Ye Xiaohan smiled and said, "Since I've decided to go into the food business, of course, I've thought of a solution."
This was a clever plan she had come up with after racking her brain, and it was definitely feasible.
"Really?" Liu Yang exclaimed in surprise. "What is it?"
His sister-in-law was impressive; she could think of any solution. He now admired her more than anyone else, even putting his older brother second.
Ye Xiaohan nodded. "You don't need to rush. I have to take it step by step. There's something I need you to help me with. You take care of the renovations at the shop while I handle other matters."
"Okay!" Liu Yang readily agreed, not even asking what clever plan Ye Xiaohan had in mind. He knew that she always followed through on her words; if she had a plan, it would surely work.
As for himself, he just needed to do what Ye Xiaohan asked.
Ye Xiaohan chuckled, "This is a big project. All our family's inheritance is riding on this; we can only succeed, not fail. Don't think this is a small matter; we will need to hire people and train newcomers—there's plenty for you to do."
"Whatever it is, sister-in-law, just let me know," Liu Yang replied. "I will do my best; if I don't know how, I can learn."
Ye Xiaohan gave him a thumbs-up and praised him, "Good job! You've got ambition; we'll be relying on you in the future."
Liu Yang also gave a thumbs-up and firmly said, "No problem! I'm always ready!"
The renovation went smoothly. Liu Yang used his networking skills to quickly find some good craftsmen to start working on the restaurant.
Yes, Ye Xiaohan ultimately decided to open a restaurant. Although a casual bar might have been more appealing, after the last incident, she didn't dare make too much noise.
While a modern bar might attract attention, it wouldn't necessarily bring in straightforward customers. If anything went wrong again, she would truly be at a loss for words.
The bloody lessons from Liu Yuan were still fresh in her mind; this time Ye Xiaohan decided to keep things low-key and aim for stability—just earn some money to help with household expenses.
When people saw that someone had taken over the shop, they were curious about what the new owner planned to do. Upon finding out it was a restaurant, they scoffed in disbelief.
"Is this newcomer really a fool?" one onlooker pointed and commented, "The Dye House is right behind this shop. The smell isn't too bad most of the time, but when the sun is high, it becomes unbearable. Who in their right mind would come here to eat?"
Those around him nodded in agreement, echoing his sentiments.
A woman added, "The shopkeeper must have been deceived. I heard that the previous owner wasn't a good person at all. It's likely that they sweet-talked someone who didn't know any better into taking over this place. What a shame!"
"Women often lack experience," another person chimed in. "Even if they were tricked into taking over the shop, it's still up to the owner to decide what to do next. Surely they wouldn't just give up and let everything fall apart?"
"Who knows what that person is thinking? We'll just have to wait and see what kind of tricks they come up with," someone else remarked.
The crowd gathered outside the shop, amused and adding to their idle chatter. Why not enjoy a little gossip?
Liu Yang tried his best to ignore their chatter but couldn't help himself and went back to complain to Ye Xiaohan.
"Those idiots think that just because they can't do it, no one else can either!" Liu Yang said indignantly. "Once we get our restaurant up and running, we'll make them pay double!"
Ye Xiaohan laughed, "Their mouths are their own; we can't stop them from talking. I actually hope they spread the word—better yet, I hope they tell everyone about our restaurant for free."
While others had to spend money on advertising, they were getting free promotion before even opening their doors. Why wouldn't she be pleased?
Liu Yang looked at her and said, "Sister-in-law, you’re smiling like a fox."
"What’s wrong with being like a fox?" Ye Xiaohan replied, clenching her fist playfully. "When I'm doing business, I need to be as cunning as a fox, using every trick in the book to make money."
"Exactly!" Liu Yang nodded vigorously. Free advertising was too good to pass up; it cost nothing.
Afterward, when more people came by to gossip, Liu Yang no longer wore a stern face but instead greeted them with a smile and shared details about the restaurant.
"Once the renovations are complete, our restaurant will open! I hope everyone will come and support us!" Liu Yang said cheerfully as he cupped his hands in invitation, encouraging them to visit once they were operational.
After everyone dispersed, they secretly mocked, "This fool, does he think we are as foolish as him? With a restaurant like his, if even one person goes to eat, I'll lose a couple of silver coins!"
"I'll bet two taels!" another person chimed in, wagering that Ye Xiaohan's restaurant would have no business.
With one leading the charge, everyone began placing bets, all wagering that the restaurant would close down as soon as it opened.
While the crowd was having a good time around the restaurant, Ye Xiaohan was busy tackling the biggest challenge facing her establishment.
It was impossible for the restaurant to open smoothly without resolving the issues with Dye House.
Thus, Ye Xiaohan made another special trip to visit the Boss of Dye House. This was already her fifth attempt to seek an audience—two more than Liu Bei—and she couldn't help but admire her own patience.
Inside Dye House, an employee was relaying the message to the Shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper, that Ye Xiaohan is here again. Should we still throw her out?"
The employee hesitated; every time she came, she was polite and courteous. Even when the Shopkeeper refused to see her, she never got angry and always left with a smile.
But this girl was just too persistent. She left each time, but she always returned!
Wiping the sweat from his brow, the employee felt caught between two stubborn masters.
"Why is she back again?" The Dye Shop Owner was nearly at his wit's end. "We've turned her down so many times; why hasn't she given up? Is she going to keep pestering us until what happens?"
Seizing the opportunity, the employee suggested, "Shopkeeper, why don't you just meet with her? You've always said you weren't available; that's why she keeps coming back. Perhaps if you refuse her face-to-face, she'll finally give up?"
"Will that work?" The Dye Shop Owner sighed. "Fine, I'll meet her. She's come so many times for her shop; it's not right for me to keep avoiding her. Let's go."
Moved by Ye Xiaohan's sincerity and understanding how difficult it was to run a business, the Dye Shop Owner decided it was time to talk to Ye Xiaohan in person.
"Shopkeeper, you finally decided to see me," Ye Xiaohan said with a smile as she stood up. "If you hadn't come, I would have drunk all your good tea."
The Dye Shop Owner waved his hands repeatedly. "I'm ashamed, truly ashamed! If it means making Boss Ye happy, what is a little tea worth?"
Ye Xiaohan quickly replied, "You're being too polite. Our shops are next to each other; we are neighbors now. It's better to have close neighbors than distant relatives, and we should get along well in the future."
"That sounds a bit excessive!" The Dye Shop Owner frowned slightly. Ye Xiaohan's words seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm. "Boss Ye, I know my Dye House here affects your business, and I feel quite guilty about it. But saying it like that is a bit much."
Ye Xiaohan laughed lightly. "That's a misunderstanding on your part, Shopkeeper. I speak sincerely. We both know how difficult it is to establish a foothold in the capital. I wouldn't ask you to close your Dye House."
Years of hard work could be ruined in an instant; only those involved could truly understand that feeling.
Ye Xiaohan didn't want to harm others' interests for her own benefit. Everyone was just trying to make a living; it wasn't easy for anyone. What she sought was not merely a solution to the immediate problem but a long-term win-win situation.
"Win-win?" The Dye Shop Owner asked in confusion. "I know my shop's situation well; it's already beyond saving. Boss Ye, I know you're a good person; otherwise, you wouldn't still be thinking of me now."
The previous shop owners had come directly to berate him.
He sighed and continued, "It's not that I'm trying to make things difficult for you; it's just that I can't let go of this Dye House."
Once the Dye Shop Owner opened up, the words flowed out uncontrollably.
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