shangguan Li smiled and said, "This shop was opened together by Ah'Hua and me. The moment inspiration strikes the two of us, we'll appear at this shop." Of course, Shangguan Li could not tell Dugu Yan that the idea for this shop came from memories of her past life.
Dugu Yan was quite happy. "Sister Li, Grandfather said you'll be making the shop's trial dishes tonight. Can I be your tester number one?"
Shangguan Li was very puzzled. Did I ever say something like that? But upon second thought, it was probably an excuse Dugu Bo used to send Dugu Yan away.
"Of course you can, Yan'yan. Ah'Hua, this is Dugu Yan. Yan'yan, this is Shaohua." Shangguan Li introduced the two to each other.
"Hello, Yan'yan." Shaohua was very happy to see the cute Dugu Yan from back when she was little.
"Sister Hua, you're so pretty." Dugu Yan's words left Shaohua somewhat speechless; after all, she used to be a man before, so being called pretty felt rather...
"Thank you for the compliment, Yan'yan." Shaohua still smilingly accepted Dugu Yan's praise. Since she was a woman now, after all, she had to learn how to be a proper woman.
Shangguan Li laughed out loud without any reservation, and Shaohua snapped unpolitely, "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing," Shangguan Li said dismissively.
Just as the two were about to start bickering, Dugu Yan asked, "Sister Li, what is this shop called?"
"Happy Hot Pot Restaurant," Shaohua and Shangguan Li said in unison.
Shaohua also took out some milk tea. "Yan'yan, must be thirsty, right? Why not try this and see how it is? We'll be selling this in the shop when the time comes too."
Dugu Yan took a sip. "So delicious! Thank you, Sister Hua."
Shaohua smiled and said, "Naturally. As long as you like it."
Right as the three were chatting animatedly, a voice suddenly arrived. "Miss Shangguan, it seems I've come at a bad time, seeing how happily you all are chatting."
"Ah, Brother Xue, long time no see." The newcomer was none other than the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe used that gentle voice of his to speak. "I heard that Miss Shangguan had returned to Heaven Dou City, so I specifically came to pay a visit. Where are the two seniors? And who is this?"
"Father and Mother are at home. This is my business partner, Shaohua; we will be running this shop together."
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Looking at Shangguan Li, whom she had not seen in a long time, Qian Renxue felt a complex mix of emotions in her heart. "Miss Shao, hello. Since the two seniors are not here, I will visit them when I have time. I wonder what kind of business Miss Shangguan's shop is?"
Shangguan Li replied indifferently, "We're just doing some simple catering. I hope Brother Xue will do us the honor of coming to taste it when we open."
Xue Qinghe said, "Since Miss Shangguan has invited me, I will definitely come to taste it. However, I also squeezed out time to come over and cannot chat for long. Until next time."
"Goodbye, Brother Xue (Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince)." Shangguan Li and Shaohua both said. Shangguan Li did not forget to urge Xue Qinghe, "You must come, alright?"
Xue Qinghe nodded to indicate he understood.
Once Xue Qinghe had completely departed, Shaohua disregarded Dugu Yan inside the shop and ran straight over to Shangguan Li's side. "You actually made contact with Qian Renxue?"
Looking at the curious Shaohua, Shangguan Li speechlessly said, "Making contact with Qian Renxue was just an accident; it's simply that my mother saved him when he was injured. He doesn't know that I know his true identity either. The crucial part is that he's actually a guy!!!!" Shangguan Li's tone grew increasingly agitated, as if she were telling of some unbelievable matter.
Shaohua was also very shocked. "Big Sister Qian Renxue is actually a guy? Are you serious?"
Shangguan Li nodded heavily. "Father and Mother both said so, there's no way it could be wrong."
Shaohua knew the strength of Yunming and Ya Li, yet this fact was still hard for anyone to believe.
Before the two could continue chatting, Dugu Bo returned from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Seeing Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan happily pounced over. "Grandfather, you really didn't lie to me, you came back really fast."
Shangguan Li went straight to the point and asked, "What did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect want with you? Were you..."
Shangguan Li's words were unfinished, but Dugu Bo nodded. "It's nothing major." Yet Dugu Bo still abided by his agreement with Ning Fengzhi and did not mention the incident regarding Ning Rongrong's poisoning.
That very evening, Dugu Bo tried the dishes from the hot pot restaurant and loudly declared he wanted to buy shares in it, but shop managers Shangguan Li and Shaohua both refused. His complexion darkened slightly on the spot, though he quickly returned to his normal state. Dugu Yan didn't notice Dugu Bo's expression at all and happily chimed in, "Sister Li, Sister Hua, this is so delicious!"
Shaohua said with confidence, "Naturally. This is my proudest creation. With the culinary skills of both A'Li and me, the flavor naturally doubles."
Shangguan Li reminded her, "It's not just the two of us, A'Qiao is helping us too, right?"
Shaohua acted as if she had a sudden realization. "Oh right, sorry Qiao Di, I was too happy and forgot to mention you."
Qiao Di said very indifferently, "It's fine, Miss Shao. It's enough that I am able to help the young misses."
After Dugu Grandfather and Granddaughter departed, Little Pear, who was cultivating in the Spirit Treasure Realm, also came out. "Sister, haven't seen you in a month, did you miss me?"
Shangguan Li was very fond of the fluffy Little Pear, and the moment she saw him, she couldn't help but embrace him. "Of course Sister missed you, Little Pear."
Seeing the fluffy Little Pear, Shaohua asked, "A'Li, who is this?"
Shangguan Li said, "This is Little Pear, my friend. Little Pear, this is Shaohua, my friend and business partner."
Little Pear asked doubtfully, "Partner? What kind of partnership does Sister have with this Sister Hua?"
Shangguan Li said happily, "I can't rush my cultivation right now, so I plan to find something to do in Heaven Dou City. On my way looking for a storefront, I ran into Shaohua, and we hit it off immediately and opened a shop."
Little Pear was also very happy. "As long as Sister is happy."
After Shangguan Li and Shaohua finished the renovations, it was already two months after the Ning Rongrong poisoning incident.
Today, Happy Hot Pot Restaurant officially opened for business. On the day before the opening, Dugu Bo still shamelessly managed to become a shareholder of the hot pot restaurant, holding a ten percent stake. The remaining ninety percent was split evenly between Shangguan Li and Shaohua.
Shangguan Li and Shaohua stood in front of the shop and chimed in tandem, "Our shop opens for business today, fifty percent off for the first one hundred customers."
"Furthermore, drinks are free, delicious and reasonably priced. If you like it, please come often."
Within a mere moment, the fragrance from the hot pot restaurant permeated the entire street and instantly captured the attention of everyone outside.
The hot pot restaurant's aroma was already charmingly enticing, and the crucial point was that the two shop managers were beauties as well, which drew even more focused gazes from the people.
"So fragrant! Let's go in and try some." "Ah, that milk tea shop is here too." "Those two girls are so pretty!" Sounds and voices like these drifted over from the people on the street.
Qian Renxue's fake identity, Xue Qinghe, also arrived at Happy Hot Pot Restaurant. "Congratulations, Miss Shangguan, Miss Shao."
Shangguan Li also said happily, "Thank you, Brother Xue. Would you like to come inside and try some?"
Xue Qinghe said modestly, "I would be honored."
After arranging Xue Qinghe's private dining room, Shangguan Li brought over the menu. "Brother Xue, which dishes do you like?"
Looking at the dazzling array of choices on the menu, Xue Qinghe said to Shangguan Li, "I don't really understand these things either, why not let Miss Shangguan give me some recommendations?"
Shangguan Li said, "Then how about ordering a single-person set meal? This set comes with a complete variety of dishes, and the portions aren't too large, making it just right for one person. Moreover, since it's your first time, you can try out a wider variety. If there's anything you dislike, you can simply not order it next time."
Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "Then let's order this single-person set meal. Sorry for the trouble, Miss Shangguan."
Shangguan Li said, "It's no trouble, Brother Xue, please wait a moment."
Watching Shangguan Li depart, Qian Renxue felt a turbulent storm within her heart. She had pondered for so long, and even squeezed time out of her busy schedule last time just to take a glance at Shangguan Li, all to confirm her own feelings.
Observing how Shangguan Li attended solely to her, Qian Renxue confirmed her own feelings: she seemed to have fallen for Shangguan Li.
"Brother Xue, sorry for the wait."
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