406 Ice
No matter how big the restaurant was, it could not be bigger than the courtyards of those young masters. They would rather invite people to their houses to play and eat and drink than play in the hot and stuffy private rooms of the restaurant.
If he put a few blocks of ice into the private room, it would be much cooler. Then, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing customers.
After all, it’ll become more comfortable to play here than at home.
There were many elders in the family who restricted them, so they couldn’t have fun.
Moreover, it was better to buy the ice as soon as possible. Otherwise, after many people buy it, they would be put on a waiting list.
When Xue Xiao and Jiang Yue heard that he wanted to buy ice, they had a better understanding of him. Not only was he an understanding person, but he also had a certain degree of foresight. Jiang Yue and Xue Xiao couldn’t help but look at each other in amusement.
“Very well then,” Xue Yan said.
It meant that they could go in for a chat.
“Come in, please.” Shopkeeper Qiao said with a smile. “Welcome.” He stepped aside.
Xue Yan and Jiang Yue then followed Shopkeeper Qiao into Lakshmi Restaurant.
When they arrived at the private room upstairs, Xue Yan took off the small wooden box from his neck and put it on the coffee table. Then, he sat down with Jiang Yue on the round chairs.
The moment Shopkeeper Qiao sat down, he went straight to the point. “The other person that sold popsicles just now is Wufu, right? I saw the name Xue’s Popsicles stuck on the small wooden box, so I asked a few questions. According to him, if you want to buy ice directly, it’ll be twenty coins per kilo?”
“Yes.” Xue Yan nodded. He was not surprised that Shopkeeper Qiao had asked Wufu about these things.
Jiang Yue was not surprised that Shopkeeper Qiao had already asked about it. Shopkeeper Qiao was a shrewd person, so it was impossible for him not to ask in detail.
Shopkeeper Qiao nodded and smiled. “I didn’t expect you to sell it so cheaply. If I had nothing to do, I would have my own ideas. If I may ask, if I pay the deposit in advance, it means that you’ll be sending ice to the person who makes the order first every day, right?”
“Naturally,” replied Xue Yan.
“Perfect.” Shopkeeper Qiao nodded with a smile. He had finished the popsicle in his hand and placed it on a small porcelain plate. He then said, “Since we’re already familiar with each other, I won’t keep you here. I’ll just tell you what I want. Our restaurant would like to buy two hundred and forty kilograms of ice from your family every day. For the next two months, at this time every day, hundred and twenty kilograms of ice will be sent to this restaurant in the town, and the other hundred twenty will be sent to the other Lakshimi Restaurant in the county. I’ll pay the deposit and pay in full.”
It was important to note that not only did the town never have ice in summer, but the county also never had ice in summer.
The young masters in the county would be very generous with their spending if they knew about this.
Eight pieces of silver a day was nothing to two such big restaurants.
“My family can’t do that,” Xue Yan said.
“Oh?” Shopkeeper Qiao was surprised.
Xue Yan said, “The county is too far away. The quilts can keep the ice from melting for a while, but not enough to travel far away. My family can only guarantee that the two hundred and forty kilograms of ice you ordered will be delivered to this restaurant in town at this time every day for the next two months.”
It would only be sent to this restaurant and not to the county.
“Well…” Shopkeeper Qiao was considering whether he should buy less ice, but he still asked, “Why is that so? This quilt can keep the ice for a few hours. Can’t it last the whole morning?”