Chapter 2211: Because of Poverty
Mag had finished cooking a whole table full of dishes when Mala finally brought out the pig tongue salad.
Looking at the brightly colored, nicely sliced and plated pig tongue salad, Mag nodded slightly.
He had watched how Mala cooked this dish earlier. It wasn’t bad overall and she did whatever she should do. It was very well done.
He could see that she had been practicing hard.
Mag was very satisfied with this disciple.
Mala stood next to the table with her hands behind her back as she nervously said to Mag, “Please taste it.”
Mag picked up a piece of pig’s tongue with the chopsticks. He put it under his nose and smelled it first. He raised his eyebrows before putting the pig’s tongue into his mouth.
The slightly crunchy pig tongue was covered with red oil and spicy sauce. It was thoroughly marinated and it got increasingly fragrant as he chewed. It was indeed not bad.
Mag put down his chopsticks and nodded at Mala with a smile. “Not bad, but it’s about 1,000 plates away from being able to be sold in the tavern. There’s a problem with the making of the red oil. It tastes slightly charred and there’s still room for improvement for the pig tongue’s texture. You need to practice more before you can thoroughly understand it.”
“Yes, I got it!” Mala listened to Mag seriously before nodding solemnly.
Eiffie also picked up a piece of pig tongue and interrupted. “I think it’s good enough to be served in the tavern as a side dish. The customers will have nothing to eat while they sit at the table when Saipan Tavern reopens if this dish is not available as well.”
Amy said happily as she chewed on the pig tongue, “It’s so delicious. Big Sister Mala’s culinary skills have improved.”
“We need to have a certain standard when we operate a tavern,” Mag shook his head and said to Eiffie, “Quality can decide the difference between one tavern from the others. I hope Saipan Tavern can always be that beautiful and exquisite existence. Making do is a kind of poison. Once you start it, you will lose your baseline.”
Eiffie looked at Mag quietly for a while before she nodded and said, “I understand.”
Although he had washed his hands off the tavern, Mag still hoped Saipan Tavern could always maintain its standard.
Eiffie left after lunch....
The first thing she needed to do after taking over the tavern was to recruit a new batch of employees.
Even though Saipan Tavern already had six service staff members, it was far from enough.
After all, not everyone could multitask like Mag. They need to have cashiers, servers, cooks and…
It wasn’t practical for Saipan Tavern to reopen for business immediately. She needed to rebuild a group of staff.
“Let’s go watch the opera in the afternoon today.” Mag cleared away the cutlery and said to all of them.
Amy’s eyes lit up as she asked, “Are we watching Miss Black Cat?!”
Annie was also looking at Mag with anticipation.
“Yes. The Black Cat Opera House has already moved to our street. Let’s go over right now.” Mag nodded with a smile. He picked up that big bag of clothes and led his family and Mala over to the nearby Black Cat Opera House.
Soon, Mag came to Building 101. This venue, which was once a circus, looked brand new after it was cleaned up.
A simple wooden sign hung on the door and it said: Black Cat Opera Troupe.
There was a drizzle in Rodu last night, so the paint had faded off slightly.
Mm…
They still looked poor even after changing locations.
It was indeed rare to see such a poor opera troupe.
The door of the opera house was semi-open, but a wooden plaque hanging on the door had the timing written on it. The afternoon show started at 1 p.m, which was 30 minutes from now.
“I forgot to mention that it’s not time yet,” Mala shrugged and said with embarrassment.
“It’s fine. I happen to have something to discuss with Miss Vicki,” Mag replied with a smile and then walked in first.
Mala quickly caught up with him.
Irina brought the two children in. Annie was even carrying a picture book.
It was a little dark in the theater. The sunlight that shone through the small windows couldn’t provide enough light.
Perhaps because they were poor, other than the stage, no other areas had oil lamps. The oil lamps were not lit up right now, either.
The stage in the center had been simply modified. The newly painted surface made it look like an opera house.
However, the seats below the stage were too simple. Only long benches were set up, which looked messy and crowded.
Watching opera in such conditions wouldn’t be a particularly good experience.
The people in the opera troupe had just had lunch and were about to rest when they heard some sounds at the door. They all looked towards it.
“Hello, the afternoon show has not started yet. Please come back again later.” Old Man Mi went forward to greet them.
Mala jumped out and said, “Old Man Mi, this is my master. He’s here to look for the maestro.”
Old Man Mi walked closer and finally saw Mag’s looks clearly. With shock on his face, he said, “It’s you, Sir!”
It was all because of this benefactor that the Black Cat Opera could move here from the dilapidated small courtyard and slowly become famous.
Not only did he provide them with a venue, he even gave them enough money to tide over through the hard times. Everyone in the opera troupe remembered his kindness.
Old Man Mi turned around and shouted, “Maestro! That benefactor is here!”
Everyone in the opera troupe crowded over and smiled when they saw Mag and his family.
They had a deep impression of this family, mainly because the two young maidens were so cute that they were unforgettable.
Vicki, who was wearing a black Lolita dress, quickly strode out from the backstage. She stopped in front of Mag and smiled. “You’re finally back.”
“I heard that your opera troupe has already begun its operations when I came here today. I intended to watch one performance, but it seems like I have come too early,” Mag also replied with a smile.
Mag was rather respectful to this maiden who had a dual personality because you never knew what personality she would take on in the next moment.
“It’s indeed not time yet, but please take a seat here. I still haven’t thanked you properly regarding the theater.” Vicki led Mag and his family to the maestro’s office at the back.
Although it was called the maestro’s office, it was just a small and shabby office. It only had a wooden table that had one of its missing legs replaced and two long benches.
Vicki’s seat was an old wooden chair. Perhaps it was used as the boss’ chair.
“The theater is still at its start up phase, so it’s a little shabby. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you,” Vicki said openly without any tinge of shame.
“We’ve got a place to sit, so it’s pretty good.” Mag’s review of her became more favorable inwardly.
Vicki bowed to Mag and gratefully said, “Thank you for providing a venue for Black Cat Opera and giving us so much support.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s your talent that touched me.” Mag smiled and waved his hand. “Moreover, isn’t this a business that is beneficial to the both of us?”
Vicki smiled too, but she didn’t feel any less grateful towards Mag.
Mag’s investment and support for their opera troupe was equivalent to being life-saving. It pulled them out of the mud and back from the brink of disbanding.
Vicki would always remember that kindness.
“I came for one more thing today. Annie has already illustrated the story of Miss Black Cat. Can you check if it is up to your expectations?” Mag said.
Annie came forward and passed the picture book in her arms to Vicki.