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Chapter 481: Desolate

Unlike her usual low-key appearances during promotional events, Gu Zi chose to make a bold statement that day. She was dressed in a striking red suit, her hair neatly tied up, her lips painted a vibrant red, and her smile radiant. Her demeanor was confident and composed.

Her stunning features, meticulous attire, graceful figure, and exceptional aura were all individually enough to make her stand out in the crowd. Yet, she possessed all these attributes in abundance.

The shop was surrounded by a throng of people, drawn not only by the enticing aroma of the food but also by the allure of Gu Zi herself. Her image was akin to that of a movie star, a sight to behold. It was a testament to the fact that such striking individuals truly existed in the world.

Gu Zi’s beauty not only captivated those who were unfamiliar with her but also left the villagers of Daqing, who had seen her many times before, in awe.

This was perhaps the unique charm of a great beauty. No matter how long one looked at her, they would never tire. Every encounter with her would stir feelings of admiration for her beauty.

Aunt Zhang, accompanied by her grandson Shi Tou, arrived just in time to see Gu Zi. “I’m glad we didn’t arrive late. Gu Zi, you look exceptionally beautiful today. I rushed here after finishing my work in the fields. Can I have a bowl of pepper soup, please?”

She had planned to visit Sister Hua’s Gourmet Shop to contribute to the crowd. Although it wasn’t a significant expense, it was her way of showing support.

Seeing Aunt Zhang, Gu Zi was delighted and promptly invited her inside. “You can place your order at the counter inside. My sister-in-law and the others are there.”

The shop was of moderate size, with a quick glance revealing its layout. Half of the ground floor was partitioned off as a kitchen, leaving enough space for six tables seating four each. The upper floor had room for four more tables and two small private rooms.

The decor was simple, emphasizing minimalism. The texture of the walls was left rough and unpolished, creating a sense of raw authenticity. The tables and chairs were custom-made from raw wood by a furniture factory, lacking in design but practical.

In essence, the shop only contained the essentials, devoid of excessive decorations.

Upon entering, Aunt Zhang noticed that there were already two tables occupied in the restaurant, though neither was full. At one table, a man was dining with his two children. The trio had ordered a bowl of Hu spicy soup and three scallion pancakes, a sight that wasn’t particularly unusual.

The other table was occupied by a young man and woman, with two bowls of spicy soup and a serving of braised meat laid out before them. The remaining tables were vacant, an atmosphere that was somewhat desolate for a new establishment.

No sooner had she taken her seat than Li Hua brought over the shop’s signature spicy soup she had ordered. Aunt Zhang was a bit apprehensive. After all, she had overheard some chatter outside; there were many people waiting to see the restaurant fail.

She asked Li Hua, “You’ve prepared so much meat, and all these breakfast items, are they all for sale this morning?”

There was a large glass panel in the center of the wall separating the kitchen from the dining area. Through it, customers could see the goings-on in the kitchen. Three large plates of braised meat, along with some other food items, seemed a bit too optimistic for a breakfast crowd, didn’t it?

Li Hua, radiant and cheerful on this auspicious day, smiled at Aunt Zhang and said, “Auntie, one of our restaurant’s service principles is to ensure the freshness and hygiene of our ingredients. The food prepared for the day is sold on the same day. This is, of course, today’s quantity. Gu Zi said that we would definitely sell out today.”

Li Hua was well aware of the situation outside. Most of the crowd had come to spectate rather than patronize the business.

As for the townsfolk, according to Gu Zi’s analysis, they would likely observe the shop for a few days. Many of them were not keen on seeing outsiders do business and make money in their town, and had conspired to deliberately avoid dining at the restaurant, even if they needed to.

Earlier, when firecrackers were being set off outside, a child had passed by, drawn by the enticing aroma of the food. The child’s parent had scolded and dragged the child away. It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford a meal, but they were simply unwilling to patronize the restaurant.

In the past, such circumstances would have thrown Li Hua into a panic, making her feel that all their efforts had been in vain, leading to a sense of despair.

But having learned from Gu Zi for so long, she now felt full of confidence, believing that as long as the last hour of the day hadn’t arrived, anything was possible.

Just as Aunt Zhang was about to say something, two more customers entered the restaurant. Recognizing them, she immediately waved them over, “Li Zhu, Li Zhu’s mother, you’re here too. There are two seats here, come join us.”