Charles Bennett was instantly dumbfounded.

　　George Reed really couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

　　Charles Bennett glanced awkwardly at George Reed, his handsome face turning red, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, “No, no, no, I was just asking casually.”

　　“Oh.”

　　Brian Grant nodded, finding it amusing in his heart. With your thin skin, you still dare to covet what’s mine? Be careful or I’ll send you a green hat in return.

Chapter 0004 Wasting Expressions

　　“This fool. Heh heh!”

　　After Brian Grant left, George Reed couldn’t stop laughing to himself. He could only say that Brian Grant was a bit too straightforward. Shaking his head, he sighed, “That old man Kou was shrewd his whole life, but when it came to his heir, he made such a huge blunder. Truly, even the wisest can make a mistake.”

　　As he spoke, he suddenly looked at Charles Bennett and said, “If old man Kou had agreed to a marriage alliance with your Liu family back then, I’m afraid the entire brokers’ guild would be under your control now. How could things have come to this?”

　　Charles Bennett’s expression changed slightly, but he didn’t answer.

　　George Reed continued, “You must be quite disappointed right now, aren’t you, my dear nephew?”

　　Charles Bennett asked in surprise, “What do you mean by that, Uncle Reed?”

　　George Reed laughed heartily, “You asked me to invite the Kou family over just to meet Miss Kou, didn’t you? Who would have thought that old man Kou still has hopes for that fool.”

　　A trace of embarrassment flashed in Charles Bennett’s eyes, but he said, “I just want to compete fairly with the Kou family. If I win, I want to win openly and honestly. Of course, our Liu family will definitely not lose.”

　　“I really admire your confidence, nephew.” George Reed then asked seriously, “What are your thoughts on the Chen Restaurant matter?”

　　Charles Bennett’s expression became serious as he replied, “Given the current situation, buying the Chen Restaurant shouldn’t be a problem, because it won’t last much longer. The issue is the price. Based on the land prices around Liangyuan, the whole Chen Restaurant is worth about 3,500 taels. But I think Uncle Reed has other intentions. With your wealth, you wouldn’t care about just a restaurant. So I believe what you really want is the Chen Restaurant’s kitchen.”

　　3,500 taels might not sound like much, but it’s not a small sum these days!

　　If you calculate based on grain prices, one tael of silver is roughly equivalent to 600 yuan in modern times, so 3,500 taels is over two million. But because of differences in output, production levels, and productivity between the two eras, you also have to consider the current cost of living.

　　These days, an ordinary family’s yearly expenses are about twenty taels. As for housing prices in the bustling areas of the capital, it’s about 1.5 taels per square meter, and because Liangyuan is in a prime location, it’s about 2 taels per square meter. Since the Ming Dynasty still has a smallholder economy and people are spread out, housing isn’t a big issue for most people.

　　“Smart.”

　　A look of approval flashed in George Reed’s eyes as he said, “So how much do you think is appropriate?”

　　Charles Bennett spread his five fingers and said, “1,500 taels, for a total of 5,000 taels.”

　　George Reed pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Reasonable.”

　　Actually, the “kitchen” refers to the chefs or the secret recipes. Nowadays, the head chefs at restaurants are either relatives of the owner or have signed lifetime contracts with the restaurant, meaning they’re tied to it. If they’re bound to the owner, it makes buying and selling very troublesome.

　　Just the chefs or the secret recipes alone are worth 1,500 taels. This shows that Ming Dynasty merchants already had a high level of awareness—they knew that talent was the key, not the building itself.

　　Meanwhile, Brian Grant went downstairs and didn’t forget to take the packed food with him.

　　Of course, he didn’t pay for it. Since he wasn’t invited to the banquet, he had to get some delivery fee at least. Even a little is still something, and his monthly allowance wasn’t much.

　　After leaving Jinyu Restaurant, Brian Grant didn’t rush home but strolled leisurely to Liangyuan behind the restaurant.

　　“Big brother, big brother!”

　　The little beggar from earlier ran over.

　　“Here you go.” Brian Grant handed him the small bamboo basket.

　　“Smells so good!” The little beggar took a deep sniff and swallowed, “Is this food from Jinyu Restaurant?”

　　“Mm!”

　　Brian Grant nodded, “I only tasted a little myself.”

　　“Thank you, big brother! Thank you, big brother!” The little beggar took the basket, his face full of secret joy. He didn’t care whether it had been tasted or not, and muttered softly, “Mother will be so happy to see this.”

　　Brian Grant smiled and said, “If you have time to go to Chen Restaurant this afternoon, I’ll give you another dinner.”

　　“Really?” The little beggar asked in disbelief.

　　Brian Grant nodded and asked, “What’s your name?”

　　“My name is Peter Clark.”

　　Peter Clark looked at Brian Grant curiously and asked, “Big brother, why are you so nice to me?”

　　Brian Grant just smiled and said, “Remember, if you’re free this afternoon, come to Chen Restaurant.”

　　“I… I’ll definitely be there.” Peter Clark was so excited he could barely speak.

　　In his eyes, he’d probably met a living Bodhisattva who saves the suffering.

　　Little did he know, Brian Grant was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Any money he gave out always came with strings attached.