Manager Zhou quickly shook his head, but a smile remained on his face.
"Not at all, it's only the New Year, business has slowed down. I was thinking of asking the ladies if they have any new products to boost customer traffic."
Looking at Manager Zhou's smiling face, Yun Ruoxia remembered how he had cheated her out of the mushroom price last time, so she couldn't trust him anymore.
Yunling couldn't trust him either, but right now she needed his request for an answer, so she replied:
"I've come today for two reasons: first, to deliver mushrooms, and second, to ask Manager Zhou for a favor."
"What is it, young lady? Please tell me."
"The shopkeeper knows that we are also trying to start a small business, but everything is difficult at the beginning. We are looking for ways everywhere, and we thought of the shopkeeper."
Shopkeeper Zhou's smile froze. "You're in the business of selling briefs?"
"Exactly."
The shopkeeper was even more puzzled this week. If it were something like selling snacks, he might be able to offer some advice or find some ways to help, but when it came to briefs, he... he... he had no idea what to do.
"Young lady, are you sure you haven't come to the wrong person? My connections aren't as good as those of the merchant guild."
"Of course I haven't come to the wrong person, I'm looking for you, shopkeeper."
Yunling looked at the storytelling stage in the main hall and said happily, "Shopkeeper, do we often have storytellers coming to tell stories here?"
"Indeed, when guests come to dine, they sometimes get bored while waiting for their food and can listen to storytelling, which makes them more patient. Some guests even come back because they are interested in the stories. This is... hey, young lady, you wouldn't be thinking of doing that, would you?"
Yunling immediately gave him a knowing look, which made Manager Zhou feel a little flustered.
"Young lady, this is not quite appropriate."
"Shopkeeper, there's nothing wrong with that. I don't mean to disturb the storyteller's performance; I just wanted to insert a promotional message in the middle of the story, that's all!"
Manager Zhou didn't believe the word "that's all." Just the thought of those briefs made it hard for him to connect them with dining and listening to storytelling in a restaurant, so he didn't immediately agree to Yunling's request.
Yunling is not one to give up easily. If it doesn't work the first time, she'll keep trying until it does.
"Shopkeeper, I won't take advantage of you for nothing. I don't need your storyteller. I'll just promote the story during the time when he's resting. How about that?"
"It's you, young lady, personally promoting this???"
"No, that's not it. I have someone in mind who is very suitable, but I'm just wondering if the shopkeeper thinks it's appropriate?"
Even so, Manager Zhou was still unsure. He was worried that the picky customers would find it inappropriate and might even stop coming to the restaurant because of it. Wouldn't that mean he would benefit others while making things difficult for himself?
Seeing that he still didn't respond, Yunling continued to persuade him, "Shopkeeper, people who are used to listening to storytelling will always want to hear something else. Just like you said, you want to introduce new products to stimulate customer traffic. Who knows, this promotional slogan might bring you a wave of new customers, right?"
Shopkeeper Zhou was intrigued by the idea of "attracting a wave of new customers," but he was still uncertain about the outcome. Moreover, since they were so familiar with each other, it wouldn't be appropriate to charge them a single copper coin. If it resulted in a loss, he would have to swallow it, which was not worthwhile.
Yunling could roughly guess what Manager Zhou was thinking. In business, there's always the fear of various situations arising, which she could understand. So she took a step back and said:
"Manager, why don't you give us seven days to try? If we can make it through the seven days and bring business to the restaurant, we can continue. If not, we'll accept it willingly and stop bothering you. Do you think that would be better?"
That's much better. Seven days isn't a long time, and besides, they're only promoting it during the short period when the storyteller is resting. It won't cause much of a stir, and if it doesn't work out, they can cut their losses in time.
Moreover, by doing this, he was essentially selling out a favor, which would allow him to build a bridge to the Lu family's business, giving him another avenue to explore in the future. He wouldn't be at a loss.
Therefore, he should be more generous to avoid giving the impression of being petty.
“Young lady, your mind is clearer than ours, but seven days is too short. I think it will take at least half a month to see the results, whether it goes well or not. Why don’t we try it for half a month first? If it works, we’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, young lady, we can find another way. We can’t let either of us suffer.”
"OK!"
Yunling readily agreed, afraid that if she hesitated even a moment, Manager Zhou would change his mind and say no.
After leaving Shengfu Restaurant, Yun Ruoxia muttered a few words about Manager Zhou, then looked at Yun Ling and asked, "Ling-jie, who is the suitable candidate you mentioned? Do you even know someone who's so good with words?"
Yunling said happily, "I wouldn't dare say how smooth his tongue is, but he's full of clever ideas and knows how to adapt to changing circumstances. I don't think there's anyone more suitable than him."
"Really? Could it be someone from that escort agency?"
Yun Ruoxia thought that Yun Ling only knew those people in the escort agency who called her "Grandma," so she naturally thought of that group.
Yunling nodded and started walking towards the escort agency.
Chen Jie was preparing his equipment for the escort mission when he saw Yun Ling arrive. He excitedly came forward to greet her, "Grandma, I have something I want to tell you. I almost forgot about it last time because of the young master's interruption."
"What is it?"
Chen Jie wasn't sure if Yun Ruoxia knew about this, so he didn't want her to know. He pulled Yun Ling aside and whispered:
“Grandma, you asked me to inquire about that Qin guy before, and I’ve done my research. Qin Dalang doesn’t have any concubines at home, nor does he have any mistresses outside. Even when he’s drunk, he keeps saying things like ‘I only want her, I only want her.’ He must be an honest and reliable person.”
Yunling nodded, and just as she was wondering if "she" was her aunt, Chen Jie continued:
"He still wants to find you. He's mentioned it to me several times, but I don't know where to look for you."
"He's looking for me? What does he want with me?"
"Where am I from? I...where am I supposed to find my great-aunt?"
Chen Jie repeated himself, and only then did Yunling realize what he meant.
"Oh, then go to Dongtou Village and look for the Yun family. That way you'll find our house."
Having received a response, Chen Jie shyly scratched the back of his head, "By the way, Grandma, what brings you here today?"
"I'm not looking for you, I'm looking for Gangzi."
Gangzi had just seen Yunling come in, but seeing Chen Jie talking to her, he didn't feel comfortable going forward to greet her. Now that he was being called over, he was naturally delighted and walked up with a smile, "Grandma."
"Gangzi, are you going to go on the escort mission with them?"
Gangzi looked at Chen Jie, who asked in return, "What does Grandma want with him?"
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