Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Negotiation Expert Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Negotiation Expert When the horse carriage stopped outside the Bai household, Lin Ping was in the yard picking vegetables.
Upon seeing the carriage, she imdiately dropped her vegetables and ran towards the yard gate, her mind filled with images of Zhang Sheng.
Indeed, she almost ran, her feet flitting from sheer excitent, trembling as she opened the gate.
If Zhang Sheng had returned, her daughter would no longer be a widow or cast aside, her child would have a loving father, and the village gossip would cease.
Yet, alas, the carriage curtains lifted and out walked a young man.
Handso as he was, he was not Zhang Sheng.
A chill ran down Lin Ping’s spine, a look of disappointnt involuntarily surfaced on her face; she even forgot to greet the visitor.
As Du Zhongshu stepped down from the carriage, he saw the gate to Bai Ruozhu’s house opening and a woman stepping out.
Judging by her appearance and age, she must be Bai Ruozhu’s mother.
What he didn’t understand was why she looked disappointed upon seeing him?
Doubtfully, he touched his prominent nose.
What was happening?
Was Bai Ruozhu still angry?
“Madam, I ca to see Bai Ruozhu,” Du Zhongshu greeted Lin Ping politely.
Snapping back to reality, Lin Ping asked, “My daughter Ruozhu is not ho, who are you?”
At this mont, Bai Zehao poked his head out from the yard.
He saw Du Zhongshu and imdiately charged through the main gate, positioning himself between his mother and the visitor.
“Why are you here?
Are you looking for trouble?” Bai Zehao declared, puffing out his chest defiantly, not showing any fear towards Du Zhongshu.
The lad standing next to Du Zhongshu subconsciously took a step back, marveling at the courage of Bai’s lady brother.
Glancing at the villagers who had co out to watch the scene, Du Zhongshu said with a forced smile, “Let’s continue this conversation inside, Brother Bai.”
Bai Zehao glanced around, then nodded.
After all, Du Zhongshu had only brought one other person – he couldn’t possibly attempt anything.
That day Bai Yihong was not ho, he had been called by the village head to discuss school matters.
Only Lin Ping and the two sons were at ho.
Upon hearing the commotion, Bai Zepei, who had been studying inside, ca out.
By then, Lin Ping had already invited Du Zhongshu to sit in the main hall.
When Bai Zepei saw the young man dressed in green sitting quietly on the seat, he looked so neat and clean that Zepei worried his chair might soil the visitor’s clothes.
Knowing that the visitor was looking for his little sister, Bai Zepei was slightly surprised.
When Bai Ruozhu ca ho, Du Zhongshu had already explained his identity and purpose to the Bai family.
Bai Ruozhu looked at Du Zhongshu sitting in her house, drinking tea.
He seed so out of place and she wondered what he was doing here.
Was he here to apologize?
Hadn’t he already apologized?
A possibility crossed Bai Ruozhu’s mind and her eyes lit up.
Upon seeing Bai Ruozhu, Du Zhongshu imdiately rose to his feet and ceremoniously bowed, impressing with his scholarly deanor.
Bai Zepei was particularly impressed, thinking to himself that this must be how the sons of wealthy families behaved – displaying impeccable manners and grace.
“Du Zhongshu, you didn’t co to settle a score about how I scolded you the other day, did you?” Bai Ruozhu asked, feigning ignorance and looking displeased.
As expected Du Zhongshu looked embarrassed, “Madam Bai, you have misunderstood.
I have reflected a lot after that day, and I felt that you were right.
I was not ambitious enough, so I am here to discuss the toothpaste matter again.”
Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes, “Opportunities don’t wait forever.
I don’t wish to sell the toothpaste to you anymore.”
Watching Du Zhongshu’s embarrassed expression, Bai Ruozhu felt secretly pleased.
Was she being a ‘haughty auntie’ bullying a ‘fresh at’?
The young lad accompanying Du Zhongshu objected, “You are very rude.
My lord has co all the way to visit you and is being very polite.
What more do you want?”
Bai Ruozhu looked at him coldly, “Oh, are you the lad who ssed up the dicinal supplies that day?
I don’t want anything, that’s why I am saying ‘no sale’.”
The lad turned red when reminded of the dicinal error and was about to retort, but was quickly silenced by Du Zhongshu, “Zhou Fu, don’t be disrespectful!”
Zhou Fu sulked and retreated.
“Are you two playing good cop, bad cop?” Bai Ruozhu asked, glaring curiously at them.
Du Zhongshu coughed awkwardly.
Dealing with Madam Bai was proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated.
He bowed to Bai Ruozhu again, bending lower than before.
His show of utmost respect surprised the mbers of the Bai family.
Was Mr Du too gracious, or was their Ruozhu too formidable?
After having enough fun at his expense, Bai Ruozhu decided to stop giving Du Zhongshu a hard ti.
She stood up, cradling her belly, and asked, “May I know how Mr.
Du wishes to collaborate?”
Seeing an opportunity, Du Zhongshu got up excitedly.
“You provide the formulas, and my Du Clinic will be responsible for the manufacturing of the toothpaste.
Every month, you will receive 20% of the profits.” After what Bai Ruozhu had just pulled, Du Zhongshu didn’t dare to leave anything for guessing and shared his plan straight away.
Regrettably, he didn’t see the surprise he was anticipating on Bai Ruozhu’s face.
He felt sowhat disgruntled, thinking she was being too greedy.
“A single formula is not worth those 20% profits.
Even if you offer them to , I would feel embarrassed to accept.” Bai Ruozhu calmly replied.
“Oh?” Now, Du Zhongshu was even more confused about Bai Ruozhu’s intentions.
“I will give you the formula and be responsible for continually improving the toothpaste formula, supplying you with better formulas along the way.
You can manufacture a standard version for mass sale, and a premium one for higher-end custors.
Additionally, I will co up with sales strategies.” Bai Ruozhu’s lips curled into a smirk, “If I’m offering all that, shouldn’t I get 30%?”
Du Zhongshu stamred, then clapped his hands together, “Madam Bai is a truly formidable business negotiator!”
Bai Ruozhu did not reply, but the confident smile on her face spoke volus.
Her sparkling eyes lit up the room, causing everyone there to be taken aback by her radiance.
They had never seen Bai Ruozhu like this before.
Having seen Bai Ruozhu, everyone now turned towards Du Zhongshu, awaiting his decision.
Du Zhongshu pondered for a mont before abruptly asking, “How much can the toothpaste be improved?”
Bai Ruozhu held up two fingers.
Though swollen from her pregnancy, they were nevertheless, pleasing to the eye, accentuated by a hint of lustrous charm.
“20%?” Du Zhongshu questioned, furrowing his brow.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head, “No, double.”
Du Zhongshu gaped at her, “How can it be that much?”
“The current version is a simple one.
Primarily because my supply of dicinal products is limited and to keep it affordable for the general populace.
Once the toothpaste has gained popularity, we can look at creating a version with better dicinal benefits and therefore, a bigger market.
Higher-end custors would naturally be able to afford it,” Bai Ruozhu explained calmly.
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