Wang Yuanzhi rushed forward and hastily invited Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi to the honored seats. These two people were major benefactors.
As soon as the couple sat down, Wang Hui recounted the events in the town to her father. "We booked a room at the hot pot restaurant; the entire place is reserved for us."
"And Dad, the shopkeepers will bring the menu tonight. We'll decide on the dishes first, and then they'll be served on that day."
She spoke like a messenger, relaying everything before the couple could even finish their sentences.
Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, Fan Zehao's expression remained displeased. He didn't respond but instead looked at Wang Yuanzhi with an unfriendly gaze.
"This is the first time I've seen a village chief treat guests like this!"
Wang Yuanzhi chuckled twice. "We are all men. Those who do great things must be meticulous and cautious. I was wrong to Madam earlier, and I ask for her forgiveness here."
Zhao Jiaqi, seeing him speak like this, gave her husband a look. "The deed is done, and I'm fine. Let's put this matter behind us. After all, everyone is working towards the same goal, and making money is the priority."
Her words were quite effective, and Fan Zehao's anger subsided. Wang Yuanzhi also breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone in the room harbored their own thoughts; it was truly said that one can know a person's face but not their heart.
Fan Zehao took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, his brows slightly furrowed. "This tea is lacking."
He paused and then added, "Never mind. When we make money, the village chief's tea will have to be upgraded!"
"That's a given. It's just a bit tight on funds right now," Wang Yuanzhi seamlessly accepted, though he inwardly grumbled, "This fellow is quite the show-off."
Such good tea, where one liang of leaves cost one liang of silver. Most people wouldn't even serve such tea to guests.
Fan Zehao: "Let's talk."
Wang Yuanzhi was startled and looked at Zhao Jiaqi. He hadn't expected that she would be so quick-witted and speak up.
After a slight pause, he said, "Master, you must be tired from your journey. Why not rest first? We can talk over drinks tonight, and I can even show you my new product."
As soon as he said this, Fan Zehao immediately raised his arm, stopping him. "We don't discuss business at the dinner table, and we don't do business over alcohol. Let's discuss matters openly, so no one will have regrets."
Seeing his serious approach to business, where everything had to be done properly, Wang Yuanzhi was rather pleased. This man was truly different from others; he wasn't a drunkard.
Wang Yuanzhi, delighted, slapped his thigh. "Good. If that's the case, shall we begin now?"
Fan Zehao glanced at his wife. Seeing her nod at him, Fan Zehao then nodded. "Let's do it. Let's finish early, and then we can make further plans."
The village chief suddenly asked, "Are the high officials behind you reliable!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled. "Reliable or not depends on your sincerity."
"Yes, yes, yes. We won't skimp on that. As long as we can sell more and avoid trouble, anything can be discussed."
After he finished speaking, Fan Zehao added, "I will write them a letter shortly and have my subordinates deliver it. As you said, I will definitely invite them over. Then you can see my capabilities, and we can discuss profit sharing."
Hearing this, Wang Yuanzhi felt as if he had swallowed a pill of reassurance. "That's settled. There are no problems with that."
"So, shall we get to the main topic now? Tell us, what is this unique business of yours that is so mysterious?"
The village chief smiled and waved to Wang Fang. "Go fetch a piece and let Master Fan and Madam see it, to test its effects."
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi displayed curiosity on their faces, but their hearts were filled with burning hatred, which they had to suppress.
Soon, Wang Fang returned with the Immortal Cream. He set it on the eight-immortal table next to them.
"This is what I was talking about. I've named it 'Immortal Cream.' Light it up, take a puff, and it will make you feel heavenly bliss, as if you're in paradise, utterly addictive."
With that, he prepared the paraphernalia and was about to light it in front of Fan Zehao for him to experience the sensation.
Fan Zehao immediately refused. He picked up the item and examined it closely, even bringing it to his nose to smell it. It had a faint fragrance. What surprised him was that this seemingly harmless thing was actually so potent.
This was enough to prove that one should not judge a book by its cover.
"I appreciate your kindness, but my wife is pregnant. I cannot be certain if this substance might harm our child. Otherwise, it would be too late to regret it."
After speaking, Fan Zehao put down the item and said, "However, I believe your words. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so confident and even ask me to try it."
"But I am curious, how is this thing made? What are its raw materials?"
Facing this question, Wang Yuanzhi knew he would have to answer it eventually, but he chose to conceal some of the truth.
"The flowers we grow on the back mountain are the raw materials. They undergo processing afterward to form this substance."
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi exchanged glances. The words were true, and they didn't ask further questions, as it would be meaningless.
No matter how much was said, actions were more important.
Fan Zehao looked at the item on the table and casually asked, "How should this thing be sold? Where to sell it? What's the selling method?"
Wang Yuanzhi frowned slightly at this triple question. "That varies from person to person. I'm just supplying the goods. As for how to sell it, that depends on the market conditions outside."
What kind of answer was that? Vague and ambiguous.
Zhao Jiaqi asked, "But there must be a reference point, right? For example, for selling rice, how much is ordinary rice, how much is premium rice, and how much are rough rice and old rice, respectively? If you don't tell us, how can we sell it?"
"Are we supposed to tell people, 'Just give what you think it's worth'!"
Fan Zehao chimed in, "That's true. There's no such way of doing business."
Wang Yuanzhi sighed. "To be honest with you, I originally wanted to raise the price a bit. After all, besides the two of us splitting the money, there's a third party involved. When you asked me just now, I hadn't really thought about it."
They believed this to be the truth.
The room fell silent. After a short while, Zhao Jiaqi suggested, "How about this: you tell me the cost, and I'll set the price for you."
After speaking, she looked at Wang Yuanzhi and saw his troubled expression. Zhao Jiaqi immediately understood.
This was clearly because he wanted to profit further from the cost and then sell it at a wholesale price to others. By doing so, he would earn more than the couple.
Zhao Jiaqi truly disdained such petty gains. She immediately changed her approach. "How about this: how many silver taels do you sell this piece for? And how much does this piece weigh?"