"Madam Cheng, how are you feeling? I wonder if this Lingyun Pavilion meets your expectations?" Zhou Yin hadn't been this concerned about anything in a long time, but this feeling was surprisingly good.
"Mr. Zhou, you're too kind. Your aesthetic sense and knowledge are far beyond my reach. I'm so grateful for all the trouble you've gone to with this shop!"
Cheng Ruyi spoke with utmost sincerity. These were not mere polite words. Whether before or after her time travel, she was just an ordinary citizen. Even in modern times, she had visited many museums and gardens both in China and abroad, but in terms of aesthetic sense, she could never compare to Zhou Yin, who was born into a wealthy family and had lived a life of luxury since childhood. She was well aware of this.
Moreover, she genuinely thought it was very beautiful, so she praised it without reservation: "The whole shop is both comfortable and beautiful. I don't know how to describe it, but it's so much better than I imagined!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yin was once again surprised by her attitude. He was impressed by her sincerity and openness, and couldn't help but touch his nose, feeling a strange sense of pride.
"Ahem, in that case, that's good... Madam Cheng, this way please. I still have some things to confirm with you regarding that advertising promotion you mentioned."
When Cheng Ruyi faced Zhou Yin again, she had changed her opinion of him a lot. He was actually surprisingly easy to get along with and was very willing to try new things. He would take her proposals seriously and consider their feasibility. He was a very good partner.
The two discussed it several more times and finally finalized a few promotion and marketing plans. This spa was going for a high-end approach, so it didn't need a lot of foot traffic; it only needed to accurately target its consumer group.
Once you try it, no one can resist. During the trial operation, even Zhou Yin soaked in the hot springs several times and tried all the pools. He even almost spent money to rent one of the private pools for a whole year. Therefore, Cheng Ruyi was full of confidence in this shop.
So, after all the preparations were completed, Lingyun Pavilion quietly opened for business on the day before the Dragon Boat Festival!
Only a dozen or so female guests were invited that day. Apart from Yang Liuer, Guo Qinglan, and Guo Xiaoyu, who were invited by Ruyi, the others were all target users selected by Zhou Yin. They were basically wealthy families in the city who had business dealings with the Zhou family.
In fact, Cheng Ruyi also sent an invitation to Gu Pingting and her husband, but it was an invitation to a private hot spring. She hasn't received a notification yet. Actually, if the couple can come just once, the shop won't need any other promotion!
Although it was everyone's first time experiencing this, no one was too reserved. Instead, they found everything new and fun. This was one of the criteria Ruyi told Zhou Yin to use: people who were too old-fashioned and unable to accept new things were not their target customers.
Since Cheng Ruyi is one of the owners and founders of the shop, it is only natural that she would take on the role of explanation and reception, which is definitely a challenge for a socially awkward, introverted, and homebody girl.
Fortunately, she had already gone through the process several times in the past few days while training the maids in the shop, and she also had a familiar friend with her. Although she was a little nervous, she still completed the task smoothly.
"Is it really that amazing? Madam Cheng, your skin does look great. Is it because you soak in hot springs so often?"
"How often do you change the water? Doesn't it get dirty with so many people bathing in it?"
"Can I wear my own clothes to soak in the water? Your long robes are too plain in color and don't look good!"
"This hot spring sounds quite novel. I've been to my aunt's private hot spring in Beijing before, and I've always been quite envious of it. I didn't expect to find such a place in our county. I just don't know how good it is."
"I don't know about the effects, but the environment here is really nice. I can stay here all day after paying the fee. I feel like I could come here every day and never have to face those two disgusting people at home again!"
"Come on, you come here every day! Didn't you hear the price just now? Ten taels a time! Goodness gracious! That price is enough for me to buy a set of gold-inlaid kingfisher feather headdress! People who don't know any better would think there's gold in the hot spring!"
"No one is forcing you if you don't want to come. Young Master Zhou's shop is naturally unique, and it's not surprising that a common person like you doesn't appreciate it!"
"Pah! Who are you calling 'Young Master Zhou'? Aren't you ashamed? I think you..."
Faced with the incessant chatter of a dozen women, Cheng Ruyi couldn't take it anymore. After answering everyone's questions with her best efforts, she reminded them to keep quiet and that they would be asked to leave if they were too noisy. Then, she pulled Yang Liuer and Guo Qinglan to the least crowded Menghe Xiangchi, hoping to avoid seeing them!
A unique, soul-nourishing fragrance, characteristic of Yunmeng lotus flowers, lingered in the small room.
The others, who had originally had a lot of questions they wanted to ask Cheng Ruyi while there were fewer people around, were now slowly becoming immersed in the peaceful atmosphere.
Ruyi, who had already soaked in the bath several times, was the first to wake up. Seeing that everyone else was getting drowsy, she got up and asked the maid waiting outside to bring some chilled fruit tea and snacks, and then gently woke everyone up.
"This hot spring is nice, but we shouldn't soak in it for too long, otherwise it will backfire. Everyone, get up and rest for a bit!"
Cheng Ruyi handed them fruit tea and snacks one by one, and the group sat by the hot spring, wearing warm and clean long gowns, enjoying tea and snacks while gazing at the scenery in the courtyard.
"Ah, this feels so good~" Yang Liuer couldn't help but sigh. "Ever since I gave birth to my little daughter, the house has been a complete mess. It feels like it's been ages since I've felt this peaceful and relaxed..."
Seeing her best friend like this, Ruyi felt a little guilty. She had been too busy this past year and had unknowingly lost touch with Yang Liuer. She hadn't even helped Liuer with her family matters.
Just as she was about to offer some words of comfort, Yang Liuer suddenly turned to her and smiled brightly, "Thank you, little Ruru, it feels like we've gone back to our youth~~"
Two people who have been inseparable since childhood naturally have similarities. The original owner was sunny and confident, while Yang Liuer was warm and enthusiastic; both had very positive and optimistic personalities.
Cheng Ruyi sensed from the other woman's words that her best friend's mental state seemed to have changed a bit during this period. She didn't want to see this sunny girl develop a psychological shadow because of the disgusting things that happened in the inner quarters.
"Liu'er, I have never met anyone who doesn't like you since I was a child. You are sincere and warm-hearted. When the city was under lockdown, you risked your pregnancy to come and visit me and bring me things. In my heart, you are the best girl ever!"
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