164 Chapter 164 New Year’s Gift (7)
“Cow and sheep heads.” After Qian Zhuang heard this, he and Gu Erjiang looked at each other and immediately understood what she meant. They nodded and continued, “Sure, we’ll sell the cow and sheep heads in stock.”
“By the way, you two can also keep an eye on the market price of the beef and mutton intestines. If the price is right, sell the ones we have lying around.
“As for the matter regarding money or taking them from the warehouse, you can look for Manager Sun.”
“No problem, leave it to us.” Qian Zhuang patted his chest and stated.
Zhou Ying did not expect these to be sold out so quickly in two days, especially the cow heads. Zhou Ying even had to instruct Sun Hongliang to leave one for her especially.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 28th day of the month.
Zhou Ying gave Sun Hongliang, Tian Jiaw.a.n.g, Da Hua, and the two waiters who didn’t stay in the restaurant five pounds of beef, the same amount of lamb, a big yellow croaker, a ba.s.s, and two pounds of snacks and dried fruits each.
After that, Zhou Ying calculated that they had made a net profit of 6,668 taels of silver in a month.
Thus, she announced, “Everyone, wait a moment. You’ve all worked hard this month, and it’s also the new year. Since the restaurant covers your meals, I won’t bother giving you all more food.
“I’ll give you an extra month’s salary as a bonus. Everyone, please use this to buy some new year goods or new clothes.”
“Thank you, mistress. Thank you so much.” Sun Hongliang smiled and bowed.
The others immediately echoed this grat.i.tude.
Zhou Ying smiled. “I also wish everyone good health in the new year and a happy life.”
After that, she gave each of them an extra month’s salary.
When less than 200 copper coins were left, Zhou Ying took some extra copper from her purse and put it in a red packet. She handed 100 copper coins each to Li Yue and Da Hua. “This is the new year’s money for the two of you. Keep it and buy some candy to enjoy the new year.”
“Thank you, mistress. I wish you great fortune in the next year.” Li Yue took it with a smile.
“Haha, this blessing is common, but I like it very much.”
The crowd burst into laughter.
“Thank you, Auntie Gu,” Da Hua said, blushing. “I wish you will get prettier as each year pa.s.ses.”
Zhou Ying was stunned for a moment, as she didn’t expect her to say words of blessing.
“Auntie Gu loves this blessing, too,” she said, going up and ruffling her hair. “I also wish my Da Hua would grow up to be a beautiful lady.”
Tian Jiaw.a.n.g also laughed when he saw this. His sister was right to send her here, as she finally learned to integrate into her surrounding environment.
When Gu Chengrui reached the restaurant at night, they didn’t go home. Everyone had a happy early New Year’s Eve gathering dinner.
Zhou Ying entrusted the restaurant to Zhao Cheng and Li Sheng the following day. Once that was done, she, Qian Zhuang, and Gu Erjiang delivered the gifts she had prepared to the manor’s long-term workers.
The gifts for them were different from the others. She prepared ten pounds of white flour and polished rice, two pounds of dried fruits, sugar cubes, desserts, and added two pounds of fish for each worker.
However, the one prepared for Uncle Nian was different. He had two pounds of dried fruits and snacks, a big pork joint, two braised fish, a roasted chicken, two pounds of five-spice and spicy dried tofu, and finally, a hundred frozen dumplings that were especially left for him yesterday.
With these things, he could have a scrumptious new year.
After arriving in the village, Zhou Ying ordered some villagers to slaughter two more sheep and distribute the meat to everyone.
However, she kept the bones and gave the lamb intestines to Uncle Nian because she heard that the old man was good at making a feast out of them.
All the workers were naturally delighted after receiving the gifts, and they finally acknowledged Zhou Ying as their mistress.
This was because Elder Qiao never once prepared New Year’s gifts for them. At most, he would order a sheep to be slaughtered for everyone to eat when he was happy.