Xin He thought that Shopkeeper Wu would need at least seven days to consider the matter, only expressing his attitude on the last day. After all, their business was quite significant this time—it wasn’t just about silver coins transactions. She demanded a "Lion’s Big Mouth" to hold half of the shares, which meant that half of the business in Lian’an Town belonging to Gui Lin Ju would be hers.
Such a big matter would definitely require careful consideration from Shopkeeper Wu.
Unexpectedly, it took less than three days before Shopkeeper Wu personally came to visit her.
Upon hearing Shulan’s report, Xin He was taken aback for a moment, "Please let him in."
"Yes."
It didn’t take long before Shopkeeper Wu entered with a serious expression on his face.
Xin He waved her hand to signal Shulan to serve tea, and she personally attended to him, "I’m quite surprised by your sudden visit today, Shopkeeper Wu."
Shopkeeper Wu forced a smile, "If I’ve considered it well, of course, it’s time to come. Otherwise, simply delaying time wouldn’t do any good."
At least he certainly wouldn’t get any benefits from Xin He. He could be sure that she must have already prepared alternative approaches with her means and astuteness. If Gui Lin Ju refused the opportunity, she could easily find someone else to take it or handle it all by herself. After a year of dealings, Shopkeeper Wu completely believed that she had the ability to do so.
The only way to do business with her was to be frank.
Xin He raised an eyebrow, "Does Shopkeeper Wu mean that he has already made up his mind?"
Shopkeeper Wu’s expression became even more serious, and he said solemnly, "Gui Lin Ju is determined to cooperate with Hua Man Lou!"
Although not an unexpected response, Xin He was still shocked that Shopkeeper Wu could commit so many days in advance.
"Are you sure you’ve thought it through? I’m not joking about the conditions," Xin He said.
Shopkeeper Wu took a deep breath before saying slowly, "Of course, I know. That’s why I came today. I just want to ask Miss Ji one question."
"Please ask."
Shopkeeper Wu stared at her intently, "Can Hua Man Lou truly become the number one Flower House in Lian’an Town?"
If it were someone else making such a claim, Shopkeeper Wu certainly wouldn’t believe them, but the person making the claim was Ji Xinhe herself. Others might not know, but how could he not? He had watched the little peasant girl reach her current position with his own eyes.
He wasn’t foolish, so he knew how clever Ji Xinhe was and how likely she was to create miracles.
If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have come today to make this deal, to place all his bets on this one chance!
Xin He smiled, "I want even more than that."
Shopkeeper Wu was stunned, "What do you mean?"
Xin He fiddled with the tea cup in her hand and said slowly, "I want Hua Man Lou to become the number one Flower House in the entire Da Qian, even being recognized throughout the world!"
Shopkeeper Wu’s eyes bulged, almost unable to believe what he had heard. He suddenly recalled what Ji Xinhe had said in the past about opening branches in other places after Hua Man Lou prospered in Lian’an Town.
But she insisted that there would only ever be one Hua Man Lou, never a branch campus.
Only now did he understand where her schemes lay, given what she said today.
Being the number one Flower House in the entire Da Qian...how could that be possible?
However, Shopkeeper Wu, seeing the confident sparkle in Ji Xinhe’s eyes, was suddenly energized. He slammed the table and exclaimed, "Alright! I’ll take this deal!"
In his twilight years, he felt an urge to fight for something for the first time, all because the person he believed in was Ji Xinhe.
Xin He smiled, "Shopkeeper Wu is courageous. Xin He will not let Shopkeeper Wu be disappointed."
She then waved her hand and said to Xiaoyu, "Bring the prepared contract."
"Yes."
After the contract was brought in, Shopkeeper Wu carefully examined it again to make sure everything was correct before finally pressing his fingerprint on it.
Xin He chuckled, "Since today’s matter is settled, the banquets at Hua Man Lou will naturally still rely on Gui Lin Ju. There is less than a month left until the reopening of Hua Man Lou, so it’s best for Gui Lin Ju to prepare staff and chefs in advance, send them to Hua Man Lou, and start coordinating."
"Of course! Since we’ve committed to this, we naturally won’t let Miss Ji down. Miss Ji can rest assured that we are now in this together, sharing both honor and disgrace. Hua Man Lou’s affairs are Gui Lin Ju’s affairs!" Shopkeeper Wu said solemnly.
Xin He nodded, "I have complete faith in Shopkeeper Wu’s capabilities, but there is one more thing."
"What is it?"
Xin He smiled, "For the time being, let’s not spread the news of the cooperation between Hua Man Lou and Gui Lin Ju. Otherwise, once informed people get wind of it, they’ll know about Hua Man Lou’s concealed actions and intentionally cause trouble. The reopening of Hua Man Lou is approaching, and there are many things to prepare. I don’t want to give troublemakers a chance, and I don’t have the energy for it."
Shopkeeper Wu frowned, "I understand what you mean—you want to keep a low profile. However, if we’re too low-key, Hua Man Lou will gradually lose its reputation. In a month’s time, people in Lian’an Town might even have forgotten that such a Flower House exists. When Hua Man Lou reopens and even if there’s an Oiran competition, I’m afraid no one will care."
However, Xin He blinked, "Shopkeeper Wu, you don’t need to worry about these things. For now, let’s keep the news suppressed. One day less of trouble is good. On the day when Hua Man Lou actually reopens, I’ll make sure the Oiran competition will have an outstanding turnout!"
With Ji Xinhe’s assurance, Shopkeeper Wu was relieved. Although he didn’t know what her plan was, since Ji Xinhe said it could work, he believed it could. Little did he know when he started trusting this young girl more and more.
About half a month passed, and the girls at Hua Man Lou continued their secret, intensive training in preparation for the Oiran competition in half a month.
In the past half a month, Xin He hardly had any free time to rest, spending most of her days at Hua Man Lou, personally instructing the girls. The rest of her time was spent running around, preparing the girls’ clothing, accessories, and hiring more professional musicians. There was so much to prepare for the upcoming Oiran competition that time flew by unnoticed.
One morning, Shulan rushed in from outside, shouting as she ran, "Madam, Madam! Miss Ah Lian has arrived!"
Xin He’s hand, gripping a pen, paused for a moment, and a smile spread across her lips.
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