Sarah Harper's expression tightened. She turned around, gazing at the scenery in the courtyard, and said lightly, "Let him be. At least he can help me keep the Liu family confused."

Chapter 0003: Jinyu Restaurant

The next day.

Brian Grant got up early, preparing to go to Jinyu Restaurant for negotiations. But just as he stepped out of his small courtyard, he ran into the steward William Harper.

"Young master, where are you headed?"

William Harper inquired.

"Going to Jinyu Restaurant to talk business!" Brian Grant replied with a cheerful smile.

William Harper quickly reminded him, "Young master, you’re not going to talk business, you’re just going to learn from their experience."

Heh, this steward is really dedicated—a good steward indeed. Brian Grant gave full marks to William Harper's professionalism. Considering Brian Grant's past deeds, he could also understand William Harper's concerns. Smiling, he nodded and said, "Yes, yes, I’m just going to learn."

William Harper added, "But it’s still early!"

Brian Grant said, "I’ve been cooped up at home for a few days, so I want to take a walk while I’m at it."

William Harper responded with an "oh," but still looked uneasy. "Young master, when you get there..."

"I know, talk less and listen more."

Brian Grant patted his shoulder reassuringly, then headed toward the main gate.

William Harper looked at his own shoulder in confusion. By the time he came to his senses, Brian Grant had already left.

The Harper family residence was located in the most bustling part of the southern city. After leaving the main gate and walking through two small alleys, Brian Grant arrived at the lively Horse Market Street. Although it was still early, the street was already packed with traffic. Shops and buildings lined both sides of the road in neat rows, presenting a scene of prosperity. But from a historical perspective, this was already the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty.

Brian Grant wasn’t particularly interested in history. He used to be much more interested in money, but he had read some history books and had a bit of understanding. So he mostly found everything novel and was very curious about how his ancestors lived. His mindset at this moment wasn’t so much about finding a job as it was about sightseeing.

What surprised him was that he found commerce in the Ming Dynasty to be very developed. Everything was for sale in the markets. While it couldn’t be called capitalism, the commodity economy was already quite advanced.

After wandering for a while, Brian Grant saw that it was about time and headed to Jinyu Restaurant.

After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he arrived in front of a very grand, three-story building.

"This is the place."

Brian Grant looked up at the signboard hanging under the eaves of the second floor, which bore the three large characters for Jinyu Restaurant.

Behind Jinyu Restaurant was a lush area filled with flowers, plants, and trees, with artificial hills everywhere. It was said there was even a man-made lake in the middle. In such a bustling city, the scenery was even more charming and truly rare.

Just as he was about to enter, a little beggar of about twelve or thirteen suddenly ran over, holding up a broken bowl. "Big brother, spare some change, please. I haven’t eaten all day."

"Oh, wait a moment."

Brian Grant quickly took out two coins of silver from his money pouch and tossed them into the bowl.

Silver? The little beggar’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Brian Grant didn’t pay him any more attention—this was just a habit. In the past, if a beggar asked him for money, he would usually give a little, because he felt that spending a bit of spare change on beggars was more meaningful; otherwise, it would just end up in the hands of dry cleaners. He headed straight for the entrance of Jinyu Restaurant. But after taking a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and saw the little beggar still standing there in a daze. The beggar’s eyes flickered, as if thinking about something.

The little beggar suddenly noticed Brian Grant looking at him and hurried over, asking, "Big brother, did you give me too much?"

"Not at all," Brian Grant replied with an awkward smile, then asked, "You said you haven’t eaten all day?"

The little beggar nodded.

Brian Grant said, "Then wait for me in the back. I’ll bring you some food in a bit."

"Really?"

The little beggar was excited.

"Wait there."

With that, Brian Grant strode into Jinyu Restaurant.

"Welcome, sir, please come in."

A handsome young man at the door saw Brian Grant and hurried to greet him.

Earlier, when Brian Grant was observing, he had already noticed that every big restaurant had a good-looking young man standing at the door to welcome guests.

"The Harper family’s son-in-law?"

The manager inside the restaurant saw Brian Grant and was a bit surprised. "Mr. Grant, you seem to be a bit early. Our boss..."

Brian Grant hadn’t passed the exam for xiucai, but he had passed the preliminary exam, which qualified him to take the xiucai exam. Such people were generally called tongsheng, but few would actually address someone as tongsheng, as it was a rather low rank. So, whether outsiders called him the Harper family’s son-in-law or Mr. Grant the tongsheng, it was all a bit mocking.

Brian Grant walked up to the counter and interrupted him, "I just missed the food at Jinyu Restaurant, so I came a bit early. Why don’t you bring me a few of your signature dishes? I haven’t even had breakfast yet."

The manager, hearing this, didn’t say much more and immediately called over a waiter.