Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1524 - 330, Have You Chosen Someone? (Second Update)

This woman looked very ordinary, the kind that would be unnoticeable once thrown into a crowd. However, because her face was brimming with confidence and pride, it made people unable to look away after seeing her, and they were all deeply mesmerized by her.

"Boss, Shopkeeper Liu, all my sisters, hello. My name is Da Ye, and today I’ll share a joke with everyone!"

Lin Yuan smiled as she watched this woman who called herself Da Ye. Her voice was clear and loud, and she spoke with a light smile. Her eyes and brows all revealed a playful expression, making one unable to help but smile heartily at her, even without hearing her joke.

Indeed, Da Ye’s joke made everyone burst into laughter, not only the girls sitting in front of the stage, but even Head Liang, who was bowed down working on the other side, was tickled by the woman’s joke and emitted a simple and deep chuckle.

The atmosphere in the entire hall was stirred up by Da Ye’s joke. Lin Yuan was very satisfied with this young girl, feeling that she was the perfect storyteller she had in mind. Moreover, she was the best candidate to recite "Journey to the West"!

Perhaps infected by Da Ye’s passion, a few more young girls took their turn on the stage, some telling jokes, others sharing stories, and those who couldn’t tell stories spoke about things that happened in their villages for everyone to share.

Even two girls who were on good terms went on stage together and performed a scene of sisters-in-law fighting. Although their acting skills were not great, as they went back and forth in their "quarrel", everyone felt as if they were truly witnessing two sisters-in-law arguing vigorously over a winter melon, which was particularly amusing.

However, not everyone performed well, since not all people possess the talent for performance. Nevertheless, it was quite special that, despite a few women not being adept at expressing themselves, their movements and expressions when they stood on stage were very appropriate. Their gestures lacked the vulgarity common among ordinary people and were very dignified.

Lin Yuan couldn’t help but be curious and asked around, only then did she learn that these women had previously served in wealthy households. Even though they were only tasked with rough work, the etiquette they learned was very proper.

Lin Yuan secretly nodded and took note of these women’s names.

Time flew by, and almost every woman had performed. Now only the duo sitting in the back remained.

Xiao Huan was rather plain. After going on stage, she told a joke, but her expressions weren’t rich and lacked ups and downs when she spoke, so the joke wasn’t very amusing. However, she still earned a round of encouraging applause from everyone.

Now only Madam Ming was left, and Lin Yuan’s expectations for her grew.

Madam Ming was a very dignified woman, evident in the way she walked. Different from those women whose poise stemmed from working in large households, Madam Ming’s elegance and grace were innate. Lin Yuan had no doubts that she came from a wealthy household as well.

Among this group of young girls, Madam Ming, a woman in her thirties, stood out distinctly. Even though there were traces of maintenance on her, the fine crow’s feet around her eyes could still be faintly seen.

Plus, Madam Ming and Xiao Huan weren’t very approachable, so they had already drawn sidelong glances from the crowd. Now, as she took the stage, the young women all curiously gazed over, wondering in their hearts whether the woman had some extraordinary quality.

Madam Ming stood on the stage, slightly pursing her lips. She had a likable appearance; even without smiling, she seemed as if she was smiling.

"Hello, everyone, as you can probably tell, I am quite old, thus my work here in the tea house is purely out of a liking for tea. As for telling jokes or stories as the boss just mentioned, I am not good at those, nor am I well-versed in musical rhythms, so I won’t embarrass myself by attempting those."

Madam Ming spoke with an air that naturally commanded everyone’s respect. Her voice was neither the loudest nor the most compelling, but as she stood there speaking, people couldn’t help but want to look at her. Yet, upon seeing her, they felt that such direct staring was almost profane.

Lin Yuan raised her eyebrows with interest, becoming even more curious about this Madam Ming.

Though several women with no special skills had come on stage before, they had simply introduced themselves. However, after saying only a few words, Madam Ming refrained from further speech, which was somewhat improper.

"Madam Ming, since you are so passionate about tea, why don’t you share your understanding of tea with us, how about that?"

This was the first time Lin Yuan had made a request of the interviewees, and naturally, everyone’s attention gravitated towards Madam Ming.

Madam Ming looked at Lin Yuan with a faint smile and nodded slightly, "Qin (zither), chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea are known as the traditional Eight Elegant Arts, with tea as the final one, naturally encompassing much scholarship as well. The Tea Sage Lu Yu once said that the beverage of tea originated with Shennong Shi, indicating the ancient history of tea. When it comes to tea drinking, what we emphasize is the character ’品’ (appreciation); without exception, when guests arrive, offering and respecting them with tea is indispensable. While drinking tea, one must pay close attention to the tea in the guests’ cups, and should replenish with hot water whenever it is half-drunk, topping up as one drinks. Moreover, when enjoying tea, it is also appropriate to accompany it with snacks, sweets, and dishes to balance the flavors."

Madam Ming mentioned all these points that one should pay attention to when serving tea. Lin Yuan couldn’t help being slightly surprised upon hearing this. She had thought Madam Ming would speak about the different varieties of tea, like green tea and red tea, but she did not expect her to actually discuss the particular cares in tea service. Could it be that she had already discerned her intentions?

Just as Lin Yuan had thought, after Madam Ming finished speaking, she gave Lin Yuan a small smile and returned to her seat without further comment.

The other women were all engrossed in what Madam Ming had just said, pondering over the Tea Sage, pastries, and the like—things they had never heard of before.

"Ladies, please be patient and remain calm. The stories and jokes just now were all well-told, and I felt everyone’s enthusiasm. In a moment, I will announce the names of those who are employed. For now, please take a rest here."

After speaking, Lin Yuan took the list that Shopkeeper Liu had given her and went to the room where she had previously enjoyed tea with Tian Hui. Tian Hui had also observed the young ladies’ performances and had been waiting in the room for a while.

Upon seeing Lin Yuan, Tian Hui couldn’t contain her inner joy and, taking her hand excitedly, said, "Yuanyuan, I just watched those young girls’ performances, and you wouldn’t believe how good they were! Although they are still a bit lacking compared to young ladies from noble families, for girls who have not had systematic training in distinguished families, they already did so very well."

Lin Yuan had already anticipated this. Nowadays, women all value poetry and songs, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but that’s only true for those from families with good conditions. In ordinary families, where even a proper meal can be a concern, who would be willing to spend Silver to let their daughters learn these things?

Of course, there are exceptions. For example, some girls’ parents were musicians when they were young and taught their children themselves, or some parents intended to change their fate through their daughters, investing heavily in their education. However, such girls would either end up in a brothel to entertain without selling their bodies, or use their developed skills to become a Little Concubine in a wealthy family.

Therefore, the women who came to audition at Idle Tea House today most likely harbored thoughts of changing their fate. After all, no one wants to be a Little Concubine subjected to being bullied.

"So, Sister Hui has already made her choice?"

Lin Yuan sat down by the table, took a sip of tea, and thinking of the women who had also been sitting for quite some time, had Shui Xian also send over a pot of tea water for them.

Tian Hui sat down next to Lin Yuan, picked up the booklet she had used for noting names, and pointed them out with a smile, "Yes, I saw several young girls who were very good. Look at this one, named Nuan Yu, she plays the guqin exceptionally well and must have had specialized training. And this one, Zi Ling, is also not bad."

Lin Yuan looked over with a smile and teased, "These matters of music and tunes, I don’t understand. Sister Hui, you are quite the talent. As for these things, it’s all up to you to decide."

Teased as such by Lin Yuan, Tian Hui’s cheeks immediately flushed red, and she pretended to scold her, chiding, "What nonsense, who’s a talented lady or not? I see that you are the real talented lady. There are so many young ladies in the Capital city who can play music and sing tunes, but none have been heard to manage a business as well as you have! You, you are the true talented lady!"

Ha ha. Lin Yuan was amused to laughter by Tian Hui. Perhaps only Tian Hui could speak to her in such a manner. Maybe the young ladies from other families were even speaking behind her back about her being vulgar and mercenary!

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