Chapter 264 – Business Negotiation
As a physician, Yan Xiaosi knew perfectly well what effects pain relievers had.
Pain relievers had analgesic effects that could quickly suppress pain at the affected area, but they can also slow down the patient’s recovery.
Yan Xiaosi’s worries instantly vanished.
With Bai Mingyue’s reputation, plus the pain-relieving effect of the medication, Yan Wenfeng would surely treat it as a miracle cure and use it daily. If that happened, it was questionable whether Yan Wenfeng’s right arm could recover within three months.
In that case, she shouldn’t blame Bai Mingyue but rather thank him.
“I’m sorry, Young Master Bai. I misjudged you.”
Bai Mingyue graciously accepted her apology and raised an eyebrow. “I’m a bit short on funds recently. Why don’t you treat me to this meal, Brother Yan?”
Yan Xiaosi had always been generous with friends.
Previously, when Bai Mingyue had been willing to pay for her medicinal food recipes, she had already considered him an regular friend. Now, learning that Bai Mingyue had used a trick on Yan Wenfeng to help avenge her, she felt they had developed a closer brotherhood.
“Sure, I’ll pay. I only ordered dishes I like. Feel free to order whatever you want. I made some money today, actually.”
Bai Mingyue had just said it casually, not expecting her to take him seriously.
“From selling heshouwu?”
“Yes.”
“Bai Jingye may be somewhat despicable as a person, but he has good judgment. Tell me, how much did you sell those three human-shaped heshouwu roots for?”
Yan Xiaosi made a gesture with her hand.
Bai Mingyue chuckled softly and whispered in her ear: “One thousand five hundred taels.”
Yan Xiaosi nodded. “Mmhmm.”
“Human-shaped heshouwu is extremely precious. You sold them too cheaply.”
“I know, but I urgently need money right now.”
That fire had destroyed everything. After building the house, she needed to buy furniture, quilts, clothes, pots and pans, and so on—all requiring substantial funds.
At that moment, Manager Yu personally delivered their dishes.
The golden, crispy pumpkin, the fragrant steamed meat, the tender stir-fried chicken gizzards with pickled peppers, and the appetizing tofu soup with greens, plus a pot of warm wine—compliments of Manager Yu.
“Young Master Bai, Young Brother Yan, all your dishes have been served. Enjoy your meal. If you need anything, just call me.”
Manager Yu arranged the dishes on the table and was about to leave with his tray.
Remembering she had business to discuss, Yan Xiaosi stopped him: “Manager Yu, are you very busy right now?”
Manager Yu observed his two assistants attending to other customers quite attentively.
“Not particularly busy.”
“Since Manager Yu isn’t too busy, please sit down and have a drink. I happen to have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
After Manager Yu sat down, Yan Xiaosi poured a cup of wine and pushed it toward him.
Manager Yu took a small sip.
“Young Brother Yan, we know each other well enough. Whatever it is, just tell me directly.”
Yan Xiaosi took out some coral mushrooms that she had hidden in her sleeve and placed them in front of Manager Yu.
“Manager Yu, do you recognize this?”
Manager Yu sniffed it and responded with some uncertainty: “This… this seems to be some kind of mushroom.”
“Manager Yu, these are coral mushrooms.”
Bai Mingyue, having traveled extensively and seen much of the world, had encountered them before.
Yan Xiaosi nodded slightly: “Young Master Bai has a good eye. These are indeed coral mushrooms.”
Bai Mingyue reached out toward Manager Yu, picked up a coral mushroom to examine, and praised: “These are extremely delicious mushrooms. When used in soup, they’re even more flavorful than seafood. They’re also excellent when pan-fried or deep-fried. I once stayed with a farming family and had them for several meals. Unfortunately, these mushrooms are quite rare and only available in August and September. After that, you’ll have to wait another year if you want to eat them.”
With Bai Mingyue speaking so highly of these mushrooms, Manager Yu immediately believed they were extremely rare and delicious ingredients.
However, he didn’t understand why Yan Xiaosi was showing him these mushrooms.
“Young Brother Yan, what do you mean by showing me these mushrooms?”
“Manager Yu, you’re a good person, so naturally, I want to collaborate with you to sell these mushrooms. Are you interested?”
Manager Yu’s eyes brightened.
“Of course I’m interested.”
Business at Yu Family Private Kitchen was getting better and better. If they could add a few specialty dishes, business would surely flourish.
“But… but didn’t Young Master Bai say these coral mushrooms are very rare, with limited quantities, and only available in August and September? Yet winter is approaching.”
“I know a secret technique for growing mushrooms. Don’t worry about the supply, Manager Yu. As long as you’re willing to cooperate with me, that’s all that matters.”
“I’m certainly willing.”
Manager Yu nodded without hesitation.
Yan Xiaosi smiled with satisfaction: “Manager Yu trusts me so readily.”
“Young Brother Yan, you’re a good person. If it weren’t for your guidance, how could the Yu Family Private Kitchen be what it is today?”
Yan Xiaosi had never considered herself a good person, but she was someone who knew gratitude. That day, when Manager Yu had seen her and her mother struggling to sell firewood and lent a helping hand, she never expected it would forge such a meaningful connection.
“Manager Yu, I’ll provide the mushrooms. You’ll be responsible for cooking and selling dishes made with them. We’ll split the profits fifty-fifty. What do you think?”
One person provides the ingredients, the other the labor—a fifty-fifty split seemed fair.
Manager Yu nodded in agreement.
“Young Brother Yan, should we establish a contract?”
“Yes, we should. Even close brothers need clear accounts. Please fetch brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.”
“Alright, I’ll get them right away.”
In a moment, Manager Yu brought the writing materials and placed them before Yan Xiaosi.
Yan Xiaosi wrote two identical contracts. She and Manager Yu both signed and pressed their thumbprints at the end, each keeping one copy.
Manager Yu carefully tucked the contract into his garment, then asked Yan Xiaosi: “Young Brother Yan, when can you deliver the first batch of mushrooms?”
She was growing coral mushrooms in her Portable Space. Given how quickly plants grew there, she should be able to harvest a batch in about five or six days. However, taking mushrooms directly from the Portable Space might raise suspicions. She needed to find a way to conceal their origin.
After some consideration, Yan Xiaosi replied: “The secret cultivation technique for mushrooms is rather complex. I can’t determine the exact time yet. As soon as I have mushrooms available, I’ll bring them to Yu Family Private Kitchen immediately.”
“Then I’ll wait patiently.”
The crispy pumpkin at Yu Family Private Kitchen was indeed delicious. The pumpkin balls had lean meat in the center, surrounded by a layer of pumpkin puree, which was coated with flour. Once deep-fried, the exterior became deliciously crispy while the pork meatball and pumpkin puree inside remained sweet and flavorful.
The proprietor had served generous portions for each dish. Yan Xiaosi ate so much that she had to lean against the wall when leaving. Even after mounting her chestnut horse, she continued to hiccup repeatedly.
