Flower Arrangement
"If dishes and sweets become popular... orders for sweet potatoes will increase… My Lord, thank you very much."
"No, it's too soon for thanks. From here, we'll have restaurants, inns, and confectionery shops do taste tests before deciding what to do next. Until then, you should focus on producing and selling dried sweet potatoes. I've arranged for them to be sold through the Jo Company. Abe and Joan will teach you how to make them, so start by mastering that."
At my father's instruction, the four of them learned how to make dried sweet potatoes from Mr. Abe and me. By the time they left, they were able to produce sellable dried sweet potatoes. Since making them with skills was only difficult for Samantha, Jessica and the others helped by steaming and slicing the potatoes. According to what I heard, some of the retired farmers also possessed the Dry skill, so Danny said he would ask them to help out as a way to keep their minds active.
I wondered if skills could really help prevent cognitive decline as I listened curiously to Danny's story.
The four of them left the estate with smiles completely opposite to when they first arrived. Upon returning home, they gathered the other sweet potato farmers and relayed the conversation with my father. At first, some only half-listened, but once they actually tasted the dried sweet potatoes, they changed their minds, exclaiming that this would definitely sell!
Three days later, dried sweet potatoes went on sale at the Jo Company and became an instant hit, selling out the same day.
Later, Father gathered restaurant owners, innkeepers, and confectioners at the estate for a presentation on dishes and sweets using sweet potatoes. It was a great success.
As a result, sweet potato-based dishes and sweets were marketed as a "specialty of the Lampail territory," and the farmers were happily overwhelmed with demand.
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"Stanley, I'll leave it to you then. Margaret, take it easy and have a healthy baby. If anything happens, let me know. Joan, see you later. Next time, come visit our estate. We're looking forward to it."
That was my Grandfather.
"Stanley, don't let Margaret overexert herself. Gray, Nancy, please take care. Little Joan, keep up with your training. Constant diligence is key."
That was my Grandmother.
"Yes, I'll do my best! Grandfather, Grandmother, take care. I’ll definitely come visit!"
I hugged my Grandfather and Grandmother, then watched their carriage until it disappeared from sight.
Ahh, everyone’s gone now…
Starting tomorrow, my brothers will be back at the academy too…
As I continued my Spartan training—oh, right! I should invite everyone from the orphanage.
Now that I’ve decided, I need to get permission from my father first. "Reporting, communicating, and consulting" is important, after all.
When I consulted Father, he gave me the OK.
Right then and there, he asked Gray to contact the orphanage. Now, all that’s left is to wait for their reply.
In the meantime, I should talk to Old Tom and Mike for Koa, who loves flowers, and to Arthur and Ben for Lou and Dennis, who want to become adventurers.
First stop—Grandpa Tom’s place.
I arrived at the workshop.
"Grandpa Tom, are you here?"
"I'm here, come on in."
When I stepped inside, the room was warm thanks to the brazier we made the other day. A kettle on top of it was steaming, whistling softly. It seems he took my advice about humidifying the air to prevent colds.
"What brings you here today?"
"Well, some friends from the orphanage are coming over soon. One of them loves flowers, so I was hoping you could talk to him about flowers when they visit."
"Oh, that’s no trouble at all. Should I show him the greenhouse too?"
"Yes, once the date is set, I’ll let you know. Thanks! Oh, and this is for you."
I took some dried sweet potatoes out of my storage.
"You're giving me more? Thank you, young lady. It’s strange, but ever since I started eating these, my headaches and stiff shoulders have disappeared. Zara’s constipation got better too, and she’s really happy about it."
"I’m glad to hear that! Let me know if you’re running low."
"Are you sure? Even for someone like me?"
"Of course! Grandpa Tom, Zara—I consider you both family."
"To be called family by you, young lady, is an honor. It feels like having a great-grandchild. Who knows when I’ll actually get one of my own?"
"Ehehe, I’m sure Mike will find himself a wonderful wife."
"I hope so. Oh, I almost forgot. Zara told me to give this to you. She’d be mad if I forgot."
He handed me a small basket with a flower arrangement inside.
"The flower baskets you suggested have become quite popular. Apparently, they make perfect gifts, and we’ve been getting customers every day. Zara is busy, but she’s enjoying herself. She wanted to thank you, so she asked me to give this to you. Will you accept it?"
The flower baskets were an idea I had when Zara asked me if there was any way to use leftover cut flowers. Remembering flower arrangements from my past life, I made the suggestion.
Of course, there were no floral foam blocks like in my previous life, so instead, a small dish with water-soaked cotton was placed inside the basket to hold the cut flowers.
"Wow, it’s adorable! Thank you! Please tell Zara I said thanks."
I should put this in my room later.
Still, Zara is really amazing. Even with my clumsy explanation, she managed to create such a beautiful flower arrangement.
What do you think about this chapter?
