Blossom in Adversity

C128. Discussing Cooperation.

Chapter 128: Discussing Cooperation

Bai Mingxia understood at first glance that Hua Zhi was not bragging. She could really afford to support the Hua family, so she would not rely on others for the survival of the Hua family. That's why she mentioned cooperation instead of seeking help.

Suddenly, Bai Mingxia understood why Yue Zhi had such sentiments.

Lowering his gaze to the two bowls in front of him, he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. It was sweet, but not too sweet, and even though he didn't have a sweet tooth, he found it acceptable. Women and children probably wouldn't dislike it.

"How do you propose we cooperate?" he asked.

Hua Zhi's eyes lit up, straightening her back. "Do you think this has market potential, Master Bai?"

"If it's unique, then yes, it has market potential."

"Of course, it's unique. Even if someone wanted to learn, they wouldn't be able to master the skill in a short amount of time."

Confident indeed, Bai Mingxia chuckled. "Do you want to sell it at the Yunlai Restaurant?"

"Yes," Hua Zhi enjoyed dealing with straightforward people.

She didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "For example, this meat peach. These large pieces can be cut into smaller ones and offered to customers as samples for free. If a customer likes it, they will naturally order more. Of course, they will have to pay for the additional orders. What do you think, Master Bai?"

"Most of the customers who dine and drink here are men, and they might not be interested in overly sweet items."

"As long as one out of every ten tables thinks of their wives and children at home, it's enough," she remarked.

She didn't necessarily intend to sell a lot here. She wanted to elevate the status of this item by leveraging the reputation of Yunlai Restaurant. She believed that most women and children would like this item, and once they spread the word, the market would open up.

Bai Mingxia tapped the table. "Are you continuing to sell your products outside?"

"Of course, regardless of how much we sell in your restaurant, I will give you fifty percent of the profit."

Fifty percent profit!

Bai Mingxia was astonished. "Aren't you worried that others will only trust the Yunlai Restaurant and buy your products only from here?"

"So what?" she shrugged.

Indeed, so what?

Everyone could see with their own eyes. Over time, it would become clear where the products came from. While the average person couldn't enter Yunlai Restaurant, the store on the street corner was always open to welcome customers. It may seem like Hua Zhi was at a disadvantage, but in reality, she was using a stone to hit two birds.

No wonder Old Madam Hua chose to entrust the family to this eldest granddaughter rather than her daughters-in-law.

Bai Mingxia picked up a slice of orange and chewed slowly, while Hua Zhi leisurely sipped her tea, showing no signs of impatience.

"Then, let's bring the intermediary in."

Gu Yanxi said, taking over the conversation after holding back his aura for a while. "Mr. Xu Jie, please go and bring the person up."

Hua Zhi didn't turn around, as it wasn't the right time to express gratitude.

Bai Mingxia thought that Hua Zhi was confident that the deal would go through when she brought along the intermediary. He admired her boldness and said, "I had planned to visit the northern region after the new year to see how Yue Zhi had been suffering. If you have anything you need me to pass on to him, just let me know."

Hua Zhi didn't mention that she would also go this year but simply said, "Thank you for your offer, Mr. Bai."

"In terms of seniority, you should call me Uncle."

Hua Zhi obliged, "Yes, Uncle Bai."

A smile flickered in Bai Mingxia's eyes as he looked at Gu Yanxi. "May I ask how to address you? You seem unfamiliar."

"I am Lu Yanxi."

Lu?

There was a household named Lu in the capital, but Bai Mingxia knew the members of that family and hadn't heard of this person. "Niece, how do you…"

"The children at home are weak, so I asked Mr. Lu to teach them some body-strengthening techniques. They may not be able to beat three to five people, but at least they'll suffer fewer ailments."

It made sense, but Lu Yanxi didn't seem like a martial arts instructor at all. Seeing his confidence, Bai Mingxia kept this in mind, planning to bring up the topic with Yue Zhi later.

The intermediary was a respected person in the capital. After signing the contract, Hua Zhi didn't intend to stay any longer. She stood up, took a couple of steps back, and bowed, "Thank you, Uncle Bai, for your cooperation. The Hua family is grateful."

"What's there to be grateful for? It's simply a mutually beneficial business deal," Bai Mingxia chuckled. "If Yue Zhi knew I was getting half of the profit, he might break ties with me. But if I didn't want for it, Niece wouldn't have done business with me either."

Hua Zhi smiled and neither confirmed nor denied. She bowed again, put on her veil, and left.

She enjoyed discussing business but not personal matters. She always believed that if personal matters could be negotiated, they were not personal matters but business transactions.

Bai Mingxia looked at the two porcelain jars on the table, picked up another peach slice, put it in his mouth, and suddenly laughed. If the Hua family could make it big, he would dig a hole, twist his head off, and throw it in.

As they descended from the third floor to the first, all eyes were on Hua Zhi. The Daqing Dynasty was not lenient towards women entering restaurants, and the sight of a young lady like her was rare. However, it was best not to be presumptuous.

Gu Yanxi's eyes scanned the crowd, causing many to avert their gaze. But some couldn't resist sneaking glances.

Hua Zhi pretended not to notice the whispers and, once in the carriage, removed her veil, as she wasn't comfortable wearing it.

Looking at the man on the horse outside, she said, "I did not expect things to go so smoothly today. Thank you, Mr. Lu, for your consideration."

Ling Yin saw Hua Zhi and hurried to the window. Gu Yanxi, happy to be closer to Hua Zhi, casually pulled back but let it go, saying, "You didn't expect the negotiation to go so smoothly. Bai Mingxia and your Fourth Uncle Hua have been close since childhood. Your shop had no business, and there were no problems because he stepped in. Due to this, he faced some trouble with the eldest son of the Bai family."

Hua Zhi hadn't heard about this and felt the need to express gratitude. "Does the Bai family not want to be involved with the Hua family?"

"The old man from the Bai family and your grandfather couldn't see eye to eye. He's conservative but not malicious, and he just doesn't want any ties with the Hua family."

"What about Uncle Bai today?"

"He can handle it." The sunlight fell on Hua Zhi's face through the window, making her even paler, but Gu Yanxi remained composed. "He is the only capable one in this generation of the Bai family. The old man insists on traditional rules, favoring the eldest sons and making him surrender in every aspect. Any achievements attributed to him have been given to his useless eldest brother. The Bai family lineage will end with this generation unless it's placed in Bai Mingxia's hands."

"If the lineage goes to Uncle Bai?"

"It won't be worse than it is now. His abilities are no less than your Fourth Uncle."

Hua Zhi had always regarded Fourth Uncle as the most capable in the Hua family. Despite heroes lacking a chance to shine, the overall environment of the Hua family was good, as her father's biggest strength was his ability to accommodate others.