Chapter 580: Cooperation
Chapter 580 -581: Cooperation
Embracing the mindset that it was inevitable either way and he might as well get it over with, Bai Jiannan closed his eyes and began to chew. A bizarre flavor rippled across his palate, immediately followed by a fiery sensation that shot straight to his head like a lit firework.
But this sensation was also marvelous and thrilling. Since he had to wake up early today to see his sister’s husband and Jianbei off to sea, he had been feeling quite drowsy. Stimulated by the spice, he was instantly wide awake.
The unique, fragrant spiciness of the chicken made him want to spit it out, yet he couldn’t bear to part with the taste. Seeing Bai Suihe pick up a piece of chicken and pop it into her mouth, he forced himself to do the same.
Even though his mouth felt on fire, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face flushed bright red from the heat, he forced himself to chew and swallow the chicken. “That really is a kick.”
Nanny Pang handed him a bowl of well-chilled plum juice. Not daring to act tough anymore, Bai Jiannan gulped down two large mouthfuls and finally felt like he had come back to life.
However, the aftertaste still lingered in his mouth. That thrilling, burning sensation instantly captivated his entire mind.
He licked his lips. Feeling recovered, he picked up a piece of mutton, placed it in his mouth, and savored it carefully.
“Huh, this one doesn’t seem as spicy,” Bai Jiannan said, reacting as if he had discovered a New Continent. “This mutton doesn’t have that gamey smell, and paired with the kick of the chili, it’s absolutely delicious.”
At this time, Mrs. Bai also took a bite of the fish. She wasn’t as dramatic as Bai Jiannan; instead, she found the texture suited her perfectly. Savoring it carefully, the sour, spicy, and tender fish slid down her throat. Without waiting for Bai Suihe to serve her, she reached out with her chopsticks and picked up a few more slices of fish for herself.
Seeing his mother’s reaction, Bai Jiannan—knowing a good thing when he saw it—immediately went for the sour and spicy fish. The refreshing tang and spicy kick made him feel like he had lived his entire life in vain. How could he have missed out on such a delicacy?
Moreover, this dish wasn’t as overwhelmingly spicy as the previous two; even a child could probably handle it.
“This is delicious.” Forgetting his previous doubts about whether this stuff was edible, Bai Jiannan moved his chopsticks faster and faster. Mrs. Bai, afraid he would finish the entire dish, stopped him. “Try the other dishes. Suihe worked hard to make all of these.”
Only then did Bai Jiannan shift his chopsticks, tackling the plate of spicy swimming crab. Needless to say, it was like discovering a New Continent all over again. Finding that each dish had its own unique merits, he began to focus entirely on the food.
After the mother and her children dismissed the servants, Bai Jiannan impatiently asked, “Suihe, did you put the chili you mentioned in that dish just now? How much of this chili do you still have?”
Having been steeped in business from a young age, Bai Jiannan immediately saw the commercial opportunity. If they rolled this out on a large scale—and held the secret recipe—the silver would come rolling in.
The flavor of these dishes was truly unique. He had always been a picky eater, yet he was becoming more and more addicted with every bite, simply unable to stop.
Seeing him enjoy the meal so much, Mrs. Bai couldn’t help but want to try every dish as well. But after just a few bites, she couldn’t handle the heat anymore and had to gulp down several cups of plum juice.
“Mother, there are a few mild dishes here. I didn’t add any chili to them. Try this one,” Bai Suihe said, offering to serve her. As for Bai Jiannan, he had already started critiquing the meal. He gorged himself on the spicy dishes he loved, not even sparing a glance at the mild ones tucked away in the corner.
Gu Xingyang’s tears of envy practically drooled from the corners of her mouth. When would she be able to eat whatever she wanted, just like Uncle Jiannan?
After the meal, before Bai Suihe even had time to say a few words to Mrs. Bai, Bai Jiannan dragged her off to the study.
“Suihe, my dearest sister, quickly give me those recipes. We’ll split the profits fifty-fifty. No, thirty-seventy—you get seventy.”
He could already picture it: the time had come for him to truly flex his muscles and show what he could do.
Any one of these dishes could easily become a signature item at the Bai Family restaurant. If he didn’t seize an opportunity like this, he would be a fool, entirely unfit to sit in the position of Family Head.
“Now you’re in a hurry? Weren’t you hesitating earlier?” Bai Suihe asked calmly. “A thirty-seventy split is fine, but you get the seventy…”
She was only providing the recipes; everything else relied on the Bai Family. She didn’t have the audacity to demand the lion’s share.
With a good start, the siblings got down to brass tacks. By nightfall, they had finalized their partnership.
Bai Suihe had plenty of chilies in her spatial dimension, but she couldn’t possibly supply everything from there forever. Therefore, she took out two large sacks of chili seeds. “Since we’re doing this, we need firm control over the source. I’ve already written down the planting methods for these chili seeds. Pick a few secluded farmsteads and plant the first batch.
“We won’t be able to keep this a secret for long, so we have to seize the initiative.
“Talk to your subordinates as well. Don’t limit yourselves to just these few dishes; have them rack their brains to develop more new cuisines.”
Holding the contract, Bai Jiannan looked at Bai Suihe with a slightly aggrieved expression. “Suihe, how wonderful would it be if you weren’t my sister?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Have I not been good enough to you as a sister?”
“No, I was just thinking that if you were my older brother, wouldn’t I be able to live as freely as Jianbei?”
Being the Family Head was truly a thankless job. It would be much better to be a wealthy idler like Bai Jianbei—at least it offered freedom. Take this time, for instance: he had wanted to go out to sea, but no one agreed to it. He could only watch helplessly as Bai Jianbei smugly waved at him.
How much wealth could a person possibly use in one lifetime? Getting more meant giving up more. From now on, he would be trapped in the Bai Family working like an old ox. Just thinking about it made him feel completely shortchanged.
“You sure have a wild imagination,” Bai Suihe said. Having finished their discussion, she stood up. “Everything is settled now, so the rest is up to you.
“This time, I also asked my husband to see if he could find a deserted island suitable for farming. If you have any connections, help me buy a batch of servants.”
“That’s a great idea.” Bai Jiannan figured that if he could also acquire a deserted island to plant the chilies, he would be able to monopolize the silver for an even longer time.
“Suihe,” he said, sycophantically pouring her a cup of water. “Include me in any good ventures you have. After all, I still have a large family to feed.”
“Don’t play the emotional card with me,” Bai Suihe retorted. “Who exactly are you feeding?
“Mother’s personal fortune is no less than yours, and Jianbei is still a bachelor with plenty of silver to his name. If you’re going to complain like this, I’ll have to urge Mother to find you a wife sooner rather than later.”
“Suihe, you know I’ve just taken over the family businesses. There are still many things I haven’t sorted out yet. How could I possibly have the mind to take a wife?
“Besides, we have a massive enterprise and countless subordinates. Wouldn’t you say I’m the one who has to feed them all?”
Bai Suihe poked him in the shoulder. “You always have these crooked excuses anyway.
“You’re the Family Head now, so you should learn to be mature and steady.
“But don’t worry, I’ll keep this matter in mind for you…”