Meanwhile, over at Caiyue Pavilion, Shopkeeper Song had people add watermelon and watermelon juice to the menu that very day. He also selected the two largest, best-looking watermelons and sent them to Jinzhou.
That evening, some diners noticed the changes to the menu.
Those eating in the main hall might not have paid much attention, but most of the guests dining in private rooms were wealthy young men from prominent families. They loved trying new things, and seeing something unfamiliar on the menu, they immediately summoned the waiter to ask about it.
"What are this watermelon and watermelon juice?"
Seeing that they were regular patrons, the waiter bowed obsequiously and explained, "These are new after-dinner offerings at our establishment. The watermelon is sweet and juicy, with excellent texture. You may order one to try. As for the watermelon juice, it's made by pressing watermelon into a drink. We've specially chilled it—it's an excellent choice for cooling the body and relieving summer heat."
"In that case, bring us one watermelon to try, and a bowl of watermelon juice for each of us."
"Right away, honored guests!"
The watermelon platter was served only after all the dishes had been cleared, still emitting a faint chill.
"Come, let's see whether this watermelon is really as good as they say."
Each person took a piece. These men were accustomed to fine food and had tasted all manner of delicacies, yet after trying the watermelon, they couldn't help but sigh contentedly.
As for the watermelon juice, while it was refreshing and sweet, they were more accustomed to drinking alcohol when dining out, so they felt lukewarm about it.
But just because they didn't love it didn't mean their families wouldn't.
So when they left, some of them ordered several bowls of watermelon juice to take home for their wives and mothers.
At this time, there were no plastic containers, so the watermelon juice was packed in bamboo tubes, with a few chunks of ice added inside to keep it chilled.
"My dear, look what I brought back for you and Mother."
This was the second young master of the Chang family. His maternal uncle was the county magistrate, and he had married just last year. He was still very much in the throes of newlywed affection.
"You went out drinking again, didn't you?" Madam Chang scolded him lightly. "Didn't I tell you the imperial examinations are approaching and you should stay home and study properly?"
She said this, but only half-seriously.
The second young master's wife, who had only recently married into the Chang family, was none other than the eldest daughter of the Li family—the same Li household that had negotiated the ice business with Lu Youqing.
Before marrying in, she had already heard that the second young master was impulsive and not academically inclined. But while he was playful, he was filial to his elders and treated her with care.
For her, that was enough.
"What is this?" she asked with a smile, looking at what he eagerly presented.
"Mother, my dear—listen. We just ate at Caiyue Pavilion. They added a new dessert and drink today. I tried this watermelon juice and thought you'd like it, so I brought two bowls back. It's still cold—try it."
"Watermelon juice?" Madam Chang asked in confusion.
Miss Li seemed to recall something. "Mother, could this be the watermelon they mentioned the other day when we were visiting?"
Madam Chang thought for a moment and remembered it as well.
"My dear, you've heard of this watermelon too?" the second young master asked, sitting closer.
"Yes," his wife replied. "I heard it's sold at a stall in the West Market—a new novelty brought in from foreign lands."
"Oh," he nodded, opening the bamboo tubes and placing them in front of them. "It's still chilled. Try it quickly."
…
By the next day, Shopkeeper Song discovered that many more servants had come to the restaurant to buy watermelon juice. Upon inquiry, he learned they had all been sent by the ladies and madams of various households.
The restaurant hadn't prepared nearly enough bamboo tubes and had to send waiters to buy more throughout the town.
Shopkeeper Song hadn't expected watermelon juice to be the best-selling item—it was especially popular among female customers.
If Qin Ke had been there, he would likely have said Shopkeeper Song was making a fuss over nothing. After all, women had always been the main consumers, and sweet drinks naturally appealed to them. Modern milk tea was a perfect example.
The next day, people who went to the market to buy watermelons waited and waited but never saw Qin Ke's stall. Later, upon hearing that Caiyue Pavilion sold watermelons, many of them went straight there instead.
"Shopkeeper, we're running low on watermelon stock."
Shopkeeper Song was happily watching the bustling business when a kitchen helper hurried over to whisper this in his ear.
"Arrange a cart and come with me to Qinghe Village," Shopkeeper Song said. He felt even more grateful for Qin Ke's advice—without it, business at the pavilion wouldn't have been so booming.
To cater to demand, he had even launched a watermelon juice takeaway service.
Shopkeeper Song also brought writing tools with him, planning to sign a contract with Qin Ke on the spot.
After entering the village and asking several people, he finally found Qin Ke's home. The deeper he went, the more remote it became. He hadn't expected Qin Ke to live in such a secluded spot.
Yet when he arrived, he found the courtyard far more impressive than those of other villagers.
"Anyone home?"
Shopkeeper Song instructed a servant to knock.
Soon someone came to open the gate. Shopkeeper Song recognized him—this was the young man who had accompanied Qin Ke when delivering watermelons to Caiyue Pavilion.
Upon entering, he saw Qin Ke squatting on the ground, playing with dogs. Seeing him arrive, Qin Ke immediately stood up to greet him.
"Shopkeeper Song, you're here! Please, have a seat!"
Shopkeeper Song noticed that Qin Ke seemed entirely unsurprised, as though he had been expecting him.
"Looks like Brother Qin already knew I'd be coming?"
"Not really," Qin Ke laughed, rolling up his sleeves as he poured tea for him. "I just guessed you'd come to place an order for watermelons."
"Exactly," Shopkeeper Song replied, taking a sip of tea. "But this time, I'd like to sign a long-term contract. I want you to supply watermelons to Caiyue Pavilion on an ongoing basis."
"That's fine," Qin Ke said, "but there are things I should make clear first. I only planted five mu of watermelons, so the yield is limited. And their harvest season lasts just two months. After that—even if you offered a fortune—I wouldn't be able to supply any."
Shopkeeper Song lowered his gaze in thought, then looked up at Qin Ke. "I understand. But I'd like to add one clause to the contract—you will supply watermelons exclusively to Caiyue Pavilion."
As expected of the steward of the town's foremost restaurant, his vision was sharp and his actions decisive, crushing potential competition at the outset.
Qin Ke fell silent in thought.
Seeing his hesitation, Shopkeeper Song continued, "How about this—going forward, you won't need to deliver the goods. Our restaurant will come to collect them every morning, saving you the trouble. And whenever you dine at Caiyue Pavilion, you'll receive special discounts."
Qin Ke nodded, pretending to give in reluctantly. "Alright."
Shopkeeper Song had already prepared the contract. Seeing Qin Ke agree, he immediately took it out and handed it over.
"My wife, could you check if there are any issues?" Qin Ke glanced at it, then passed it to Lu Youqing.
Though he could now recognize most characters, he still preferred having her review formal contracts for peace of mind.
Lu Youqing read through it carefully, word by word, then nodded slightly to indicate there were no issues.
Qin Ke picked up the brush, intending to sign, but for some reason felt a vague unease. After hesitating, he handed the brush to Lu Youqing instead. "My wife, you should sign it."
Lu Youqing glanced at him in mild surprise but complied, signing her name.
Shopkeeper Song was a bit surprised by this gesture, though it made no difference to him whose name was on the contract.
After signing, Shopkeeper Song immediately hauled away a cartload of watermelons with Qin Ke—otherwise, the restaurant would have no stock left by the next day.
Only after sending Shopkeeper Song off did Lu Youqing ask, "Why did you have me sign the contract just now?"
"I don't know," Qin Ke replied. "It just felt right."
"Master, someone else has arrived."
Qin Ke turned to look and saw Lei Zhong standing at the gate, dressed in coarse cloth, wearing a conical hat, a bundle on his back and a longsword in hand. He looked travel-worn and exhausted.