However, they didn't completely believe Yan Qingqing's words, and asked with some skepticism, "What business do you want to discuss with our madam?"
Yan Qingqing scoffed and said, "What? Do you two think you can make the decision if I tell you?"
You can just go and inform her that I'm the owner of Li Ji's restaurant next door by the Canghe River; whether she sees you or not is entirely up to her.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's firm attitude, the two men were also afraid that she might actually have some big business to discuss.
Besides, since it's Canghe Li Ji, they're their neighbors. To be honest, not many people dare to be their neighbors these days. Even though they're lowly pimps, they're still human and need to interact with others.
Then one of them said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go and tell our madam."
Yan Qingqing nodded and said politely, "Thank you both."
The two could tell that Yan Qingqing didn't look down on them from the bottom of her heart, which made them feel much better.
After waiting for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the madam finally came out yawning, saying as she walked, "Who disturbed my sleep so early? I just fell asleep. I told you not to bother me unless it's something important."
The pimp bowed and scraped as he spoke sweet words to the madam, all the while glancing towards Yan Qingqing.
This madam wasn't like the heavily made-up women portrayed on TV, with big red flowers in her hair. Instead, she was gentle, elegant, and had a straightforward demeanor.
She was about the same age as Yan Qingqing. If she walked down the street, people would definitely not think she was a brothel madam, but rather a lady of some family.
The madam glanced at Yan Qingqing and said, "Are you here to talk business with me? What kind? Do you have any good girls? As long as the goods are good, the price is negotiable."
Yan Qingqing: ……
Look at what this madam is saying! She doesn't do anything as immoral as trafficking women and children.
Before Yan Qingqing could speak, the madam glanced at Li Xiangjian beside her and said, "This one is quite good-looking and looks strong."
"It's a pity I don't take male prostitutes here; it would be too wasteful of my talents to be a pimp."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangjian immediately became anxious. Yan Qingqing patted his hand reassuringly and said, "They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. We're here to give them money. Since this madam isn't sincere, let's just leave."
After saying that, she was about to pull Li Xiangjian out when the madam saw this and quickly called out to Yan Qingqing, "Don't go! Didn't you say you wanted to talk business? I was just half asleep. Besides, you didn't say you wanted to do any business with me."
Yan Qingqing stopped walking, and the madam quickly invited her to sit inside.
After sitting down, Yan Qingqing introduced herself: "Yan Qingqing, the owner of Canghe Li Ji next door. This is my third son, Li Xiangjian. He came with me today to broaden his horizons."
After Yan Qingqing finished speaking, she habitually stretched out her hand. The madam was taken aback when she saw this, but she quickly stretched out her own hand as well.
After shaking hands with her, Yan Qingqing asked, "May I ask your surname? How should I address you?"
The madam suddenly heard someone ask her surname. She remained silent for a long time, then gave a bitter smile and said, "How could someone like me deserve to have a surname?"
Yan Qingqing knew that no one in this era would engage in this profession unless absolutely necessary. This madam may have been destined for a brilliant life, but in the end, fate played a cruel trick on her.
So he offered some advice: "Life is but a fleeting moment of splendor, and all worldly connections are ultimately empty. Do not dwell on the past, do not fear the future, and live life to the fullest. This is the best choice. There is no question of whether you are worthy or not."
The madam pondered Yan Qingqing's words repeatedly, then suddenly laughed and said, "Sister, you're right. Although I am a person of this mortal world, I am still better off than many others, aren't I?"
My mother's surname is Lin, and my given name is Ning'er. If you don't mind my background, you can call me Sister Lin.
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Lin Ning'er was very impressed with Yan Qingqing's conversation and knowledge. Yan Qingqing felt that Lin Ning'er must not be an ordinary person, and must have suffered a great calamity in her life to have fallen to this state.
However, those were not things Yan Qingqing should ask about, and since it was their first meeting, she deliberately avoided the topic.
After chatting for quite a while, Li Xiangjian finally couldn't sit still any longer and tugged at Yan Qingqing's sleeve, signaling her to get down to business.
Lin Ning'er also noticed Li Xiangjian's little actions and said, "It seems that the young master can't sit still. Actually, I basically understand why you came, sister. I have also tried your family's Reversal Red."
Some customers have even specifically ordered it, but the restaurant doesn't sell to the public, and I don't sell food here, so I never really thought much of it.
Lin Ning'er is quite perceptive. Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "My shop not only has 'Flipped Red' (a type of herb), but also braised chicken, roast duck, and Drunken Immortal Duck. I guarantee that they are all unique dishes on the market. If you need anything, you can have them."
Lin Ning'er thought that since she was buying from someone else's store anyway, and she got along well with Yan Qingqing, and besides, their food was really delicious, she might as well do a favor and settle the matter now rather than waiting for customers to order it later.
So Lin Ning'er said, "My customers may not have any specific needs, but I can add your dishes to the menu. Prices are negotiable. However, we are mostly open in the evenings, so we need someone to wait for us."
Yan Qingqing had also considered this point, so she smiled and said, "Of course I've considered this. Don't worry, everything at the back of our shop has been fixed, and someone will be on duty tonight."
There's just one thing: my children are quite young and inexperienced, so I hope you can take good care of them.
Although Yan Qingqing's children are hardworking and down-to-earth, Yan Qingqing really can't teach them this skill, and she's afraid they'll go astray over time.
Although Lin Ning'er works in a brothel, Yan Qingqing is not mistaken; she is a woman with a strong sense of justice and has not been completely destroyed by reality.
After they finished talking, Yan Qingqing was about to take her leave when Lin Ning'er looked at her headdress and said, "Sister, wait a moment. May I ask where you bought this headdress?"
Yan Qingqing touched the velvet flower in her hair, took it off, and handed it to Lin Ning'er, saying, "Is this what Sister Lin is asking about?"
Lin Ning'er nodded and took it, saying, "The style is novel and the workmanship is excellent. I've never seen this style before. May I ask where you bought it, sister?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "These were all made by the embroiderers in our family's embroidery workshop. The first batch of goods hasn't been released to the market yet."
Lin Ning'er was somewhat surprised that Yan Qingqing's family actually ran an embroidery workshop, which showed that they were not ordinary people.
Lin Ning'er spoke again: "To be honest, the girls in my building all wear the same gold, silver and jade ornaments on their heads. There's nothing new about them."
The younger sister's headdress is quite elegant and unique. I wonder if she could part with some of it and sell it to her older sister.
Don't worry about the price; I promise you won't be ripped off.
Yan Qingqing did not expect that this trip would bring her unexpected gains.
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