Chapter 385: Chapter 385

The Fat Chef and the Shopkeeper are relatives, but it’s clear that this so-called owner should be quite a formidable person; otherwise, as a chef, he wouldn’t have changed his clothes.

Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt more tense than usual. She was accustomed to dealing with rural village women, but a big boss appearing out of nowhere was making her uneasy.

Beside her, Lu Yuanfeng sensed this and held her hand, quietly comforting her: "Just treat him as an ordinary person, don’t overthink it. Even if you say something wrong, it doesn’t matter. Worst case, we won’t cooperate."

Lu Yuanfeng’s words made Mu Shuangshuang completely relax.

Indeed, she now has nothing, so it couldn’t be worse.

After coming to terms with this, Mu Shuangshuang straightened her back and swaggered up the stairs.

The Fat Chef happened to overhear Lu Yuanfeng and Mu Shuangshuang’s conversation and inexplicably started to feel that this young man was not simple.

In his impression, Shuang could handle all sorts of situations. However, she was tense earlier.

Only this young man remained calm and collected, as if he didn’t care at all about who they were going to meet next.

Having gone up the stairs with Uncle Ah Fu’s guidance, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng entered the private room.

Though she had been delivering items to Jiu Si Xuan for quite a while, it was Mu Shuangshuang’s first time coming to the private room upstairs, but she could distinctly feel that the second floor was at least a notch higher than the first floor. Even the timber in the rooms appeared better than those downstairs.

"Shuangshuang, you and Fengzi go in yourselves; I’ll stay out," Ah Fu said gently to Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng.

"Alright, thank you, Uncle Ah Fu," Mu Shuangshuang nodded in response.

Lu Yuanfeng also expressed his gratitude.

Feeling courageous, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t hesitate for a moment and directly knocked on the door of the private room, and from inside came a crisp female voice.

Mu Shuangshuang was surprised that the boss of Jiu Si Xuan was a woman when the door to the private room opened.

The one who opened the door was indeed a young girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing a bright red silk dress, her makeup simple and elegant, with a radiant smile gracing her eyebrows.

Mu Shuangshuang took a glance and confirmed that this was not the owner of Jiu Si Xuan.

Jiu Si Xuan is a medium-sized tavern. If you weren’t someone exceptional, you wouldn’t be able to manage it. The young girl before her, with eyes untouched by the world, simply wasn’t capable of such things.

So Mu Shuangshuang refocused her gaze within the room.

Inside, there was a small Eight Immortals table, and beside it sat a man in purple brocade clothes. Just by his attire, you could tell he wasn’t of ordinary status.

He sipped tea calmly, without uttering a word, but Mu Shuangshuang knew his peripheral vision was likely monitoring her and Lu Yuanfeng.

It’s quite strange, she and Fengzi are just two farmers, is it worth such covert observation?

"Sister, you deliver items to my brother’s tavern? You look really young." The young girl glanced at Mu Shuangshuang and asked with a smile.

"Mm!" Mu Shuangshuang merely nodded and didn’t say anything else; after all, she wasn’t one to warm up quickly.

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang ignoring her, the little girl felt bored and turned back to the Eight Immortals table.

On the table were four teacups, one for the young gentleman, one for the young girl, and the remaining ones were presumably for Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng. Mu Shuangshuang sat down naturally, and Lu Yuanfeng showed no sign of timidity.

There was no reason to be timid; Mu Shuangshuang held the method for making popcorn, so negotiation was possible if she wanted it.

The young gentleman didn’t react much, but the young girl showed complete surprise on her face.

"You made the popcorn?" Zheng Zhi spoke formally, without revealing any emotions to Mu Shuangshuang.

"Fengzi and I made it together," Mu Shuangshuang answered.

Zheng Zhi nodded slightly, then spoke: "Liu Dapang should have discussed things with you, right?"

"He mentioned it before, but said the specifics need your decision," Mu Shuangshuang’s attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. But internally, she was curious about just how much her popcorn could sell for.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll be straightforward: many people indeed like your popcorn, especially during performances and musical acts. It’s excellent for passing the time." Latest content published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet

Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but feel a bit smug upon hearing this.

Just look at how popcorn is used in the modern day—for a movie lasting a few hours, it’s relied upon to pass the time alongside cola. Regrettably, she hadn’t yet found a way to make cola; otherwise, she would earn even more.

"I do own quite a few businesses, and currently, your supply might not suffice. That’s why I’d like you to sell the recipe to us."

As soon as Zheng Zhi spoke, Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Originally, having the division change from a sixty-forty split to a ten percent fifty-fifty split, she hadn’t complained, and now, they want her not to even receive a five percent share. Truly black-hearted, did they really think she was a fool?

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t speak, and Zheng Zhi knew Mu Shuangshuang was disagreeing. However, he was confident that once she heard his terms, she would compromise.

"Miss Shuangshuang, wouldn’t you like to know how much silver I’m offering for the recipe?"

"No need; if I’m not mistaken, you must be offering a hundred taels."

Mu Shuangshuang had been observing Zheng Zhi ever since entering the room. He wasn’t an easy character, and she sensed a familiar aura from him.

Of course, she meant that Zheng Zhi gave her the impression of being akin to someone from an official family, somewhat like a child raised among officials.

After all, in her past life, Mu Shuangshuang was somewhat a small official herself, interacting with various types of people. The person in front of her not only had a merchant’s cunning but spoke with a hint of officialdom.

Habitual in giving orders!

Zheng Zhi was indeed surprised for a moment, and his gaze at Mu Shuangshuang deepened with further inquiry. But he was more curious about Lu Yuanfeng beside Mu Shuangshuang.

This person had only come out of the Northwest Camp a few months ago, and even without knowing his background, there were indeed instructions from above to treat him well.

When they were issuing aid, Zheng Zhi’s father deliberately offered an extra twenty taels, but this foolish young man refused, insisting on receiving the same as everyone else.

Lu Yuanfeng also recognized Zheng Zhi, County Magistrate Zheng Gang’s eldest son. Although it was just a brief encounter, neither would easily forget the other.

"Miss Shuangshuang, if you had the choice, how would you calculate this account?"

It’s uncertain whether Zheng Zhi was curious about Lu Yuanfeng’s background or if he indeed fancied what Mu Shuangshuang held in her hands, but he unexpectedly took a step back.

Though this might not entirely be a good thing for Mu Shuangshuang, at the very least now, she cannot make offers that are too outlandish, or the business won’t be concluded.

"How this account is calculated depends on the gentleman’s ambition and investment. If you’re only aiming for town or county business, then profits won’t be overly significant, and naturally, I won’t earn much either."