This day had left Lin Wanrong utterly exhausted, and upon returning home, he went straight to bed. In this era, the sky was a deep blue, the water a vibrant green, the air refreshing, and the vegetables were untainted. In such a rare environment, falling asleep naturally brought comfort.
As for indulging in carnal desires, it wasn't that he didn't want to, but he hadn't yet decided with whom.
Early the next day, Lin Wanrong woke up and joined the first wave of people on the streets. He indulged in two oil cakes and sipped a bowl of freshly made tofu brains. Green food truly was excellent; his entire being felt invigorated, and he headed energetically to Old Master Dong's house.
Arriving at Old Master Dong's residence, he found the old man eating porridge, with freshly steamed white mantou barely nibbled.
"Brother Lin, you haven't had breakfast yet. Try these freshly steamed white mantou," Dong Qiaocai said, offering Lin Wanrong a bowl of porridge and handing over two of the largest white mantou.
Since last night's dinner, Lin Wanrong, being a lone wolf, was now referred to as "Brother Lin" by Dong Qiaocai. She warmly invited Lin Wanrong to have his three daily meals at her house.
Well, how could he refuse such kindness? Lin Wanrong was a modest man; ten meals in five days would be sufficient.
Looking at the two white mantou in front of him, he suddenly remembered a joke he had heard before.
A man, in the early stages of love, touched his girlfriend's breast for the first time and exclaimed, "Wow, it feels like a steamed bun!"
The shy girlfriend replied, "No way, mine aren't as big as a bun."
The man said, "I mean the Wang Zai small bun."
Unfortunately, if Lin Wanrong were to share this joke with the father-daughter duo, he would probably be immediately kicked out.
The white mantou aroused Lin Wanrong's appetite, and since he was naturally shameless, having a bit more wouldn't hurt. He cheerfully exclaimed, "Perfect, Qiaocai, I haven't had enough—thank you."
Old Master Dong, with red eyes indicating a sleepless night, noticed Lin Wanrong's disrespect. However, as fulfilling his duties was more critical, he didn't mind too much.
"Uncle Dong, how is the printing going?" Lin Wanrong asked, seeing the old man engrossed in his porridge.
Old Master Dong wiped his mouth and pointed behind Lin Wanrong, saying, "Done, five hundred copies, all stacked there."
Lin Wanrong jumped up, half a mantou swallowed, and turning around, he saw the five hundred copies of the booklet neatly stacked, exuding an aroma of oil.
Lin Wanrong picked up the topmost copy and carefully flipped through it. The printing quality was acceptable, and the portrait of Miss Xiao was clearly visible. This girl probably had never heard of the concept of portrait rights; Lin Wanrong was going to make a fortune. Well, it was almost time to go in and serve her; consider it compensation.
Looking at the five hundred booklets, Lin Wanrong felt secretly pleased. Being the owner of a three-edition newspaper was quite good.
"Lord Lin, how should we price these booklets?" Since learning about Lin Wanrong's half-baked literary talents, Old Master Dong's respect for him hadn't diminished. However, addressing him as "Lord" no longer carried the same flavor.
"Five taels of silver each," Lin Wanrong said, caressing the booklet affectionately, without turning back.
With a "thud," the half-mantou in Old Master Dong's mouth fell straight down.
Turning around, Lin Wanrong saw the father and daughter staring at him in disbelief. Quite amusing, he thought. He then said, "What's wrong? Don't believe it, do you?" After a brief hesitation, Dong Qiaocai questioned, "Brother Lin, are you really selling them for five taels of silver each? Isn't that too expensive?" Five taels of silver were half a year's living expenses for an ordinary family; this price was indeed steep, causing the father-daughter pair to be astounded.
"Don't doubt it. Five taels of silver, no bargaining. Do you know the term 'unique and precious'? Lin Wanrong said mysteriously, smiling shamelessly and unashamedly.
Although Lin Wanrong couldn't see his own expression at the moment, he knew that he must look like a shameless businessman, and that was precisely the truth. Shamelessness was his nature, and on this point, Lin Wanrong didn't need to conceal anything.
"Understand the psychology of those literary youths. Those willing to pay for this booklet don't care whether it's one or ten taels per copy. They want information, first-hand data. One or ten taels makes no difference to them. Their principle is not to seek the best but to seek the most expensive. It's a peculiar psychology."
Lin Wanrong's words left the father and daughter stunned. Obviously, their understanding of human nature was not deep enough, and they needed Lin Wanrong's continued guidance.
"Think about it. As long as one person buys it, who else wants to be left behind? Who doesn't want to obtain first-hand information about Miss Xiao? This is the bandwagon effect, like a domino effect. Once one falls, the rest will collapse."
Lin Wanrong inadvertently mentioned dominoes, prompting a quick clarification, "Anyway, it means that nobody can let others surpass them. This booklet will sell well. Consider this: once it soars to great heights, what's a little money worth?" Lin Wanrong passionately extolled.
"Lord Lin, at what price are we setting these booklets?" Old Master Dong asked with a worried expression.
"Dong Qiaocai's eyes gleamed with curiosity, wondering if this price was too high."
"Each booklet is five taels of silver." Lin Wanrong, enchanted by the booklet, spoke without turning around.
With a sound, the half-mantou in Old Master Dong's mouth fell straight down.
Lin Wanrong turned around to see the father and daughter duo staring at him in disbelief. Evidently, they were astonished by the exorbitant price.
"Don't doubt it. Five taels of silver, no room for negotiation. Do you understand the term 'rare and valuable'?" Lin Wanrong smirked mysteriously, unabashedly confident in his statement.
Although Lin Wanrong couldn't see his own expression, he was certain he resembled a shameless merchant, and he had no qualms about it. Shamelessness was inherent in him, and on this matter, Lin Wanrong didn't need to hide anything.
"Do you guys want to think about it? Now, five taels of silver is just a starting point. If the literary youths have real abilities, they should be prepared. If they want to climb up the social ladder using this booklet, they must be aware that success comes at a cost. So, they need to think it over. I'm not forcing them to buy; it's their own guilty conscience. True talents won't buy our booklets. In this world, how many of those so-called high-minded talents exist? We
are businessmen, focusing on profit. Whoever pays, we sell. As for matters of marriage, that's what Miss Xiao should consider. If we want to exert influence, there's nothing we can do."
Lin Wanrong's theoretical discourse left the father and daughter duo bewildered. It was evident that their understanding of human nature was not profound enough, and they needed further instruction from Lin Wanrong.
"You guys think about it. Scholars from humble origins should be mentally prepared. If they truly have the ability, they should marry Miss Xiao based on their merits. Buying our booklets is just a means to an end. If they aim to climb up to the highest branch, I can only express regret. Climbing to the top has its costs, and that's the price they have to pay. So, they must consider it carefully. I'm not forcing them to buy; it's their own guilty conscience. True talents won't buy our booklets. However, in this world, how many of these so-called noble-minded talents truly exist? We are businessmen, and profit is our focus. Whoever is willing to pay, we sell to them. As for matters of marriage, those are things Miss Xiao should consider. If we want to exert influence, there's nothing we can do."
Lin Wanrong's words made Dong Qiaocai nod in understanding, while Old Master Dong, though still skeptical, had evidently begun to accept the situation.