Meng Zhao is now used to it and is not surprised at all. Half a pound of noodles could last her two or three meals, but it's enough for her in one meal.
The shop was so busy that it was almost full, so Aunt Feng'e quickly cleared away the empty tables and bowls left by the customers to make room.
Not long after lunch, their skewers were sold out, mostly by regular customers they had accumulated from their previous stall operations.
By around 1 p.m., the braised meat they had prepared that morning was almost sold out; they hadn't even had time to eat dinner before it was all gone.
Just as the group was preparing to pack up, an uninvited guest arrived. The man was dressed in luxurious and expensive clothes. He held a folding fan in his hand, which, though not unfolded, was clearly exquisitely crafted. The jade hairpin in his hair was delicate and translucent. If he were to pawn it, it could probably enable Meng Zhao's entire family to achieve financial freedom.
Upon seeing this, Meng Zhao immediately stepped forward with a beaming smile and greeted him warmly: "Isn't this Young Master Xiao? What brings you here? Your presence at the entrance of our humble shop makes us look so distinguished and elegant!"
However, Xiao Youzhi simply stood quietly at the door, a smile on his lips, but his eyes held an unfathomable meaning. He looked at Meng Zhao, who was all smiles, without responding. He simply opened the folding fan in his hand and gently fanned himself.
Meng Zhao rolled her eyes several times in her mind, secretly thinking, "Fanning yourself in this freezing weather? You must be crazy."
Although she thought so, she really had no choice but to bite the bullet and go forward to greet him: "Young Master Xiao, since we've run into each other by chance, why don't you come in and have a seat?"
Meng Zhao had shown the utmost sincerity, and only then did Xiao Youzhi move his feet and step into the shop. Meng Zhao brought him a clean stool, hung up a sign at the door saying the shop was closed, and told Gu Shi and the others to pack up and go back first, while she stayed to chat with Xiao Youzhi.
After busying himself with the task, Meng Zhao sat down opposite Xiao Youzhi, his face showing some apology, and said, "Young Master Xiao, this is really too simple. I don't even have a teacup. I'm so sorry to have made you laugh."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a cold snort came from the other end: "Heh."
Meng Zhao's smile froze a bit. Xiao Youzhi seemed to have enjoyed Meng Zhao's awkward performance enough before slowly speaking.
"I've heard that these days, people in Qingshi County are saying that Chunfenglou is doing so well because it uses starch from your Shenjia Village. Zuixianlou and Yingkeju have also started serving many new dishes made with starch. Many grain shops in the county are also saying that if you buy their starch, you can enjoy Chunfenglou's delicacies without even going there."
At this point, Xiao Youzhi paused slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Meng Zhao, a scrutinizing look in his eyes. "Mr. Meng, have you heard about this matter?"
Xiao Youzhi closed his fan and looked at Meng Zhao with a stern expression. In just over three months, his aura had become much stronger.
"Oh, really? I... how come I haven't heard of this?" Meng Zhao's face was full of shock, as if it were truly the first time he had learned of this matter, without any flaws.
Then, a wronged look appeared on her face as she cried out, "Young Master Xiao, you don't suspect that I spread this, do you? Although we have indeed sold some starch recently, God help me, I have always told the workers not to mention the name of Chunfeng Tower when they are out and about. It's really a misunderstanding, Young Master Xiao."
Seeing Meng Zhao's performance, Xiao Youzhi was speechless. Ever since he was exiled to Dongyang County, he had gone through many hardships and had to fight openly and secretly with those cunning merchants every day.
But of all the people he's met these past few days, only Meng Zhao has managed to deny the obvious facts so stubbornly and put on such a convincing act.
But Meng Zhao before him was still young, with an innocent and naive appearance. Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with urgency, as if she had been wronged and was anxious to defend herself, which made him hesitate, wondering if he had wronged her.
He took two deep breaths, his attitude softening slightly, and asked softly, "If you want to sell starch, why don't you come to me? My Xiao family's grain shops are all over the Central Plains, which is much better than your scattered small businesses."
Meng Zhao looked conflicted. "Young Master Xiao, as you know, we are a small business and don't have that much production capacity. Besides, Young Master Xiao is of noble status, like a person above the clouds. How could I possibly give him my opinion?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Youzhi became even more annoyed. This young lady was talking nonsense again. Although he was not usually in Qingshi County, if she needed anything, she could just ask Chen Xiaowu to pass on a message. How could she not see him? It was clearly her who did not want to cooperate with the Xiao family's grain shop, yet she still tried to find fault with him.
Because of the agreement that starch could not be sold elsewhere within three months, Meng Zhao's interest in cooperating with Xiao Youzhi decreased significantly. The previous order from Chunfenglou was only signed because her workshop's output was low.
The reason is that the Xiao family is too big. If she gets too closely tied to them, she will inevitably be hampered by them. If she comes up with new products or ideas in the future, she will probably have no choice but to continue to cooperate with the Xiao family. Her greatest development may be to become a supplier for the Xiao family.
Although the Xiao family is large, it is not without competitors. Just like starch, if she only cooperates with the Xiao family, others will definitely find other ways. With the shrewdness and persistence of businessmen, it is only a matter of time before they figure it out. When there are more choices in the market, it is hard to say how the Xiao family will choose.
Although cooperating with the Xiao family made it easier to make money in the early stages, it also inadvertently limited her development.
Rather than that, it's better to be tough at the beginning, do everything you can to seize the market, establish your brand, find more partners, and make newcomers feel that they can't compete with her and dare not enter the market.
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