The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 601: Chapter 588: Awakening

“No worries, it’s just an amusing situation,” Zhuang Qingning laughed, saying.

While they were talking, a rather noisy sound came from outside the door, as a large group of people, chatting and laughing, entered the main door of Hanfeng Tower.

“Manager Zhong, we agreed that for this incoming batch of goods, you have to supply me with at least two hundred pieces of each item. We can negotiate the price.”

“Manager Zhong, I want more than him. I want three hundred pieces of each item. I will pay ten percent more than your set price,how do you think? Moreover, it seems you like our locally produced Goji. I will immediately send a message back and get some for you.”

“Manager Zhong, I don’t pick and choose. Just supply me with whatever is left and set the price yourself…”

A group of people surrounded Zhong Yingcai with flattering smiles on their faces and flattering words in their mouths.

The waiter, seeing so many people entering the restaurant, hurriedly directed them to the second floor.

Zhong Yingcai, surrounded as he was, kept a smile on his face, responding in a perfunctory way. It seemed he found these flattering words tiring as he heard them so often, and he looked around.

To his surprise, he saw Zhuang Qingning standing in the main hall on the first floor, and beside her…

Chu Jinnian!

How is it that the young master has come?

Zhong Yingcai’s face, previously tired and slightly impatient, now exuded joy. He bowed to the others, saying, “Gentlemen, you go on ahead and enjoy your meal. I will be with you shortly. Excuse me.”

Then he ordered Qi Er, who was beside him, “Take care of our guests, make sure they are well accommodated.”

Qi Er agreed and led the others to the private rooms on the second floor.

“Take your time, Manager Zhong.” The others, understanding his situation, knew that Zhong Yingcai, being a distinguished guest merchant from the capital city, was indeed quite busy. They did not keep him and let Qi Er arrange them upstairs.

Once they had gone upstairs, Zhong Yingcai hurried over to Chu Jinnian and asked, “Young Master, what brings you here?”

“To…” Chu Jinnian paused, then said, “To see how the soap business is doing.”

Coming to check on business?

At first, Zhong Yingcai was stunned, then his face brightened.

He’s finally getting it!

At last, he’s showing interest in the businesses under his name and has realized the joy of earning silver.

This was indeed cause for celebration, very much so.

Zhong Yingcai was so excited that he didn’t know what to do with his hands. He rubbed his left hand with his right, then his right hand with his left. After a while, he led Chu Jinnian and Zhuang Qingning to a private room upstairs, saying, “Rest assured, Young Master, with the suggestions from Manager Zhuang, the soap business is flourishing.”

“We’ve already started stocking our merchandise in the capital city, and we’ve given some samples to the regular patrons of Linglong Pavilion. We aim to first make a profit and build a reputation among the households of the nobles and high officials. I’ve also started supplying the surrounding county towns. Demand far outstrips supply, and many merchants are just waiting for our workshop to produce the goods and have them shipped.”

“For the soaps, the pearl soap, peach blossom soap, and mugwort soap are the best sellers. During the summer, for now, I’ve followed Manager Zhuang’s suggestion to make lotus soap. In autumn, I plan to make osmanthus soap and chrysanthemum soap. In winter, I’ll produce plum blossom soap, both in white and red.”

“Such fashion of operation ensures the growth of our soap business. We can even foresee that in half a year or a year, our soaps could be seen everywhere. We could even sell them to the Western Regions and surrounding vassal states.”

Perhaps due to his excitement, Zhong Yingcai’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

The excitement came from two sources – firstly, because Chu Jinnian was willing to inquire about the soap business, and secondly, because the soap business was indeed doing very well.

To be honest, the soap business was the easiest and most promising business Zhong Yingcai had managed under Chu Jinnian.

“Well, well done.” Chu Jinnian nodded slightly, showing his approval.

Finally receiving affirmation from Chu Jinnian, Zhong Yingcai stood even straighter.

“But this is largely thanks to Manager Zhuang. It’s because of the unique soap that she created that our business is doing so well. Otherwise, even with my abilities, it would be impossible to make something out of nothing,” chuckled Zhong Yingcai.

“Manager Zhong, you flatter me. Without you, even if this soap was novel and useful, it would be like a deep alley disguising a fragrant wine, unknown to most. So, in reality, they are complementary and indispensable. Manager Zhong, you don’t have to be overly modest,” said Zhuang Qingning.

On hearing this, Zhong Yingcai laughed, “You speak very truly, Manager Zhuang.”

“Yes, indeed.” Chu Jinnian also nodded from the side, showing his full agreement with their conversation.

In fact, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly into a faint smile.

Almost overwhelmed with emotion, Zhong Yingcai had to keep from shedding tears.

In the past, no matter how much money he made for Chu Jinnian, Chu Jinnian barely gave it a second thought. He was apparently indifferent to money. Today’s scene, where he not only nodded in affirmation but also said “well done,” was completely unprecedented.

Having been with Chu Jinnian for so many years, it was worth it to witness such a day!

But was Chu Jinnian interested in the soap business because of Zhuang Qingning, or because of the business itself?

Regardless, all he needed to do now was to manage the soap business well.

Zhong Yingcai made a resolution to himself that he would make the soap business even bigger and better.

As they were talking, the waiter had already served various dishes.

Originally, the feast was prepared by Zhong Yingcai to entertain merchants from various places. Almost all the signature dishes of Hanfeng Tower were ordered, each exemplifying the restaurant’s special features. Chu Jinnian and Zhuang Qingning did not need to order anything else.

“Young Master, Manager Zhuang, please enjoy.” Zhong Yingcai picked up his glass and toasted Chu Jinnian and Zhuang Qingning.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Chu Jinnian picked up his glass and took a sip of the famous Nu Er Hong. He then put down the glass and looked at Zhong Yingcai, saying, “Earlier, it seemed like you were holding a banquet for some merchants. Since these are all potential clients who could make a profit for the soap factory, Manager Zhong, you should go and mingle with them.”

Not only was he paying attention to the business, but he was also thinking about the finer details.

Chu Jinnian had truly awakened!