Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 35 - Thirty-four I Can Plant

Chapter 35: Chapter Thirty-four: I Can Plant

Chapter 35 -Thirty-four: I Can Plant

“Xiao’er, if you should come up with new designs in the future, could you perhaps sell them to us at Changsheng exclusively?” Manager Yao asked unabashedly.

“If we continue to have pleasant collaborations in the future, I will definitely sell them exclusively to Uncle Yao’s business,” Xiao’er nodded, but she did not make any definitive promises.

All collaborations in this world are born out of shared interest and can also die due to conflicts in interest.

Manager Yao nodded.

Having been a manager for so many years, he knew the importance of sincerity in doing business.

Sustainable business can only be achieved when both parties are satisfied.

“Niece Xiao’er, how much are you planning to sell these two sets of porcelain for?”

Xiao’er was not sure whether Shen Chengyao and Manager Yao had negotiated any discounts.

Since she didn’t know, she would let Manager Yao decide: “Uncle Yao, you can decide on the price, as I am not very familiar with the market situation here.”

Seeing that Xiao’er was so honest and trusting, Manager Yao was delighted, “Alright then, let’s say I give you a total of 500 taels.”

Xiao’er thought the price was higher than expected, there must be some emotional factors involved.

Xiao’er handed him another set of tableware design, “Thank you Uncle Yao, I didn’t prepare any gifts for our first meeting, this is a gift I have specially drawn for you.”

Manager Yao looked through the designs quickly and was amazed once again, “Brilliant, these designs look truly elegant and classy!

What a talented niece I have, I must thank you for such a wonderful gift.”

At this point, Shen Chengyao also returned, guided into the shop by an assistant.

Upon seeing him, Manager Yao immediately patted his shoulder and exclaimed, “Little Brother Chengyao, you are not being fair, not introducing your niece to me for so long.

You are certainly set to enjoy the benefits in the future!”

Shen Chengyao was confused, not understanding why Manager Yao was talking about enjoying benefits in connection with Xiao’er’s visit.

“Uncle Yao, I would like to order those three types of wine jars you showed me earlier.

I’d like each type in 50 pounds, 20 pounds, 10 pounds, and 5 pounds.

I’ll take two of each 50 pounds and 20 pounds, and then ten each of the 10 pounds and 5 pounds.”

“Alright, with such a large quantity, they will be ready at least one month from now.”

“That’s okay, today I’d like to buy four 50-pound jars and five 10-pound jars first.

Uncle Yao, could you please calculate the total cost for me?”

“No need for that, I haven’t even given a gift to welcome you, consider these jars as my gift to you.” Manager Yao waved his hand generously.

His niece had given him such a valuable gift and as an elder, it would be rude if he didn’t offer her something in return.

“Uncle Yao, if you do this, I won’t feel welcomed to come back next time.

I think I’ll need to order more in the future.

How could I come back if you refuse to let me pay?”

“Big Brother Yao, this can’t be.

We can’t just take things for free unless we want to stop doing business with you.” Shen Chengyao and Xiao’er firmly refused.

Seeing the firmness of their responses, Manager Yao decided not to press on.

He would choose a more thoughtful gift next time.

He could offer them a discount for the jars.

“Because you asked for the 20-pound, 10-pound, and 5-pound jars to be made of blue and white porcelain, they are a bit more expensive.

The 20-pound jars are 200 coins each, the 10-pound jars are 150 coins each, and the 5-pound jars are 100 coins each.

As for the 50-pound jars, one is just 60 coins.

The four 50-pound and five 10-pound jars you want right now will be 250 coins in total.

If we sum up both bills, it will be 16 taels and 810 coins.”

The price that Manager Yao offered is essentially like selling them at half price.

He gave Shen Chengyao 450 taels in silver banknotes and 33 taels in coins, saying, “The extra ten coins are for Xiao’er to buy candies.”

Shen Chengyao didn’t accept it, not understanding why Manager Yao was giving him so much money instead.

He turned to look at Xiao’er.

Xiao’er explained, “Father, I have sold two sets of porcelain designs to Uncle Yao.”

“Little Brother Chengyao, your daughter is exceptional.” Manager Yao took out the design drawings and showed them to Shen Chengyao.

Looking at the tableware and tea set sketches, Chengyao was stunned; they were beautiful and exquisite, surely very valuable.

Xiao’er drew these.

When did Xiao’er learn to draw?

He then recalled Xiao’er’s mysterious teacher, and it didn’t seem so strange anymore.

“Xiao’er, these drawings didn’t cost you much to create, right?

It’s not right for us to accept so much money from Uncle Yao.

What do you think?” He spoke to Xiao’er in a manner that suggested negotiation.

As Uncle Yao had taken great care of him, it was hard for him to accept so much money for a few pieces of paper.

Manager Yao shook his head, “These items are worth much more than money, they are money-makers.

Also, please don’t forget that one set is a gift from Xiao’er.

She knows human nature better than her father.

If all I did was take these gifts without giving anything in return, people might say I am exploiting the younger generation.”

Upon hearing that, Shen Chengyao was relieved.

He said, “The banknotes, since they were earned by Xiao’er, should be given to Xiao’er” – to fund her dowry in the future, though he didn’t say this last bit.

Xiao’er was very satisfied with Shen Chengyao’s practice of discussing matters with her first, highlighting him as a democratic father who would not arbitrarily make decisions for his children.

Moreover, he didn’t take advantage of the children’s naivety to usurp their wealth, truly qualifying him as an excellent father.

Upon hearing this, Manager Yao handed the silver banknotes and silver to Xiao’er, saying, “It’s safer for my niece to hold onto these.”

Xiao’er took them, placed the banknotes in her jacket, and covered the silver in her basket, essentially storing it all in her spatial ring.

With business concluded, the two looked to leave, but Manager Yao insisted they stay for a meal, “I’ve already had your sister-in-law set the table; she’ll be cross with me if you leave without partaking.

Come, we’ll go to the backyard.

There’s no need for formalities.

How inappropriate would it be for you to leave without eating; it’s as though you don’t consider me your older brother.”

With Shen Chengyao unable to decline his invitation, the three proceeded to leave the accounting room.

At that moment, a man in his thirties, dressed in a grey-brown tunic entered.

Manager Yao greeted him with a smile, “Manager Chen, what brings you here today?”

“Must I always have a reason for visiting?” Manager Chen was evidently well acquainted with Manager Yao.

“You’re usually the type who doesn’t visit unless you have need.

This is my sworn brother, Shen Chengyao, and his little girl.”

“Nice to meet you, Manager Chen,” Shen Chengyao said, offering a polite bow.

“A pleasure to meet you, Manager Chen,” Xiao’er mimicked with a curtsy.

Manager Chen, who had previously heard of Shen Chengyao from Manager Yao, returned their greeting, “Nice to meet you, Brother Shen.” As a higher-ranking official in the Marquis’ household, acknowledging an ordinary civilian was quite generously, reinforcing the idea that even low-level officials hold sway at the stronghold of power.

Manager Yao invited everyone to dine in the backyard, and Manager Chen, unceremoniously, followed the rest there.

The meal was plentiful, featuring, plain steamed bass, pork hocks with lotus roots, sweet and sour pork ribs, roast duck, roast chicken, ginger stir-fried crab, salt and pepper shrimp, abalone, bell pepper stir-fried beef, soup-infused rapeseed vegetables, cold cucumber salad, shrimp stir-fried with chives, and Ginseng Chicken Soup.

It was the first time Xiao’er had such a rich lunch since she had arrived.

“What brings you here today, Brother Chen?” queried Manager Yao.

“I came to select some flower pots for the marquis.

He recently acquired some exotic plant seeds from overseas, but we’ve been unable to successfully grow them.

I thought while I was here, I’d check if there’s anyone who knows how to care for plants.”

A flicker of interest sparked in Xiao’er’s heart upon hearing this.

“I have a wide variety of pots for sale, but I’ve never paid attention to someone with such knowledge.” After a moment’s thought, considering Shen Chengyao’s part-time jobs and connections, he asked, “Little Brother Chengyao, do you know anyone?”

Just as Shen Chengyao was about to shake his head and deny knowing anyone, Xiao’er tugged at his sleeve, prompting a puzzled glance from her father.

“Xiao’er, do you know anyone?” he asked.

“I can plant them.” Shen Chengyao recalled Xiao’er’s mentor, mystified at the sheer breadth of his knowledge, he could even grow flowers.

As her father, however, he felt obligated to remind her, “These seeds are brought back from overseas, very valuable and unseen here – we can’t waste them.”

With her spatial abilities, there was nothing she couldn’t do!

If she failed to grow them, probably nobody else could.

Xiao’er alleviated Shen Chengyao’s concern with a reassuring glance and began her fib, “I know an elderly man.

His wife is a flower enthusiast and has extensive knowledge on growing a wide range of flowers.

If Manager Chen wouldn’t mind, you could give me a seed or two of each type.

I’ll attempt to plant them.

If they don’t grow, we would only be losing a seed or two.

If they do, even if just one type grows, that would be a win, wouldn’t it?”