Sure enough, as expected, later that day, the news that a dance competition was to be held at the fishing village night market spread throughout the town's streets and alleys.
At first, some music workshops thought it was a trap set by her. But when they heard that the judges would include the reclusive great Confucian scholar Yan Lianzhi, the major shareholder of Ping'an Bank, and the county magistrate himself, they couldn't help but be extremely astonished.
Li Ying was just a rootless fisherman's wife. How could an out - of - the - blue idea of hers manage to invite so many powerful figures?
Then they heard that the main judges of this "talent show" would be all the common people who came to the "Dance Competition and Food Festival". Each snack package would be a crucial vote for the dancing girls, and the final champion would be determined by comprehensively considering the judges' opinions and the voting results. They were even more excited.
This woman had really made this competition so fair and square?
The winner would be the well - deserved top dancing girl!
When one person achieves success, all his relatives and friends benefit. Even the whole music workshop could, by taking this opportunity, smoothly come under the wing of Ping'an Bank. This was an opportunity that many people didn't even dare to dream of!
For a moment, the music workshops no longer cared about secretly investigating. They all rushed to sign up eagerly.
Li Ying's "selfless" and noble - minded act was even more talked about by the townspeople.
"Look at Lady Li's magnanimity! It was clearly the music workshops that stole her idea, but she repaid evil with kindness. Such a broad - mindedness is really admirable!"
With her good reputation and the guarantee of Ping'an Bank, the recruitment of advertising space was naturally smooth sailing.
Many small businessmen broke their heads just to get in touch with Ping'an Bank. Scholars also rushed to the small fishing village day and night in the name of Yan Lianzhi!
Such a grand event was something the townspeople had never seen even during the New Year's Eve sacrifice. Everyone was talking about it.
The sales team didn't stay long at their natal homes. They rushed back in a hurry. As soon as they entered the village, they shouted at the top of their voices.
"A Ying! Hurry! Are the new cans ready? The two hundred I took today weren't even enough to distribute! My mother didn't even let me rest at home and rushed me back to get some more!"
The men, who had been scolding before, never expected that these dozens of "long - haired and short - sighted" women would really set up a canning factory. They were all stunned and speechless.
Such good news naturally spread quickly to the town like a bird with wings.
Tao Zhi was sitting in the elegant private room on the second floor of Zuixianju, discussing with the other four shopkeepers how to contain Li Ying. He thought he would get the news of this woman kneeling and begging for mercy, but he never expected that she would make such a big stir quietly. His face couldn't help but look a bit ugly.
The shopkeeper of Dingtai Building took a sip of tea and said coolly, "Shopkeeper Tao, this situation doesn't seem to be the same as what you predicted before?"
The shopkeeper of Juewei Workshop echoed, "Our shops haven't had fish and shrimp for cooking in the past few days. Many regular customers have already complained. Lady Li has the ability to digest the fish catches that we refused to buy. Now it's us who are restricted by her everywhere."
The shopkeeper of Yufengxiang Steamed Bun Shop also said, "Lady Li has such a broad mind and the ability to tolerate others. Businessmen should make money in harmony. Why should we make things difficult for her? If we make up with her earlier, maybe we can also take advantage of the opportunity of the dance competition and the influence of Ping'an Bank."
Tao Zhi frowned tightly, looking unhappy. Only the shopkeeper of Zuixianju, who was always close to him, said angrily, "What are you talking about? We five major restaurants have joined hands, and we've been powerful figures in this town for many years. Are we still afraid of a mere woman?"
"I'd like to see who dares to boost others' morale and destroy our own prestige!"
The shopkeepers looked at each other. Finally, the shopkeeper of Yufengxiang smoothed things over and said, "We were just talking casually. Why are you so angry?"
The five of them conspired for a long time but couldn't come up with any good idea. In the end, they parted unhappily.
Li Ying was in high spirits as good news came one after another. The shops that came to apply for stalls at the "Dance Competition and Food Festival" almost broke down her door.
After finally seeing off the last group of guests, she saw Lu Xunguang standing at the door, smiling at her.
"A Ying, congratulations on achieving your wish."
He said it sincerely, and Li Ying also bent her lips and gave a sweet smile.
"Thanks to Brother Lu."
She originally thought that Lu Xunguang was just coming to chat, but unexpectedly, he didn't leave in a hurry. Instead, he stared at her fixedly and asked in a deep voice, "Well, aren't you going to invite me in for a cup of tea?"
Li Ying suddenly remembered the uncontrollable rise of ambiguity between them in recent days. She was flustered, but still welcomed him in.
He sat down opposite Li Ying properly. Seeing her looking nervous and uncomfortable, he didn't delay any longer. He took out a thin letter from his bosom and laid it on the table.
"A Ying, take a look. What's this?"
Li Ying took it over, not knowing what it was. But on it, there were detailed lists of how the four shops, including Zuixianju, Juewei Workshop, and Yufengxiang, had started from scratch.
Even the daily lives and all the preferences of these shopkeepers had been clearly investigated!
The shopkeeper of Juewei Workshop was indecisive and was like a fence - sitter who could easily be led by the nose.
The shopkeeper of Yufengxiang was a peace - maker without much opinion and was very timid.
Dingtai Building was the second - best restaurant in this town after Tianxiang Building. There had been some covert struggles between its shopkeeper and Tao Zhi. If it weren't for Li Ying's sudden and powerful rise this time, he would never have been willing to get involved in this mess.
And Zuixianju had always been on good terms with Tao Zhi. It was just hoping that one day, Shopkeeper Tao would give it a hand and help it surpass Dingtai Building.
She was stunned.
Lu Xunguang had only settled in this town after the night they met in the broken temple. Who on earth was he that he could find out the details of these restaurants so clearly in such a short time?
Seeing that she didn't look overjoyed but seemed to be deep in thought, Lu Xunguang's expression dimmed a bit.
"Does A Ying blame me for meddling?"
Li Ying quickly waved her hand. Only then did she realize that she hadn't seen Lu Xunguang all day.
She originally thought he was avoiding suspicion, so she thought she was "sensible" and didn't ask. But unexpectedly, he had been helping her to gather information!
His wounds were not yet healed, but he had been running around like this, worrying and exhausting himself. It really made her feel so sorry!
Li Ying was speechless. She quickly knelt down and bowed, "Brother Lu..."
Lu Xunguang interrupted her before she could finish, "A Ying, now Tao Zhi has contacted these four restaurants. But seeing that they all have their own agendas and evil intentions, the best way to break this alliance now is..."
Li Ying's eyes lit up. The two of them shouted in unison, "Divide and Conquer!"