CHAPTER 200: CHAPTER 200: MEAL EXPENSES

Gu Yunjiao watched from the side, and Liu Zhu didn’t make a single mistake.

She nodded, "That’s fine."

The two came out of the courtyard, and Gu Yunjiao spoke as they walked, "You saw earlier, the carpenter is making cabinets. As soon as they’re done, the apothecary will open."

"For now, I’m setting the wage at one tael of silver per month, meals included."

"If you don’t have a place to stay, you can live in the shop."

"Two days off each month, it’s best to give notice for leave in advance so arrangements can be made."

The young man’s eyes brightened at the mention of one tael of silver.

In Xiang City, one tael of silver as a wage is considered quite good.

His cousin works as a shop assistant in another apothecary and only earns eight qian a month.

Although he still thought Gu Yunjiao seemed too young and perhaps unreliable, the one tael wage made him very tempted.

He thought for a moment and said, "I’ll stay at home, come in the morning, and leave in the evening. Is that okay?"

Gu Yunjiao nodded, "No problem."

They returned to the shop, and Gu Yunjiao asked his name. He was called Liu Zhu, and she wrote up a contract, which Liu Zhu glanced over and then used his handprint as a signature.

Gu Yunjiao said, "Come over in three days."

"If I find another assistant, we’ll start. I need to prepare some pills and ointments first, so they’re ready to sell when the apothecary opens."

Hearing this, Liu Zhu gained some confidence in Gu Yunjiao; at least her words didn’t sound like those of an amateur.

He hesitated for a moment, "Are you still looking for another assistant?"

"I have a cousin who also works in an apothecary. If you think it’s okay, I can ask him to see if he’s willing to come over."

Gu Yunjiao nodded, "Sure, I’m indeed looking for someone. If he’s willing, he can come to find me."

"I’m usually at the shop around lunchtime or dinnertime."

Liu Zhu took his leave.

Mrs. Chen had already prepared lunch.

Gu Chuan and Liu Lang ate at school at noon and didn’t come back.

Even so, there were still many people eating, and many dishes needed to be made.

San Ya and Ah Tie assisted Mrs. Chen, and she had been busy all morning preparing the meal.

The one with the biggest appetite at home was Ah Hu, followed by Lin Shuo and Jiang Youzhi, and Ah Tie also ate quite a bit.

Indeed, half-grown boys can eat a lot and strain the family budget.

Mrs. Chen watched the plates of food on the table disappear rapidly, feeling a pinch in her heart.

Nowadays, she buys groceries every morning.

Jiang Youzhi gave her twenty taels of silver to manage household expenses.

Gu Yunjiao’s requirement was to have at least two meat dishes per meal, otherwise, the children wouldn’t grow tall.

The price of meat in Xiang City is a few coins more expensive than in the countryside, as are vegetables. Mrs. Chen grits her teeth every time she buys groceries.

She’s now planning to cut down the honeysuckle in the courtyard to make room for a vegetable garden.

After the meal, Ah Hu saw Gu Yunjiao leaving the house and followed her.

Gu Yunjiao turned her head and said, "What are you doing?"

She had already told Ah Hu that he didn’t need to follow her for now.

Ah Hu took a piece of silver from his pocket and handed it to Gu Yunjiao, "This is the money for our room and board."

He felt that since the young master started staying here, he seemed much more cheerful.

In the past, in the mansion, despite the abundance of delicacies, the young master didn’t eat much.

Here, even the simple meals, he enjoyed eating vigorously.

Yesterday, the young master was even eager to teach Liu Lang some martial arts.

He knew that the young master liked the atmosphere in this home.

Eating meals together as a family, chatting and laughing, full of warmth and family spirit.

Unlike in their mansion, where they always ate separately.

Even during the festive seasons when they ate together, they would still be silent.