Chapter 147: Opening for Business
On March 29th, at the first light of dawn, Lin Dong stopped practicing and began walking around the inn. The kitchen was fully equipped, the new staff were ready to go, and the lobby was dry, bright, with not a hint of paint smell… After inspecting everything, Lin Dong couldn’t help but announce that everyone’s salary for the month would be doubled.
When the rooster crowed three times, Ma Chun stepped forward excitedly and nervously, saying, “Owner, it’s time to open the door.”
Lin Dong took a deep breath, went to the door, pulled back the bolt, and grabbed a panel to lift it off. A refreshing breeze blew in, invigorating everyone. The soft morning light streamed in, instantly making the candlelight in the lobby seem dim.
Suddenly, a buzzing noise filled the air. Lin Dong looked up and saw a crowd gathered outside, their shouts and calls mixing together to create a chaotic scene—just as lively as the busiest market.
“The door is open! Lin’s Inn is open!”
Someone shouted loudly. Instantly, hundreds of eyes turned toward Lin Dong, sharp and intense. Even Lin Dong, who had seen many things, felt his heart race.
“Quiet down, everyone, calm down!” Swallowing hard, Lin Dong raised his right hand, ready to push the door down, but a burly man pushed his way in from the side. Caught off guard, Lin Dong stumbled backward and was pushed inside the inn.
Before he could steady himself, another strong man squeezed in, followed by a third, fourth, fifth…
With loud thuds, the doors collapsed under the force of the crowd, and an endless stream of people poured into the inn.
Lin Dong was stunned. He and the staff huddled behind the counter, staring in shock at the lobby that was now packed to the brim.
“There’s… there are way too many people!” Ma Chun’s voice trembled. Since becoming the head manager, he had felt a sense of accomplishment serving guests—second only to fighting with sticks. But facing this situation, he couldn’t bring himself to step forward to greet them.
Lin Dong smiled bitterly—he had made a mistake. If he had known the crowd would be so huge, he should have sent people to maintain order overnight. That way, no one would get hurt, and the chaos wouldn’t get out of control.
Looking at the lobby now, no one was calling for staff to take orders; everyone was busy grabbing tables and chairs. The sound of tables toppling, wooden chopsticks falling, and teacups and glasses shattering… coupled with the overcrowded crowd, it no longer resembled a bustling inn but more like a robbery by bandits.
Seeing the farce intensify, Lin Dong finally snapped out of his daze. After quick consideration, he ordered firmly, “Xiao Liu, gather everyone together. Also bring Jiang Kui here. Slim Bamboo, take some people to the back yard right away—bring plenty of paper, cut it into palm-sized pieces, and stamp fingerprints on them. If anyone lines up in front of you, give one piece to each person.”
The two nodded hurriedly and pushed their way through the crowd toward the back door.
After about fifteen minutes, Jiang Kui and Wang Liuzhi arrived before Lin Dong. Wang Liuzhi, disheveled and panting heavily, said, “Boss, everyone is waiting in the back yard. Jiang Kui scared them half to death with a shout—I guarantee they’ll all be driven out!”
Lin Dong couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Even the future head of Lin’s Inn’s guard team could come up with an idea sometimes. Though it was a rather poor one.
“No need to scare them. An inn that uses violence to drive away guests won’t have a good reputation, even if people still dare to come here.” Lin Dong pulled Jiang Kui in front of him and shouted over the noisy crowd, “Keep your voice controlled—just enough for people inside and outside to hear. Tell everyone that since the inn has just opened, they can get a stamp-covered piece of paper that gives them a 100-wen discount on lodging and meals. They can collect it outside the back yard of the inn. Only those in line can get it; it’s limited, first come, first served. If there’s no one behind you, rush to get it.”
Jiang Kui nodded. After everyone covered their ears, he cleared his throat and repeated Lin Dong’s words before suddenly shouting, “This inn has just opened! Everyone can get a stamp-covered piece of paper outside the back yard. With this paper, you can get a 100-wen discount on lodging and meals here. Only those in line can get it; otherwise, nothing will be given. It’s limited, first come, first served. If there’s no one behind you, rush to get it!”
His loud voice shook the hall, silencing the chaotic noise in an instant.
A 100-wen discount for free? Outside Lin’s Inn’s back yard?
Immediately, the people at the edge of the crowd cheered and rushed without hesitation toward the back yard of Lin’s Inn. Those who couldn’t get inside also cheered and followed closely behind.
Inside the hall, hundreds of strong men looked at each other. Seeing fewer and fewer people outside, they finally rushed out as well.
“Xiao Liu, assign half of the people to Liu Hao. Each of you take a group to maintain order in the back yard and the inn,” Lin Dong said.
Wang Liuzhi and Liu Hao exchanged a glance before heading to the back yard to assign personnel.
In just a moment, the lobby was cleared up, with fewer than thirty guests remaining inside. Outside, there were also only about a hundred people left. Clearly, in their minds, a hundred coins were less valuable compared to trying the food and drinks at Lin’s Inn first.
“Well… are we still open today?” a burly man asked awkwardly, glancing at Lin Dong and the others in the corner.
Lin Dong replied without hesitation, “Of course we’re open! Ma Chun, take care of the lobby and greet the guests.”
“Please wait a moment, guests.”
Ma Chun immediately got to work. More than twenty staff members were divided into two teams—one to greet the guests and the other to tidy up the lobby. Before long, he regained his sense of responsibility as the manager.
With all the hustle and bustle, the lobby was soon transformed. The damaged tables, chairs, cups, and chopsticks were replaced. Those who wanted to order food did so, while those without tables registered for a queue number.
In the distant east, when the sun fully rose above the horizon, there was still less than twenty minutes left before the dining time started, during which guests could enjoy the food and drinks at 80% of the regular price. Gradually, things began to get under control. From time to time, wealthy clients arrived.
When the acrobats troupe showed up, the entrance, under Liu Hao’s supervision, became lively yet orderly. Seeing the inn back on track, Lin Dong finally let out a deep sigh of relief.
There was still an hour or two left until noon. After much hesitation, Lin Dong decided to stay at the counter.
It was the first day the inn opened, so it was better to keep an eye on things in case of any problems. Although cultivation was important, this little time didn’t matter.
Looking at the bustling lobby, the steaming dishes, and the satisfied murmurs of the guests, along with the occasional cash collection, time passed quickly.
At noon, several figures slowly entered through the still-noisy entrance. It was Cheng Wencai and Li Yunfeng, carrying gift boxes, with Xiao Qin following behind them.
“Lord Cheng, what brings you here?” Ma Chun exclaimed loudly before rushing forward to greet them.
Lord Cheng?
In the lobby, the guests immediately pricked up their ears, their eyes flicking between Cheng Wencai and Li Yunfeng, clearly trying to figure out who this Lord Cheng was.
“Manager Ma, congratulations!” Cheng Wencai handed the gift boxes to the staff, bowed to Ma Chun, and upon spotting Lin Dong at the counter, he exclaimed in surprise, “So Manager Lin is here too! Congratulations on your successful opening—may prosperity abound!”
Lin Dong didn’t go over to greet him but simply stood up and said with a smile, “Lord Cheng, I heard the accounting department was doing a count today. How did you find the time to come?”
“With Lin’s Inn opening, how could I not come to offer my congratulations?” Cheng Wencai joked.
Cheng Wencai, the head of the accounting department?
The diners seemed to wake from a dream. Though they didn’t know Cheng Wencai, they had all heard of his name. Good heavens, he was one of the most prominent figures in Autumn Wind City!
“Lord Cheng, you’re too kind. Ma Chun, arrange a private room for Lord Cheng and his wife!”
Lin Dong remained seated at the counter, his calm expression leaving everyone dazzled. A high-ranking official of the sixth rank in the Ministry of Finance, one of the most influential figures in Autumn Wind City, had come in person to offer his congratulations, yet Lin Dong didn’t even bother to stand up. What an impressive man this Lin owner was!
Soon, the wealthy patrons upstairs were also shocked. A high-ranking official of the sixth rank in the Ministry of Finance, a key figure in Autumn Wind City, was actually serving drinks at every table in an inn. This Lin’s Inn really knew how to invest!