Chapter 449: Chapter 450: Ouyang Bing

When a person dies, it’s like a lamp being extinguished. To this day, Jin Qianqian still couldn’t understand why Xiao Wanyu was so persistent.

She continued to read and found another letter tucked inside.

As the female manager in Shangjing, Qingzhu was now in charge of all their businesses there.

The letter stated that since she had left, several troublemaking and provocative incidents had occurred, but they were all handled by the young masters of the Cao Family.

With the Cao Family’s young men around, the following days were relatively peaceful.

Jin Qianqian had long suspected that some people would try to cause trouble after she left the capital.

She had also made some arrangements in advance, but she hadn’t expected the Cao Family to be the ones to step forward.

This way, she ended up owing them a favor.

At the end of the letter, Lin Dapeng had added a short note. Ever since Xie Ermao of the Suburban Nameless Manor learned that Gu Wenheng had gone to the border city, he’d had his heart set on following. He had mentioned to Lin Dapeng several times that he wanted to go to the border city and serve as a guard.

Even if his face meant he couldn’t show himself in public, he was willing to protect him from the shadows.

Jin Qianqian had initially felt sorry for Xie Ermao, which was why she had been willing to let him stay at the manor.

But the boy was truly impressive. Even though his face was almost completely ruined, he showed no signs of low self-esteem. Every day, he absorbed new knowledge like a sponge, leaving his peers far behind.

If it weren’t for his young age, Jin Qianqian would have long since assigned him to the traveling party, given his tenacity and ruthlessness.

Now that he was volunteering, Jin Qianqian was naturally tempted.

After picking up her brush to write a reply, Jin Qianqian grabbed a hot water bottle and headed to the workshop out back.

When Li Lianhua saw her coming, she quickly put down her work and carefully attended to her. "Madam, this batch of soap will be ready soon. We’ll start producing the sulfur soap in the next batch."

Jin Qianqian knew that the sulfur soap had been selling exceptionally well recently. They had just managed to gather a new batch of raw materials, so the workshop had immediately prioritized its production.

"Aside from the batch meant for tribute, set aside some of the best ones for me. Have the women package them nicely; I’ll need them for gifts." Jin Qianqian hadn’t forgotten the few families in Shangjing she was on good terms with, or Shan Ke’an, who had placed an order long ago. These all needed to be prepared in advance, so she could send them out along with the New Year’s gifts.

Li Lianhua quickly agreed. "Yes, Madam. Would you like to see our latest packaging? It’s quite beautiful when all wrapped up."

Jin Qianqian had already seen the samples, which Hu Dong had painstakingly sourced. "Is Manager Hu not here today?"

"He just left a short while ago. Many people are moving goods these days, especially the merchant caravans from the south, one after another. Manager Hu had only just arrived this morning when the shop sent someone chasing after him." Li Lianhua beamed, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

Although she was an old woman who had sold herself into servitude, she was now more or less a steward in this workshop, living a dignified and fulfilling life.

Naturally, she hoped her master’s family would prosper. When she grew old and could no longer work, she could live out her final years in a place arranged by them.

For someone who had been destined for a lonely life, having such a comfortable retirement was something she had never dared to imagine.

Inspired by their master’s kindness, everyone gave their all to do the best possible job.

Jin Qianqian toured the workshop and was very satisfied with its current condition.

Over the past two years, she had gradually moved all the hired staff to the storefronts. Now, everyone working in the workshop was bound by an indenture she held. With that, and the multi-layered management, she had no fear of the formula leaking.

Just as she entered the estate through a side gate, Housekeeper Fu was already waiting for her.

"If something was the matter, why didn’t you send a servant to fetch me?" Jin Qianqian waited for the maid to lock the gate before turning to Jiang Zhongfu.

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Housekeeper Fu replied, "I only just arrived myself, Madam. Young Master Ouyang from the Tianfu Restaurant is here. He says he has something to discuss with you."

Jin Qianqian asked curiously, "Haven’t we always been supplying their restaurant with produce from our manor? Why is he here now? Is there a problem?"

Jiang Zhongfu said, "I doubt it. The manor’s foreman and the steward here always triple-check the produce for freshness before it’s delivered."

"But from his anxious demeanor, I don’t think he’s here to cause trouble."

He wasn’t here to cause trouble—he was here to ask for help. "Young Master Ouyang, surely you’re joking?"

Jin Qianqian thought she must have misheard and couldn’t help but ask again.

Ouyang Bing no longer had the debonair air of a young master; he just looked dispirited.

Jin Qianqian glanced at Mudou, who stood behind him. He remained as stoic as ever, but she could sense the worry in his eyes.

Ouyang Bing said, "Mrs. Gu, I couldn’t find anyone else to help, so I had no choice but to come to you."

"Your restaurant is enormous; you must have capable subordinates. Even if you have to be away for six months or a year, they should be able to run it just fine by following your existing business model. They shouldn’t need any help."

"As you can see, I have my own hands full. I simply don’t have the energy to oversee your business as well."

"Why don’t you try asking someone else?"

Jin Qianqian had no desire to take on more trouble. She already felt a little ashamed for having someone as young as Hu Dong constantly bustling about.

’If I were to take over Ouyang Bing’s restaurant, wouldn’t that just be exploiting someone else?’

Ouyang Bing said, "It’s a true family emergency. I have to be away for a long time."

"I won’t hide the truth from you, Madam. Over the years, my family has made its share of enemies. If I’m not here to manage things personally, I estimate the Tianfu Restaurant will be completely out of business within a few months."

"If you’re truly unwilling to take over, Madam, the hundreds of employees at the restaurant will be left with no prospects."

Jin Qianqian said, "What if I wanted you to sign the whole thing over?"

’If I could take over the whole business,’ Jin Qianqian considered, ’it might be worth thinking about.’

Ouyang Bing was still reluctant. The restaurant was the fruit of several years of his hard work; giving up even half the profits was already painful enough.

Jin Qianqian replied, "Let’s be frank. You know you have enemies. If you retain half the control over the restaurant, won’t I, coming in as a new partner, have to share in that significant danger?"

"They’ll be in the shadows while we’re out in the open. I wouldn’t even know what hit me. Do you really think I’d agree to that?"

Ouyang Bing shot to his feet. "Madam, let’s just pretend I was never here. I’ll take my leave."

Unfazed, Jin Qianqian said crisply, "Housekeeper Fu, see him out."

Ouyang Bing, who had already taken a step toward the door, drew his foot back. "Let me keep twenty percent. At least give me something to hold on to."

Jin Qianqian waved a dismissive hand. "Ten percent, at most. And you can never mention it publicly."

Ouyang Bing gritted his teeth. "Done. But you can’t just fire the managers."

Jin Qianqian said, "As long as they follow orders and do their jobs, I’m not an unreasonable person."

"However, you’ll have to give me their indentures. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare keep them on."

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