"Sharp-tongued!" Dong Ziheng chided her, unable to stand it.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Thank you for the compliment!"
Before they had exchanged many words, the atmosphere was already on the verge of turning sour.
The tactful Peng Shuo immediately steered the conversation back. "Madam Fan, please don't be angry."
"We have to admit, the dishes you've created for Tianxiang Lou are excellent. I've tasted them, and they are absolutely delicious. There's nothing to fault there. We've tried to replicate them ourselves, but the dishes we make are nowhere near as good as Tianxiang Lou's."
Seeing her expressionless face, Peng Shuo felt a pang of uncertainty. He had praised her so much, yet she showed no sign of joy.
He was at a loss as to what this young wife was thinking.
Gritting his teeth and stomping his foot, he revealed the truth. "To be frank, the reason we invited you here today is because we want your help, and to help our own restaurants. Making money is not easy, and we have dozens of mouths to feed at home."
He appealed to their emotions and reason.
Peng Shuo continued to push, "We've also inquired, and you hold a thirty percent profit share at Tianxiang Lou. We're willing to cooperate with you in the same way. What do you say?"
They had thoroughly investigated her and had come to negotiate terms.
Leng Xiyuan saw that she wasn't moved at all. His youthful impatience flared, wanting to lash out, but thinking of his own restaurant facing closure, he suppressed his anger.
"Don't worry, we won't harm you. Even if negotiations fail today, it's alright. Let's just consider it as making an acquaintance. Of course, we will visit again in the future." Peng Shuo stated his intentions clearly.
This was a clear indication that they were prepared to be persistent. Zhao Jiaqi was momentarily unsure of how to proceed.
"What you've brought up today is too sudden. I'm completely unprepared. I need time to think. Whether it's a yes or a no, I will give you my answer!"
They rarely encountered such straightforward women.
Especially in a situation like this, a woman who didn't cry or make a scene truly earned their respect.
Relieved to get an answer, Peng Shuo happily stood up to see her off. "Then please, Madam Fan, take some time to consider. If we can't be friends, let's at least not be enemies. After all, we all live in the same town, and we'll inevitably run into each other. Don't you agree?"
Zhao Jiaqi turned her head, her gaze sharp. She said with a forced smile, "Are you threatening me?"
Peng Shuo shook his head. "I wouldn't dare!"
"Why wouldn't you dare? We are a widow with children, and my husband isn't home. Aren't we at your mercy? Is that not why I was brought here?"
Zhao Jiaqi didn't give him any face, retaliating directly.
They had abducted her midway. Was she not allowed to lose her temper?
It would have been better to state their business directly. Why act like bandits trying to scare her?
Peng Shuo saw her directness. Her open expression of dissatisfaction was a good sign. It would prevent awkwardness in future encounters.
"Yes, yes, it was our mistake. We won't do it again. However, I do hope you'll seriously consider my proposal. It would be beneficial for both you and us!"
Zhao Jiaqi remained silent, only nodding.
The three of them respectfully escorted her out of the Leng residence. Fan Guangping quickly drove his carriage to take her home.
After getting off the carriage, Zhao Jiaqi instructed Fan Guangping, "Brother, don't tell Father and Mother about today. We don't want them to worry. Go to town now and bring Sheng Ge here. Tell him I have an urgent matter."
"Alright, I'm going now. You stay home and don't go anywhere!"
Fan Guangping was genuinely worried. His younger brother was at war, leaving behind a pregnant woman. If he couldn't take good care of her, how could he explain it to his brother upon his return?
Without bothering to wipe the sweat from his brow, he drove the carriage away. Within fifteen minutes, he brought Murong Sheng back.
In the study.
Murong Sheng looked at her with concern, examining her from head to toe. Seeing that she could still smile, he finally relaxed.
"On the way here, your eldest brother told me that Leng Xiyuan and his companions had abducted you!"
"Sheng Ge, please sit down."
While her brother had gone to find people, Zhao Jiaqi had already thought of several strategies. Just as Peng Shuo had said, it was better to have more friends than enemies.
Moreover, the town had a large population and was located by the dock, making it as bustling as a county seat. Besides, it wasn't as if only one family could make money.
Seeing her distressed expression, Murong Sheng comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I won't let these three families off easily. I'll write a letter home shortly and ensure justice is served for you!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled softly, "I wasn't harmed, and they didn't threaten me. They just used improper means to invite me for a chat. However, I didn't give them any face, so we're even."
Besides, for such a minor issue, there was no need to escalate things.
Her magnanimity, her willingness to let bygones be bygones, once again impressed Murong Sheng.
"Sheng Ge, these three restaurants are quite significant in town. Their current plight, to some extent, is also my responsibility!"
Without her involvement, these restaurants could have coexisted peacefully. Her presence had disrupted the balance.
"That's a benevolent but naive idea!" He didn't believe it was her fault.
Each person taking what they needed, what was wrong with that? Sister-in-law was simply too kind.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and gently touched her round belly. "One must always leave room for maneuver in life and work. If they are not enemies, why must we push them to their death? Besides, my husband is still on the battlefield. I'm doing this to have peace of mind."
She didn't believe in ghosts or gods, but she had inexplicably arrived here. Could that be explained by science?
Unless it was absolutely necessary, she wouldn't go too far.
"This is what I'm thinking: I will partner with them using different culinary styles. I will hold a forty percent profit share in each of their three establishments. This way, it won't conflict with your family's dishes, it will alleviate their urgent financial problems, we can coexist peacefully in town with a few more friends, and I can earn more. What do you think?"
Having interacted with her for over a year, Murong Sheng understood her nature. Since she had said this, it was clear Zhao Jiaqi had already made up her mind.
However, it still pricked his pride a little. "I had to beg you to partner with me back then, and they just invited you for a visit, and it was settled!"
The man was actually jealous over this matter!
"You asked me once, so should I make them ask me three times?" Was that enough respect?
Murong Sheng was satisfied and didn't inquire about the specific dishes Zhao Jiaqi had prepared for the three establishments.
Even if he knew, they wouldn't be introducing new dishes to his family. He trusted his sister-in-law's character.
The next day.
Early in the morning, three carriages drove into Nanling Village, heading directly for the east end. The villagers were accustomed to this sight.
Everyone was too busy to watch the spectacle and had no interest in the carriages. Even the children didn't point at them.
Those inside the carriages were astonished by this.
Peng Shuo, rubbing the thumb ring on his thumb, said gravely, "This Fan family wife truly has some skills."