Chapter 99 - 99: Each Sentence Strikes the Heart

Translator: 549690339

Except…

Qiao Xiaomai looks at the large grinding stone in her own shed.

Shopkeeper He gifted her this grindstone and loaned her a donkey to increase production. But this increase wasn’t meant for the Zuixian Building.

“Mr. Shen, Manager Zhou, your price is very tempting, but I’m sorry. The tofu and bean curd that I’m making can only supply to Jieweiju right now.” Qiao Xiaomai reluctantly refuses.

“Twenty wen.” Shen Bai increases the price with a smile.

Qiao Xiaomai”!!!”

The amount of copper coin she would receive each day would double!

She was more than just a little tempted now!

“Mr. Shen.” Qiao Xiaomai points awkwardly to the large grindstone beneath the shed, explaining, “This grindstone was given to me by Shopkeeper He, and he also loaned me a donkey. I don’t think it’s right to use what he gave me to compete with him.”

A look of surprise appeared on Shen Bai’s serious face as he asked, “Lady, how much silver did you sell your recipe for cold jelly noodles for?”

Qiao Xiaomai blinks and her long eyelashes flutter, “Several tens of taels.”

“Jieweiju recouped that amount in just a few days, so Shopkeeper He giving you a grindstone and loaning you a donkey doesn’t begin to make up for the money he took advantage of. Even if he gave you a donkey directly, he’s still benefiting.”

“So you don’t need to feel guilty. We’re discussing business here and tofu bean curd is a rare delicacy, naturally, it goes to the highest bidder.”

Qiao Xiaomai stays silent.

His words sounded quite reasonable.

Initially, she didn’t care much about the price for her cold jelly noodles, but now she can’t help feeling a bit tricked…

“Let me consider it, I’ll come to Zuixian Building in a couple of days.” She didn’t refuse this time.

Shen Bai began to laugh, “Lady Qiao, are you really not willing to sell your recipe?”

“I’m not selling.” Qiao Xiaomai was quick to refuse this time.

“Let’s do some calculations, Lady Qiao, the tofu bean curd you are making now can only supply Bailu Town. But beyond Bailu Town, there are vast lands in Daqi, and you alone can’t bring tofu bean curd to those areas.”

“Those areas are just being left empty. Aren’t you considering making money selling tofu bean curd there?”

Looking at the smiling Shen Bai before her, Qiao Xiaomai couldn’t help but want to give him a thumbs up.

This is what a true businessman looks like, each sentence struck a chord in her heart.

Compared to Shopkeeper He, who only ever tried to haggle every single penny down, the man in front of her was clearly superior.

Seeing that Qiao Xiaomai has not obviously rejected him, Shen Bai smiled and continued, “I can assure you that we in Zuixian Building will not interfere in the tofu bean curd trade in Bailu Town, or even in Huai’an County. You can continue to make money from this business.”

“Lady, please name your price. As long as it’s not too outrageous, we at Zuixian Building will accept it.”

“What’s the standard for ‘outrageous’?” Qiao Xiaomai asks with sparkling eyes.

“For example, the number you mentioned earlier, the amount of silver that could be earned in a hundred years.” Shen Bai laughs lightly, but there is no condescension or disdain in his voice.

Qiao Xiaomai couldn’t help but touch her nose. All right, she knew what she’d just proposed was a bit excessive.

“This is a big deal; I need to think about it.”

“Of course. As for the recipe for tofu bean curd, however, I hope that we, the Zuixian Building, can be your first choice over Jieweiju.” Shen Bai put away his smile and became serious.

Qiao Xiaomai tilts her head, looks him up and down and curiously asks, “Mr.. Shen, it’s just tofu and bean curd, is it worth such a big investment?”