Su Xiaoqi decided to expand the storefront.
She planned to ask Meng Yairen about it later.
These were matters for another time; Su Xiaoqi now needed to convince Zhao Dayou to increase the shop's inventory.
"Are we selling these?" Zhao Dayou pointed at the chickens, ducks, and cotton, his expression darkened.
He had only ever sold grains like rice and flour. How could he sell live animals?
Su Xiaoqi nodded, raising an eyebrow, "Why not?"
Zhao Dayou looked from the neat piles of rice, flour, and cotton to the chickens and ducks, feeling a sense of disconnect.
Su Xiaoqi thought it was time to explain the true meaning of her "supermarket" to him.
"A supermarket is a super market, also a department store.
We sell anything people need or want to buy.
We want people to be able to buy everything they need by visiting only our store, to have it all in one place."
This concept was common in modern times.
But for Zhao Dayou, who lived in the Daliang Dynasty, it was a completely new experience.
Fortunately, despite his age, he had been a shopkeeper for over a decade, dealing with all sorts of people daily, and his mind was quite adaptable.
Hearing Su Xiaoqi's explanation, his face was filled with surprise, but more so with admiration and joy.
He found his employer's idea both novel and full of potential.
He could already envision the reforms this business model would bring.
He firmly believed that by sticking with his employer, he would not only earn money but also achieve something significant.
However, there was one matter he needed to discuss with his employer.
He glanced towards the door and voiced the current problem the shop was facing.
The shop was not large, but the business was incredibly good.
With the expanded inventory, he feared he would be stretched too thin and unable to cope. He asked if Su Xiaoqi could hire a young assistant to help.
When Chen Jinniang proposed finding Shen Xiaomei to help, Su Xiaoqi had already anticipated the need for more staff at the "supermarket."
She had intended to discuss it with Zhao Dayou herself, but he brought it up first.
However, she was unfamiliar with the area and didn't know many people, so she had to delegate this task to Zhao Dayou.
"Shopkeeper Zhao, you have rich experience. You make the decision to hire someone.
The benefits and treatment will be the same as yours, with two paid days off per month. As for the monthly wage, you can decide."
Zhao Dayou had already thought of a candidate named Xiao Liu.
He had worked with him at his previous employer's shop.
Xiao Liu was in his early twenties, quick with his hands and feet, sharp-minded, and good at dealing with people.
Hearing Zhao Dayou's recommendation, Su Xiaoqi wanted him to call the person over to see while she was there.
Xiao Liu lived not far away and arrived within fifteen minutes.
Su Xiaoqi observed that he had a delicate appearance, with squinting eyes that already held a hint of a smile before he even spoke.
He gave a good impression and seemed naturally suited for service work.
Su Xiaoqi asked him a few routine questions.
She learned about his family background.
He was twenty-two years old, from a poor family, and an only son. He had been a shop assistant in the city since he was ten, earning very little.
Later, he met Zhao Dayou, which finally gave him an opportunity to utilize his skills.
However, their good fortune didn't last long as their former grain shop closed down.
He became unemployed and could only work odd jobs at the docks.
But he wasn't suited for heavy labor, so he didn't earn much money.
Su Xiaoqi's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
Xiao Liu was highly perceptive of subtle changes in expression.
Seeing Su Xiaoqi's expression shift, he immediately knelt and said he would work diligently for Shopkeeper Zhao.
As long as he could support his parents, he was willing to endure any hardship.
Zhao Dayou also chimed in with favorable remarks. Su Xiaoqi had no choice but to suppress her slight unease.
She agreed to let him work at the "supermarket."
However, it would be a one-month probationary period with a salary of five hundred wen.
If the trial period was satisfactory, he would officially become a "supermarket" employee, sign a contract, receive normal benefits, and his salary would double.
After completing these arrangements, Su Xiaoqi reviewed the "supermarket's" ledger.
Zhao Dayou was not only diligent and capable but also kept excellent accounts.
Following Su Xiaoqi's methods, the ledger was clear and easy to understand.
After dealing with various miscellaneous matters, Su Xiaoqi loaded all the bolts of cloth onto the mule cart.
Zhao Xiaozhu was skillful and had already made clothes from the fabric she had brought home earlier.
She planned to take these home, sketch some fashionable outfits for Zhao Xiaozhu to make, and then sell them at the "supermarket."
Su Xiaoqi thought that the mule cart had already arrived at Meng's Real Estate Agency. She got off and expressed her intentions to the agent, receiving confirmation that they would inquire for her.
She then took the mule cart for a leisurely stroll through the market and bought some cucumbers and pearl powder.
She thought her face had been tanned for too long and it was time for some proper care.
By the time she finished this circuit, it was getting late.
It was time to pick up Shen Yun and Zhao Liushun from the county school.
The group headed towards Zhaojia Village.
As they exited the city gates, they heard someone discussing loudly.
"Heavens, there's no justice! How could these two be dead in broad daylight?"
"What do you mean no justice? Don't spout nonsense. The county magistrate has already posted a notice.
These two vagrants got drunk in the middle of the night and fell into the Yuanbao River by accident. Who can they blame?"
"Exactly, these two scoundrels, they were always causing trouble around Linshui Alley.
The young daughter of Scholar Liu next door seems to have been bullied by them on the street.
I heard a young man was robbed of a silver ingot a few days ago, and they even… [offensive slang for anal penetration]…"
"Oh, what a tragedy! It would be unjust if these short-lived devils didn't die!"
"Yes, yes, look at their shifty eyes, you know they're bad people. They deserved to die."
The crowd watched and discussed the commotion, seeing the yamen runners drag the bodies onto a cart and take them towards the mass grave outside the city.
Su Xiaoqi listened with a pounding heart and couldn't help but lift the curtain to look outside.
The onlookers had a multitude of expressions on their faces.
Some felt pity, while others applauded; their reactions varied.
However, among them, one person's expression was sinister and vicious, his teeth grinding.
It was as if the person described as having been violated was himself.
Su Xiaoqi caught sight of him and was startled, exclaiming, "Su Jiamo, why is he… why is he like that…"
Then she suddenly remembered something.
The Linshui Alley mentioned by the gossiping crowd, the unconscious young man, the five taels of silver ingot…
Uh, Su Xiaoqi patted her forehead. She seemed to understand something.
Shen Yun also saw it, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, quick and brief, which Su Xiaoqi did not notice.
He grabbed Su Xiaoqi's shoulder, pulled the curtain down, blocking the view of the people outside, and said thoughtfully, "It's none of our business, don't worry too much."
Su Xiaoqi feigned a nonchalant nod, but her mind was racing:
"Oh no, oh no, could it be Su Jiamo who was… [offensive slang]…
Alas, I should not have knocked him out.
He's a ruthless person. After being… [offensive slang], he killed people.
Will he seek revenge on me next?"
Su Xiaoqi felt a surge of fear, leaning against the carriage wall, her heart starting to race.
Shen Yun heard her inner thoughts.
He recalled her heroic demeanor when she knocked the person out, and now she was scared.
He gently patted her shoulder and drew her into his embrace.
Pretending to know nothing, he asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Xiaoqi leaned against his shoulder, closing her eyes with exhaustion, and shook her head.
My heart is heavy, but I dare not speak!
"If you have any worries, tell me, perhaps I can help," Shen Yun coaxed.
Su Xiaoqi opened her mouth, hesitated, and then swallowed her words.
She thought, "Su Jiamo is ruthless, and you might not be any better. Either way, I can't afford to offend either of them."
Being evaluated like this by Su Xiaoqi, Shen Yun narrowed his deep eyes, a hint of danger appearing.
He glanced at Zhao Liushun and Zhao Laoshi sitting on the cart.
Suddenly, he moved closer to Su Xiaoqi, his breath hot as he nudged her upturned nose, "How must I treat you for you to trust me?"