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Chapter 120

"The people this time have all signed death contracts. They were just sent from above and are all real sturdy hands, working efficiently. Some even have cooking skills.

They all committed crimes and were implicated by the master family, but their backgrounds are clear, so you can rest assured."

"Alright, let's take a look first," Luo Ge nodded after listening to Old Liu's words.

"This way."

As they spoke, they had already arrived inside the manor. Unlike last time when people stood in rows for selection, there were many tasks at this manor, and they were all working.

"Our manor has about two hundred people waiting for buyers. With so many tasks at the manor, we can't avoid having them do some work while managing their food and drink."

"These are the newcomers. You can take a look and tell me if any of them suit your taste."

It's impossible for two hundred people at the agency to just eat for free.

After hearing this, Luo Ge nodded in understanding.

Looking at the people present, they all worked very efficiently. At a rough glance, there seemed to be many suitable candidates.

But one thing was quite strange - there were mostly middle-aged women and elderly and young men here, but no young girls.

"Our small town rarely sends young girls here. If Sister-in-law wants to find maidservants, I can have them send a few over for you to choose tomorrow."

Seeing Luo Ge's gaze lingering on the women with a puzzled look, Old Liu quickly explained.

Upon hearing this, Luo Ge understood and shook her head with a smile, "No need for now, I was just curious. I'll come find you again if needed in the future, Old Liu."

"Alright, that works too."

"Old Liu, you mentioned earlier that there were some with cooking skills? Who are they?"

"Those two working in that corner over there. They used to work in the master family's private manor, specifically for cooking and serving guests. Their skills are decent."

"There's a kitchen in the courtyard. Should I have them demonstrate a bit?"

Old Liu had inquired about their intentions before looking for people for Luo Ge and the others, so he knew they were mainly looking for chefs.

"Sure," Luo Ge nodded after hearing Old Liu's suggestion.

"Dear wife, do we need to add a cart for the manor?" Gu Jinchen then spoke up after seeing Old Liu make arrangements.

Apart from Luo Auntie collecting eggs, the manor would also send fresh eggs daily, but they used a rented cart.

"That would be great. You can pick one later; I don't know much about that."

"Alright."

After a brief trial in the small kitchen of this courtyard, the skills of the two chefs were indeed impressive.

Although they only had time to observe their basic stir-frying and cutting skills due to the limited time, their expertise was apparent.

Since they possessed valuable skills but were bound by death contracts, the prices for these two chefs were quite high.

"20 taels each," Old Liu's quoted price was not excessive; large restaurants would pay renowned chefs two taels of silver per month.

It was just one year's salary to buy them permanently, which was quite a bargain.

"Apart from cutting and stir-frying, I can also make pastries," one of them quickly added when he saw Luo Ge's hesitation after hearing the price.

"I'm also quite skilled at making soups," the other chimed in.

Having served affluent families, they could sense that Luo Ge and her party were capable buyers.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think?" Old Liu was slightly surprised by the chefs' timely assistance.

"We'll take them, and pick a few more others," Luo Ge smiled and nodded.

"Understood."

With the chefs with skills selected, the next step was to choose those capable of labor, which was Gu Jinchen's specialty as he could evaluate their potential.

Gu Jinchen would first select those suitable for labor, and then Luo Ge would assess if they were usable.

After this process, they selected around a dozen people, adding up to seventeen including the two chefs.

There were strong and capable men, nimble-handed women, and a few young men with decent looks, quick wits, and diligence, whom they planned to arrange at the restaurant.

These people were the best at the agency and all bound by death contracts, costing 12 taels each.

Including the two chefs, it totaled 220 taels, and they also purchased a large horse-drawn freight cart, bringing the total to 250 taels.

Two hundred and fifty...

After completing such a big transaction, Old Liu's face was nearly frozen with delight.

"With so many people, it might be difficult for you to manage them. Let us help send them over?"

"Sure," Gu Jinchen nodded after hearing Old Liu's offer.

First, they sent the few young men and the two chefs to the restaurant, letting Er Zhu take them to settle into the rented courtyard that would serve as the restaurant's accommodation.

Then, they brought the new cart, along with the remaining eleven people, to the manor. After delivering the people there, Old Liu bid farewell and left.

Luo Ge assigned two men and three women to assist at the workshop, while the rest were arranged to work at the manor.

"You'll stay at the manor first to get familiar with the environment. Listen to Uncle Song and Qiu Niang for task arrangements."

"Those I pointed out earlier, go to the workshop with Uncle Song in the morning. I'll have someone teach you then."

"From now on, you'll be living at the manor. Just follow Uncle Song to the workshop in the morning."

Since the residence was not yet built, and there were no resting areas at the workshop, they could only settle at the manor for now.

"Yes, Madam," the group responded respectfully upon hearing Luo Ge's instructions.

After Luo Ge dismissed them, Uncle Song took them to get settled. Once they left, Luo Ge felt like resting.

Seeing her state, Gu Jinchen helped her sit down with a displeased look and massaged her legs.

"Tired from walking? I told you not to overexert yourself earlier."

Her belly was growing more visible each day, and excessive walking would make her legs sore. He had asked her to rest, but she didn't listen.

After hearing his "lecture," Luo Ge stuck out her tongue and changed the subject, "Where are Yun Mu and Yun Yi?"

"Outside playing with Ze Han's kid, Ning Xing is watching over them."

"Oh... ah!"

She didn't finish her sentence and gasped, startling Gu Jinchen.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Luo Ge shook her head and placed her hand on her belly, carefully sensing something before turning to Gu Jinchen with delight.

"He... he..."

Catching on, Gu Jinchen tentatively placed his hand on her belly with a stunned expression.

"He... he moved?!" Gu Jinchen's voice trembled with joy.

It was not an illusion; he truly felt it move, though the sensation was very subtle.

Luo Ge smiled and nodded, "Mm-hmm."

It was an indescribable feeling, very strange and wondrous, their first interaction with the child, filled with a warm and tender pull.

"What are you doing?" Seeing his silly reaction, Luo Ge laughed.

Gu Jinchen put his head against her belly. "Shh, let me try again. Good baby, move again."

"Heh." What could she do? Suddenly, she found him so adorably daft.

"Silly, the baby can't understand what you're saying." It was just over four months; the movements were only just starting.

Although they used 'he,' it was a general term; they weren't sure if it was a boy or a girl yet, but they loved the baby regardless.

Their first child, growing day by day with their eager anticipation.

Yet the little one in the belly seemed to favor the mother, refusing to respond to Gu Jinchen's coaxing and murmuring.

Hearing Luo Ge's words, Gu Jinchen looked at her with pitiful eyes.

"Wifey, you're mocking me."

Luo Ge stopped laughing, cleared her throat, and said seriously, "No, I'm not."

"You are."

With a smile in his eyes, Gu Jinchen reached out and pinched her cheeks a few times, reveling in the soft, smooth sensation. A few more pinches, and a couple more...

After a while, Luo Ge impatiently swatted his hand away. "Stop it now, or I'll tell the baby that the father bullies people."

Gu Jinchen raised his eyebrows but obediently withdrew his hand, though his fingers unconsciously pinched her a couple more times.