On the Eve of the Storm (2)

Exotic Cat House posted a notice for the sale of its premises, stating that an auction will be held at noon today, and all kittens will be sold together with the cats.

As the time drew near, Yan Qing patted He Yi, who was looking at the account book, and told her to get up and leave the cat supply shop with her, heading towards the exotic cat pavilion across the street. He Yi guessed the purpose of her trip, inwardly marveling at her boldness while feeling excited about what was about to happen.

As soon as they reached the entrance, a commotion erupted from inside the pavilion. Many people were eyeing the exotic cat pavilion as a lucrative opportunity, and the place was packed with merchants and customers, with not a single empty seat to be found.

Yan Qing glanced around, then stopped and stood side by side with He Yi in front of the exotic cat pavilion. Everyone inside noticed the two of them and began to scrutinize them.

A gentle breeze rippled through the water, causing the veil of her face to flutter. Yan Qing raised her hand to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, her fingertips resting on her ear, and with a casual movement, she gently pressed the veil down.

Many people recognized Yan Qing, and the topic of conversation in the cat pavilion gradually shifted from the exotic cat pavilion to Yan Qing and the cat tea garden.

Since the beginning of the year, the cat cafe has been spreading rapidly across the country like wildfire. And when talking about this business, one cannot help but mention Yan Qing, whom they only know by name as "Boss Yan".

Seeing her appear here, accompanied by He Yi, who was in charge of managing her business, most of the people who had come to try their luck were dejected, realizing that the Exotic Cat Pavilion was already Yan Qing's possession, and were about to get up and leave.

More and more people got up, one after another, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

"Please wait, everyone!" Yan Qing called out before they left the cat pavilion. "I am not here today to compete with you for the exotic cat pavilion."

As soon as she finished speaking, the hall fell silent again. Some people wondered about Yan Qing's purpose for coming, some were somewhat disdainful of the so-called "Boss Yan," and others were eager to challenge her. In an instant, all eyes in the hall were focused on Yan Qing, waiting for her to continue.

"I've long heard that there are many like-minded people in Beijing who are willing to contribute to the development of the cat museum industry and share in the profits."

Yan Qing paused for a moment, noticing the expressions on their faces, before continuing, "Cat Tea House is currently planning to open a branch, but we're struggling to find people who love and care for cats. Today, Exotic Cat House has brought everyone together. I wonder if any of you would be interested in joining forces with me to build more Cat Tea Houses."

Yan Qing's words caused an uproar among the audience. Amidst the heated discussion, a burly man stepped forward, and before anyone could see his face, discontented voices could be heard.

"What does Boss Yan mean by this!"

Yan Qing glanced at him, and seeing that it was the shopkeeper, she smiled and apologized, "Look at me, I was in such a hurry that I accidentally took over the main area here, I'm really sorry."

The shopkeeper's expression softened when he saw Yan Qing's friendly attitude, but Yan Qing's next words made his face turn red instantly, and he wished he could pick up the two people in front of the door and throw them into the street.

"I heard that the cats at the Exotic Cat House have recently contracted a disease. I wonder if they are feeling better?"

The gentle, caring words sounded like a heartfelt greeting between neighbors, but they took on a different meaning in the ears of the assembled merchants.

Seeing the shopkeeper's liver-colored face, Yan Qing suppressed a laugh, exchanged a glance with He Yi, and then raised her hand to cover her mouth, exclaiming in surprise, "Didn't the shopkeeper tell you the truth? Quite a few of the kittens are listless, this..."

The unfinished words left everyone with plenty of room for imagination.

He Yi also spoke up at the right time, "Manager, doing business should be based on integrity!"

She spoke with great conviction, but she was still somewhat worried, wondering how Yan Qing would make the lie that the kitten was sick true.

"Mr. Yan, stop talking nonsense! All the cats in my Exotic Cat House are healthy and lovable. How could they have ever contracted a disease?" Seeing the discussion below, the manager hurriedly said sternly, "If Mr. Yan cannot produce any evidence, then he is deliberately causing trouble. I will settle accounts with you for your rudeness just now!"

At this moment, He Yi, along with the other merchants, was on tenterhooks, but Yan Qing showed no sign of anxiety.

She frowned slightly as if she were going through a difficult situation, but finally her brows relaxed and she said calmly, "Don't be angry, shopkeeper. I think I remembered wrong. Well then, I wish the successor a prosperous business. We'll take our leave now."

After saying that, the two of them actually turned around and left, leaving everyone looking at each other in surprise. The shopkeeper hadn't expected Yan Qing to leave so casually.

"Just leaving like this?" He Yi saw through Yan Qing's intentions, but couldn't understand why she didn't stay and add fuel to the fire.

It wasn't that Yan Qing didn't want to, but if she were present for what was to come, she figured the shopkeeper would just accuse her again. She winked playfully at He Yi and said, "The seed of doubt has already been planted. Let's just wait for it to blossom from afar, so we don't get caught in the crossfire."

Hearing Yan Qing's inconsistent words, everyone felt even more suspicious, and their questions were like knives flying towards the shopkeeper.

"Yeah, this exotic cat cafe was doing so well, why is it suddenly going to be transferred? Is there really something they're hiding from everyone?"

"Shopkeeper, explain yourself! Is there anything wrong with the cats at the cat shop?"

The most outstanding feature of the Exotic Cat Cafe is its cats; if there's anything wrong with the cats, the business will be ruined. At this moment, no matter how much the manager tried to explain, he couldn't quell everyone's suspicions, so he had no choice but to go upstairs to get the cats to dispel their doubts.

This was exactly what Yan Qing wanted. She and He Yi each sat on a chair in front of the cat supplies shop, taking in the whole farce that was taking in inside the exotic cat aquarium.

The shopkeeper reappeared, followed by various kittens.

Upon seeing the kittens, Yan Qing summoned Kitty Number One.

[Cat Number One! Communication skills.]

[Cat No. 1 received! Successful delivery.]

The communication capabilities provided by this baby version of the savior system are quite good; Yan Qing can talk to any kitten she can see.

[Mimi, Mimi.]

The cats seemed to recognize her and responded.

[I'll be back to take you away in a bit. Now, pretend you're feeling unwell, okay? If you can't, you can lie down and sleep for a while.]

Across the street, Yan Qing couldn't see the kittens' performance very clearly, but the noise inside the exotic cat pavilion gradually grew louder, indicating that the young performers were very professional.

Thinking about the possible reasons behind it, the smile that had just appeared on Yan Qing's face disappeared again.

A moment later, someone emerged from the cat enclosure, angrily flicking his sleeves as he sped away with a whooshing sound, cursing, "You brainless bastard, daring to sell sick cats!"

Then came several more angry curses, and more and more people walked out.

It's time!

Yan Qing walked towards the exotic cat pavilion again, leaving He Yi there to wait and receive the merchants who were about to arrive.

"Let's go, let's go! Let any idiot who wants to take this lousy cat shelter go ahead, I'm not buying it!"

She heard these words as soon as she got closer. Yan Qing felt a little embarrassed and wanted to touch her nose. She was here to take care of the cat, so she shouldn't be considered a fool.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper was frantically trying to win back the remaining merchants, saying, "No, no, they're just a little tired, they'll be fine!"

Yan Qing admired his ugly behavior for a moment before remembering another important matter. She cleared her throat and reminded him, "Those interested in joining the Cat Cat Tea House franchise, please go to the Cat Cat Supplies Shop across the street and discuss it in detail with Boss He."

People gradually left the exotic cat pavilion, many heading straight for the cat supplies shop, leaving only the shopkeeper with a furrowed brow, glaring angrily at Yan Qing.

If word gets out today, it will be difficult for Exotic Cat House to sell for a good price in the short term, and what they lack is time.

Exotic Cat House, the Jiang Family, the Crown Prince.

Yan Qing had learned about the connection between the three in recent news. The exotic cat manor was mostly accumulating wealth for the Crown Prince, while the Jiang family was playing a cover role. This was also why the secret room below led to the Jiang residence.

The secret passage has now been filled in, and the group from the Exotic Cat Pavilion is eager to leave the capital to avoid trouble. It's unclear what Rong Xuan did to make them so hasty to leave.

Yan Qing walked to the nearest table, slowly sat down on the wooden chair, and looked at the shopkeeper with a smile, showing no awareness of disturbing other people's business.

"Shopkeeper, have you found a suitable buyer? These kittens are truly pitiful. If you're willing, why not sell them to me?"

"Hmph! You ruined my business and you still want to buy my cat? Keep dreaming."

Despite being rejected, Yan Qing remained indifferent, as if it didn't matter whether she bought the cat or not. "Then I wish you success in finding a good buyer, shopkeeper."

After saying that, he got up to leave.

Yan Qing walked forward, silently counting down in her mind.

Ten, nine, eight...

Yan Qing stepped across the threshold, and it was clear that she was about to leave the cat house.

II.1!

"Wait, what price are you offering?"

Yan Qing stopped, turned her head and asked, "If you only want the cat and not the shop, what price do you want, shopkeeper?"

"Just cats?" The shopkeeper pondered for a moment, then made an outrageous demand: "Five hundred taels of gold. You can't get these cats through normal channels."

"One hundred taels."

"no!"

Yan Qing turned to leave again.

III.2...

This time, she didn't last more than three seconds before the shopkeeper called her back, saying, "Boss Yan knows his stuff; he couldn't possibly not know that these cats are rare, worth at least two hundred taels."

"Just one hundred taels." Yan Qing continued walking. "The cats are good cats, but unfortunately they're all sick. That's all I can give. If it's not enough, shopkeeper, you should keep it for yourself."

As Yan Qing crossed the street and was about to enter the cat supplies shop, the shopkeeper stomped his foot in frustration and shouted at her, "Deal!"

Yeah! Bargaining always works.

However, Yan Qing did not rush over. Instead, he went back to the cat supplies shop and called the workers he had already arranged to go into the exotic cat pavilion to move cats!

After signing the official contract, Yan Qing handed the silver notes to that guy and left the exotic cat manor with the cats, feeling refreshed.

After bringing the cats back to the Cat Tea Garden, Yan Qing carefully checked each one to make sure they were unharmed, both inside and out, before reminding them not to pretend anymore.

The clever ones immediately stopped to eat something delicious, while some remained curled up on the ground, looking blankly at Yan Qing, as if seeking praise, saying, "Look, I'm still pretending seriously."

Only after being reminded by his companions did he roll over and burrow into the pile of food.

After settling the 32 kittens, Yan Qing went to the next room, just as He Yi entered.

Yan Qing then inquired about the situation of those merchants.

"More than a dozen people came, all willing to be the manager of the Cat Tea House branch, and after looking at them, there are a few good candidates..."

He Yi carefully introduced all the options she was interested in. Yan Qing listened attentively and thought they were indeed good, so she entrusted the matter to her personally and poured her a cup of tea at the end.

The room fell silent, and Yan Qing met her gaze and asked, "Would you be willing to come with me to Jiangnan?"