HBBMAWH Chapter 43

"Actually, I'm here to discuss a business deal with you." Yan Cai started talking about business after drinking tea.

Lin Shu had been waiting for Yan Cai to start talking, as there's usually no such thing as a free lunch. Besides, Yan Cai probably didn't have much free time. Especially considering Jiang Manyue, who seemed to regard Lin Shu as a thorn in his side.

"Oh, what kind of business?" Lin Shu's business instincts immediately kicked in.

"Wait and see, I won't disappoint you." Yan Cai dumped the basket onto the table.

Before even lifting the cloth covering it, Lin Shu had a hunch that this was definitely a good thing. There were many people in the hall, so he quickly led them to the backyard to discuss business.

"What are these?" Lin Shu looked at a basket of bright red dried chili peppers strangely.

"Chilies. Delicious ones," Yan Cai replied

Lin Shu lowered his head, picked up a chili, broke it open, and sniffed it. A pungent spiciness hit his nose. He seemed like he wanted to taste it, but Yan Cai quickly stopped him.

"That's not how you eat it."

With Lin Shu's keen sense of food, he immediately guessed whether these might be spices. However, Yan Cai kept silent, maintaining an air of mystery.

"Let your chef cook a few dishes." Jiang Manyue stared at Lin Shu with a disdainful look. Ignorant, he doesn't even know how to eat chili. At this moment, he conveniently forgot that he also didn't know he could eat it before.

Lin Shu received the disdainful gaze, and his eyelids twitched, but he didn't dare to confront Jiang Manyue, so he could only hum a couple of times. Not going to argue with him.

The chefs, faced with unfamiliar ingredients, were all at a loss. Yan Cai made an appearance, naming a few dishes he had heard of before. Although he wasn't very skilled in cooking, he could roughly guess the steps. The rest depended on the cooking skills of Lin Shu’ family's chef.

With a river nearby, there was no shortage of water. Fresh grass carp and river crabs had just arrived in the morning, making it perfect for preparing boiled fish and spicy crab.

When a bowl of fish floating in red oil was served, Lin Shu's eyes showed a hint of doubt. It was too overpowering. This kind of spiciness was too dominant, as if it had instantly taken away the spotlight from the main course.

​When eating local crabs, freshness is always the most important thing. Steamed boiled drunken crabs are served with a special sauce.  The essence of umami lies in the combination of fish and lamb; if the water ingredients are not fresh, they lose their flavor.

Lin Shu remained skeptical about whether crabs drenched in thick oil and sauce would taste good. He tried a little bit, doubting he would swallow it.

The chef at Fuman Tower has superb cooking skills and a precise sense of taste. With just a few words from Yan Cai, he skillfully prepared some excellent dishes.

It is fragrant and spicy, but it does not take away the umami flavor. Instead, it removes the fishy smell that can be found in meat dishes, making the umami levels richer.

"Let's eat!" Lin Shu directly invited Yan Cai and Jiang Manyue to sit down for a meal. Of course, Jiang Manyue was a tag-along. Lin Shu filled his own bowl with rice and enjoyed a hearty meal. Jiang Manyue, who didn't eat spicy food, watched Lin Shu enthusiastically dragging Yan Cai to eat with a cold gaze. Yan Cai wanted to do business, and he wouldn't stop him.

After the meal, Lin Shu seemed to wake up as if from a dream, and he began discussing business with Yan Cai.

"Brother Yan, is there anyone else interested?" Lin Shu said with a smiling face, hiding any ulterior motives.

"For now, no one else," Yan Cai replied cautiously. Just because they were acquainted, it didn't mean that he could only do business with Lin Shu. He wasn't worried about not being able to sell the product. If Lin Shu had no interest or the price was too low, he wouldn't tie himself to this tree.

Lin Shu felt relieved a little, as long as no more people knew about it.

Then came the haggling over the price and whether Yan Cai could include more recipes. Although they were friends, Lin Shu wouldn't let the relationship hinder the negotiation of prices when it came to doing business.

With a sly smile, Lin Shu stated his price.

Having never sold these before, Yan Cai wasn't sure about the appropriate price for the chilies. However, with Jiang Manyue around, he wasn't concerned about being taken advantage of. Yan Cai and Jiang Manyue exchanged glances, agreeing that Lin Shu's offer was too low.

With Jiang Manyue's approval, Yan Cai spoke.

"I said, is this the exclusive price?"

"How could it not be the exclusive price?" Lin Shu was sweating in his heart, but still insisted on this exclusive price. Having it available in every store would defeat his purpose.

What he wanted is exclusivity—to be a unique and singular restaurant.

Jiang Manyue sneered, "Boss Lin is really good at calculating. Fuman Tower is not the only restaurant in Qingqu. I think other restaurants will be happy to develop new dishes."

Lin Shu felt cold. The price he offered was higher than the price of beef and mutton. If one has a little softer ears, one can actually be easily impressed.

However, Yan Cai wasn't worried about selling; he might just turn to the neighboring restaurant if unhappy. Yan Cai probably wouldn't do that, but Jiang Manyue might.

Look at him holding his child; he's practically out the door with half a foot already outside!

Yan Cai also shook his head, "Take a closer look, these are all dried goods, without any moisture."

"The price is negotiable. Can your production meet the demand of Fuman Tower? Our daily consumption is quite substantial."  Lin Shu took pride in his thriving busines.

"We can meet the demand," Yan Cai assured. He estimated that by leaving all the work of growing peppers to Chi and the others, the output would be greatly increased next year.

Despite the assurance, Lin Shu still felt uneasy.

After thinking about it carefully for a long time, he realized that what he was worried about was actually instability. Once Yan Cai and the others leave Qingqu, this business would likely fall apart.

Subconsciously, he felt that Qingqu was not a place where the two of them would stay for a long time. Not to mention the fact that Qingqu County is too small, even Jiang Manyue probably won't stay here for long.

The influence of the Jiang family's main branch was all in the capital city, a place incomparable to Qingqu.

Lin Shu straightforwardly voiced his concerns

"You both don't seem like people who will stay here for long. I want to know how long we can do this business together."

Upon hearing this, Yan Cai was a bit stunned. Was he talking about them leaving Qingqu? Initially, he was planning to recover and leave, but gradually, he stayed until spring.

Not familiar with this world, and being blinded by Lin Shu's questions, Yan Cai subconsciously looked at Jiang Manyue, only to find that Jiang Manyue was also a little distracted as well.

"Manyue?" Was he also confused by this question?

Jiang Manyue snapped back to reality, thought about the situation at home, and nodded.

"Yes. In terms of supply, you can rest assured."

Lin Shu was happy in his heart; if Jiang Manyue said it's okay, then it really is okay. He quickly set an exclusive price for the two of them.

"What about the future?" Lin Shu was still concerned about the future.

But Jiang Manyue added another sentence.

"Monopoly is impossible."

Lin Shu hurriedly turned to look at Yan Cai. Jiang Manyue was not easy to persuade, so he had to try his luck with the more agreeable Yan Cai.

While Yan Cai was generally easygoing, he also refused without hesitation. He didn't have any intention of contradicting Jiang Manyue; he always listened to him.

He could only smile awkwardly at Lin Shu. Lin Shu felt frustrated; Yan Cai was too lenient, too easily swayed by Jiang Manyue's words!

Yan Cai said: "He makes the final decision on business matters." This is nonsense. While Jiang Manyue might ask a question or two during significant decisions, Yan Cai was the one in charge of the business matters.

However, Lin Shu was taken aback because Jiang Manyue looked quite fierce, and Yan Cai seemed easygoing. Subconsciously, he felt that Yan Cai wasn't someone who would lie.

"If, oh! What kind of relationship do we have, friends with common interests! Moreover, if you sell to others, the price might not be as good. I am an honest person. If it were someone else, who knows how they might trick you. Think carefully, Yan Cai!" Lin Shu, who usually negotiated openly with his close brother, began to play the emotional card.

"When the production volume increases, your restaurant won't be able to consume it all. However, I can promise you that within three years, I won't supply to anyone else. And Lin Shu, think optimistically, by then, I won't sell it to you at such a high price." Yan Cai knew that this exclusive price wouldn't be possible if it wasn't an exclusive deal.

Sooner or later, the news that peppers are edible will spread. It is estimated that in less than three years, someone will start to grow peppers. When the time comes, Lin Shu, being the shrewd person he is, will naturally opt for a more affordable price.

But that's not bad either. While Yan Cai likes money, he is also willing to spend it. He would actually like to see chili peppers being promoted in this world.

Of course, as long as there is no conflict with him making money, because he is a man who has a family to support and a spouse who loves to spend money!

Of course, opportunities to make money should not be given up casually.

However, there are no secrets in the world, and news of Fuman Tower’s business inevitably became known. he tea business reached the ears of the Yan family.

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