Chapter 28: A Token of Gratitude

"Don't be so anxious, Manager Qin. This spicy chili oil has many other wonderful uses besides just eating with noodles."

Seeing Qin Jian devouring the food, Zhao Mu said this subconsciously. Qin Jian paused, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Manager Qin, since the wine and dishes are already prepared, I shall not stand on ceremony," Zhao Mu said, cupping his hands in a salute. "After I finish eating, I will write down the secret recipes for these two dishes, and I will also teach you an additional dish that uses the spicy chili oil."

Qin Jian suddenly felt a pang of regret. If he had known Zhao Mu was truly capable, he shouldn't have exposed Zhao Mu's initial intentions. Recalling Zhao Mu's claim that his ancestors were imperial chefs, he pondered for a moment and asked, "Young Master Zhao, how about you come and work as a chef here?"

Wen Zhi and Wang Wu immediately looked at Zhao Mu, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Qin Jian deliberated and added, "You can rest assured, Young Master Zhao. As long as you come to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, I will pay you at least two taels of silver a month. Furthermore, I won't require you to stay in the pavilion at all times; you would only need to provide guidance to the other cooks whenever necessary."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhi's breathing quickened. If it were possible, he would have accepted on Zhao Mu's behalf. Even when he served as a gate captain, his monthly salary was only one tael of silver. However, the decision rested solely with Zhao Mu, and he could only feel anxious, unable to decide for him.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhao Mu shook his head.

"I appreciate your kindness, Manager Qin, but my original intentions were impure, and I spoke too boldly. Please do not hold it against me," Zhao Mu said, politely declining the offer.

Wen Zhi's mouth fell open. Had they been closer, he would have questioned him on the spot. Two taels of silver a month was an incredible opportunity! If he worked for just a few months, Zhao Mu could rent a small courtyard in Taiping County and live a life that others would envy. He couldn't believe Zhao Mu would be so dismissive of it. Wang Wu was also puzzled, but knowing that Zhao Mu was not a lazy man, he remained silent, merely surprised.

Qin Jian looked at Zhao Mu, unwilling to give up. "Would you reconsider, Young Master Zhao?"

Zhao Mu smiled bitterly. "I am already grateful that you did not mind my wild claims, Manager Qin. I would not dare to trouble you further."

Qin Jian felt a sense of disappointment, yet his impression of Zhao Mu improved significantly. To be able to hold on and let go—a true man indeed!

"Brother Wang, Brother Wen, Huzi, since Manager Qin has prepared the meal, let's eat," Zhao Mu said, inviting the others to join in. He turned to the manager and added, "Thank you, Manager Qin, for giving me this chance so that I would not have to break my word."

"It's nothing! Nothing at all!" Qin Jian exchanged a few polite words with them before also inviting Wen Zhi and Wang Wu to eat. Noticing that his presence made them uncomfortable, he found an excuse to leave shortly after.

However, despite leaving, he stationed a waiter outside the private room. One reason was to ensure Zhao Mu could find someone if he needed anything; the other was that, despite his improved impression, he worried that Zhao Mu might disappear after finishing the meal. After all, he had yet to obtain the secret recipes for the pickled fish and the spicy chili oil.

Zhao Mu guessed his thoughts but chose not to point them out. He had no intention of reneging on his promise, so the guard outside didn't bother him.

Once full, Zhao Mu called the waiter and asked if he could take the leftovers home. The waiter, unable to make the decision, ran to ask Qin Jian. Qin Jian immediately came to inquire about the reason, and Zhao Mu explained with a bitter smile, "The four of us are full, but there are four more mouths at home who have not eaten."

Hearing this, Qin Jian slapped his thigh and said, "Wait a moment, Young Master Zhao. I will have another table of food prepared and sent to your home!"

Zhao Mu waved his hand. "There is no need for that, Manager Qin. We are refugees, and we are grateful just to have something to eat. We don't mind if it's leftovers."

Qin Jian looked at him in surprise, suddenly realizing, "No wonder you are dressed this way—you are refugees..." Before he could finish, he frowned and asked, "In that case, do you have your identification tablets?"

The identification tablet was the equivalent of an identity card; without one, they were considered vagrants. Vagrants were unable to find formal employment.

Zhao Mu shook his head bitterly. "They were lost during our flight."

Qin Jian sighed. "In that case, I am afraid it will be very difficult for you to find a livelihood in Taiping County."

"Why is that?" Zhao Mu asked, puzzled.

"Taiping County is a border town, so the regulations are somewhat stricter," Qin Jian explained.

Though he put it simply, Zhao Mu understood immediately. It made sense; in his previous life, it would have been just as difficult to find a formal job without an ID card.

At this moment, Wen Zhi interjected, "I heard that as long as someone acts as a guarantor, refugees can find work?"

Qin Jian smiled. "That was in the past. Now, thanks to you, Brother Wen, everyone needs an identification tablet to find a way to earn a living."

Wen Zhi froze, his face turning awkward. Though Zhao Mu didn't know the specifics, he gathered that it must have been because Wen Zhi had let refugees into the city without permission, leading the corrupt officials to establish these new, stricter rules.

"Tell you what," Qin Jian said after a moment of thought. "Since you lack the identification tablets, I truly cannot hire you here. Once you have taught my cooks the recipes, I will give you ten taels of silver as a token of gratitude, how about that?"

Zhao Mu looked at him in surprise, not expecting such generosity. He assumed that because he lacked the papers, Qin Jian had given up on the idea of hiring him and was trying to make up for it.

"You would be putting me to shame, Manager Qin," Zhao Mu said, cupping his hands. "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. I said I would give the recipes to you, and so I shall. If I were to accept your silver, would I not be breaking my word?"

Qin Jian looked at him, wanting to say more but hesitating.

Zhao Mu reassured him, "Rest assured, Manager Qin. Although I promised to hand over the secret recipes, as long as your cooks have not mastered them, I will come here regularly to assist until they have fully learned the craft."

"Good!" Qin Jian sighed in relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart. His greatest fear was that Zhao Mu would only teach them once and his cooks would fail to grasp the techniques, rendering all his efforts useless.