Lin Wanrong raised his gaze and saw Qiao Qiao rushing down from upstairs like a bird, reaching him with an exuberant look, "Big brother, you're back?"
Qiao Qiao's face was filled with the gleam of longing. Although still as bright and charming as ever after a few days apart, her cheeks seemed to have slimmed down a lot, with excitement flickering in her eyes.
Lin Wanrong held her small hand, nodded, and smiled, "I returned last night. I dealt with some matters this morning and just got some free time now. Little darling, have you missed me these few days?" He spoke while gently scratching Qiao Qiao's palm, being quite mischievous.
At this time, during the peak dining hours of the restaurant, Lin Wanrong shamelessly held Qiao Qiao's hand, teasing her. Qiao Qiao blushed with embarrassment, not daring to raise her head to face others, but the sweetness in her heart was evident on her face.
Qiao Qiao directly led Lin Wanrong to the fourth floor. Taking a look around, she noticed Old Director, Qing Shan, and the talented woman from Jinling, Luo Ning, all smiling towards her.
"Why is everyone gathered here today? Is it to welcome me? You're all too courteous," Lin Wanrong said with a smile, noticing the amused expression on Luo Ning's face. He continued, "Miss Luo, it has been a few days since we last met. How have you been?"
Luo Ning thought, counting from when you angrily confronted Young Master Hou until returning from Hangzhou, it's only been five or six days. Is there a need for such a hypocritical greeting? She found it amusing but nodded with a faint smile, "Brother Lin, I've been doing well these days, though not as eventful as you. Brother Lin's deeds in Hangzhou have already spread widely in Jinling. Identifying precious stones, giving up the wok for washing hands, witnessing the unseen—almost like a legend. You might even hear people narrating your tales in teahouses and restaurants. Be prepared for that." She covered her mouth, giggling, "Brother Lin, you must share your stories with us later."
Qiao Qiao also looked at him with admiration.
Lin Wanrong felt a bit embarrassed; it was just some superstitious nonsense. It should be criticized. He chuckled, "Good deeds don't go unnoticed, but bad ones travel a thousand miles. That's probably the idea. Miss Luo cares about public welfare and helps the orphans; these are the things that should be widely promoted." Luo Ning blushed and refrained from saying more.
Lin Wanrong glanced at Qiao Qiao, "With everyone here today, Qiao Qiao, are you discussing something?"
Qiao Qiao sweetly smiled, pulling him to sit down on a nearby chair, "Big brother, your return is perfect. We are indeed discussing something, and coincidentally, Sister Ning also has something to discuss. So, we invited her to join our discussion."
Seeing Qiao Qiao's manner of speaking, although still charming and affectionate, there was a touch more maturity and competence. Though not as sophisticated as Xiao Yuruo, it was evident in Lin Wanrong's eyes. Managing a restaurant was the best training. Qiao Qiao, from a little maid, was gradually transforming into a successful business manager.
"Oh, why is everyone gathered so orderly today? Qiao Qiao, are you in charge of something?" Lin Wanrong teased, holding Qiao Qiao's hand under the table.
Qiao Qiao blushed. She tightly held onto his large hand and said with a red face, "Big brother, you're making fun of me. Clearly, you're the boss."
Luo Ning, seeing the playful banter between the two, couldn't help but speak, "You two don't need to decline. One is the boss, and the other is the boss's wife, hehe."
Lin Wanrong adjusted a servant's hat, smirked, and said gracefully, "Exactly. Miss Luo's words hit the nail on the head."
Qiao Qiao, looking at Luo Ning, blushed and said coyly, "Sister Ning, you're teasing me too." Although she said that, the happiness evident on her face was visible to everyone. Everyone laughed. Qiao Qiao lowered her head, tightly holding onto her big brother's hand.
Seeing her shy and sweet appearance, Lin Wanrong freed himself, saying, "Qiao Qiao, why don't you tell us what we're discussing this time?"
Encouraged by Lin Wanrong's approving expression, Qiao Qiao cleared her throat, straightened her hair, and said seriously, "This time, we are discussing the expansion of the restaurant."
Lin Wanrong remembered the previous discussion on this matter and was delighted, "Qiao Qiao, have you found a place?"
Seeing Qiao Qiao nod, Lin Wanrong was overjoyed, grinning, "So, our second restaurant is about to open? Qiao Qiao, you're amazing."
Luo Ning looked at him and laughed, "Brother Lin, Boss Lin, you're mistaken. It's not the second restaurant—"
Lin Wanrong, confused, asked, "Miss Luo, what do you mean?"
Luo Ning chuckled, covering her lips, "Brother Lin, how can you be so clever in life but confused for a moment? In these days, Qiao Qiao has been selecting places continuously, and she has chosen two. This time, the opening is not for the second restaurant, but for the second and third restaurants, both opening simultaneously."
Opening two restaurants at once, a good omen. Lin Wanrong looked at Qiao Qiao in amazement, "Is this true, Qiao Qiao?"
Qiao Qiao, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "Big brother, I found two places and negotiated the prices. I was waiting for you to come back to decide."
Lin Wanrong waved his hand, "Why wait for me? This restaurant is under your management. I won't interfere, and everything will be decided by my little darling."
Qiao Qiao, a mix of joy and shyness, surged on her face. She secretly glanced at Old Director, who seemed to be resting with closed eyes, apparently not hearing anything. Only then did she relax. Big brother was too mischievous; couldn't such intimate words be kept private? The more she thought, the hotter her face became.
Luo Ning, witnessing Lin Wanrong's astounding words, was no longer surprised. Seeing his trust in Qiao Qiao, she couldn't help but sigh. Brother Lin is not only knowledgeable but also has a good understanding of people and means. Qiao Qiao having him as a husband is indeed worth it.
Lin Wanrong, thick-skinned as ever, dismissed the trivial matter with a sly smile, "Qiao Qiao, tell us about the locations you've chosen for these two places. When do we commence the decoration? I'd like to offer my counsel."
Qing Shan interjected, "Big brother, sister is truly remarkable. The two locations she picked, one by the Qin Tan River and the other near the Confucius Temple, are both splendid choices. The total cost is a hefty twelve thousand taels of silver."
Twelve thousand taels of silver? Quite a substantial amount. Lin Wanrong hadn't expected Qiao Qiao, this seemingly delicate girl, to possess such capability. However, where did this more than ten thousand taels come from? Lin Wanrong was well aware of the financial status of the restaurant. While it did make a significant profit, earning thousands of taels since its opening, buying two more establishments at once was still a stretch.
Understanding his doubt, Qiao Qiao smiled, "Big brother, do you recall how you acquired this restaurant back then?" Lin Wanrong nodded; how could he forget? It involved seizing and borrowing.
Qiao Qiao whispered, "I used the 'Food as Immortal' restaurant as collateral, negotiated with the owners of those two locations, paid half of the amount upfront, and the remaining half would be settled within six months with monthly interest payments."
So that was the case. This girl actually learned and applied the method, truly admirable. Lin Wanrong felt moved. Last time, he seized the opportunity, and now, Qiao Qiao, leveraging his experience, didn't resort to seizing but instead used the significantly appreciated 'Food as Immortal' as collateral. She successfully executed asset operation and financing. Lin Wanrong was accustomed to such strategies; real estate developers played far dirtier games. However, in this era, such boldness and insight were truly remarkable, especially coming from a young woman. It was a shame she didn't go into real estate.
Lin Wanrong felt a great sense of satisfaction. My judgment is truly exceptional. With Qiao Qiao's tactics, I've become a big boss with a chain of three hotels in the blink of an eye.
Luo Ning looked meaningfully at Lin Wanrong and said with a smile, "When I negotiated with those two owners with Qiao Qiao, they hesitated at first. Fortunately, 'Food as Immortal' has a good reputation now, and with Qiao Qiao offering the restaurant as collateral, agreeing to pay a high interest, they reluctantly accepted. I was quite worried at that time. This not only involved a substantial debt, but the monthly interest was also quite high, creating immense pressure. I was afraid we might even lose 'Food as Immortal.' Later, Qiao Qiao mentioned that someone had successfully used this method before. I wondered who could come up with such a crazy idea."
That crazy person would be me. Lin Wanrong coughed awkwardly, "Well, Qiao Qiao, with this, how much liquid cash do we have on hand?"
Qiao Qiao replied, "Since big brother has no objections, I will immediately sign contracts with those two owners, paying six thousand taels upfront. After deducting the one thousand taels big brother promised for sponsoring the poetry competition, we'll have three thousand taels left."
Speaking of the poetry competition, Lin Wanrong suddenly remembered; oh, that's why Luo Ning came looking for me. I promised sponsorship money but haven't delivered yet. Now, with two new restaurants and the poetry competition, it's a fantastic advertising opportunity. Well, what's another thousand taels? Even as a big boss, I'm still broke. Thank goodness for the commission from the Xiao family's perfumes and soaps; otherwise, this boss would be too pitiful.
Lin Wanrong quickly calculated; the poetry competition was scheduled for the end of the month, leaving more than twenty days. If these two restaurants expedite their decoration, they should be able to open before the competition. Damn, these so-called poets spent a thousand taels, and I'll advertise like crazy. I'll make tenfold or a hundredfold back from them.
Lin Wanrong shared this idea with Qiao Qiao, who smiled, "Big brother, I had the same thought. Skilled craftsmen have already started preparations, waiting for your command."
With Qiao Qiao around, being a boss was truly comfortable. Lin Wanrong nodded, "Let's proceed with that plan. By the way, Miss Luo, rest assured, I promised you a thousand taels, and not a single coin will be missing. I'll have Qiao Qiao get it for you shortly. But don't forget my request; from paintbrushes and paper to the toilet paper in the outhouse, the 'Food as Immortal' logo should be everywhere."
Luo Ning lightly scoffed, blushing, "Brother Lin, I never doubted your credibility. I came today not for this matter but for another reason, which is related to you."
"Related to me? That's quite strange. My name has always been associated only with money."
Luo Ning covered her mouth, giggling, "Brother Lin, let me tell you some good news." She pointed to the couplet hanging in the 'Food as Immortal' and joyfully said, "Someone has matched up with your poetry lines."