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墨書 Inktalez
With Liu Qingxi around, it felt like a strong support, and Zhang quickly adjusted her emotions.
After a moment, she came out from the back, her eyes red but looking much better after a quick touch-up.
"Aunt Four, you are the Boss. Pull yourself together; you have to believe in yourself," Liu Qingxi gently encouraged.
Listening to Liu Qingxi's words, Zhang took a deep breath, adjusted her mindset, and said to the staff, "Open the door!"
No matter what, after putting in so much effort to get here, she couldn't back out now.
The outcome could be good or bad; she wouldn't know until she tried.
Moreover, there was no turning back now except to keep moving forward.
Liu Qingxi remained silent beside her because all of this had to be faced by Zhang herself; she couldn't always stand by her side.
Even though she knew that her own plans would prevent such outcomes, life’s various experiences—sweet and bitter—had to be personally experienced.
In the future, Zhang might encounter even more serious situations than this one. Her previous success in Biqi Town had made her feel that doing business wasn't that difficult, leading her to struggle with handling too much pressure.
As the shop's door slowly opened, the bright light dazzled Zhang for a moment, making the earlier tension and anxiety feel distant.
In front of her was a sea of people; whether they were onlookers or actual customers didn't matter—there were enough people.
"Thank you all for visiting our store. Today is our grand opening, and all pastries and tea are free for tasting. The first three purchases will receive a 20% discount," Zhang organized her thoughts and boldly recited the lines she had rehearsed countless times in her mind.
"Now please come in for tastings! Our staff will arrange seating for everyone."
As soon as Zhang finished speaking, the crowd at the entrance didn’t care about whether the feng shui was good or not. Who wouldn't want to try free pastries? After all, it was free.
Suddenly, people rushed in, with no time to discuss gossip, fearing that if they arrived late, the food would be gone.
The staff organized everything in an orderly manner, ensuring that everyone could find their respective seats.
At this moment, looking around, the establishment was divided into two levels. The lower level was a hall filled with antique-style square and round tables. Facing the entrance was a table resembling a bar counter, behind which shelves were stocked with various pastries, exquisite and beautiful, emitting an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.
Several staff members dressed in white tops and black pants, with their hair tightly wrapped, delivered the cut pastries to each table.
Those who had long been captivated by the aroma took a deep breath and immediately picked up knives and forks or bamboo skewers to sample a piece.
The melt-in-your-mouth texture on their taste buds was perfectly smooth and sweet, as if transporting them into a wonderful world.
"Delicious! I've never tasted pastries this good before." Compared to traditional pastries, those here were softer and silkier, with a more delicate texture. After finishing, the lingering flavor remained for a long time.
Those who had just been skeptical suddenly forgot everything; deliciousness was the ultimate truth.
"Hey, bring me some more!"
If they hadn't tasted it before, it might have been fine, but after one bite, they couldn't stop and felt like they could swallow their tongues.
However, the so-called tasting session certainly didn't allow for unlimited eating.
At this moment, a staff member said, "Good day to you, sir. Our shop is opening today; each person can sample one portion. If you'd like more, you'll need to make a purchase. However, we are offering a special 20% discount for the first three customers. If you buy now, it's especially worthwhile.
If you wait until after the first three customers, we will return to regular prices and you won't enjoy this discount."
Well then, just when they thought it was delicious and wanted more, charges began to apply.
I thought about giving up and not buying anything, but the taste I just experienced was simply too wonderful to resist.
"Then I'll take a piece to bring back for the kids," I said. Although the price on the menu made me wince, it was worth trying.
As a result, customers who came to sample the treats ended up buying a little something to take home.
After all, they were ordinary people with limited finances, and such exquisite and expensive pastries were just for tasting.
However, those who tried the pastries couldn't help but boast to those around them about how delicious the pastries were at the new shop, how great the atmosphere inside was, and how wonderful the staff were.
Word spread quickly, piquing people's curiosity, and soon many came flocking to check it out.
At the same time, a beautifully crafted carriage slowly approached from the other side of Azure Dragon Street and stopped in front of the crowded shop. A elegantly dressed woman stepped down from the carriage with the help of her maid, looking delicate and graceful.
Inside, Liu Qingxi hurried out to greet her: "Lady Ning, welcome! Your presence truly brightens our establishment."
It turned out that Lady Ning was Ning Hong's wife. Given Ning Hong's relationship with Yang Yichen, Liu Qingxi naturally had a good rapport with Lady Ning. This time, when inviting guests, Lady Ning was one of her top choices.
"Why are we being so polite? It's just a matter of words. But your shop seems to be doing quite well," Lady Ning remarked.
"Your visit is like icing on the cake; please come in," Liu Qingxi said as she led her upstairs.
Aside from the main hall on the first floor, the second floor was designed with private rooms for Sister Madams to enjoy their meals in an elegant and discreet environment.
These individuals typically wouldn't dine in public settings as it could affect their image.
Fortunately, this second floor was specifically set up for such clientele.
In the lobby, nearly all the seats were filled with people sampling food. When two elegantly dressed ladies, accompanied by several maids and exuding an air of nobility, headed to the second floor, discussions erupted among the crowd.
"I didn't expect that nobles would come here for tea and snacks."
"Wasn't there something about bad feng shui earlier? If that were true, how could those ladies come here?" A young woman in her twenties expressed her doubts.
This question lingered in the minds of most people.
However, what was even more shocking followed. Aside from the one introduced by Liu Qingxi, carriage after carriage began to stop in front of the shop.
As the host, Liu Qingxi naturally went to greet them personally.
Most of those who came were either of equal status or slightly higher than her own.
After learning about Zhang's shop opening, she had specifically sent invitations to a few close friends to ensure their presence and support.
Thus, even if the delicious pastries did not dispel the rumors of bad feng shui, the shop's opening would still be a success.
She just wouldn't tell Zhang that.
At this moment, Zhang was in unparalleled shock. She stiffly followed Liu Qingxi, forcing a smile as she greeted each arriving Sister Madam, her face nearly frozen in a smile.
Yet looking at the ordinary customers below and their drastically different attitudes, it felt as if she were still dreaming.
Now it seemed that those rumors had not affected the shop's reputation at all; instead, the arrival of these prominent figures brought about unexpected results.
Not only were those already attracted by the delicious food present, but even those who had been hesitant began to flock into the shop.
Those with money should buy more, while those with less can buy a little to take home and taste.
In no time, the first batch of pastries displayed was sold out.
The kitchen was bustling with activity, with people making dough for pastries, baking, and stoking the fire to expedite orders; it was simply thriving.
Finally, Liu Qingxi arranged everyone and introduced Zhang to the group. They all expressed their support for Zhang's business.
In the private room reserved for their own use on the second floor, Zhang slumped in a lounge chair, still feeling dizzy. A moment later, she looked at Liu Qingxi with an unusual expression, hesitating to speak.
“Qingxi, did you know all along?”
The surprise was overwhelming, and she couldn't process it all at once.
Her emotions today were like a roller coaster, going up and down, incredibly thrilling.
“Aunt Four, those rumors are false; what are you afraid of?”
At that moment, Liu Qingxi couldn't help but wonder why there had been no rumors about feng shui issues before, yet now they suddenly emerged. Was it really just a coincidence?
But how long had Zhang been in the capital? She had always been honest in her business dealings and had never offended anyone. Why was this happening?
Of course, she didn't share this speculation with Zhang and planned to investigate privately.
Zhang was too busy being happy; she didn't notice the flicker of doubt in Liu Qingxi's dark eyes. Instead, she grabbed Liu Qingxi's hand, excited and unsure how to express herself.
“Alright, Aunt Four, today marks a great start for your business. It will surely become more prosperous. You've been doing business in Biqi Town for several years now; from now on…”
"Ah, the hardest part is solved, so there shouldn't be any problems from now on."
Zhang felt a bit embarrassed himself: "I’m afraid you’ll laugh at me for getting up. I'm such an adult, and yet I'm not as good as you."
Liu Qingxi's calmness and strategic thinking were qualities she could never learn, even though she had tried very hard.
But when faced with real issues, her spirit couldn't withstand the pressure and was on the verge of breaking down.
"Aunt Four, these are all temporary. Just think about it; you have the score now, and Fourth Uncle is doing well on my side. Life will get better and better. Once your business grows larger in the future, these will all be non-issues."
"Fortunately, the problems were resolved in time, so there will be more to do in the future."
Zhang smiled broadly; the busier he got, the happier he felt. If he wasn't busy, he would be crying.
Liu Qingxi felt happy for him. Watching those around her improve one by one brought her a sense of quiet happiness.
"However, Aunt, while the food is delicious, it can't be supplied indefinitely. Otherwise, people will eventually get tired of it. It should feel hard to obtain; the more unattainable it is, the more people want it."
It was like a scarcity effect; otherwise, if everyone could eat it regardless of how delicious it was, they would eventually grow weary of it.
She suddenly remembered a new Braised Chicken shop that opened near her university. Compared to other similar shops nearby, its taste was exceptional.
When it first opened, customers flocked in. At that time, the shop's boss didn't supply enough like most people would; instead, he limited the portions.
Once the daily quota was sold out, he would simply close up shop for the day, no matter who came by.
As a result, customers didn't decrease because of his capriciousness; instead, they grew more numerous. Some even waited outside for a long time just to get a serving.
It seems that the more unattainable something is, the better it becomes.
She remembered feeling this way several times back then; this sales tactic is also something many companies advocate.
After years of business experience, Zhang immediately understood Liu Qingxi's point and couldn't help but applaud.
"You are absolutely right. This is how it should be done. I'll jot it down and think it over when I get back."
At that moment, her gaze towards Liu Qingxi grew deeper, and she subconsciously sighed, "Look at what kind of days we had back then. I still regret not being able to help you two siblings; instead, we received so much care from you."
"We're family, so there's no need for formalities. We were all in the same situation back then." However, Liu Qingxi knew from the memories of her past life that during several times when they were on the brink of starvation, it was the people from the Liu Family's Fourth Branch and Fifth Branch who quietly provided them with a little bit of food they had saved up.
After all, under the oppressive and unreasonable pressure from the Wang family, their lives were also difficult.
Food saved from between their teeth was the most precious thing in the world, allowing her life to continue.
As for the Qin Family, the grandmother of this body had become increasingly unfamiliar over time.
When they were both starving back then, the Qin Family would feel pity and secretly leave food for them. But when did things start to change?
After she brought her brother away from the Liu Family and their lives improved, the Qin Family's unreasonable demands seemed to become a matter of course.
Only later did she begin to understand a little bit that within the timid nature of the Qin Family lay a hint of sympathy for the weak.
For instance, when she and Liu Qingyan were at a disadvantage, they would help; yet when they became stronger, they believed it was only natural to assist those like the Wang family who were in unfavorable conditions.
Fortunately, the Liu Family's Fourth Branch and Fifth Branch saw through this clearly enough not to put her in a difficult position.
If Liu Laosi and Liu Laowu are the same, then Liu Qingxi would undoubtedly spare no effort in helping them.
As time goes on, helping becomes a habit, and it is not uncommon for it to be taken for granted.
It is not that she is cold-blooded; rather, her habits and past experiences have taught her that some people can be helped while others cannot.
So-called kindness does not mean being overly nice and helping everyone indiscriminately.
"You, girl, really don't know when you became so clever."
Liu Qingxi's heart skipped a beat, but fortunately, Zhang was just speaking casually.
Otherwise, she wouldn't even know how to explain these changes herself.
Because if she were to delve deeper, her reasons would be utterly unconvincing.
Others might not notice or think about it, but having lived under the same roof as Zhang and others for over a decade, they could definitely see through her.
Fortunately, they did not think in other directions and merely assumed that she had suddenly become enlightened after leaving the Liu Family.
"Aunt Four, since we are officially in now, I will head back first. I will write a letter to Aunt Wu and send some things back. Do you want me to take anything with me?"
"Sure, sure! I'll write it tonight!" She certainly didn't have Liu Qingxi's convenience in sending letters.
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