Thanks to the huge sensation caused by the Fu Ze Hot Pot Restaurant in Longmen County, even coal briquettes in the city were all sold out the next day.

Besides the coal briquettes, the hotpot base was also bought in a frenzy.

Seizing the moment, Chen Mo set up a factory for producing hotpot bases in Longmen County, and sent people to patrol the Three States to see if they could find another coal mine.

And the first Fu Ze Hot Pot gave Chen Mo a taste of success, so he discussed with Ning Wan about opening another Fu Ze Hot Pot in the neighboring Jiapin County.

Fu Ze Hot Pot can't expand too fast; staff training is very important. If there's any sign of staff bullying customers, the brand would be ruined.

Chen Mo didn't hope for the trained staff to reach the level of Haidilao, but getting close would suffice.

During this period, Chen Mo and Ning Wan frequently discussed the various details related to Fu Ze Hot Pot, bringing their relationship closer.

An ambiguous vibe lingered between them, though both kept it unspoken.

In the study, Ning Wan was summoned by Chen Mo. Sitting behind a long desk, she looked at the slender and elegant figure approaching and chuckled, "I heard that yesterday's opening of Fu Ze Hot Pot was very bustling."

"It was alright, mainly because we sold a lot of those General Tokens."

Chen Mo poured a cup of hot tea for Ning Wan and then sat down beside her.

Ning Wan shifted to the side, a blush appearing on her snow-white face.

This person didn't sit across from her but chose to sit beside her instead. Below her jade nose, her moist lips held a faint trace of inner conflict.

"Your idea of the General Token is truly brilliant, how did you come up with it?"

Having been influenced by the Ning Family's environment, Ning Wan knew a lot about business practices, but she had never heard or seen a method like Chen Mo's General Token.

Things hadn't even been sold yet, but a large sum of money was taken in advance. Those who got a General Token essentially became a fixed customer base and could control their spending habits.

Moreover, it gave customers a sense of status while providing real consumption benefits.

Most importantly, it encouraged customers to actively come and spend.

For a restaurant, its success depends on the number of repeat customers, especially since a small town has low population mobility.

And for those with a General Token, to use up the money on it, they must return to spend again, essentially ensuring a stable group of repeat customers.

This matter, Chen Mo couldn't explain to Ning Wan, so he just said, "I come from the lower classes, I know the people value affordability while liking to gain advantages. In the Great Song, there are still few literate people, some can't even calculate the cost of the General Token. After tasting a bit of sweetness once, they'll willingly come back for more."

Hearing this, Ning Wan remembered that the youth in front of her had grown step by step from the lowest class. This process was filled with drama and incredulity.

She stole a glance at Chen Mo, just as the latter also looked over. Their eyes met, making the lady's heart pound, filled with nervousness and a bit of chaos.

Chen Mo took out five silver notes of one hundred taels each, speaking warmly, "This is the share of yesterday's income from Fu Ze Hot Pot, as per our agreement, this portion is yours."

After finishing, he handed the silver notes to Ning Wan.

Ning Wan's beautiful eyes flickered, and she bit her pink lips. She had agreed to assist Chen Mo mainly because she felt so insignificant in the Government Office, unsettled, and wanted to prove her worth by doing something for him.

Moreover, she hadn't contributed much to the Fu Ze Hot Pot in Longmen County.

"I am already very grateful to the Marquis for taking me in, I absolutely can't accept this money, especially since I… I didn't help much," Ning Wan said.

Chen Mo took Ning Wan's jade hand in his, placing the silver notes in her palm amidst her shy and astonished gaze, and said:

"One thing at a time, and besides, my focus won't be on Fu Ze Hot Pot in the future, I'll need you to exert yourself more. Furthermore, the training you did for the restaurant staff recently played a significant role, allowing the restaurant to operate smoothly. Without you, there would've been chaos on opening day..."

Chen Mo slowly elaborated on a lot, highlighting Ning Wan's importance in the entire process.

Hearing Chen Mo's praise, a warm current floated through Ning Wan's heart, and she hurriedly withdrew her hand, blushing deeply and replied in a soft voice, "That still doesn't warrant this much."

After all, a noblewoman's hand, so sleek and soft, like the finest brocade.

"Since this is our first collaboration, you must take the first profit share. As for later, if you choose not to, I won't insist anymore."

Chen Mo once again took Ning Wan's hand, placing the five silver notes in her palm, clasping her hand to close her delicate fingers into a fist.

Ning Wan felt somewhat uncomfortable under Chen Mo's gaze, especially with him sitting beside her, and the warm touch from her lower leg made even a usually gentle and virtuous lady feel extremely shy.

Here he goes again...

If the previous one was an accident, this time it was definitely intentional.

"I understand, Marquis, could you let go of me first…" Ning Wan wanted to pull her hand back, but it was tightly held by him, making it impossible to retrieve.

"How does Aunt Ning maintain her skin like this?" Chen Mo gently stroked the back of Ning Wan's hand, her snowy skin smooth as jade, exquisitely delicate, and said, "Can Aunt Ning let me know, so I can teach the madams?"

Upon hearing that, Ning Wan's heart trembled slightly. This man was now blatantly open. She gently rejected, "I… don't really maintain it, it's natural, and Xue'Er and the others have much better skin than mine, no need to teach."

"So Aunt Ning is naturally beautiful." Chen Mo automatically ignored Ning Wan's latter part and then sighed:

"Aunt Ning is naturally beautiful, savvy in business, smart and capable of being a perfect assistant at home, I really don't know what your father-in-law was thinking, not wanting Aunt Ning."

Ning Wan's delicate body trembled, and her gracefully charming face turned as red as rouge with shame and embarrassment. He actually mentioned that person at this time, yet she didn't know why her previously calm heart seemed to ripple with a desire to avenge Liang Song, her chest slightly heaving.

But the upbringing she endured finally made her grit her teeth and angrily retorted, "You are not allowed to mention him."

Saying this, Ning Wan struggled again, saying, "You… let go of me."

Seeing the situation, Chen Mo knew the timing wasn't right yet, so he reluctantly let go of Ning Wan's hand, speaking warmly, "The Courtesan named Qing Dance is quite a good sales talent, Aunt Ning, you could recruit her for focused training."

"Ah?" At that moment, Ning Wan was looking at the youth's side profile. Seeing him suddenly turn serious, switching topics so quickly, she couldn't quite react.

"I mean that Courtesan named Qing Dance at the restaurant yesterday. Aunt Ning, go to the brothel and redeem her, for focused training." Chen Mo said,

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