"I want to go in too! It's delicious, but it's too small, so I didn't get to taste it properly. My palate isn't as good as yours. It's strangely sweet and icy cold, but anyway, it's delicious. Come on in!!"

"These seemingly unrelated things taste so good together! Manager Yan, no wonder your business is so successful. I truly admire you!"

"........"

The six of them praised each other.

Even Meng Yu, who was used to eating good food, praised it highly.

"Manager Yan, please send me one hundred servings of double-skin milk pudding every day." His voice was clear and cool but not distant, like fingers running through a babbling spring, washing away the summer's restlessness, making one want to listen more.

"Don't worry, there's more."

Yan Xia gently raised her chin.

He gestured for Baodong to serve them more.

"The second layer is double-skin milk with glutinous rice balls and fruit pieces. Unlike the previous one, which was too sweet, this bowl of double-skin milk is sweet and sour and refreshing. It is suitable for people who do not like sweets. Come on, everyone, have a taste."

Bao Dong and Bao Qiu have already prepared a feast for them.

The six people obediently took a sip of tea before starting their second serving.

"Sure enough, Manager Yan's double-skin milk pudding wasn't very sweet. One bite and my mouth was filled with various fruity aromas, a little sour, it had a unique flavor."

"I'd like to order this too, but wouldn't it be inconvenient for Manager Yan to deliver it? If the fruits are cut in advance, won't they wilt?"

Someone asked a question.

Yan Xia took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "These new products are what I brought yesterday. Did any of you find them not fresh?"

"I thought it was freshly cut fruit by Manager Yan. Why has it been sitting here for so long? I'll take it! Fifty servings a day!"

Yan Xiafang didn't use fresh fruit pieces at all.

Instead, it's a simple, large-grained jam made from pickled fruit.

It's just that there wasn't enough sugar, so it's not that sweet.

It has a stronger sour taste.

If you actually cut fruit, it will spoil even in just one morning, let alone a whole day and night.

If the customers get diarrhea from the food, she'll have to pay for her underwear.

Yan Xia wouldn't do a business that loses money.

"Come on, let's try the third serving. Don't rush to order yet; we'll register how many you want after we've tried them all."

Seeing their eagerness, Yan Xia quickly told the two maids to serve a third portion.

Until all five new products have been tasted.

The maids also left with their food boxes, bowls, and spoons.

Only a plate of sliced ​​fruit, a dish of pastries, and a cup of tea remained on the table for each person.

"Jinyu, let's do the tallying. And all you shopkeepers, tell Jinyu which type and how much you want. The cost price is 4 strings of cash per serving, and the selling price is half a tael of silver. The cost price and selling price of the three-piece double-skin milk pudding are all one string higher. Settle in one go."

Yan Xia picked up her teacup, removed the tea leaves and foam with the lid, and took a big gulp.

He kept talking, and his mouth was very dry.

She handed over the home field to Jin Yu.

Half an hour passed.

Five of the six people left, leaving only Deng Qiuzhi sitting in the pavilion.

He then handed the bank drafts and accounting books to Yan Xia.

"Sister Xia, the three managers have paid for yesterday's purchases together. Together with today's payment, the six of us will receive payment for ten days' worth of goods, from July 1st to July 10th."

The stack of silver notes was worth at least tens of thousands of taels. Yan Xia took the notes, casually placed them on the table, glanced at the account book, and then didn't ask any further questions.

Deng Qiuzhi, who was standing to the side, was stunned. "Manager Yan, you should put the silver notes in the box for safekeeping. What if a gust of wind blows them away?"

"fine."

Yan Xia's casual attitude made Deng Qiuzhi extremely jealous.

It was as if those stacks of banknotes were not money but just paper in her eyes.

If it were his money, he would definitely treasure it like a precious gem, afraid of being targeted by others.

Since the owner of the banknotes didn't seem to care, it wasn't appropriate for him, as an outsider, to say anything.

Deng Qiuzhi changed the subject. "Manager Yan, let's have a simple lunch together. A new restaurant opened next to my shop. The food is pretty good, quite spicy. In the summer, my mouth feels bland and I don't have much of an appetite, so this is quite appetizing. I heard the chef is from the Southwest, where people love spicy food. No matter what dish he cooks, he puts a lot of chili peppers in it. Let's go try it at noon. It's on me."

So that's why you wanted to invite her to dinner. No wonder all five of you left, and only Brother Deng stayed behind.

Yan Xia suddenly realized what was going on and waved her hand repeatedly when she heard the invitation.

"I can't eat now, there's no time. Even if I leave now, I'll have to travel through the night. Maybe next time. I've been too busy lately. When I have some free time, I'll come to Jiangnan County and stay for a while. I'll treat you then."

Upon hearing that Yan Xia would be leaving at noon, Deng Qiuzhi had no choice but to give up.

"Alright, I'll head back now."

"Okay, let's go out together. I happen to have some franchisee matters I'd like to discuss with you privately. Jinyu, go pack your things, put the banknotes and ledger in the wooden box in my room, then take the box with you. Then lead the carriage to the front gate; I'll wait for you there." Yan Xia originally wanted to stuff the banknotes into her chest, but such a thick wad of them might cause her chest to bulge out, which seemed ridiculous.

Let's forget about it.

"Yes, I'll go right away." Jin Yu picked up the account book and banknotes and quickly left.

After giving the instructions, Yan Xia also got up and walked to the front door side by side with Deng Qiuzhi.

"I've already bought land and built a pastry workshop specifically to supply you. If anyone from further away wants to join us in the future, don't refuse them. I'll open a second and third workshop based on their location. Also, please tell those shopkeepers that as long as a franchisee finds a branch, they should inform the delivery drivers that Jinyu will come to see them. I forgot to mention that earlier. What a terrible memory I have."

With so many things to do, she couldn't remember many small things. She didn't mention them when all six shopkeepers were there, but she remembered them after they left.

Fortunately, Deng Qiuzhi didn't leave.

It's the same if he delivers the message.

"Manager Yan, are you really entrusting such an important matter to Jinyu?"

Deng Qiuzhi actually knew Jin Yu's identity; it was Zhu Changji who told him.

It was an accidental slip of the tongue.

Aside from the Zhu couple, him, the two parties involved, and the brothel, no one else should know about this matter.

But just because he didn't say anything didn't mean he would stand by and watch Manager Yan get scammed. In his eyes, what kind of good person could a male prostitute from a brothel be?

Just like his former brother-in-law, who was swindled out of all his money by a prostitute at the Wan Hua Lou brothel.

Could it be...?

Was Manager Yan also deceived by Jin Yu's handsome appearance?

He was wildly imagining things.

What if Manager Yan is swindled out of all his wealth?

Although the two were business partners, they got along like friends, and Manager Yan had done him a great favor. Deng Qiuzhi couldn't bear to see her end up like this.

"It's alright, I know what I'm doing. It's almost noon, you should go back quickly, Xinbao probably can't handle it all by himself."

Yan Xia also knew what Deng Qiuzhi was going to say.