The last ray of sunlight vanished from the sky, and lights one by one lit up at the Lianshun Escort Agency. In the kitchen, Zuo Jinxiang had already prepared the al, shouting for everyone to set the table. A familiar-looking young porter rushed to the front hall’s entrance, chuckling loudly, "Brother Yuhuai, ti to eat—eh, Sister-in-law is here too?"
ng Yuhuai turned his head, flashing a kind smile at the man, "You guys go ahead and eat, just have Sister-in-law Zuo save so for ."
The porter nodded energetically, agreeing "Alright," then turned and ran off, calling loudly towards the direction of the kitchen, "Sister-in-law Zuo, Brother Yuhuai’s sister-in-law is here, and they’re in the middle of discussing things, busy and can’t eat now, keep so extra dishes out for them!"
Off in the direction of the kitchen, a distant affirmative response ca, followed by the clashing sounds of dishes and bowls rising in the yard, which made the front hall seem quieter.
"Let’s talk," ng Yuhuai finally began, focusing on Hua Xiaomai’s deeply furrowed face. With a generous smile, his lips parted, "Didn’t you co into town today to arrange the sale of sauces, perhaps visiting Chunfeng Restaurant? You look so upset, did soone upset you, or did you hit a snag? I’ve always watched from the sidelines; that Mr. Zhao isn’t soone with a peculiar temper, what exactly happened?"
"Don’t even ntion it!" Hua Xiaomai looked up at him, pouting her lips, very unhappy as she detailed everything that had happened, ticulous in her recounting, and finally said grumpily, "I really don’t know where that West City’s ’Wanji’ suddenly ca from. I was just a few days late, and they snatched away all my business, not even leaving scraps for . How can I possibly be happy about that?"
It was indeed beyond belief. Just a couple of days ago, Zhenwei Garden had set up their stall in the village to distribute sauce samples, bustling with vigour, and she was delighted, feeling utterly brilliant. But in the end, she gained a little but lost a lot! There were dozens of eateries, both big and small in Fuzhe County, all seized by others!
ng listened intently from start to finish, occasionally nodding and never interrupting her. Hearing her complaint-filled narrative finally pause, he smiled gently and said, "All this trouble, and you’re this upset?"
"Isn’t this worth getting mad over? You sure are laid-back!" Hua Xiaomai glanced at him, sighing, "Actually, rather than being angry, I’m truly feeling regretful. Not to boast, if I’d co to the county earlier to mix in, based on the quality of sauces Zhenwei Garden produces, how could Wanji be pleased with themselves? What they say about a single misstep causing eternal regret, today I truly understand it."
With her making it seem so grave, ng Yuhuai found it both sad and funny. He pulled her down to sit in the chair, and seeing no one passing by the door, he gently held her hand in his own, patiently smiling, "Let ask you, is Zhenwei Garden unable to survive without orders from Fuzhe County? Today you ca up empty-handed, does that an you can’t even pay the workers in Sauce Garden?"
Hua Xiaomai lowered her eyelids, remaining silent.
In the Provincial City, Pan Ping’an was managing connections, surely securing business with at least seven or eight restaurants—a virtually guaranteed deal, not requiring much worry. Moreover, with Wu Wenhong overseeing things in Qingping County, success was likely. Even if she had to let go of all business in Fuzhe County, she would still be making money—this she understood well. Yet...
"We’re from Fuzhe County, our ho turf being snatched away by others, how do you expect to accept that?" she finally spat out these words after a long struggle, her tone quite reluctant and resigned.
"What ho turf? You’re not a dog!" ng Yuhuai couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing, then playfully tapped her forehead, "People do their business fair and square, without giving you any leverage. What can you do? Tong’an Prefecture includes several counties and towns besides Fuzhe County; the area is vast. Why cling to this one place? Instead of spending ti getting angry, it’d be better if you quickly explore other places. If you delay any further, and others take the lead, then you’ll really regret it!"
"I know, I know!" Hua Xiaomai covered her forehead and leaned back, pretending to be angry, "First, you call a dog, then you hit . I haven’t been married to you for long, and you’ve already started bullying !"
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