After seeing off the fisher girls and calculating the time, thinking that the big boss should have gotten up, Li Ying finally took three cans of canned fish and rushed out in a hurry.
Lu Xunguang followed closely behind her. When she turned to look at him, he explained matter - of - factly, "Lian Ji is jealous and has a strong hostility towards you. I'm worried about you."
A warm feeling welled up in her heart. The two of them rode on the big green mule, Wu Zhui. Before long, they arrived at the inn where he was staying. Coincidentally, Lian Ji was just pushing open the small window facing the street and looking out. From afar, she caught sight of Li Ying and shot her a sarcastic look.
"You never come unless you have something to ask for. Why are you here again? You're really just a country bumpkin, so crude and unreasonable. You come to disturb people's dreams early in the morning."
Li Ying didn't mind her cold words at all and still had a polite smile on her face. However, Lu Xunguang's handsome face was turning frosty.
She quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to be impatient.
This big boss had been through the ups and downs of business for many years. If he couldn't keep his cool like this, wouldn't he be at the mercy of others even before the business negotiation started?
Lu Xunguang stiffened for a moment but finally hung his head without saying a word.
At first, Lian Ji only felt a sharp look like a blade on her, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable. She looked at Li Ying suspiciously but couldn't figure out the reason.
Her skeptical eyes circled around and when they landed on Lu Xunguang, she found him an eyesore. Although the young man seemed familiar, for some unknown reason, just one glance at him made her feel uncomfortable all over.
"Since you're here to see my husband, then come in by yourself. Those shady servants have no right to stand in the same room as my master."
Lian Ji snorted coldly, slammed the window shut with a "bang", and then ordered the servant to answer the door.
"Brother Lu, you can just wait for me here."
Li Ying told him and then quickly followed the young servant.
Watching their figures disappear behind the door, Lu Xunguang stared at the half - open small window and tightly clenched his fists.
The big boss had a light breakfast, just some porridge and pickles. The canned fish Li Ying brought was just right to go with it.
He slowly tasted the three bamboo tubes of canned fish, then put away his white jade chopsticks and pressed the corner of his lips with a silk handkerchief. His sharp eyes fell on Li Ying.
"Boss Li, may I ask what brings you here?"
Before she could answer, Lian Ji rolled her eyes and gently waved the handkerchief scented with sweet - blend incense over the big boss.
"What important thing could she possibly have? Isn't it all about the matter of the four restaurants in town joining forces to boycott the restaurant? My husband just promised to have a bet with her, but she's so eager to cling to my husband, thinking she can rely on him like a big tree!"
These words were full of jealousy. Li Ying frowned secretly but still looked normal on the surface and smiled, "Madam is wrong. I'm here today to discuss another business with the big boss."
This business, of course, referred to the canned bamboo - tube fish.
Lian Ji sneered, "You little woman are good at getting something for nothing. You just swindled my husband out of his money to buy Tianxiang Tower, and now you want my husband to buy your canned fish? You're really daydreaming!"
Li Ying smiled flawlessly, "Madam is wrong again."
"Big boss, if there are guests like you who come to this small fishing village from afar, isn't the canned fish the best souvenir to take back?"
Although her words were in the form of a question, her tone was extremely confident. The big boss pondered silently, but there was a faint glimmer in his eyes.
Lian Ji had been denied twice in a row and felt very humiliated. She felt as if she were a short - sighted and ignorant woman. She said angrily, "Bah! If it weren't for that old fool Du Zhong begging every day, my husband would never come to such a barbaric place like yours. How dare you be so delusional about other guests!"
Li Ying ignored her and just looked at the big boss with her bright and intelligent eyes.
"Big boss, what do you think of A Man's Hu Xuan Dance?"
"The Hu Xuan Dance is very popular in the music workshop in town recently. For several days, many excellent poems written by scholars have been spread."
"The water night market in the fishing village is also a unique wonder that only exists in this small fishing village. Presumably, many guests who come here out of admiration are already on their way. This canned fish is the best souvenir for tourists to give to their relatives and friends."
"If the big boss seizes the opportunity to hold a dance competition by the sea and widely invites guests from all over the world to enjoy delicious food, appreciate the wonderful Hu Xuan Dance, and participate in the talent show to personally select the most beautiful dance girl in their hearts and send her to the biggest stage, this grand event will surely attract everyone's attention."
A dance competition? A talent show?
The big boss repeated these new terms and found this little boss Li even more interesting.
Lian Ji had been with the big boss for many years and could read his expressions. Although he hadn't said a word yet, there was obvious admiration in his eyes.
The big boss hadn't shown such strong interest in others for many years!
An alarm bell went off in her heart. Regardless of being out of line, she quickly interrupted, "Don't talk nonsense with your red lips and white teeth! Not to mention that the idea of this so - called dance competition is unheard of. Even if everything goes as you expect, what's in it for us if we hold this grand event?"
The big boss stared at Li Ying intently, obviously waiting for her explanation.
"Big boss, have you ever heard of the term 'star effect'? The winner of this talent show will be the heart's desire of the common people all over the world and the top dance girl in their minds. If this top - ranked dance girl joins your team, in the future, all the items she uses will become 'star - style' and will be scrambled for by the common people. Isn't this condition attractive enough?"
"With your sponsorship of this talent show, the shops in the neighboring areas will surely scramble to participate. When the tax revenue increases, it will surely catch the attention of the county magistrate and even the prefect. They will gain political achievements and will surely be grateful for your generosity. For a businessman, it's always beneficial to have a good relationship with the government."
The big boss pondered silently. Li Ying bowed deeply and said, "You just need to give me a nod and the naming right. For the rest, I won't take a single cent. I guarantee that you will gain both fame and fortune. It will be a win - win situation for the merchants, the government, you, and the fishing village!"
She had painted a very enticing picture. After thinking for a moment, the big boss relented, "Boss Li, you have a silver tongue. If I were twenty years younger, I might just leave my family and follow you to make a fortune!"
He put away his smile and said seriously, "Boss Li is a businessman. You must understand that doing business can't rely solely on sweet talk. If you want my help, you must first show your sincerity."
He waved his hand and slightly squinted his eyes, "I'm tired today. If you have any practical plans for this dance competition, you're welcome to come and find me at any time."
The big boss ordered the servant to show the guest out. Lian Ji was extremely happy to see that Li Ying didn't get what she wanted.
Li Ying bowed politely and slowly backed out of the wing - room. But in her heart, she let out a sigh of relief.
Half of her plan had already succeeded!