Contract

Lu Ping entered the room.

Song Jia took out her sound stone and contacted Song Huo.

"Something wrong?" Song Huo's worried voice came through.

She chuckled. "We're fine, uncle. We won't be coming home tonight. I have business to attend to here in the city.

"Ah? Why? What business are you talking about?"

"I'll tell you once it's ready."

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay, uncle. Many thanks.."

Then ended the connection after that.

"Ping, look for a pen and paper for me. I need to write something."

A moment later, Lu Ping came back with a few stacks of papers and a pen.

Song Jia quickly drafted contracts for Cheng Zedong, Xiong Chen, Kang Yin, Sun Xun, Lu Ping and Wan Yan.

"Let's go,"

When Song Jia came down, she invited them to the restaurant nearby and used the private room.

She then used a talisman to make sure nobody outside the room could hear their discussion after the waiter had brought in the food.

"Young Sir, were you really able to get approval from the agency?" Kang Yin posed his question.

"YeP. I did. And I already bought the building where the restaurant is going to be."

"So, if I understood correctly, that means you want to hire me as a cook for your restaurant?"

"Correct. You will be selling pretty much what you already know how to make. And I will also teach you more dishes."

"You know how to cook, Young Sir?"

"YeP!"

"You will be the head cook. Lu Ping will be your assistant."

"Young Master.." Although Lu Ping wanted to learn her way of cooking and be of assistance to her mistress, she was slightly unwilling with this plan. How can she follow her mistress now when she will have to spend more time at the restaurant?

"Ping, I have somewhere to go later on and I can't take you with me at that time. We'll discuss this later."

"Yes, Young master." Her head bowed down, dejected.

"Old Chen, how are you with numbers?"

"Ah.. I'm good at it."

"Very well, then you'll be my accountant… Xiong Chen, how are you managing people?"

"Umm.. Okay I guess.."

"I see. Big brother Sun, do you have people on your side to help in managing the restaurant?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Then, Xiong Chen.. you will manage it for me. You'll be responsible for training them and see to it that the restaurant won't descend into chaos. I will show you my standards and you train them according to it."

"Understood, Master." He bowed his head.

"I will give you a number of men to help you guard the place." Sun Xun spoke.

"Thank you, big brother.."

"Then, what will be the name of the restaurant?" Wan Yan spoke.

Song Jia pondered for a moment.

"I'll name it.. Jade Window.. What do you think, big brothers?"

"Jade Window. It's good." Sun Xun nodded.

"Next, is to hire a few waiters, assistants and cleaners."

"Hmm..we can advertise for that.." Kang Yin suggested.

'Surely there are people looking for jobs.'

"Good! We'll do that then.. Big brother, do you have anything to add?"

"I'll bring in some people to help prepare the building."

"Great! I'm counting on you! Then there, can everyone sign a contract? That will be all.."

Each of them looked through the contents of the contract.

The most surprised were Cheng Zedomg and Xiong Chen.

'It says here.. I will be compensated while working here.'

'We're no longer slaves but employees?' Kang Yin looked up to see Song Jia waiting for their reaction.

They saw Cheng Zedong sign the papers. He then stood up and although struggling, he still went on his knees and kowtowed to Song Jia and Sun Xun. "Many thanks to Masters, I owe you my life for rescuing us from the slave market."

Xiong Chen followed suit as well. "Xiong Chen will forever be loyal to the Masters."

"There's no need for this. Get up.."

"I must say, many thanks to the Masters for signing me up. Let me give you a toast!" Kang Yin lifted his cup with alcohol and made a toast for them.

They accepted his toast and enjoyed the rest of the meal merrily.

"I'll have to turn in earlier, I'm still exhausted from today. Tomorrow we'll check the building. You guys don't take too long here."

Song Jia and Lu Ping went back to the inn as well as Sun Xun. Wan Yan and the rest stayed behind.

"I'll see you in the morning, big brother." She waved her hand at him, entering her room with Lu Ping.

Sun Xun left for his room as well.

"Ping, you know I won't be staying at the residence soon."

"Young miss.. Where are you going?"

"I have to go to the academy. It's one way to improve my cultivation."

"But how.."

"Don't worry, I could get in.. So, while I'm there, I'll entrust the restaurant in your care. But don't forget to cultivate."

"Yes, Miss.. I'll listen to you."

"Good. Now, go and rest."

Lu Ping left Song Jia by herself.

Moments later, Song Jia arranged the pillows in her bed to make it look as if she was sleeping. Then she changed into black robes with embroidered golden spider lilies. She inactivated the illusion ring, turning herself back into the young girl. She put on makeup, making her look more mature, altering her features, resembling more like Cynthia Dorsey. Then she wore a mask painted with red spider lilies. As she looked in the mirror, she was brought back to the time that she went to infiltrate a masquerade party for the rich. It was only one of her missions as the genius assassin, Luna of Black Moon Organization.

She then took out a black robe with a hood, hiding half of her face.

After making sure that nobody could see her, she exited from the room's window and jumped down. It was just right that the window was facing a back alley.

From the darkness of the alley, emerged a mysterious person, walking towards the direction of the Treasure Pavilion.

Above her, a window opened, a pair of eyes followed her figure.