Gu Nanjiao said excitedly, "Yes, there's also a long strip called beef jerky, which is also very delicious."

Upon hearing Gu Nanjiao's words, Bai Luochen looked at Bai Su standing to the side.

Upon receiving a questioning look from her young master, Bai Su quickly stepped forward and replied, "Yes, young master, I bought it from her stall, and the pork offal you like to eat is also from her stall."

Bai Su secretly winked at Gu Nanjiao, then secretly made a five-pointed hand gesture and mouthed, "Give me five taels."

Gu Nanjiao gave him a no-questions-asked look. Actually, five taels is not bad, so what's wrong with splitting it in half?

Bai Luochen frowned. "What kind of riddle are you two playing?"

"Ah, young master, I was thinking of asking this lady to bring some for me tomorrow too, I didn't get enough today." Bai Su reacted very quickly.

Bai Luochen looked at Gu Nanjiao suspiciously. He had a feeling that things weren't as Bai Su had described. Seeing Gu Nanjiao nod, he didn't press the matter further.

"Go and fetch ten taels of silver for this...madam, and tell her to send over more tomorrow," Bai Luochen instructed Manager Yao, who had a rather low profile.

Gu Nanjiao happily accepted the ten taels of silver and quickly stepped forward with a fawning smile: "Young master, don't worry, I will bring it to you first thing tomorrow morning."

Bai Luochen glanced at the woman smiling obsequiously before him and found her truly beautiful; her unadorned appearance pleased him. However, noticing Gu Nanjiao's matronly hairstyle, Bai Luochen turned away, sighing inwardly, "What a pity."

In Gu Nanjiao's mind, this young master was just a foolish, rich, and easily taken advantage of.

So easy to fool!

Gu Nanjiao turned to look at Manager Yao and asked with a smile, "Manager Yao, what's the breakdown of this kudzu root powder...?"

"Oh, wait a moment, I'll go get it." Manager Yao turned and went behind the counter, picked up a book and a small packet of silver, and handed it to Gu Nanjiao.

"Here, a 10% profit, totaling ten taels of silver."

Gu Nanjiao weighed the silver in her hand, a half-smile on her face: "Manager Yao, I was just testing the waters before, and I accepted this 10% profit. You also said that kudzu root powder is very popular and you plan to cooperate long-term, so this 10% profit is a bit too unfair to me."

Shopkeeper Yao did not answer Gu Nanjiao's question, but instead looked at Bai Luochen with a forced smile: "Young Master, what do you think?"

Bai Luochen narrowed his eyes and asked, "The kudzu root powder also came from you."

Gu Nanjiao smiled calmly: "That's right!"

Upon hearing Gu Nanjiao's answer, Bai Luochen couldn't help but marvel. She was truly amazing; not only could she cook delicious food, but she could also develop kudzu root powder, a beauty and health-enhancing product.

Bai Luochen raised his amorous peach blossom eyes: "May I ask how you are addressed, Madam?"

"My surname is Gu, and my husband's surname is Lu."

"It's almost noon. Let's find a restaurant to eat and chat. Would Madam Lu do me the honor?" Bai Luochen closed his folding fan and looked at Gu Nanjiao expectantly.

"It would be impolite to refuse." Gu Nanjiao didn't stand on ceremony. After all, someone was inviting her to dinner, and they could also discuss business, which was a win-win situation.

The two found a restaurant near their home and talked while eating.

Bai Luochen went straight to the point: "Madam Lu, I am very interested in kudzu root powder, so what is your budget for profit?"

“Young Master Bai, kudzu root powder requires a lot of manpower and time from harvesting to final production, so I want to take 70% of the profits.”

"Since we're discussing cooperation, I should at least show my sincerity. Bai's Pharmacy in Luozhuang Town is just a small branch of the Bai family, with limited sales channels. To make kudzu root powder a big seller and known to more people, it will take time and effort to spread the word. I may not be very capable, but I do have some connections and influence in the city. You provide the effort, and I'll handle the results. We'll split the profits 50/50, how about that?"

Although Bai Luochen's demand for a 50/50 split was excessive, Gu Nanjiao had to admit that she was telling the truth.

Based on her own abilities, she really couldn't make a big splash, and she didn't want to be confined to the small town of Luozhuang forever.

Seeing that Gu Nanjiao was still hesitating, Bai Luochen continued, "Does Madam Lu want to settle down in this small town and not want to see the prosperity outside?"

"The prosperity outside?" Gu Nanjiao looked suspicious.

"Have you ever been to the capital?"

Gu Nanjiao shook her head: "No, I've never even left this town."

Since transmigrating here, I've been thinking about how to solve the problem of food and clothing and how to make money through business. I've never thought about such a distant place as the capital.

However, Gu Nanjiao was unwilling to settle down in this small town. She also wanted to see the prosperity of the capital, so that her trip would not have been in vain.

Although the capital is prosperous, various forces are deeply entrenched. Without a background or powerful backer, she might be devoured without even a trace.

Judging from Bai Luochen's demeanor, he doesn't seem to come from a small place; he must have some unknown power behind him. Why not cooperate? A 50/50 split is fine. I only need to contribute my efforts, and I don't need to worry about the complicated behind the scenes. It would be nice to have some peace and quiet.

Gu Nanjiao no longer hesitated: "Your suggestion is very good, I accept it, a 50/50 split is fine."

She now admires Bai Luochen and has to change her previous opinion that he was a sucker.

Upon hearing this, Bai Luochen smiled and raised his wine glass. "It's a pleasure working with you!"

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you!"

The contract was signed, in triplicate. Gu Nanjiao carefully put away her copy.

Bai Luochen quickly ordered the waiter to serve the dishes.

Looking at the delicious food served on the table, Bai Luochen took a bite, then spat it out.

"What is this? It tastes awful!"

Gu Nanjiao was taken aback when she heard this. She thought the taste was alright!

"I think the taste is alright. Maybe you're being too picky?"

"Waiter, call your manager over here." Bai Luochen's handsome peach blossom eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

When the innkeeper brought out the newly changed dishes, Bai Luochen took two bites, still complaining that they were unpalatable.

Gu Nanjiao glanced at Bai Luochen's slightly flushed face and thought to herself, "This guy must be drunk, he's been messing around with the restaurant manager like crazy."

Or is it that he has too high a standard for food?

Thinking of this, Gu Nanjiao said to Bai Luochen, "How about you tell the manager here that I'll make you a couple of side dishes?"

"You'll make it?" Bai Luochen was a little incredulous. Besides making spicy strips, she could also cook other dishes?

"Yes, as a partner, to show my sincerity, how about I make a few dishes you haven't tried before?"

"Let's wait and see!"

Gu Nanjiao went to the back room and asked the kitchen for ingredients, planning to make a boiled fish, a shredded pork with fish-fragrant sauce, and a spicy blood curd dish.

Soon, three dishes were served. Bai Luochen looked at the plates in front of him, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes!

"It looks delicious."

"Try it!"

Bai Luochen was quite satisfied with the meal. It was the first time he had ever eaten something so strongly flavored, but he quite liked the taste. Although it was a bit spicy and he was sweating profusely, it was really enjoyable.

"Is it delicious?"

Bai Luochen nodded.

Gu Nanjiao smiled and said, "If you want to eat here again, you can come to me and I'll give you a discount."

Bai Luochen...

After the two finished discussing their cooperation, they came out of the restaurant. Gu Nanjiao looked at the sky outside and said, "It's getting late, I should go back."

"Would you like me to give you a ride?" Bai Luochen asked, unusually politely.

"No need, I'll walk back myself."

Bai Luochen pointed to the darkening sky and said with gentlemanly manners, "It's getting dark. It's not safe for a woman like you to walk back alone. I'll take you by carriage."

"this…"

Neither of them noticed that not far away, Lu Yanzhao was watching everything with a livid face and an icy expression.