Chapter Thirty-Six: The List

Cangzhou City, North Street.

Outside the Su Family Tofu shop, a queue stretched like a dragon, undeterred by the heat, patiently awaiting their turn; some had even arrived at dawn just to secure a spot. In the shade of the side alley, several black carriages stood neatly parked—nobles and dignitaries had come from afar, drawn by the shop’s reputation. To spend here had become a mark of wealth.

Li Pingyang and Little Dragonfly, both disguised, blended into the crowd. To avoid recognition, Li Pingyang had even attached a fake mustache. After all, the person he had beaten before was none other than Su Liuwu, the youngest son of the Su family. If discovered, a beating would be inevitable.

After some waiting, two shop attendants opened the doors and announced the start of business. The waiting crowd surged forward in a rush, and Li Pingyang seized the chaos to slip inside.

“Hold on!”

Just as Li Pingyang stepped over the threshold, a servant, feeling he looked familiar, stopped him and took out a portrait for comparison. In his hand was the likeness of Li Pingyang, commissioned by the young master. Li Pingyang kept his head down anxiously, avoiding eye contact, which only heightened the servant’s suspicion.

This servant was Li Bao, known as Old Li, the very one who had come to Su Liuwu’s rescue with a stick during the previous incident. Li Pingyang glanced at him and recognized him at once. At that moment, Old Li also realized who he was, and the two pointed at each other simultaneously; Old Li was about to shout his name.

Li Pingyang spoke first, “Old Li, it’s been years! How come you’re working here to make ends meet?”

Old Li, just about to raise the alarm, was thrown off by the question. How did this man know him? Had he mistaken him for someone else?

“Sigh, life’s tough. No need to mention it,” Old Li replied, still suspicious. “Ah, getting old hurts the memory. You are…?”

“I’m Old Wang! I live next door to you. My family used to be poor, and I’d often come over for meals—your wife was always so welcoming.”

Sweating, Li Pingyang improvised wildly. His fake mustache, dislodged by the crowd, barely clung to his face, and he had to hold it in place with a hand.

Old Li frowned, thinking that this rascal wasn’t always flirting with Old Sun’s wife—he’d even caught him once. Now there’s an Old Wang popping up?

Seeing Old Li deep in thought, Li Pingyang thought he had a chance. He pretended to stroke his chin, covering his face with a hand as the mustache finally fell off.

He had deliberately changed his hairstyle, squinted his eyes while speaking, and lowered his voice, doing his best not to resemble Li Pingyang.

Coincidentally, in Old Li’s hometown, there really was a Wang living next door, and his family was indeed impoverished. Hearing such convincing details, Old Li wondered if he truly had mistaken him, and his doubts faded.

“Oh! Old Wang, that’s why you looked so familiar,” Old Li said, scratching his head with a smile, though still uneasy. But with the crowd pressing at the door, he waved Li Pingyang on.

Li Pingyang grinned, then slipped into the throng. After he left, Old Li grew increasingly suspicious, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. He decided to stop thinking about it and went to the alley to feed the horses.

The Su Family Tofu shop had two floors, its layout bold and innovative—whoever designed it was certainly talented. At the entrance, the left side featured a cashier’s counter for registering and accounting. Attendants would then guide guests to their assigned seats, orderly and efficient.

The first floor served as a leisure area, with tables selling tofu lining both sides, each slab freshly made. The center of the hall was left open, transformed into a stage where several renowned beauties of Cangzhou performed dances.

Round tables and chairs below allowed guests to enjoy tea and watch the performances, blending dining and entertainment. Seats were divided into three tiers: front, middle, and rear. The wealthy sat closest to the stage, able to gaze at the dancers up close; with luck, they might even catch a silk scarf tossed by one of the girls.

Here, one could sample all sorts of tofu-based delicacies. Their signature dishes were pan-fried tofu and tofu meatball soup, both lauded for their exceptional flavor. Nearly every patron ordered these two.

The second floor featured private rooms, offering respite from disturbance. For a little extra silver, guests could also enjoy delightful shadow puppet shows.

The shop’s layout and planning exuded a modern business sensibility and commercial acumen, astonishing Li Pingyang. He even wondered if the strategist behind Su Family Tofu was a modern person as well—could there be other transmigrators in this Song Dynasty?

After feeding the horses, Old Li returned to sit beside Li Pingyang, took his wine, and poured himself a bowl. The two clinked their bowls and drank.

Suddenly, Old Li put down his wine and grabbed Li Pingyang’s wrist. “Old Wang, if I recall, you don’t drink, do you?”

He eyed Li Pingyang suspiciously. Li Pingyang’s hand holding the wine bowl froze at his lips.

He thought to himself,

Why won’t this guy let up?

Damn it, isn’t this enough already?

For a minor character, he talks way too much!

Realizing he couldn’t keep up the charade, Li Pingyang gathered energy beneath the table and infused his palm with true energy. As Old Li tried to turn him around, Li Pingyang knocked him out with a swift move.

Before anyone noticed, he caught Old Li, gently laid him on the table, and covered up, “I told you not to drink—you can’t hold your liquor, but insisted. One bowl and you’re out.”

Someone at the next table glanced over, heard the explanation, and turned back to their own food and drink.

Afterward, Li Pingyang kept observing the guests. Whenever he spotted a target, he sent Little Dragonfly to check. If recognized, he’d jot the name down on a piece of paper.

In less than half a day, Li Pingyang had compiled a list. He folded it with satisfaction and tucked it into his sleeve.

Picking up the last few peanuts from the plate and tossing them into his mouth, Li Pingyang clapped his hands and said, “Little Dragonfly, let’s go home!”

Little Dragonfly, having waited herself to sleep, supported her head with one hand, sweetly slumbering. Awakened by his call, she rubbed her eyes and replied sleepily.

Li Pingyang had gathered all the necessary data—his task for the day was complete. He had used the fine weather and heavy traffic to collect information on wealthy patrons. Though it seemed like mere eating and entertainment, he had been observing closely.

Through his investigation, he’d identified different consumer groups; with this knowledge, he could adjust his product pricing to cater to every social stratum.

He also noticed that, despite Su Family Tofu’s booming business, the staff’s quality left much to be desired. For lasting success, customers must be treated as royalty—their needs met, their desires fulfilled.

To ensure the shop’s survival, staff service must be improved, and customer relations strengthened, thereby boosting profits.

Upon returning home, Li Pingyang set to work on a new snack, burning the midnight oil in search of innovation. A wildly popular delicacy was about to emerge, poised to sweep across the land!