"Perhaps Madam will think my proposal is excessive and my demands are outrageous, but once Madam reaps the profits from the first batch of jewelry, she will realize that my proposal is not excessive at all."
"After all, I can't sit at home every day meditating and drawing designs. We still need to focus on making money. I definitely need to go out with my wife to see the market and know the latest fashion trends. You know, sometimes jewelry and trendy clothes can be paired together, which can increase our sales a lot."
Li Mai's words reminded Madam Yu that she hadn't thought of so many things. That's right, she should take her to the shop to take a look. Maybe this girl could bring her some good ideas!
"Sure, if you can come with me to see different places, I can give you a living allowance every month. I know your family situation. But will your husband agree to let you go out with me?" Madam Yu was curious about this.
"There's one more thing I need to say. I'm a widow. My husband, daughter, and son were all killed by our enemies. If you're dealing with someone like me, you should make things clear to your family first, so they don't come looking for trouble later and say I've ruined your reputation." Madam Yu had suffered a lot in this regard, so she decided to make things clear first.
Li Mai smiled and said, "Don't worry, he'll agree. Once he recovers, he might even become our driver!"
Madam Yu smiled. She really liked the girl's cleverness. She had already planned out a job for her husband.
Madam Yu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Little girl, to be honest, you are the first person I've encountered in all these years of doing business with whom I haven't even seen any profit yet, but who has managed to take a considerable amount of money from me."
“I know why you want a base salary or a deposit. You're worried that I might run away halfway through or that my business might collapse. After all, we've only just started doing business together, so it's normal that you don't trust me.”
“However, I am also a businessman. If you are wary of me, I am also wary of you. What if I give you five hundred or a thousand taels and you run away with the money and your whole family? I would have to spend a lot of time and effort to find you, which would be troublesome.”
After the fisherwoman finished speaking, she looked at Li Mai, waiting for Li Mai's reply.
Li Mai smiled and said, "I understand Madam's concerns. If I were in Madam's position, I would think the same way. Moreover, Madam has indeed shown me the utmost sincerity."
“How about this, I’ll design another piece of jewelry for you, Madam, and give you a brilliant idea, and I guarantee you’ll earn five hundred taels within half a month.” Li Mai said, smiling at Madam Yu.
Mrs. Fisherman asked in surprise, "Really?"
Li Mai nodded. "At least five hundred taels. I wonder how many shops are within three days' journey for you, Madam?"
Lady Fisher thought for a moment, then said, "Five families."
Li Mai nodded, "Then there's no problem, at least five hundred taels. Just based on this one item I'm giving you, not counting the other items sold in your shop."
"Alright, I'll take this on. You just need to draw and come up with ideas, and I'll go find the craftsmen to make it right away."
Li Mai walked to the table with the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began to draw earnestly.
Soon, a hairpin appeared on the paper.
It has a simple design; it's a double-headed hairpin. At the connection between the two heads, it tapers down, like two people holding each other's hands and leaning together. At the connection point, there are small tassels about the length of two finger joints hanging down, and each tassel is individual.
"What is this?" Madam Yu asked.
“A lover’s hairpin!” Li Mai said, writing the name of the hairpin next to her.
“This double-headed hairpin depicts the scene of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meeting. Therefore, the most important aspect of this hairpin is the detail of the figures on the hairpin heads. It can be made of pure gold or pure silver, but it must capture the form of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl and their excitement and warmth upon meeting. The finished product must have smooth lines,” Li Mai said.
"You mean, we should seize the opportunity of the July 7th festival?"
Li Mai nodded. "Yes, the poor care about food and clothing, while the rich care about holidays. Because every holiday is a time for them to meet each other, exchange gifts, and boast about their wealth."
"Although everyone can tell the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, we want to tell them a story they've never heard before this year. We'll launch the story in conjunction with our Valentine's Day offerings. We'll also invite a few prominent ladies from the town for tea to showcase our new product. We'll spread the word that we're making Valentine's Day hairpins to commemorate the love between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. I think no lady or young woman could resist such an inexpensive yet meaningful Valentine's Day hairpin."
"Madam can have the craftsmen make three grades: one in pure silver, one in pure gold, and one for a perfect match. Here, here, and here, they can be replaced with white jade beads or gold inlaid with white jade. Three grades, three prices. I think Madam can set the most reasonable price."
"If you can do this in one place, you can do it in five places as well. I think that in half a month, the result will definitely not disappoint you. Of course, the craftsmen can't be left behind either."
“Of course, you should note that the things are important, but the people who do the work are equally important,” Li Mai reminded her.
"What should people pay attention to?" Mrs. Fisherman asked, puzzled.
"The attitude, clothing, appearance, expression, and way of speaking of the person recommending this lover's hairpin are all key factors that can influence the final sales of this hairpin. I've been in the business for many years, and if I explain these things to you, you should know what to do."
Li Mai only needs to provide the drawings and ideas; how to actually implement them is the responsibility of the fisherwoman.
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