Since that hot pot feast, everyone at Tingfeng Courtyard has been busy.
Li Xi was busy searching for a hot pot restaurant with Chairman Wang. Jingyuan actually had various restaurants serving hot pot, but it didn't have the kind of hot pot restaurants that existed in later generations. The choice of location was therefore particularly important.
Secondly, we need to find someone with a strong background to join us; otherwise, we will be ostracized and attacked within the Kyoto aristocratic circle.
Therefore, choosing a powerful backer is crucial, and Chairman Wang doesn't want to rely on her father. So, this task falls to Li Xi.
"Xiao Xi, why don't you go find Young Master Shen? There are quite a few people in the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion who are in business." After thinking it over, Chairman Wang still felt that he was the most suitable.
“What you said makes sense. I heard that the Jinxiu Manor in the capital is run by people from their Marquis’s family, as well as many restaurants and jewelry stores.” Moreover, last year Li Xi boasted that he would take Shen Xu into business, but he hasn’t discussed this issue with him yet.
"President Wang, I think you should entrust this task to me. I will definitely handle it perfectly," Li Xi assured him, patting his chest.
Upon hearing this, Chairman Wang no longer hesitated and said, "Since Xiaoxi is confident, then I'll trouble you. I believe in your abilities. As long as you can persuade Young Master Shen to invest in our chamber of commerce, I'm sure we'll succeed in opening this hot pot restaurant."
Li Xi nodded, silently considering how to bring it up. Although she had known Shen Xu for some time, she had never discussed business matters with him.
After all, she was just joking with him. But now the situation is different, and she has to find a way to persuade Shen Xu.
That evening, Li Xi went to Shen Xu's residence. Shen Xu was quite surprised to see her, but still treated her warmly.
After exchanging some trivial conversation, Li Xi got down to business. "Young Master Shen, I've come to discuss matters concerning the Chamber of Commerce with you," Li Xi said bluntly.
"Chamber of Commerce? Which Chamber of Commerce?" Shen Xu asked, somewhat puzzled. "It's the Qiyang Chamber of Commerce. We plan to open a hot pot restaurant in Kyoto, the one you ate at the other day. If you can join, I believe the profits will be quite substantial. We plan to open a franchise store for our hot pot restaurant," Li Xi explained.
"Oh? What is franchising?" Shen Xu couldn't help but ask curiously.
"It's like this: once our hot pot restaurant becomes a hit in Kyoto, we can let people join us and open branches in other places, provided they pay some fees. That's roughly the idea," Li Xi said earnestly.
“It sounds promising. I’ve been waiting for you to come to me. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting since last year, just waiting for you to call me.” His father knew that he knew Li Xi and had thought about partnering with them. This year’s chili peppers had made many powerful families green with envy.
"Should we discuss this with the Marquis? After all, we're running a business to save face. Aren't you afraid of disgracing your family's reputation?" Li Xi hesitated.
Shen Xu had finally gotten this opportunity, so why hesitate? He immediately agreed, "No need. Don't laugh at me, but my father has long wanted me to get to know you better. It's not just because you saved my sister last time, but also because your Qiyang Chamber of Commerce is highly sought after this year."
Li Xi hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, and felt much more relaxed; it seemed like a good omen. "In that case, I really have to thank the Marquis for his favor."
"It's alright. You can talk to them in person in a couple of days. My sister's coming-of-age ceremony is in two days, and they said they'll send you invitations." Shen Xu was a little excited. It seemed he could work with Brother Li in the future, and the thought made him quite excited.
Seeing that everything was fine, Li Xi decided to go back. "Then I'll wait for your post."
Under Meng Zhelan's care, the old lady's health has almost fully recovered. Every day, besides basking in the sun and taking walks in the courtyard, she also instructs the servants of Tingfeng Courtyard on how to manage everything in the courtyard. It's clear that she used to be an extremely meticulous person.
Life was pleasant and comfortable.
The sun was shining brightly today, and the old lady was sunbathing in the courtyard while Meng Zhelan gently massaged her shoulders. The old lady closed her eyes, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
Just as Li Xi returned to Tingfeng Courtyard, the invitation from Marquis Wu'an arrived.
Li Xi walked into the courtyard with the invitation and saw Meng Zhelan and the old lady chatting there. She quickly went over to share her joy.
"Lan'er, Grandmother, our hot pot restaurant will be launched soon. It will definitely be a hit in Kyoto, haha." Li Xi never expected that she was a poor girl in her previous life, but now she is a little rich woman.
"You child, you're obsessed with money." The old lady laughed along.
“Grandmother, Xiaoxi is always like this, always so sincere.” Meng Zhelan looked at Li Xi with affection.
Li Xi happily put her arm around Meng Zhelan's shoulder and said coquettishly, "Lan'er understands me the best."
The old lady looked at the two of them and was also moved by their sincere feelings. Tears welled up in her eyes. She seemed to have once had such a close friend, but she had forgotten what she looked like.
"Grandmother, what's wrong?" Li Xi asked with some concern when she saw the old lady's expression.
The old lady came to her senses and sighed softly. "It's nothing. I just realized that I seemed to have forgotten that I once had such a close friend. I just can't remember her name or what she looked like, but my subconscious is telling me that this is important."
Meng Zhelan and Li Xi exchanged a glance but did not speak. However, they both understood that the old lady must have recalled some fragmented memories, but they did not let her continue to think about it, for things will turn out the opposite when they reach their extreme.
“Grandmother, it’s alright. After two more days of acupuncture, the blood clots in your brain will be gone, and then you’ll remember everything,” Meng Zhelan comforted her.
“Yes, Grandmother. Why don’t we think about what to wear to the coming-of-age ceremony of the Marquis of Wu’an’s eldest daughter in a couple of days? Should we also prepare a congratulatory gift?” Li Xi handed the invitation to the old lady.
The old lady took it, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. Marquis Wu'an? The name seemed somewhat familiar. "Indeed, we need to prepare properly. There are rules for dressing up when attending a noble family's banquet. The texture, style, and color of the clothes, as well as the jewelry, all matter."
The two women were completely bewildered. They had never attended such a banquet before and were utterly clueless about the rules and etiquette. They could only turn to their grandmother for help, for her usual refined manners and manner of speaking suggested she had once been a lady of high birth.
"Grandmother, why don't we go for a walk together? Look, Lan'er, Ling'er, and I don't know anything about this stuff," Li Xi said pitifully to the old lady.
"Alright, alright, you're quite the clever one. Come on, I haven't been out in ages." The old lady stood up, her spirits lifting at the mention of shopping.
Li Xi had Tian Tian drive the carriage out and dragged Ling'er out of the kitchen. Ling'er had become obsessed with cooking and didn't feel tired even if she stayed in the kitchen all day.
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