Chapter Seventy-One: Division of Labor (Part Two)

Jiang Li listened as she mentioned Cheng Bo and asked, “Little sister wants Cheng Bo to manage the shop?”

Liu Qin nodded, “Yes, though I haven’t talked to Cheng Bo yet. But it shouldn’t be a problem. If he hears there’s wine, he’ll probably run faster than a rabbit.”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh; his little sister’s words were always so sharp.

After settling things with Da Tong, it was Fang Nuo’s turn. Liu Qin pointed at Fang Nuo and said to everyone, “Anything to do with money, look for Anuo. Anuo will be in charge of all the accounts and expenditures.” Then she teased Fang Nuo, “Anuo, you must keep the purse tight, or they’ll empty it!”

After the affair with buying the house last time, Fang Nuo was full of confidence and said proudly, “Don’t worry! I won’t let you down.”

With everything arranged, Liu Qin felt she had become quite the idle person, with nothing left for her to do. Fang Nuo, however, pointed at Xiao Wu, dissatisfied, and said, “Why does everyone have a task except him?”

Oh, sorry, she had forgotten Xiao Wu.

Liu Qin looked at Xiao Wu apologetically. Honestly, what could Xiao Wu do? Be a guardian at the door? He’d probably scare everyone away. Be a bodyguard? That was Lei Hu’s job. Killing chickens and slaughtering pigs? He could do it, but probably wouldn’t want to. Finally, Liu Qin managed to come up with something, hesitantly replying, “How could there be nothing for him? Xiao Wu, you and I will set the rules together. Without rules, nothing works. Our first shop can’t run without rules. And we need to discuss the dishes for the kitchen. There’s plenty to do, right, Xiao Wu?”

Xiao Wu always wore an indifferent expression, as if none of this concerned him. But at Liu Qin’s words, his gaze wavered slightly, almost showing a hint of amusement. He nodded.

Beside them, Cui Yu had been waiting for her own assignment, but after a long wait and still nothing, she grew anxious and called out, “What about me? What about me?”

Liu Qin turned with an air of calm, as if wondering why Cui Yu was in such a hurry. “Cui Yu, I’ll talk to you and Sister Cui Liu about your tasks once we get back.”

Cui Yu didn’t want to wait, but there was nothing she could do. Liu Qin turned away and began speaking with Chang Sheng, this time giving him a special task—to go out to the manor and find Cheng Bo, asking him to organize the workers to weave bamboo baskets for carrying goods. Liu Qin had already written down the sizes and quantities on paper, and even drawn diagrams—though, of course, the drawings were by Jiang Li; Liu Qin had no such talent.

With everything settled, Liu Qin finally relaxed completely, climbed onto the couch, called Cui Yu and Fang Nuo to serve her tea and pastries, and returned to her role as the playful, food-loving six-year-old child.

Lei Hu, who had been silent all this time, grew more and more astonished as he watched and listened. He could hardly believe that all these arrangements were made by a six-year-old. In his eyes, Liu Qin’s words and actions far exceeded her actual age, as if she were a different person altogether.

Unlike Chang Xing and the others, who had been with Liu Qin for some time and were immune to her unpredictability, nothing she did surprised them anymore. To them, it was normal, and they didn’t see her as a child at all, but as their mistress, the one they must obey and willingly follow.

Lei Hu, however, was different. He had once looked down on Liu Qin, thinking she was just making trouble and disregarding rules. But now, he began to view her with respect, realizing that this was the person he would follow from now on. At this moment, he truly admired her and recalled what his grandmaster had said. The grandmaster was indeed wise, experienced in the storms of life, and had an exceptionally sharp eye.

After Liu Qin’s arrangements, preparations for the tavern’s opening proceeded smoothly. Everyone went about their tasks, reporting their progress each evening at Ink Fragrance Courtyard, seeking advice and receiving new instructions.

As for Cui Liu and Cui Yu, Liu Qin assigned them duties after returning to Plum Courtyard. She had them buy a bolt of coarse white cloth from the market, cut it into strips of a certain size, and hem the edges to make handkerchiefs. Cui Liu wanted to embroider flowers or characters, but Liu Qin stopped her, saying a handkerchief need not be so elaborate.

With everyone busy, classes at the academy couldn’t be attended as scheduled. Chang Xing and the others took turns going to lessons, sharing what they had learned in the evenings. In short, their lives had never been so rich and full; each day was packed, busy but not chaotic, and the more they worked, the more spirited they became.

Liu Qin herself became the most idle one. Oh, and Xiao Wu as well—in the name of discussing shop rules and dishes, they ended up with Liu Qin lounging and demanding food and drink, while Xiao Wu served her with a blank expression. As for the rules and menu, as Liu Qin herself said, “Isn’t it too early to worry about all that? Why rush?”

In the blink of an eye, Master Mu and Xiao Wu had been at Liu Manor for over three months. Now, Master Mu wasn’t just making them practice horse stance, but had begun teaching them boxing—not the same style taught to Jiang Li, but something new. According to Lei Hu, it was a long fist style created by Master Mu himself. This style emphasized stability in the lower body, upright posture, powerful punches, controlled movements—sometimes like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, full of vigor; sometimes like a strong wind sweeping the leaves, swift yet orderly; sometimes like a snowy pine on a high mountain, steadfast and majestic.

This boxing was perfect for young beginners, with no fancy moves, but training strength and precision. After just one day, Jiang Li and the others already looked the part, standing in three rows on the broad training ground, punching and retracting in unison with their shouts, like young monks from Shaolin.

The only one out of sync was Liu Qin, who stood slouching and threw crooked punches—not for lack of effort, but simply because she lacked strength. After three months of laziness, Liu Qin finally realized that you always have to pay for your choices. What Jiang Li and the others gained from their months of horse stance was no joke; solid lower body training was the foundation for all martial arts, and only with a good foundation could they move forward.

Liu Qin looked around—how embarrassing! Her attempts at boxing were so poor that even Master Mu turned his face away, unwilling to watch. Luckily, Liu Qin’s temperament was excellent. Watching Jiang Li’s earnest discipline beside her, she smiled sweetly to herself. She wasn’t cut out for martial arts, but that didn’t matter. With Jiang Li beside her, tall, handsome, and protective, who would dare trouble her?

After a round of boxing, everyone was still excited, but Master Mu called them to a halt and announced, “After these months together, we’ve come to understand each other. Though your talents vary, you all work hard, and I am very pleased. What gratifies me most is that I have discovered a martial arts prodigy among you. I am ready to take him as my official disciple.”

Everyone grew excited at Master Mu’s words, wondering who he meant. Each secretly hoped it was themselves, waiting anxiously for Master Mu to call out a name.