Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 378

In that manner, one could also spend time here while waiting.

Once the drawing was completed, Gu Yin handed it over to Manager Zhou, who was responsible for the contacts and initiating the work.

The most challenging aspect, undoubtedly, was the transition from traditional opera to stage play.

First and foremost was the script creation. Gu Yin invited Eldest Master Wen to Food of Heaven.

Eldest Master Wen generously assisted in refining “The Story of Love” without expecting monetary compensation. His motivation was purely his fascination with the food.

Subsequently, Gu Ye not only refrained from paying Eldest Master Wen but also bestowed upon him the status of a super VIP, featuring a 500-tael limit on his account. Eldest Master Wen, along with Old Master Wen, dined free of charge, with the expenses directly debited from this account.

Upon Eldest Master Wen’s arrival, he learned about Gu Yin’s intention to adapt the script into a play. Rather than displaying impatience, he found the concept profoundly intriguing.

Indeed, the process of writing for a play bore similarities to composing an opera, albeit with scripts that were generally less cryptic and more accessible. Opera appreciation often required a certain level of literary knowledge, which wasn’t common among the populace. Gu Yin, for example, still struggled to understand operas and was essentially a layperson seeking entertainment.

Conversely, the performance format she envisioned for the play revolved around dialogues. As long as one could comprehend the language, they could grasp the content.

However, crafting a stage play script was fundamentally distinct from opera scripts. The script for a play resembled a narrative and was quite different from opera scripts. Even a well-educated individual like Eldest Master Wen found it exceedingly challenging without a reference point.

Consequently, Gu Yin relied on her memory to recreate the script of a classic drama, “Thunderstorm,” to provide Eldest Master Wen with a blueprint.

“Thunderstorm” was a production that had left a deep impression on Gu Yin. During her high school years, she had studied it in her textbooks. Later, the school organized a celebration and tasked students with adapting the script from the text. They were then given the opportunity to stage the play.

At that time, due to her appearance, Gu Yin had been assigned the role of Si Feng. Those were carefree days, and the memories of her youth included this vibrant phase. She cherished the experience. Subsequently, she had made it a point to attend the local theater’s production of “Thunderstorm” whenever it was staged, regardless of her hectic schedule.

As a result, she possessed an intimate familiarity with the script.

Naturally, she couldn’t merely replicate the text but was required to make modifications and update the setting to suit the contemporary era.

Once the script was completed, Eldest Master Wen marveled at it and expressed his praise, remarking, “With your writing, everything is clear and detailed, outlining each character’s actions and dialogues. Provided the actors aren’t entirely inexperienced, the performance should turn out commendable. Yet with a script of this quality, why not stage this story first? It’s much more intricate than His Royal Highness’s ‘Kindness’.”

Eldest Master Wen conveyed his message with subtlety, intimating that Gu Ye’s tale paled in comparison to a masterpiece like “Thunderstorm.”

Gu Yin immediately shook her head and said, “That can’t be done. I didn’t write this play. It’s someone else’s story. Writing it out was merely to help you understand the format. If we intend to perform, we should undoubtedly enact our own narrative.”

Eldest Master Wen contemplated silently. Given Gu Yin’s current standing, she had the means to acquire this story with her wealth. Even though the script was penned by someone else, it was strange that the other party would share it with her but not sell it.

Nevertheless, since Gu Yin declined, Eldest Master Wen refrained from further discussion, stowed the script away, and commented, “His Royal Highness has class only for half a day. I have some free time, so I’ll make the changes.”

Gu Yin expressed her gratitude. After seeing Eldest Master Wen off, she turned and headed to the third floor.

Elegant Hall’s business remained prosperous, but Gu Yin was significantly occupied during this period, rendering her unable to oversee it as closely. Though Da Sun, stationed on the third floor, was efficient, her culinary skills were lacking. Furthermore, she struggled to engage in conversations with Mrs. Lu and Second Madam Wen, which led to numerous tasks requiring Gu Yin’s personal touch.

Nonetheless, there was no need to fret. Gu Yin had a capable right-hand woman—Ge Zhu.

Ge Zhu had obtained her freedom upon receiving the Heli Book.

The Ge family elders managed a thriving stall on the Hanshan Town pier. Ge Zhu possessed the culinary skills to excel in the food business, much like Gu Yin. It wasn’t far-fetched to assume that in a few years, she could establish a business like Gu Yin and make a living from it.

However, Ge Zhu’s parents remained uneasy while their daughter and Feng Yu resided in the capital.

Thus, following careful deliberation, the elder Ge couple initially returned to Hanshan Town to sell their stalls and then packed their belongings. Eventually, the entire family relocated to the capital.

The cost of living in the capital was indeed exorbitant. The Ge family elders had accumulated a substantial fortune over the years, along with the unpaid booth fees. However, these resources fell far short of what was needed to establish a small store in the capital.

Ge Zhu’s parents were aging, and she wasn’t the type to depend on them for support. In preparation for their arrival, she decided to secure employment in the meantime.

Gu Yin promptly extended an offer and welcomed Ge Zhu as the deputy manager of Elegant Hall.

Mrs. Qin initially held a low opinion of Ge Zhu, her daughter-in-law. However, in reality, Ge Zhu exhibited above-average qualities. She possessed excellent culinary skills, combined with a sharp intellect and a methodical work approach. Furthermore, she did not display arrogance or impulsiveness.

Notably, there had been rumors circulating within Duke Ying’s household. However, upon Ge Zhu’s arrival, she did not conceal her background and showed no shame. These were details that reached the ears of wealthy families. Upon making inquiries, they discovered that she was the former lady of the rumored Duke Lu. Her association with Food of Heaven, where she and Gu Yin functioned as a cohesive unit, put an end to the rumors, alleviating concerns of sensitive information being disclosed.

Gu Yin didn’t employ Ge Zhu to dispel rumors; she genuinely valued her talent.

In the past, Gu Yin single-handedly prepared the desserts on the third floor and later distributed them in the restaurant. While these desserts and related items did not demand top-tier culinary skills, they required precision and finesse. In contrast, Manager Zhou and the other two cooks were somewhat rough, leading to their desserts lacking the delicate and intricate touch that Gu Yin provided.