Chapter 276 - A Whopping 8.5 Million Yuan

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Regarding the storefront’s renovation and design, Wen Xinya called Gu Junling. Indeed, he had connections in this area and introduced a designer who was very experienced in ancient architectural design. After several rounds of communication and alterations, the storefront was finally confirmed to be styled after the prosperous Tang dynasty, combining honor and extravagance, truly forging an imperial royal banquet.

Gu Junling even introduced the original renovation crew of the Ninth-Heaven to Wen Xinya. Naturally, Wen Xinya was overjoyed and fully handed over all matters concerning renovation works of the storefront to them. The renovation of the storefront was being carried out hurriedly and was understood to be able to be completed in just three months.

With this matter settled, Wen Xinya decided to treat Gu Junling to a meal as a show of her appreciation. Of course, she also asked Zhou Tianyu, Xu Tongxuan, and Ling Qingxuan along—it was a pity that Han Mofeng couldn’t join them due to the strict discipline of his military school.

Naturally, she couldn’t treat Gu Junling to a meal at the Ninth-Heaven—otherwise, it would seem too insincere. After all, the Ninth-Heaven was his family’s estate and he had already tasted all the dishes and beverages there before.

Wen Xinya heard Grampy mention a private kitchen by chance. Thus, she brought Gu Junling there to try some dishes together.

After school, the few of them came to a small alley at the southern district of the capital city together. The small alley, which still retained ancient architecture, felt deep and quiet, having been through the vicissitudes of life. The slightly peeling walls were filled with signs of aging, yet felt surprisingly simple and unsophisticated.

Wen Xinya brought them to the door of one of the units and lightly tapped the copper ring on the door a few times. Very quickly, the door swung open to a forty-odd-years-old middle-aged woman wearing a blue-printed cotton shirt, her hair meticulously combed up to the back of her head, and her nails neatly trimmed, making her feel like a plain and clean person.

“Are you guys here to dine? We only accept reservations here!” Although the woman was speaking words of rejection, her round face was full of peacefulness and smiles, making one unable to dislike her.

Wen Xinya smiled and said, “Old Mr. Mo introduced us here.”

The woman hurriedly pulled open the front door with big smiles. “Please come in.”

It was a compound with houses around a courtyard which was common in the old capital city. In the middle of the courtyard was a man-made lake with a rockery which housed a school of colorful koi fishes swimming about freely with their joyous tails trailing behind them playfully. A clump of elegant bamboo with gently rustling leaves added to the peacefulness of the courtyard.

The woman brought Wen Xinya and the rest into a room with a bamboo painting with a poem. Wen Xinya could recognize Grampy’s handwriting at first sight and couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised.

After the few of them sat down, the woman smiled and said, “What would the few of you like to drink? We only have tea and water here.”

Wen Xinya said, “Bring us a pot of Biluo tea and a few types of snacks.”

After the woman left, Gu Junling couldn’t help but laugh and said, “This is indeed not bad. I myself have been to all the places of interest in the capital city. However, I didn’t know that the capital city actually hid such an elegant place.”

The furnishing in the room had a vintage feel to them—especially that bamboo painting with a poem which added a touch of finesse grace to the entire room.

Wen Xinya smiled and said, “I also only learned about it after hearing it from Grampy. Ay! The bamboo painting with a poem up there is Grampy’s handwriting. Looks like my Grampy is on pretty good terms with the owner here.”

Many people pursued Grampy’s works, but his paintings rarely spread outside. The fact that this private kitchen could possess Grampy’s autograph showed that it was definitely very close to Grampy.

Gu Junling said, “So it’s Old Mr. Mo’s handwriting. Old Mr. Mo’s paintings are mostly majestic with thick ink, such a leisurely work is indeed a first for my eyes. Seeing this, Old Mr. Mo’s indifferent state of mind is indeed more befitting of such leisure.”

Zhou Tianyu looked at the painting on the wall with twinkling eyes. “Previously, on my birthday, the Perseverance article written by Old Mr. Mo for me impressed my Grandpa greatly. He kept saying that Old Mr. Mo’s words and paintings are one of its kind in this world, and even said that the fact that Old Mr. Mo looked at me and gave me pointers is the fortune of three of my lifetimes, so I have to be thankful.”

Xu Tongxuan said, “My house has a painting of eight fine horses by Old Mr. Mo which Grandpa treasures greatly.”

Ling Qingxuan smiled and said, “Once, I saw a charming landscape painting by Old Mr. Mo at an auction overseas—it was truly majestic and awed everyone. Eventually, it was won by a foreign businessman with a bid of 8.5 million yuan. Old Mr. Mo is the only current artist whose work commanded such an exorbitant price.”

As the few of them chatted away, the room’s bamboo door was pushed open to another forty-odd-years-old woman, similarly wearing a blue-printed cotton shirt, who brought in some tea and snacks.

The woman looked gentle, and although her looks were not considered pretty, she looked very pleasant with an ancient, scholarly feel in her eyes and brows. “Young Mistress and Mistress really look identical, but your aura is more similar to Old Master—indeed a child of the Mo Family.”

Wen Xinya was stunned—did such a tone indicate that this woman had also been a servant of the Mo Family once?

The woman smiled and cleared things up for her. “I’d once served by your Granny’s side—you can call me Mother Bai. After I got married, I left the Mo Family and started this private kitchen.”

“Nice to meet you, Mother Bai!” Wen Xinya called out accordingly.

Mother Bai seemed very happy. “Young Mistress and guests, what would you guys like to have?”

“It’s our first time here. Mother Bai, you can just arrange a few specialty dishes for us.” Wen Xinya attitude became friendlier towards this woman.

“Okay! I’ll go get them now!” Without saying more, Mother Bai turned her back and left the room.

As the few of them enjoyed the snacks, Xu Tongxuan raved non-stop about the snacks here. “Xinya, this Mother Bai of yours is too awesome—it’s my first time tasting such yummy snacks. I’ll definitely have to pack some back later before leaving.”

Zhou Tianyu took the chestnut cakes in front of Xu Tongxuan and placed them in front of herself. “Don’t eat so much, otherwise you’ll be too full for the main dishes later.” Saying which, she took a piece of chestnut cake and started eating.

Wen Xinya could taste that Mother He’s confectionery skills were probably imparted from this Mother Bai.

The dishes were quickly served—various cuisines prepared via steaming, cooking, frying, and stewing quickly filled up the entire table. The main courses were stewed white eel, braised yellow croaker with tofu, deep-fried meatballs, steamed pork ribs, as well as some other dishes which left Wen Xinya and the few of them in awe.

Gu Junling was experienced and knowledgeable, but also couldn’t help but praise. “These dishes may look common, but a closer smell reveals that they were prepared with secret recipes and techniques. Not only are they rich in color, flavor, and taste, but also, more rarely, retained the rustic flavors of home-cooked food.”

“Who cares if they’re rustic or not—I’ll start eating first!” Xu Tongxuan took her chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish tofu. Instantly, the fresh and tender tofu, with the rich aroma of fish, made her widen her eyes. “It’s really too delicious.”

Wen Xinya liked spicy food. She picked up a piece of stewed white eel—the fresh and tender eel flesh had the authentic spicy flavor of Huzhou and made Wen Xinya feel very happy eating it.

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Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The few of them were merrily eating and drinking when Wen Xinya said, “Junling, do you know where we can buy imitation products from the Tang dynasty, such as writings, paintings, ceramics, etc.?”

Gu Junling smiled and said, “You asked the right person—our Gu Family has a business in this area. I can bring you to have a look—you can pick whatever you like and I’ll give you a fifty percent discount for everything.”

Wen Xinya was shocked. “Your Gu Family is also into imitation business?”

Gu Junling smiled and said, “You should know that the ancient pottery of Country Z has always been pursued by the whole world. However, currently, the amount of ceramics produced by Country Z’s four main pottery cellars falls short of the market demand by a huge margin, making them more and more pricey, and writings and paintings are even rarer. Thus, imitation products emerged as the times require. This line of business has always been profiteering—our Gu Family has connections in this area and can naturally do it.”

“I see.” Gu Family’s official businesses did not include imitation. She vaguely guessed that the business in this area was probably private. To do imitation business on a large scale required connections with the underworld—based on the Gu Family’s background, it was understandable for them to do such a business.

Instead, Gu Junling was very curious about what Wen Xinya was going to do. “You’re behaving oddly recently—are you thinking of doing any business?”

Many rich kids in the capital city would invest in some business themselves to earn some pocket money. Thus, regarding Wen Xinya’s actions, although he was curious, he didn’t feel surprised.

Wen Xinya didn’t keep it from them either. “I’m going to start a cosmetics company and plan to fashion the storefront in the style of imperial palaces of the ancient Tang dynasty.”

Gu Junling clapped and said, “Indeed, you dare to act on your thoughts. You’re not the first one to think of such an idea, but you’re the first to dare to act upon it. That’s because of the massive manpower, resources, finances, and energy the investment requires, as well as the rarity of connections in this area. However, employing such hype in the cosmetics line is indeed very attractive.”

However, Ling Qingxuan said curiously, “Cosmetics is one of the mainstream luxury products. Your Wen Corporation already has pretty good cosmetics brands which already currently owns a portion of the market. Do you intend to manage the cosmetics brand under the Wen Corporation?”

Wen Xinya shook her head, smiled, and said, “I’m planning to combine branding, production, and sales into one, chosen to manage a brand for Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare, employing the hype of the skincare secrets of the imperial palaces, and create a high-class, luxurious, and extravagant brand. I don’t want it to have anything to do with the Wen Family’s business, so my Grandpa still doesn’t know—hope you guys can keep it a secret.”

Such words from Wen Xinya already shocked the few people present, especially Gu Junling. “The Floral Lingo Pavilion is also doing research in the area of Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare, but without good results. Furthermore, you really have the guts to employ the hype of imperial palaces skincare secrets.”

Wen Xinya smiled and said, “Grandpa Du’s granddaughter, Du Ruo, has obtained some results from her research in this area. Thus, I’m cooperating with her.”

“Previously, the skincare products that you left at the Floral Lingo Pavilion were all made from Du Ruo’s formulas?” Previously, the beautician at the Floral Lingo Pavilion had mentioned to him that the skincare products left behind by Wen Xinya had astonishing results—if it was possible to bring in such products, the Floral Lingo Pavilion’s business would attain greater heights. However, he did not take it to heart.

“That’s right. They were given to me by Ruo Ruo—absolutely organic and irritant-free,” said Wen Xinya as she smiled and nodded.

Gu Junling gasped. The Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare market was one that he understood better than anyone else. His Floral Lingo Pavilion had only formulated a few types of ancient essences which already roughly accounted for a third of the Floral Lingo Pavilion’s profits, not to mention Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare.

Indeed, Wen Xinya wouldn’t go to war unprepared. With the formulas in hand, it was no wonder she was willing to put in so much effort on the storefront—because she was confident that the more effort she invested before, the more profits she would obtain.

Zhou Tianyu widened her eyes and said, “Previously, the skincare products that you’ve given me are Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare?”

Wen Xinya nodded. “Ruo Ruo gave me quite a bit, so I portioned out some for you.”

Zhou Tianyu took in a deep breath and said, “Not only are those products effective for skincare, but they also have the effect of health maintenance. I can foresee that your storefront will definitely flourish exceedingly.”

Ling Qingxuan clapped and said, “When your storefront is up, I’ll get the celebrities under our Ling Family to patronize your business.”

“That’s awesome!” Wen Xinya was naturally elated. “However, I don’t intend to mass-produce. I’m going to make the products into something similar to the Dew Essence of the Floral Lingo Pavilion—only available for the enjoyment of the truly rich.”

A set of Dew Essence of the Floral Lingo Pavilion cost the exorbitant price of up to a million yuan. When compared to the Floral Lingo Pavilion, her prices would only be higher and not lower.

“The higher the barriers to entry, the more it prevents the prevalence of all sorts of imitation and fake goods, prevent more people from doing similar research, pique the psychology of seeking novelty from more people, and of course, satisfy the narcissism of the truly rich.” Gu Junling felt that her idea was great and a thought gradually arose in his heart. However, they were friends, after all. He didn’t know how to breach the topic at the moment.

“That’s the theory.” She wanted to create a lasting brand of Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare. Thus, she had to control the market. Although Du Ruo’s research was the most mature in the area of Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare currently, the fact that Du Ruo could succeed meant that others could also succeed. Thus, she had to take precautions—to create an irreplaceable and non-imitable top luxury brand, like the luxury fashion brands Chanel and Versace—standing firm from the start to the end regardless of the changes in times.

Gu Junling looked at Wen Xinya with hesitation. “Xinya…”

Wen Xinya had already discerned his thoughts way before and also happened to be thinking along the same lines. Thus, she smiled and said, “I’ll like to cooperate with the Floral Lingo Pavilion to form a formal sales line—not sure what you think?”

“Naturally, it’s more than I can wish for.” Wen Xinya’s Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare, once up and running, would totally have no lack of sales outlets. To slightly bring the Floral Lingo Pavilion along was instead Wen Xinya’s act of returning his favor and also an appreciation of their friendship.

“In that case, I’ll pass you a portion of the products sometime later. Hope that the Floral Lingo Pavilion can help us do a quality test report which will also be used as our product quality standards. I believe the Floral Lingo Pavilion is second to none in this area.” If the storefront were to be publicized as having the professional quality assurance of the Floral Lingo Pavilion, it would naturally be even more popular.

“It’s my pleasure.” Even if Wen Xinya was not cooperating with him, he would also help her out on this.

Previously, Wen Xinya had mentioned the current state of the land at the western district and he had invested in some land. Now that the government intended to build an East-West train route, the land prices of the western district had soared, and the land that he had purchased was now worth a few times over.

Previously, he had thought that Wen Xinya was just mentioning it casually. However, he suddenly recalled that previously, the Lingyun Media and Entertainment Company under the Ling Family had invested in a small movie production starring the celebrity introduced by Wen Xinya as the main lead and obtained a box office of up to five billion yuan, attracting the attention of many Hollywood entertainment companies.

He didn’t believe that such a coincidence existed in this world. Although he didn’t know how Wen Xinya obtained these pieces of information, such sincere thoughts were worthy of them to treat each other with the utmost cordiality.