Chapter 99: Mutual Understanding Between Shrewd Merchants

 

“Young Master Qin, how could it be…” Wang Xu and Mo Lintian, standing beside Ya’an, widened their eyes in disbelief.

 

Even Lan Ningshuang, who had come with Qin Feng as a bodyguard, showed a puzzled expression. According to her master, Ya’an had clearly told her that they were here to discuss business.

 

A slight fluctuation appeared in Ya’an’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it, maintaining a calm demeanor. This disappointed Qin Feng.

 

He had originally expected to see a wealthy woman, looking surprised and dropping her jaw.

 

“Indeed, it’s you.”

 

“Brother Ya’an knew it was me?” Qin Feng pulled out a chair and sat down.

 

“Talking with Manager Peng earlier, I vaguely guessed this might be the case. Just didn’t expect I could make a mistake too.” Ya’an admitted openly.

 

“It’s not your fault. I’m just too outstanding in other aspects, which led you to overlook my business acumen,” Qin Feng shamelessly remarked.

 

Wang Xu and Mo Lintian wore strange expressions upon hearing this.

 

Manager Peng nodded approvingly; the young master’s talents were indeed unmatched.

 

Lan Ningshuang glanced at Qin Feng, then averted her eyes, silently thinking that he had no shame.

 

Ya’an looked at Qin Feng expressionlessly. Instead of continuing the topic, she took a sip of the tea on the table and calmly asked, “Speak, how do you want to cooperate with me?”

 

Just as she finished speaking, she added untimely, “Considering your current state, you barely qualify.”

 

Qin Feng’s eyelid twitched at her words. He loosened his tightly clenched fist and began discussing the details of their cooperation.

 

As time passed, after the burning of two incense sticks, Ya’an furrowed her delicate brows, “You want Gathering Treasure Pavilion to invest and help you acquire restaurants in major cities. In return, I get a share of the monthly profits?”

 

The waters in Heavenly City are deep, and acquiring land and property is not an easy task. Hearing this condition, Ya’an naturally felt dissatisfied.

 

“You don’t have to invest fully; just contribute up to thirty percent. I’ll also share thirty percent of the monthly profits from the restaurants.”

 

“I admit your Moonlit Pavilion is managed well, but Jinyang City is not the same as Heavenly City. How can you guarantee that the restaurants in Heavenly City will still attract such a clientele? Doing business involves assessing risks and weighing costs and benefits. I can’t accept this kind of cooperation.” Ya’an raised the tea cup again, looked up, and said calmly.

 

Her gaze was intriguing.

 

Qin Feng was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was suggesting the end of their discussion! 

 

No way, right? This is my restaurant. Qin Feng naturally wouldn’t leave; he casually took the teapot and teacup, poured himself a cup, and drank it in one gulp.

 

This behavior made Ya’an show a displeased expression. This person is so ignorant of etiquette! Qin Feng finished his tea and took out three land deeds from the Spatial Ring, pushing them in front of Ya’an.

 

“What is this?” Ya’an picked up the land deeds with her left hand and examined them carefully. Then, with surprise, she said, “Land deeds for the central street in Qiyuan City?”

 

The central street of Qiyuan City is located in the central area of the city, prosperous and expensive. Moreover, even if you have the money, it’s not necessarily possible to acquire it without connections in the Governor’s Mansion!

 

The Gathering Pavilion’s branch in Qiyuan City is built on the central street, so Ya’an is well aware of its difficulty.

 

“How did you get these land deeds?”

 

“Naturally, it’s relying on some connections, plus two hundred thousand taels of silver.” Qin Feng casually fabricated without blushing or skipping a beat.

 

Two hundred thousand taels!

 

Wang Xu and the others were greatly surprised. This is a considerable amount even in Imperial City.

 

Lan Ningshuang widened her beautiful eyes. When did her brother-in-law become so wealthy?

 

“With the land prices there, indeed, it would take this amount of silver.” Ya’an nodded slightly. “So, what is your intention in showing me these land deeds?”

 

“I plan to establish a branch of Moonlit Pavilion in Qiyuan City. If the restaurant operation is successful, you only need to give me sixty thousand taels. After that, I will still give you thirty percent of the monthly profit of the restaurant in Qiyuan City! Doing this is to demonstrate my sincerity and dispel your concerns.”

 

This deal is obviously a loss for Qin Feng, but he doesn’t mind because he needs to leverage Ya’an’s identity and hitch a ride on Gathering Pavilion’s big ship.

 

Moreover, with his abilities, he can’t create branches in other cities. By then, he will have to rely on the Gathering Pavilion’s connections!

 

After a brief consideration, Ya’an gave her reply, “Under such conditions, I have no reason to refuse.”

 

As she spoke, she reached into her bosom with her left hand and took out a money pouch. “Here is a thousand taels of gold. Converted to silver, it’s ten thousand taels. Consider this my sincerity for the construction and decoration of your restaurant.”

 

Rich women are straightforward!

 

Qin Feng felt pleased inside and calmly accepted the gold, putting it into the Spatial Ring.

 

“When do you plan to go to Qiyuan City to build the restaurant?”

 

“No rush. I am waiting for an opportunity.”

 

When the Huarong Road is built outside Jinyang City, the round-trip time between the two cities will be greatly shortened. At that time, it will be the best opportunity to go to Qiyuan City and open a branch of Moonlit Pavilion!

 

“Breaking ground indeed requires careful consideration,” Ya’an sipped her tea and agreed.

 

Qín Feng nodded, then took out a jug of wine and a transparent bottle containing light green powder.

 

The jug of wine was recognized by Ya’an; she had spent two thousand taels to buy one last night, precisely the Drunken Immortal!

 

“Can you produce this wine in large quantities?” she inquired.

 

“Don’t speak like that. This Drunken Immortal is not an ordinary product. I can only produce a few jugs at most, coincidentally during the auction at The Gathering Treasure Pavilion,” he replied.

 

Shameless. Everyone present was thinking the same.

 

Ya’an remained composed, understanding the principle of rarity. As a businesswoman, she asked, “When is the next auction at The Gathering Treasure Pavilion?”

 

“Young master, it’s in half a month,” Mo Lintian replied respectfully.

 

“I want thirty-five jugs of Drunken Immortal,” Ya’an said without hesitation.

 

“I can get them for you tonight,” Qín Feng smiled.

 

“The proceeds from the auction are two thousand taels, and The Gathering Treasure Pavilion will deduct twenty percent.”

 

“Deal.”

 

Ya’an looked at the light green powder and asked, “What is this?”

 

Qín Feng answered nonchalantly, “Why do you think the hot pot at my restaurant, Moonlit Pavilion, is so popular?”

 

“Different price ratios for different customers, innovative eating methods, and, of course, the most crucial element is the fresh and spicy taste provided by the red soup base. I can tell the spiciness comes from the rarely consumed vermilion fruit, but is the mysterious freshness also derived from this substance?” Ya’an asked, seeking confirmation.

 

Truly, he was worthy of being the head of a branch of The Gathering Treasure Pavilion; his mind was so meticulous.

 

“Yes, this substance is something I accidentally developed. No matter the dish, as long as you add this substance, it enhances the freshness,” he explained.

 

The bottle of green powder was the product of drying and grinding Frost Star Grass, which his father had collected. Its effect was similar to MSG.

 

The reason why the fish soup in Qiyang Town was incredibly delicious was because the locals liked to add a few pieces of this Frost Star Grass to the soup.

 

Ya’an widened her eyes. With her intelligence, she naturally understood the value of Frost Star Grass powder, which was not inferior to the Drunken Immortal.

 

“How much of this do you have?”

 

“Only this bottle.”

 

Ya’an was momentarily stunned but quickly understood. “You want to use The Gathering Treasure Pavilion to spread the reputation of your restaurant with this substance?”

 

Qin Feng smiled and nodded. Speaking with clever people was effortless.

 

The two stared at each other, momentarily silent. It was the mutual understanding between two cunning merchants, an involuntary connection.

 

Ya’an put away the green bottle. “I understand. I will showcase this substance at the next auction at The Gathering Treasure Pavilion at the right time.”

 

“Thank you,” Qín Feng said, bowing.

 

After chatting for a while and having lunch, they planned to go their separate ways.

 

As Qin Feng was leaving, he asked, “When will the medicinal ingredients be gathered approximately?”

 

Ya’an did not provide an exact time, only saying, “Soon,” in a calm tone.

 

Qin Feng understood; it was her restrained reaction to the expectations of restoring her meridians. After all, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

 

QIn Feng didn’t say much more, as he didn’t have full confidence either. With a slight sigh, he left Moonlit Pavilion with Lan Ningshuang.