Chapter 33 Cooperation "My husband is here to pick me up."...

Mingyue Tower is located in the main market of Nanxiang, just a few jewelry shops away from Qiongyifang, which is owned by Liu Rutang.

At the exact time of Xu, Liu Rutang had already taken his seat in the private room on the second floor half a quarter of an hour earlier, waiting for blessings.

There are countless famous chefs in Mingyue Tower, which has gathered the most delicious food from all the states and counties. It is often a place where the rich and powerful go to chat and enjoy the food.

From the window of the private room where Liu Rutang was staying, she could see the bright moon hanging high above the flying pavilions. Its radiance extended for a thousand miles, and the green tiles sparkled. It was a perfect place to watch the moon, and it was worthy of the name of Mingyue Tower. However, Liu Rutang was not in the mood. She had already brewed two pots of tea, and the time appointed by Zhu Hao had long passed.

That little bitch named Zhu is so noble! She's been made to wait patiently! If she wasn't desperate for money, why would she be willing to negotiate with her? When Zhu finally shows up, she'll definitely give him back!

When she thought of this, Liu Rutang's mind suddenly stopped. She cursed angrily and was about to leave, but she saw a beautiful figure with a red tassel turning into the private room.

Logically speaking, the aqua blue and the red tassel are very different colors. If the two colors are matched together in clothing, they should be out of tune. However, when worn by the visitor, the clothes do not look cluttered. On the contrary, they look like a koi carp in the Yaochi Lake in the upper realm, rejoicing in the blue waves.

"Manager Liu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for two quarters of an hour..." Zhu Hao blushed, leaning forward, a gilded peacock hairpin swaying in her bun. Her demeanor was impeccable, yet her words held a subtle edge. "I'm new to the world of business, and many things are difficult for me to understand. Therefore, whenever I meet with a wealthy investor, I must be aware of their interests and personalities to avoid offending the elders."

"Qiong Yifang has been ranked as the top clothing store in Huaicheng. As a newcomer, I should understand the business of being the owner of this shop."

Didn't Liu Rutang hear it? Zhu Hao specifically emphasized the word "before," reminding her, both explicitly and implicitly, that Qiong Yi Fang was indeed famous in its past, but so what? The past cannot be retrieved, innovation changes the old, and prosperity cannot be guaranteed forever.

What, Zhu Hao meant... that her Fu Yucai would inherit the fame of Qiong Yi Fang? And become the most famous in this city?

What a joke! Just relying on her frail body? Whenever Liu Rutang thought of the disappointment she'd encountered at Beiwei, she found this person ridiculous. If nothing had happened at Qiongyifang, how could Zhu Haoli have gotten away with it?

Liu Rutang wanted to see what she could come up with, so she asked with a smile: "Oh? What do you know about me? Tell me."

Zhu Hao sat down and looked directly at Liu Rutang's gaze. "As far as I know, Manager Liu, although you are already old enough to be my mother, your beauty and grace have not diminished. Seeing you today, you are truly as pretty as a jade, with slender shoulders and waist, but..." She paused intentionally and saw that Liu Rutang's face looked unhappy. Zhu Hao thought that she must be annoyed by the fact that she was "already old enough to be my mother".

Zhu Hao didn't apologize, but continued, "However, Shopkeeper Liu's hot temper is well known in this city. I don't think he can tolerate this kind of temper. Therefore, Zhu Hao should reward Shopkeeper Liu well for waiting for me in Mingyue Tower for two quarters of an hour."

Look, the fox's tail has finally been exposed. Zhu Hao knows her character and is sure that she will not wait here for a young businessman, unless... she has exhausted all her money and energy, and has not hesitated to keep an appointment with her business rival, and has not hesitated to wait for Zhu Hao for another two quarters of an hour in a humble manner. If she were an ordinary wealthy businessman, he would have walked away long ago if the young businessman had overstayed his time. How could he indulge her?

Just now, Liu Rutang suddenly realized this point and wanted to turn around and leave to avoid Zhu Hao's conclusion and thus find something to hold against her. However, she was one step too late.

Liu Rutang looked up. This man still had some shortcomings in business, but he was good at intelligence and ingenuity. With such planning, if he was determined to specialize in one skill, he would become a great man in three to five years.

But she also foresaw the newly opened soft flowers falling into the mud.

Liu Rutang disdained to mediate with Zhu Hao. She went straight to the point, "Miss Zhu sent someone to Qiongyifang to tell her she's willing to buy the shop and all the clothes for three thousand taels. May I ask if this deal is genuine?"

Zhu Hao raised her eyes. Liu Rutang's address to her was quite interesting. Merchants usually addressed each other as "shopkeeper," but she, on the other hand, called him "girl." Wasn't that a subtle way of telling her that Fu Yucai was nothing more than that? How could a newcomer like her be considered a shopkeeper?

Zhu Hao didn't show any anger on his face. Instead, he thought Liu Rutang was quite amusing. "That's fake."

Liu Rutang stood up with a jerk, her composure falling apart in an instant. She shouted, "Are you kidding me? Huh?!"

Zhu Hao picked up the kettle and poured her tea. "Manager Liu, please sit down and we'll talk. You should know that although South Lane is prosperous, the shops are almost completely full. In addition, the rent in South Lane is quite high. Ordinary people would hardly rent a new building here, let alone buy this one. Indeed, the eight hundred taels that Manager Liu mentioned is not a high price in this area. On the contrary, it is a good price, even a low price."

At this, Zhu Hao's eyes flickered, and he said in a calm tone, "I know that Shopkeeper Liu is eager for gold and silver, but in this area, it is far from possible to find a suitable buyer in a short time. With all due respect, there are only a few people willing to buy this building for 600 taels, let alone 800 taels."

Liu Rutang: "I've made up my mind! It can only be eight hundred taels! Whether you want it or not, just give me a clear answer!"

Zhu Hao shook his head, "Four hundred taels."

"Are you crazy?!"

Liu Rutang's face was frozen, clearly irritated by Zhu Hao. She said, "You're paying nothing and yet you're getting the meat from someone else's bowl? How hilarious!"

She lifted the curtain and was about to leave. The waiter came in first. Zhu Hao did not look panicked. She calmly took out a gold ingot nearly half the size of her palm from her sleeve. Liu Rutang and the waiter stared at her in astonishment.

Zhu Hao placed the gold ingots on the table and ordered, "Waiter, put out all your favorite delicacies. If there is any extra money, you don't need to return it; just consider it as a reward."

The two saw Zhu Hao say this without even a frown, acting like a wealthy noble. But in reality, they were only barely showing off. Although this gold nugget was a gift from Song Xieqing out of misunderstanding, it was still real money after all! How could Zhu Hao not feel pain? To lure Liu Rutang into the trap, she had no choice but to act extravagantly.

Sure enough, Liu Rutang had no intention of leaving, and she sat down again.

Seeing Zhu Hao being so generous, the waiter was secretly delighted. He accepted the gold ingot and thanked him repeatedly before leaving to make arrangements in the private room.

Zhu Hao: "I was just about to say, four hundred taels, I will join forces with Shopkeeper Liu."

"Shopkeeper, I wish you all the best," Liu Rutang said, tapping the table. "Now that I've sold this building, I don't plan to do business here again. So, how could I have the time to cooperate with you? Besides, you should know that Qiong Yi Fang hasn't had many customers in the past six months. To be frank, I despise you, and I don't think a young girl like you, not even twenty, can bring this building back to life."

Zhu Hao laughed at the call of "Shopkeeper Zhu". She did not show it on the surface, but actually she felt that what Liu Rutang said made a lot of sense. She was a little timid, but Zhu Hao also knew that the outcome of many choices required the stewards to cut through the thorns and fight their way out. She wanted to be that kind of person, holding on to her life and a bright future. She did not want to be an ordinary merchant who had to accept fate all her life. Zhu Hao also knew that this road would not always be safe, but if she worked hard and made progress courageously, it would certainly not be a road full of thorns.

General Liu Rutang was right. She really didn't have a thousand taels of silver to buy this building at the moment. Even if it was eight hundred taels, it would be difficult for Zhu Hao to allocate it overnight.

Liu Rutang has been immersed in the business world for several years and has become very adept at it. Although Zhu Hao has Fang Xuyin and other embroiderers and seamstresses under his command, she is the only leader. Moreover, she has suffered a disaster like Fu Yunshang, which has led to financial difficulties. She feels that it is difficult for her to carry on alone. If she wants to develop this business, it will be even more difficult. If she can get help from seniors, she will be like a crane riding the wind.

And Liu Rutang is undoubtedly the best candidate.

Zhu Hao said slowly, "Shopkeeper Liu, why don't you change your mindset? Or... let me first tell you my humble opinion?"

"Shopkeeper Liu has been a prominent figure in Huaicheng's clothing and fabric business for years. How could he be so foolish as to mix inferior fabrics into his clothes? Isn't this just shooting himself in the foot? I believe that Shopkeeper Liu is using inferior fabrics to make clothes in order to undercut the purchase price of high-quality fabrics and profit from it. Shopkeeper Liu's eagerness for quick success and instant benefits shows that you are not only short of money, but also need to obtain a huge amount of money in a short period of time. Therefore, after this matter was exposed, Shopkeeper Liu was even more anxious to sell this building at a low price."

"In that case, why don't you reopen this shop with me? It's almost March 22nd. Although Huaixian isn't popular with everyone, the ladies of Huaicheng will more or less buy new clothes around this time because of the parades and temple fairs. Some go for outings with their lovers, others for shopping with their friends. I need a shop in a good location, and Shopkeeper Liu is short on money. March 22nd is only a little over ten days away. If Shopkeeper Liu and I join forces, within two months, if business is bad, the losses will be on me. If there are any profits, Shopkeeper Liu and I will split them in half. This way, Shopkeeper Liu will be stable."

Liu Rutang looked at the little girl sitting across from him and couldn't help but laugh at her naive views. Suddenly, an unknown pipa music came from not far away, the sound was melodious and graceful, filling his ears.

She looked out the window and said in a low voice, "Listen! I haven't heard the sound of the guzheng for a long time. It has been replaced by a piece of pipa music. Even if the guzheng is played, it is only suitable as an accompaniment to the pipa. I can't wait for that day."

Zhu Hao was completely confused by her nonsensical words. She followed Liu Rutang's gaze and saw a corner of the double eaves protruding under the bright moon. It was the Baihua Tower.

Although she didn't understand what Liu Rutang meant, she knew what he was worried about, so she said, "I'm not asking Manager Liu how to raise money, I'm just asking how much you still need. I'm willing to lend you some money to help you out of your urgent need."

How could Liu Rutang not see what the little girl was thinking?

She simply exposed Zhu Hao and said, "You can't raise the full eight hundred taels to buy this building, right? If that's the case, what can you use to help me?"

If Zhu Hao really had the money, why not buy the building outright and hire her to run it? Why bother splitting the business with her?

Just then, a plate of Dongpo pork was brought to the table. Zhu Hao picked up a piece and said, "I don't have any, but my husband does."

Liu Rutang snorted softly, "Hasn't your husband been home for a long time?"

Last year, Zhu Hao's marriage to a wealthy young man from another province naturally reached Liu Rutang's ears. However, those close to Zhu Hao thought that the two had divorced long ago. Others believed that Song Xieqing was doing business outside and could hardly return home to visit his wife. Ordinary people could only speculate about the divorce, but no one had any actual evidence.

But a man... after not coming home for a whole year, how could he resist her charm? He must be out there with another woman to entertain himself and express his feelings, so why would he care about Zhu Hao's life or death?

Zhu Hao knew what Liu Rutang was thinking. She pursed her lips and smiled, opening the window wide. She pointed downstairs and said, "My husband is here to pick me up."

Liu Rutang looked down along the line of her finger and saw a young man standing in the street. He had a handsome face and his clothes flowed in the wind.

She heard the young woman sitting next to her call out coquettishly, "Husband!"

Song Xieqing raised his head and nodded, "Yes."

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Author's words: Woohoo, here I come! Updated!!

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