Xiao Yuruo was taken aback. Originally, she had no such intention, but she didn't expect this rascal to be so shameless. She exclaimed, "Lin San, you, you must not misunderstand!"
"Is that so?" Lin Wanrong smirked, "Misunderstand? Then, Miss, what do you think I want?"
"You, you—" Miss angrily retorted, "Even if I die, I won't yield to you."
"Hahaha—" Lin Wanrong burst into laughter, "Miss, your self-perception might be a bit too favorable. Even if you truly had the intention to submit to me, I would still need to consider it."
"You, you—" Miss, embarrassed and angry, plucked off the embroidered shoe on her foot and threw it at him.
Lin Wanrong caught her embroidered shoe and teasingly said, "A red rope thirty thousand feet long, jade feet half a foot in length. Miss, your method of expressing affection is quite unique."
Xiao Yuruo, enraged, exclaimed, "You shameless scoundrel, I won't spare you—"
Lin Wanrong's expression changed, and he put away his smile, coldly saying, "Miss, don't think that everyone in this world is as filthy as you imagine. Although you may be good-looking, in my eyes, there are countless women more beautiful than you. You may not gain much advantage. I won't trouble you. I changed into a new set of clothes yesterday. If you personally help me clean them, we can sit down and have a good talk."
"Lin San, are you, are you telling the truth?" Xiao Yuruo seemed somewhat incredulous.
Lin Wanrong hummed expressionlessly, saying, "On the matter of trusting me, Second Miss does it a thousand times better than you."
Inwardly, Xiao Yuruo thought, that's because my sister was deceived by you. She nodded and thought, washing is just washing, what could go wrong?
However, managing the Xiao family, Xiao Yuruo had never done such rough work. After toiling for a while, she didn't even know where to start with washing. Carrying a wooden bucket to fetch water, she was already panting after only half a bucket. Lin Wanrong, watching her struggle, couldn't help sighing. These wealthy young ladies, they eat only half a meal, where do they get the strength?
Taking the bucket from her hands, Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly, "Idle in the four arts, neglecting basic chores, you wealthy young ladies really don't understand the hardships of the world."
Hearing his sarcastic remarks, Xiao Yuruo instantly felt wronged. She huffed, "If I were to do laundry and cook, who would manage the great business of the Xiao family?"
Lin Wanrong thought to himself, work doesn't discriminate between high and low, it's just different tasks for different purposes, all essential for the revolution. Seeing her look aggrieved, her eyes turning red and on the verge of tears, Lin Wanrong, who couldn't stand women's tears, said, "Alright, I misspoke. I apologize for what I said."
Better not say anything, he thought. As soon as he spoke, Xiao Yuruo suddenly felt something, and tears welled up in her eyes. In anger, she seized Lin Wanrong's gown and vigorously rubbed it, as if the garment was the despicable person in question.
"Miss, in this world, there's something called soapberry. Your method of scrubbing with bare hands won't clean the collar properly." Lin Wanrong chuckled, throwing some soapberries into the water.
"You mind your own business." Xiao Yuruo huffed, though her face turned a bit red.
Suppressing his laughter, Lin Wanrong said, "Alright, let's stop crying. You don't have to wash this garment; we can sit down and talk instead."
Feeling wronged, Xiao Yuruo waited for him to say those words. When he spoke, tears started streaming down her face. Being strong-willed, she didn't speak but vigorously rubbed Lin Wanrong's gown, as if it were that detestable person.
"Miss, since you've suffered, I'll make it up to you." Lin Wanrong sighed and said, "Don't cry. I won't make you wash the clothes. Let's sit down and have a good talk."
Hearing this, Xiao Yuruo, who had been waiting for this moment, was overjoyed. "Really?"
Lin Wanrong smiled, "With such persistence, even looking at the Buddha face to face, I have to give Second Miss some face."
Xiao Yuruo bit her lip, stood up, and saw the gown still soaking in the water. Feeling a bit heated, she said, "I promise I'll wash it and return it to you after."
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Clearly, it's the maidservant who should be doing it, yet you insist on taking the initiative."
Xiao Yuruo snorted but didn't retort. She saw him grinning, not taking her seriously. She sighed, "You scoundrel, I don't know what kind of charm you have. In front of you, I seem to lose my composure."
"Just lost composure, not lost dignity. What are you worried about?" Lin Wanrong laughed, saying, "Alright, let's discuss the important matters."
As they were about to discuss the important matters, Xiao Yuruo, focusing on the conversation, said, "Lin San, do you have a way to deal with this joint venture?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head, "Miss, most of what I said before was just speculation. Whether that person surnamed Tao has such intentions, I can't be sure. However, considering the business of the Xiao family, if things continue like this, not only will there be no development, but it will also face a bottleneck. Even without the involvement of someone surnamed Tao, other competitors will pose a serious threat to the Xiao family. To put it plainly, the business the Xiao family is engaged in lacks added value, and anyone can do it. If any other business grows larger, it will become a threat to the Xiao family."
Xiao Yuruo had been contemplating this issue for a long time. Hearing his words, though harsh, she felt every word was a fact, hitting the nail on the head. Sighing, she said, "Lin San, since you have this insight, I won't hide it from you. Since I took over the affairs of the Xiao family, I have been considering this issue and contemplating reforms. Unfortunately, there haven't been good solutions or ideas. With hundreds of people in the Xiao family, if it fails, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Lin Wanrong was unimpressed, "Miss, reform comes at a cost. Without some drastic measures, success is impossible. The Xiao family's ailment is critical; even without someone surnamed Tao, it might not last three to five years."
"That's not necessarily true." Xiao Yuruo, feeling looked down upon, retorted, "If I really join forces with the Tao family, sustaining for three to five years wouldn't be a problem."
Lin Wanrong knew she was speaking sarcastically. If she truly intended to collaborate with the Tao family, why would she
come and endure the hardship of pleading with him? This little lady wanted to save face.
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "If you collaborate, within three years, the Xiao family might be secure in its livelihood. However, after three years, there will be no Xiao family. By then, Miss, you can only obediently enter the Tao family and become their daughter-in-law. Without the backing of the Xiao family, Miss, whether you play a big or small role in the Tao family, that's a question mark."
Blushing, Xiao Yuruo gave him a look and didn't say anything. Lin Wanrong sighed, "Miss, you may look down on us servants, and I won't blame you. It's because, growing up, you've been taught this way. However, Second Miss treats me fairly, and for her sake, I might have to help out a bit."
"You, you—" Miss was shocked, "You're not allowed to have ideas about Yushuang."
This Miss is indeed a bit stubborn. Lin Wanrong helplessly shook his head, not bothering about her thoughts. He raised his voice and said, "Miss, considering the difficult situation the Xiao family is facing, have you thought about transformation? Oh, I mean, take the Xiao family into a different business?"
Miss sighed, "Easier said than done. The Xiao family has been operating a fabric business for many years, and its foundation is all here. If we abandon this, what else can we do? Where would we go?"
Lin Wanrong smiled, "While trading fabric has some profit, the competition is fierce, and the profits are diminishing. If you don't want to leave the silk fabric business, why not consider producing its by-products, such as custom-made clothing?"
Miss shook her head, "I considered making clothing, but there are so many tailors nowadays, and we don't have much advantage in that area."
Lin Wanrong said, "For ordinary clothes, the Xiao family indeed doesn't have much advantage. However, if you make special clothes, ones that others haven't seen before, what do you think?"
"Special clothes? Clothes that others haven't seen before?" Miss Xiao was surprised, "What kind of clothes are these?"
Lin Wanrong already had some plans in mind but hadn't organized them systematically. With a slight smile, he said, "Let me think about it carefully. We can discuss it more tomorrow."
Miss nodded softly, thinking if they could produce some unique clothes, it would be a good idea for the Xiao family. Without leaving the silk fabric industry, the advantages of the Xiao family could continue to play out. However, what kind of unique clothes would have such magical power?
"Lin San, tomorrow, Mr. Tao has invited me to a gathering to discuss this joint venture. How should we deal with it?" Xiao Yuruo spoke, revealing the true reason for urgently seeking Lin Wanrong's advice today.
No wonder this young lady went out of her way to please me today. It turns out Tao Dongcheng is about to take action. If everything goes as expected, Tao Dongcheng will start pressuring the Xiao family to submit tomorrow.
Lin Wanrong nodded, "Miss, these matters, you should make the decision yourself. Whether you believe me or Tao Dongcheng, you should have a plan in your heart. My words end here."
Xiao Yuruo naturally suspected Tao Dongcheng's intentions. Now, after this conversation with Lin San, although she had some insights, Lin San only pointed out a little and didn't provide specific details. In case he had no solution and angered Tao Dongcheng, it might harm the Xiao family again.
Lin Wanrong, seeing her worried expression, didn't force her. Instead, he said, "Miss, think about it carefully. A wrong step could mean the entire Xiao family. You need to think it over carefully."
After sending away Miss Xiao, it was already dinner time. After a quick meal, Lin Wanrong took out the pencil he got from Qiao Qiao, found a sheet of paper, and began to write and draw continuously. He kept modifying the content, sometimes furrowing his brows, and other times breaking into a joyful smile. The smile on his face seemed somewhat lascivious, bordering on the obscene.