Chapter 110: Chapter 110: The Biggest Joke
Qu Fulan immediately remembered, earlier two strange individuals had come into the store, and at that time, she concluded they were here for a taste test. Unexpectedly, they turned out to be from "Tingya Building".
"The taste is truly the same?" she asked.
Manager Yu, after being a shopkeeper for so many years, had developed some skills. He took out a pre-packaged milk tea from behind the counter and handed it to Qu Fulan.
"I had several portions bought today with someone’s help, I tried it myself, and there’s indeed no difference. This one is reserved for you, you can taste it, though the texture might have changed slightly as it has been kept for a while."
Qu Fulan took the water pouch, opened the cap, and took a sip.
In fact, such packaging was typical—using one’s own clean water pouch to hold it; otherwise, it would be consumed in-store using bowls or cups.
The taste was indeed nearly identical; although there were some differences, customers would not notice them.
A capable person indeed, to discern the formula by taste alone without knowing the recipe and can even recreate it.
"What should be done about this?" Manager Yu was a bit worried, concerned about losing customers and returning to the previous lifeless state of the restaurant.
Qu Fulan, however, replied, "The ingredients for this milk tea are originally just a few; it’s not surprising for someone to be able to make it. Now it’s ’Tingya Building’; in the future, other restaurants might also be able to produce it. This doesn’t matter."
Nothing in the world could be entirely monopolized; there would always be someone able to create similar variations.
"Moreover, our restaurant doesn’t rely solely on milk tea for livelihood, rest assured."
Qu Fulan took the account book and left, reviewing the sales of the restaurant today, which were slightly less compared to yesterday.
This was normal; it was the triennial storytelling day yesterday, naturally leading to a full house, whereas today there were fewer patrons.
Therefore, the bookstore’s promotion impact was not very significant, as customers who had listened had dispersed to other restaurants today.
Returning to Lixiang Courtyard, Qu Fulan first completed a work summary before starting to write and draw.
While Qu Fulan was summarizing, Ji Nishang was also doing planning summaries.
Those knowledgeable in business are like this; it’s a competition to see who is more diligent than whom.
"I plan to vacate the other shops of the Xiao Family in all directions, east, west, south, north, and turn them into standalone milk tea shops, named ’Xiao’s Milk Tea’. Auntie, what do you think?"
Mrs. Xiao, seeing the evidently increasing sales, was overjoyed beyond measure.
"Truly, you are my lucky star. Just proceed as you said; once we open shops in all four directions, gaining the upper hand, ’Flower Garden Ode’ would be hard-pressed to catch up."
Ji Nishang thought this way, akin to opening a restaurant, being the first always tends to ensure better business as long as the taste isn’t too poor, attracting more repeat customers.
"You’ve been busy with restaurant affairs these past days; with the upcoming renovations of the milk tea shops, you’ll finally catch a breather. Let me see what banquets are in the Capital City these days, and I’ll take you to relax."
This implied integrating Ji Nishang into the high society circles.
Ji Nishang stood up promptly and saluted her aunt, "Thank you, Auntie, for your kindness."
"Such a modest child, you are."
...
A new cousin arrived at Pei Mansion; along with the Third Miss and Miss Cheng, the young ladies went to the Old Madam’s courtyard to chat and liven things up with the Old Madam.
They even accompanied the Old Madam on walks in the garden, with a large group of maids and grannies attending behind.
Qu Fulan was not among them, as the Princely Heir Pei was not going, and she naturally did not need to accompany them.
At this time the two were in the study, each sitting at one end, busy with their matters.
Inside, the incense burner emitted a refreshing fragrance.
Behind the study were large pillars and an artificial mountain, with water flowing down it. The water was collected by bamboo pipes leading to the study roof, creating a babbling stream covering the entire rooftop. Ice blocks were also inside, while the wind blew from the bamboo grove, keeping the room cool and comfortable, even more so than an air-conditioned room.
Shi Yi knocked on the door to come in, handing a letter to Qu Fulan; these were messages sent daily by the shopkeepers, along with updates on tasks she’d assigned to them.
She opened the letter to review it; there was nothing particularly special, yet she still replied with a couple of sentences, giving it back to Shi Yi.
The bookstore had not sent any messages today; presumably, they had accumulated customers from yesterday, and everyone was busy in the morning. Perhaps messages would arrive in the afternoon when the shopkeepers had time.
Qu Fulan had a rough estimate in mind, continuing her writing and drawing with steadfast composure.
The Princely Heir Pei was there but didn’t have much time to inquire about her affairs. At most, he glances over while sipping tea, then returns to his work.
Time flew by unnoticed.
In contrast to this peaceful side, Manager Wu on the other end was already drenched in sweat, feeling both pain and joy.
Since early morning, many people had been waiting outside the store, apparently the servants sent by their masters to buy books. When the shopkeeper opened the door, they nearly broke through.
Manager Wu thought he could catch a breath after serving one batch, but once one batch left, another batch came, resulting in lines for checkout.
At first, Manager Wu could still oversee this and that, maintaining order now and then, but later on.
"Shopkeeper, half of the one thousand copies of ’Journey to the West’ were sold already, and at this rate, they’d be gone by tonight."
The manager immediately directed three or four employees to the back for book printing, while he watched the front — settling accounts for customers while assuring them there was no rush and everyone would be served.
In this frenzy, he only had a chance to relax at noon.
Sitting at the entrance to catch his breath, Manager Wu eventually grinned from ear to ear.
It was his first time as a shopkeeper witnessing such a grand occasion.
Once the initial chaos of being overly busy subsides, after a day and night of rest for those printers from yesterday, they’d handle printing during the daytime tomorrow, ensuring constant stock availability thereafter.
By then, he’d have the leisure time to write his own stories.
While Manager Wu rejoiced, Manager Zhang of the "Furui Bookstore" wore an unpleasant expression.
Watching from the doorway, he saw many heading towards the "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore", several passing his door without heed despite his calls to attract them.
"There wasn’t business yesterday, how did it suddenly become like this? Is a single ’Journey to the West’ that captivating?"
A scholar-like person emerged from the store, narrowing his eyes at the bustling business of "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore".
He was none other than Cai Youliang, once an apprentice to Manager Wu.
"Just send someone to buy a copy to see what’s going on."
Meanwhile, Ji Nishang received the message.
"It’s said that ’Journey to the West’ is the work of a senior named Wu, and coincidentally, today ’Ten Thousand Books Bookstore’ is also selling ’Journey to the West’, with their shopkeeper just happening to bear the surname Wu."