She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: A New Understanding for the Qi Cheng Couple Chapter 79: Chapter 79: A New Understanding for the Qi Cheng Couple Ye Xinyan had considered many potential responses from Great Crane House when discussing business, and Shopkeeper He’s current suggestion was one of them. She felt confident about persuading Shopkeeper He. After all, the reason the biggest tea house owner in the county had agreed to sit down and discuss matters was the undeniable allure of her small snacks.

So, when she heard Shopkeeper He seemingly making a final judgment, Ye Xinyan was not hurried but spoke in a slow, gentle voice, “Shopkeeper He, allow me to explain further. You mentioned that my family’s business would attract customers for you, which is true to an extent. However, I believe that if you were to sell our snacks on our behalf, it would be Great Crane House that stands to benefit the most. My trade is only in small soup dishes and snacks. Even if Great Crane House were to attract customers because of them, it would not affect your business in the slightest.”

Shopkeeper He’s face showed disagreement, as if to say, “You’ve set up shop right at our doorstep and still claim that it won’t affect our business? You’ve certainly got some nerve.”

Ye Xinyan smiled and continued, “I won’t hide from Shopkeeper He that these two snacks are just a couple of types among the many we offer in our shop. Once we have the capital, we will naturally add more sweets and soup dishes.”

The wariness in Shopkeeper He’s eyes deepened, but he listened as the woman kept talking, “However, we only sell these soup dishes and snacks, and they are one of a kind. Great Crane House is different. Although this place is the premier tea house in Qingyuan County, there are several other tea houses in town. Our snacks are unique, and if they were only supplied to one tea house in the county, I believe that tea house would attract more guests because of our unique snacks. Since we don’t serve banquets or dishes, it will definitely not affect the tea house’s business.”

Ye Xinyan asked with a smile, “Don’t you think so?”

Where did this woman come from, with such eloquence and intellect? Her behavior seemed that of someone accustomed to society, yet her clothes were less impressive, like those of a poor woman.

After thinking it over seriously for a moment, Shopkeeper He said, “As to whether it will affect business or not, it’s not for us to say. Great Crane House has never collaborated with a small business before and has no experience with the kind of partnership you are suggesting. I wouldn’t dare to make such a decision on my own. How about this, you go back first. I will discuss it with the owner, and you can come back tomorrow for our response. Does that sound good?”

“Alright, then I’ll come back tomorrow,” Ye Xinyan agreed promptly and stood up.

Seeing Ye Xinyan rising, Qi Jia also hurriedly climbed down from the high stool, with Ye Xinyan offering a hand to help.

Shopkeeper He smiled and asked, “I’ve yet to ask, Lady Qi, is this little gentleman your younger brother? He is not shy or timid despite his young age; he’s genuinely adorable.”

Ye Xinyan smiled and replied, “Indeed, he is my younger brother. He’s a child and doesn’t understand much. If he has been at all brusque, I hope Shopkeeper He forgives him.” Then turning to Qi Jia, “Uncle He is praising Xiao Jiajia, quickly say thank you to Uncle He.”

Qi Jia said clearly, “Thank you, Uncle He, for the praise.”

Shopkeeper He patted the little guy’s head and instructed a waiting attendant, “Wrap up the snacks on the table for the little master. Consider it a meeting gift from your uncle.” The last sentence was addressed to Qi Jia.

Qi Jia knew Uncle He wanted to give him something to eat but didn’t understand why, so he looked to Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan attempted to decline, “Shopkeeper He, our deal isn’t settled yet, and here you are already spending money; that doesn’t seem right.”

“It’s just some small snacks, hardly worth anything,” Shopkeeper He dismissed.

Finally, Ye Xinyan, happily carrying the packaged pastries for Qi Jia’s little friend, returned to the breakfast stall, content.

It wasn’t that Ye Xinyan was unambitious, delighted to have gotten two packages of pastries, but that the act of packaging the pastries signified Shopkeeper He’s attitude. Although Shopkeeper He’s words seemed assertive, he actually was quite willing to close the deal.

When the two of them returned, the breakfast stall had already begun to pack up.

Nanny Jin saw Ye Xinyan smiling and leading Qi Jia back, she thought the negotiations had succeeded. Putting down the bowls and chopsticks in her hands into a basket, she straightened up and asked joyfully, “Ye Zi, you look so happy, did you finish the deal with the restaurant?”

Qi Younian, however, knew that striking a deal with a big restaurant wasn’t so easily achieved; he was quite surprised, “You settled it in one go? Was it really that smooth?”

Ye Xinyan smiled and said, “How could it be that easy? Great Crane House’s Shopkeeper He didn’t give a definitive answer, only suggesting that we should come back tomorrow to hear the news. This is largely thanks to Qi Jia, who supported us by saying good words on the side. A child’s words, of course, are more credible than an adult’s. It was only then that Shopkeeper He brought us to the back hall to taste our pastries.”

Qi Jia was at first very puzzled, not understanding how his sister could say it was all thanks to him, but as he listened further, he began to understand. Seeing several pairs of eyes focused on him, his face couldn’t help but blush, yet his heart secretly swelled with joy, realizing that even though he was young, he could still be of help to his sister.

Qi Younian asked Ye Xinyan about the details at Great Crane House with great interest and agreed with Ye Xinyan’s assessment that their two types of pastries were very likely to secure a partnership with Great Crane House.

Qi Cheng and his wife listened to the three of them talking, feeling almost like waves of shock surging within them. Since they had been working for the Second Branch family, they had been amazed by the capability of everyone associated with Second Uncle’s Family; indeed, those who had ventured outside were different from farmers rooted in the soil generation after generation. This female cousin of theirs, in particular, showed her extraordinary insights at every turn.

That morning, as Qi Cheng and his wife worked in the courtyard of the Second Branch family, they saw Ye Xinyan bustling about. After Ye Xinyan left Qingyuan County with Qi Jia, Qi Younian had explained to them, saying that Ye Zi had created two novel snacks and was planning to deliver them to Great Crane House, to be sold on consignment. They were now off to negotiate the deal with the restaurant.

Qi Cheng was initially taken aback, Great Crane House of Qingyuan County? His visits to the county had been few, but he was aware of the fame of Great Crane House, having glimpsed it from afar and seen the distinguished individuals entering and exiting. In his mind, Great Crane House was a place he would never have any dealings with, a lofty cloud unreachable by common folk like them.

But now, his Second Uncle’s Family’s female cousin had actually gone to Great Crane House to discuss business.

Merely the audacity of negotiating with Great Crane House made Qi Cheng thankful to be working under Second Uncle, or else he would never have had such experiences and always have regarded Great Crane House as something as unattainable as the heavens. However, he still harbored doubts; Great Crane House was the largest restaurant in the county, frequented by officials and nobility, and he was skeptical about whether Ye Zi could really secure the deal.

Now, hearing that the snacks made by Ye Zi might indeed be sold at Great Crane House, with Jiajia playing a role in the process, his surprise mingled with envy for the youngster. Lucky enough to be adopted by the Second Branch family, Qi Jia would grow up under the care of Second Uncle’s Family, suggesting a future far from ordinary.

Lady Li began to see Second Uncle’s Family in a new light. Not only had Second Uncle managed to build a thriving rice tofu business in the county town but had also created additional snacks to be sold in the largest restaurant in town. It seemed that the prosperity of Second Uncle’s Family would not stop there.

Lady Li couldn’t help feeling grateful that her mother-in-law was not as mean-spirited and petty as Second Aunt. Although her mother-in-law had initially worried Second Uncle might come back to divide the house and land, she had never questioned Grandfather’s support for the Second Branch family or his assigning Chengzi to work for them. Moreover, because her own Chengzi was honest and diligent in his work, they were now basking in a good situation.

She and Qi Cheng exchanged glances, both resolved to earnestly follow Second Uncle’s lead, convinced it was the right choice.