newbobooks Chapter 113 Shopkeeper Meng
Chapter 113 Shopkeeper Meng
Yan Canglan looked at Yan Jijin's back, sighed, and said to Yan Shuqin beside him: "Sister, don't you feel that your cousin is a little pitiful? His mother died and he is an orphan..."
These words, like dewdrops in the morning breeze, dripping gently, stirred ripples in Yan Shuqin's heart.
Yan Shuqin frowned slightly, with a barely perceptible worry flashing in her eyes. She bit her lip gently and spoke slowly: "Brother, I know you have a kind heart, but my cousin...he seems to have changed his temperament since his mother passed away. What should we do?"
There was a hint of depth in Yan Canglan's eyes. He knew very well that Yan Jijin's change was not a one-day thing, and the pain he went through was probably not something that outsiders could easily understand.
He gently patted Yan Shuqin's shoulder, with a hint of firmness in his tone: "Sister, as a family, we should give him more care and understanding. What he needs now is not sympathy, but a shoulder to lean on."
At this moment, Yan Jijin suddenly turned around, with a complex emotion in his eyes, as if he was struggling with something.
He quickly walked back to the two of them, stopped, took a deep breath, and then slowly said: "Are you talking about me?" Although his voice was low, it was particularly clear in the silent Mansion of the Loyal and Brave Marquis.
Yan Canglan smiled slightly, walked forward, patted Yan Jijin on the shoulder, and said gently: "Cousin, we are a family, what can't we say directly? I just feel that you seem to be too closed to yourself recently, and we are worried about you."
A complex expression flashed across Yan Jijin's face. He lowered his head and was silent for a while, then raised his head, and there seemed to be some changes in his eyes. He said, "I know you are all doing this for my own good. It's just that I want to solve my own problems."
Yan Shuqin looked at Yan Jijin, with a hint of determination in her eyes. She walked forward, gently took Yan Jijin's hand, and said softly: "Cousin, do you know? No matter what difficulties you encounter, we will be with you. You are not fighting alone."
Yan Jijin looked at Yan Shuqin, a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes, but he quickly withdrew his hand and said lightly: "I know, thank you."
Yan Canglan looked at his cousin Yan Jijin's indifferent expression and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
……
As soon as Lu Yundi returned to the Mansion of Marquis Zhongyong, he invited Manager Meng over to discuss the matter of renting a shop with him.
Lu Yundi sat in the west hall of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion, stroking a celadon teacup on the table, looking through the half-open window at the distant sky. When Shopkeeper Meng was led in, he smiled slightly and waved for him to sit down.
"Manager Meng, I invited you here this time to discuss the matter of renting a shop." Lu Yundi's voice was calm, but it revealed a hint of doubt and firmness.
Shopkeeper Meng bowed, his expression showing both respect and nervousness: "Madam, I will not neglect your instructions. However, please give me detailed instructions on the matters of this shop."
Lu Yundi nodded slightly and poured a cup of tea for Shopkeeper Meng himself: "I heard that the shop you manage is doing very well. I want to know what the secret is?"
Shopkeeper Meng was slightly stunned. He did not expect his wife to be interested in this topic. He thought for a moment and replied, "Madam, I think that if you want to do business well, you must know how to capture the hearts of customers. The goods must be complete, the service must be thoughtful, and the price must be fair. In addition, you must keep up with market changes and adjust your business strategy in a timely manner."
Lu Yundi smiled slightly, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "Well said. However, the shop I want to rent has a special location, near the Mansion of the Loyal and Brave Marquis. I would like to ask you to help see if it is suitable for opening a new business."
Shopkeeper Meng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Madam, this location is indeed good, with a lot of people coming and going, suitable for opening various shops. However, I think that if you want to open a new shop here, it would be best to combine the characteristics of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion and do some unique business."
A gleam of light flashed in Lu Yundi's eyes: "Oh? Do you have any suggestions?"
Shopkeeper Meng smiled cautiously, "Madam, in my opinion, it would be better to open a calligraphy and painting shop. There are many scholars and writers near the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery Mansion, and the demand for calligraphy and painting must be strong. Moreover, a calligraphy and painting shop can not only sell calligraphy and paintings, but also hold some calligraphy and painting exhibitions to attract more scholars and scholars to come."
Lu Yundi clapped his hands lightly, smiling: "Manager Meng, your suggestion is very good. I was thinking the same thing. However, can you personally manage the operation of this calligraphy and painting shop?"
Shopkeeper Meng was slightly surprised. He did not expect his wife to make such a request. He hesitated for a moment and replied, "Madam, I am willing to try. However, running this calligraphy and painting shop requires a lot of time and energy. I am afraid that I am not up to it."
Lu Yundi smiled gently, his eyes full of trust: "Manager Meng, I believe in your ability. If you have any concerns, please raise them. I will fully support you."
Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Meng's eyes flashed with gratitude. He bowed deeply and said, "Madam, I am willing to give it a try. However, I have a request that I hope to get your permission."
Lu Yundi smiled and said, "Tell me, what's your request?"
Shopkeeper Meng said, "I would like to ask Madam to set up a special gallery in the calligraphy and painting shop to exhibit and sell Madam's paintings."
Lu Yundi was slightly stunned. She didn't expect that Shopkeeper Meng would make such a request. After a brief thought, she laughed: "Shopkeeper Meng, are you praising me? However, I think this is a good idea. In this case, I will agree to your request."
Shopkeeper Meng was immediately delighted and thanked her repeatedly: "Madam, I am very grateful."
Before they knew it, it was already dusk. Lu Yundi looked at the sky outside the window and smiled, "Manager Meng, we have discussed many things today, and I am tired. Let's continue tomorrow."
Shopkeeper Meng hurriedly stood up and said goodbye: "Madam, I'm leaving now. I will visit you again tomorrow morning."
Lu Yundi nodded slightly and saw Manager Meng out.
……
The next morning, before the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery woke up from his deep sleep, Manager Meng arrived early. He was wearing a green robe, a square hat, and his hands behind his back, looking particularly serious.
Shopkeeper Meng was led into the living room, where Lu Yundi was already waiting. She was wearing a lavender silk dress and her hair was tied up high, looking dignified and elegant. She looked at Shopkeeper Meng and smiled, "Shopkeeper Meng, you're here really early."
Shopkeeper Meng hurriedly responded, "Madam, I thought about this matter all night last night and felt that it should not be delayed, so I came here early."
Lu Yundi nodded gently and said, "Then let's get straight to the point. Shopkeeper Meng, can the Loyalty and Bravery Marquis' Mansion afford what you are talking about?"
Shopkeeper Meng hesitated for a moment and said, "Madam, to be honest, this matter involves a lot of people, but I believe that the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion is capable of taking on the responsibility. As long as we work together, we will be able to overcome the difficulties."