Chen Cuihua's family started preparing in a flurry of activity. Xi Chun's side was originally worried about whether to reduce the quantity, but then someone came to the stall.
"Miss Chen, our manager asked me to come see you. He wants to talk to you about some business," a young shop assistant said, stepping forward as Xichun seemed to be empty.
"I remember you're a waiter at Zhu's Teahouse, right?" Xi Chun recognized the waiter and remembered that he was a waiter at Zhu's Teahouse. Zhu's Teahouse was the largest teahouse in their town, and many people went there to drink tea. In addition to running the teahouse, they also seemed to own a small restaurant.
"Yes, yes, Miss Chen has a good memory. I work at Zhu's Teahouse," the waiter said with a smile.
"Come on, have a tea egg. I'll wash my hands first. Wait here for me." Xi Chun had seen people come to Zhu's Tea House to buy food before.
"Thank you, thank you. I'm only able to eat tea eggs here today thanks to our manager. I heard they're delicious." The waiter took the tea eggs and couldn't wait to start eating them.
Xichun followed him to Zhu's Teahouse. Aunt Zhang was a little worried at first, but Xichun reassured her. She had met the owner of Zhu's Teahouse a few times, and he didn't seem like a wicked person. He also had a good reputation in the town.
"Shopkeeper, Miss Chen is here." The waiter had just eaten a few bites of tea egg and was choking a little.
"Hehe, Miss Chen, come, sit down. I have something to discuss with you today. Dongzi, go and bring Miss Chen a pot of tea." The shopkeeper had been sitting at the table waiting for Xichun. Judging from the waiter's expression, he could guess what he had just done, but he wasn't angry.
"Manager Zhu, I'm usually so busy that I don't have a chance to come to your teahouse for tea. This is my first time here. Your teahouse looks really beautiful. I, who run a small business, am quite envious." Xi Chun also flattered him.
"No, no, it's just that I have some family business. Otherwise, I might not be as successful as you, Miss Chen. Back then, you were just a young girl who dared to set up a stall in town. We all wondered how long you could last. Who would have thought that your business would be so booming? We've even patronized your stall many times."
"I don't deserve it, Manager Zhu, you're exaggerating. I'm still young and there's a lot I need to learn from you seniors."
"Ahem, Miss Chen, you are indeed a businesswoman. You speak so eloquently. I know you are busy with your business, so I won't beat around the bush. I have something to discuss with you today."
Manager Zhu saw that Xichun was also slippery and didn't rush to get to the point. Since he still had business to do, he also brought up the topic.
"I wonder if there's anything I can do to help you, shopkeeper?"
"Hehe, you don't know yet, do you? The fame of your tea eggs and golden dumplings has spread all over the county. Even I have to have someone buy some to try every day. I just can't get enough of them."
So the reason I asked you to come here today, Miss Chen, is to ask if you'd be willing to sell your recipes for tea eggs and golden dumplings.
"So that's why Manager Zhu came here. To be honest, I figured out this method myself after a long time. As for selling it, it's naturally not as good as having a business all to myself."
However, since it's you, Manager Zhu, who has come to see me today, I can't refuse you. So, I have an idea of mine, and I'd like to share it with you to see if you'd be willing."
"Oh, I wonder what Miss Chen's plans are?" Manager Zhu guessed from what she had said earlier that she must have a new idea.
"Here's what I'm thinking: my tea eggs are still the best-selling item on my stall, but I'm young and don't have any connections. If someone covets them, that wouldn't be good. So I'm willing to sell the recipe for these tea eggs to Manager Zhu, but in a different way."
In other words, I can charge a lower price, but this formula isn't just for you; I can use it myself, and if someone else offers the same price, I can sell it to them. It's a win-win situation. I just don't know if Manager Zhu agrees?
Xi Chun originally didn't want to sell the recipe, but after hearing from Manager Zhu that someone in the county town had taken notice of her business, she had to take it seriously. Although tea eggs do require a recipe, it's not a difficult thing to figure out with enough research. The real concern is that someone might have malicious intentions and do something to her because she's a young woman. That would be impossible to guard against.
"I see. So that means everyone can use this formula, and it loses its advantage?" Manager Zhu frowned. This was clearly not the effect he wanted to achieve. Who wouldn't want to have a unique business?
"Yes, but I won't deliberately tell anyone. However, if anyone asks, I will tell them the same thing. As for this town, I will only sell to two companies. Besides you, I'll see if anyone else is willing to buy from the other one."
"That's feasible. Miss Chen, what's your price?" Manager Zhu was relieved to hear this, as he could still make money this way.
"Manager Zhu, would you be willing to pay ten taels of silver?"
"Alright, ten taels of silver it is. How about these golden dumplings?"
"The name 'Golden Dumpling' is just a marketing ploy. It's not difficult for anyone to figure out with a little thought. Manager Zhu, you're the first person I've worked with, so I'll just give you the recipe for the Golden Dumpling." The egg dumpling was indeed very simple, so Xichun stopped worrying about it.
"Miss Chen is indeed magnanimous. Then it's settled. Let's draw up a written agreement." Seeing how straightforward she was, Manager Zhu thought even more highly of her, believing that this girl was destined for great things.
"Thank you for your praise, Manager Zhu. Please draft a recipe, and I will give it to you on the spot."
Soon, the two reached an agreement. Xi Chun carefully kept the two copies of the contract and handed over the recipe to them.
"Xichun, what does the manager of Zhu's Teahouse want to see you about? I noticed you haven't come out for a while, and I was just about to go look for you," Aunt Zhang asked anxiously as Xichun returned.
“Aunt Zhang, this is good news. Let’s talk about it when we get home. Let’s sell the rest first.” Xi Chun didn’t say it directly on the street.
Before long, a servant from a landlord's household came over and bought all of Xichun's tea eggs and egg dumplings. Now only some meat and vegetables were left, so Xichun decided to go home early.
"Xichun, aren't we going to sell anymore? Why are we going back so early?" Aunt Zhang was a little confused when she saw that Xichun had gone to buy meat and ribs.
"Hehe, Aunt Zhang, let's go back and celebrate. Come on, let's invite Uncle Zhang and the others over today, and have a delicious hot pot meal." Xi Chun was really happy now, having earned ten taels of silver all at once.
However, she still understood the principle of not flaunting wealth. She only said that she would sell the recipe and didn't say anything else. After a couple of days, when the teahouse started selling tea eggs, everyone else naturally understood.
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