Chapter 743 - 745: Wu Kun
Chapter 743: Chapter 745: Wu Kun
Manager Huang looked at his boss in shock. He wondered why he was pushing business to the establishment across the street.
Hearing this, the expressions of the burly men darkened even further.
"We traveled a long way to get here, and this is how you treat your guests?
"What’s the meaning of this? Are we not allowed to dine in your establishment? Who are you looking down on?"
Wu Kun narrowed his eyes at them. "You all think the Wu family is easy to bully, so you came here specifically to cause trouble."
"You’re an interesting guy. We just want to eat a meal; what trouble are we causing?" One of the men grabbed the person standing in front of him, preventing him from speaking further. "Mr. Wu, you can’t just throw accusations around like that. We lowly commoners can’t bear such a charge."
Wu Kun sized him up for a moment. "It better be."
With that said, he ignored their expressions, flicked his sleeves, and walked straight into the shop. Manager Huang cupped his hands in a salute toward them and followed him back inside.
"How arrogant," one of the men muttered under his breath. "I think they just can’t afford to lose. It’s really pathetic for such a large entity like the Wu family to go back on their word..."
"Alright, that’s enough!" the man who had previously stopped him interrupted. "Do you guys not want to survive in Yongchang County anymore?"
After saying that, he ignored them and led his group away, not even stepping into Tianfu Restaurant across the street.
Over the next few days, business at Tianfu Restaurant seemed to ease up. The two sides were no longer locking horns, and customers didn’t heavily favor one over the other. Tianle Restaurant was no longer as noisy as it had been a few days ago, finally giving the shop assistants and waiters some breathing room.
Mrs. Liang He had the butler book a private room early in the morning. She specifically waited until mealtime to bring her people to Tianle Restaurant.
"This place looks quite decent. It’s not any worse than Tianfu Restaurant across the street."
Hearing her aunt’s words, He Xiaoyu kept her head lowered, though she disagreed in her heart. The difference between the two places was massive. Not to mention that the place across the street was entirely designed by Mrs. Gu herself. As soon as you walked in, every corner presented a unique scenery, leaving visitors overwhelmed by its beauty.
Meanwhile, Tianle Restaurant was truly just a regular restaurant. It was no different from eateries anywhere else, and it was a wonder her aunt could even voice such praise.
"Lady Liang," Wu Kun, having received the news beforehand, specially came to the door to welcome her. "Your private room has already been prepared. Please step this way."
Mrs. Liang He smiled. "Mr. Wu’s business is booming. You truly are a promising young man."
"I am unworthy of Lady Liang’s praise. This is just a small venture, hardly presentable in refined circles.
"It’s all thanks to Lord Liang’s generosity in subleasing this shop to us, allowing this lowly one a way to make a living..."
In just the short distance from the entrance to the private room, Mrs. Liang He was flattered so much that her eyes crinkled in a bright smile. It was only a long while after he left that she finally regained her senses.
"What do you think? He can be considered quite the figure," she asked He Xiaoyu, turning her head.
He Xiaoyu replied, "He seems a bit slick."
"What do you know, little girl? If business people like them don’t have a glib tongue, how could they establish themselves?
"Didn’t you observe carefully when I was chatting with him just now?
"He looks rather ordinary, but having ability is good enough. If you think he’s suitable, I’ll call him over to ask some questions later."
He Xiaoyu looked out the window in embarrassment. "Aunt..."
Even if it was a real matchmaking session, there was no need to be in such a rush. Being too eager would only make the women of the He family appear cheap. She just didn’t know whether her aunt’s behavior was intentional or careless.
"Did you think your aunt would just ask him directly like a fool?" Mrs. Liang He shot her a glance. "Your uncle handed over these nearby shops for me to manage, so I just wanted to consult Mr. Wu and see what kind of business we can do."
In her eyes, her niece was still too young, losing her composure so quickly.
Following her gaze across the street, she happened to see Jin Qianqian’s carriage stopping at the entrance of the restaurant.
"She does have some skills." Mrs. Liang He watched as Jin Qianqian was escorted into the shop by a crowd. "A few days ago, I thought her Tianfu Restaurant wouldn’t last long, but I didn’t expect her to gain the upper hand."
"This proves that Mr. Wu still can’t compare to Mrs. Gu in business," He Xiaoyu remarked. "Otherwise, he wouldn’t have recklessly fallen into a trap."
Many people saw through it afterward, and countless folks in Yongchang County secretly kicked themselves in regret for not coming over to take advantage of the situation at the time.
Hearing the disapproval in her niece’s tone, displeasure washed over Mrs. Liang He’s face.
"You girl, whose side are you even on?
"When we are out and about, watch your words and actions."
He Xiaoyu pursed her lips and gave a Fuli. "Yes."
As soon as Jin Qianqian entered Tianfu Restaurant, she immediately led her people up to the third floor. There, the Shopkeepers from the nearby establishments were already waiting for her.
"Madam, the soap workshop opens tomorrow. Will the commotion be a bit too small?"
Lichun personally served the tea and immediately brought up the matter of Ming Tian’s opening. This time, they didn’t even plan to use gongs and drums, intending to open quietly.
Jin Qianqian said, "Tianfu Restaurant and the inn caused such a huge commotion previously, so it’s not suitable to make a big fuss this time."
Next, the pastry shop and the escort agency would also open one after another. If they threw such a grand event every single time, those head wives of the households would definitely have something to say again.
"Don’t worry, quality speaks for itself. We must have confidence in our soap." Jin Qianqian comforted everyone, and then began to make a series of arrangements for Ming Tian’s opening.
Through a series of questions and answers, Mrs. Liang He and Wu Kun actually brainstormed a few good ideas. For someone like Mrs. Liang He, who had neither secret recipes nor a source of goods under her belt, all she could do was some simple buying and selling.
At the very end, Mrs. Liang He asked with a sigh, "Mr. Wu, you are so young and promising. I assume your family has already found a beautiful wife for you?"
"..." Wu Kun tried his best not to lift his head. "This major matter of marriage is naturally decided by my parents. I’ve been busy at this restaurant these past few days, so I truly don’t know."
Mrs. Liang He smiled. "They always say one must start a family to establish a career. It seems Mr. Wu’s good days are approaching."
Saying that, she waved her hand, and Wu Kun slowly retreated from the private room.
"Aunt, you were far too direct." He Xiaoyu, somewhat embarrassed and angry, only spoke up after the door to the private room was closed.
Fortunately, the other party had kept his head lowered the entire time; otherwise, she really would have fled the room.
"What does that matter? It’s not like I laid it out bare." Mrs. Liang He didn’t think it was a big deal at all. For an official’s wife like her to take an interest in a merchant and want to help arrange a marriage, the other party was probably secretly rejoicing right now.
He Xiaoyu felt on pins and needles. From the time they finished their meal until they returned to the carriage, she kept her head bowed.
Just as they were about to return to the estate, the constant stream of people coming in and out next to Tianfu Restaurant across the street prompted Mrs. Liang He to have the carriage stop for a moment.
"Go and inquire about why it’s so lively over there." She knew this entire street belonged to Jin Qianqian, and from the looks of it, some new shop was about to open.
Normally, she wouldn’t have paid it much attention. But now that she was also planning to open a few shops right across the street, she definitely needed to ask around to avoid any potential conflicts in the future.
Jin Qianqian hadn’t intended to hide anything in the first place, so the person sent out to inquire quickly returned with the news.