Shen Xiaoyan shot him a look and said matter-of-factly, "Why should I be modest? What I had people develop is naturally the best."
Lu Taobao wanted to say more, but catching a glimpse of Zheng Wei's expression out of the corner of his eye, he swallowed the words back.
"Alright then, Sister-in-law, what's your next plan?"
Lu Taobao reorganized his thoughts, cleared his throat, and spoke, "Although the research has begun, large-scale production will still take some time. We could, however, buy a shop first and then renovate it," Shen Xiaoyan said.
"So, Sister-in-law, do you want to open a shop in the county or in the town?" Lu Taobao continued to ask.
"Is there a difference?"
"Of course, there is." Zheng Wei nodded, then sat up straighter and elaborated, "The advantages of being in the town don't need me to tell you. Naturally, it's closer, and we can take care of things if anything comes up."
Shen Xiaoyan and the others nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth of this.
Lu Taobao then continued, "As for the county, naturally, the people there are wealthier. Our products might sell even better."
After Lu Taobao finished, he looked at Shen Xiaoyan and stopped speaking. Although Shen Xiaoyan had asked for his opinion, the final decision rested with her. He had to wait to hear what Shen Xiaoyan had to say first.
Shen Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then whispered a few words to Zheng Wei. The two of them confirmed their final decision.
"I think we should open one in the town first. If the products are good, they'll sell no matter where they are. Once our reputation is established, we can open a branch in the county," Shen Xiaoyan said, looking at Lu Taobao.
Lu Taobao smiled upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words. She was indeed worthy of being called sister-in-law; she was so insightful. If it were someone else, hearing his previous two points might have led them to choose the county for the sake of making more money. It wasn't that they couldn't go to the county at first, but being unfamiliar with the place and opening a new, unknown shop would not only invite suppression from existing businesses in the county but also breed suspicion among the people. Although he had been kicked out by his father, he had lived in this town for over a decade, and everyone knew him. Even out of respect for him, people would patronize his shop.
After a bit more discussion, Lu Taobao, Zheng Wei, and Sima Han went to the town together to look for suitable shops for rent or sale, to buy them early and renovate them properly. Not only that, but also cabinets for displaying goods, the design drawings of which Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei had already discussed and drawn, would also be taken by Zheng Wei to the town to find someone to make them.
When the group returned in the evening, they announced that everything had been settled.
"How could it be so fast?" Shen Xiaoyan asked in surprise. She had thought that the three of them would first explore and that it would take until the next day to finalize everything, but unexpectedly, it was already done.
"Sister-in-law, it seems you underestimate me," Lu Taobao said with a slight pout, then revealed a confident smile. "With me here, what can't be accomplished?"
"Alright, you're amazing." Since the matter was settled, Shen Xiaoyan was naturally not stingy with her praise, and as she spoke, she gave Lu Taobao a thumbs-up.
"Hehe..." Lu Taobao became a little embarrassed by Shen Xiaoyan's direct praise, and could only smile foolishly, not knowing what to say. Little did he know, while he was feeling shy, Shen Xiaoyan had already gone to ask Zheng Wei about the shop.
From Zheng Wei, Shen Xiaoyan learned how things had unfolded. Upon arriving in town, they went directly to one of the Lu family's general stores. Lu Taobao asked the owner of the general store to look for shops to rent or sell in town, preferably large ones. The owner, having lived in town for decades, naturally had many connections. Soon, he returned with news. There were indeed a few shops for rent or sale in town, and the owner brought the intermediaries with him. Zheng Wei and the other two followed the intermediaries to view several shops.
The first shop was rather remote, with only one storefront, which naturally did not meet their requirements. The next two shops were either not the right size or not in the right location. Finally, they arrived at the last place, which finally met their satisfaction. This shop was two stories high, and the front of the shop faced the busiest street in town, the same street where the ready-to-wear shop where Shen Xiaoyan and the others used to make clothes was located.
Zheng Wei and the other two followed the intermediary into the shop. It was very clean but very empty, with nothing in it. The intermediary explained that the shop was for sale, not for rent. Because it was a two-story building with a large area on each floor and a small courtyard behind, the price was higher, which was why they hadn't brought them here sooner. Zheng Wei circled the shop, then went to the courtyard in the back, and finally decided to take it.
The intermediary was overjoyed when Zheng Wei expressed his interest, but he hesitated when it came to the price. However, he still had to state it. Seeing Zheng Wei's impatience, he quickly and concisely revealed the information. The original owner of this shop was a jewelry shop, namely Yu Ji Jewelry.
"Yu Ji Jewelry?" Yue Qingxin, who had been listening, interjected. The name sounded so familiar.
"Sister also finds the name familiar?" Shen Xiaoyan smiled and continued, "It's Xu Xiao'e's family."
"Oh, no wonder it sounds so familiar," Yue Qingxin said, suddenly understanding. No wonder it sounded so familiar; it was indeed Xu Xiao'e's family's business.
"Exactly. Although Yu Duobao is dead, isn't Yu Lufa still alive and well? Why are they selling even the shop now?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, also puzzled. From the looks of it, not much time had passed. Yu Lufa didn't seem like a fool; how could he have run a well-established jewelry shop into bankruptcy?
"I've inquired about that," Zheng Wei said. Knowing that Shen Xiaoyan would ask about this, he had directly asked the intermediary. Initially, the intermediary was reluctant to say, but upon seeing Zheng Wei take out a plate of money notes from his sleeve, he immediately bowed and smilingly revealed all he knew.
"I heard from that person that after Xu Xiao'e fell ill, Yu Lufa became displeased with her. Instead, he started having an affair with a young girl in the household and even brought his wife and children to live with them."
"That's one thing, but his wife isn't a good-tempered person either. Knowing that Xu Xiao'e had previously had an affair with Yu Lufa, and now that Yu Duobao had no interest in Xu Xiao'e, she let loose and decided to teach Xu Xiao'e a lesson."
"Xu Xiao'e was already physically and mentally exhausted; how could she withstand that woman's harsh treatment? She wasn't even fed three meals a day, and sometimes the food was spoiled. That woman also had Yu Duobao's newly taken concubine, the former maid, go to Xu Xiao'e's window every day to say unpleasant things."