Chapter 111: It Really Is Quite Large (First Update, Please Vote)

By the time Zheng An finally walked out of the Li estate and headed home, he still could not fathom how he had ended up with the signed agreement in his possession.

Zheng An was utterly perplexed. Li Yi had actually agreed to give him thirty percent of the profits. Compared to the ten percent agreement signed by Manager Xu, this was an incredibly generous margin. Furthermore, once he took over the soap business, it would undoubtedly become a nationwide monopoly, and the potential profits were immeasurable.

"How could Li Bo'an be willing to concede so much to me for such a fat lamb?" Zheng An remained in disbelief.

The first thing he did upon returning home was to show the agreement to his father, Zheng Fengchi.

In the Zheng family study, Zheng Fengchi took the document, examined it carefully again and again, and found nothing amiss. He set the paper down, looked up, and asked with a smile, "Dalang, what exactly are you confused about?"

"Father," Zheng An hesitated for a moment before saying with a troubled expression, "When I was negotiating with Li Bo'an earlier, I was clearly caught in his trap. Why, then, did he grant me such a large share of the profits? I simply cannot understand it." He shook his head repeatedly, his eyes darting around as he struggled to grasp the logic.

By all reasoning, given his understanding of Li Yi’s character, Li Yi should never have conceded so much profit. He had already prepared himself to settle for twenty percent if thirty percent was rejected. The result had completely defied his expectations.

After hearing the account, Zheng Fengchi could not help but shake his head in amusement. He sighed and said with a smile, "Dalang, it seems you have been tempered too little; you cannot even see through such a simple truth."

Zheng An was taken aback and bowed respectfully. "Please enlighten me, Father."

Zheng Fengchi smiled faintly, then asked with a mysterious glint in his eyes, "Let me ask you, what is Li Bo'an’s current status?"

"He is the son of the Minister of the Ministry of War, Lord Li!" Zheng An replied without hesitation, as if it were obvious.

"Incorrect." Zheng Fengchi shook his head with a smile, offering no further explanation, instead raising his eyebrows to signal for his son to guess again.

This left Zheng An even more confused. He searched his mind, his face clouded with frustration. Just as he opened his mouth to attempt another answer, his eyes suddenly lit up. "Father! Li Bo'an is currently a physician at the Imperial Medical Academy!"

"Ha ha!" Seeing the realization dawn upon his son, Zheng Fengchi laughed heartily, nodded with satisfaction, and continued, "Dalang, do you understand now?"

"I understand now," Zheng An said, his face beaming with joy as he bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Father!"

Zheng An finally grasped Li Yi’s true intention. "No wonder when we signed and sealed the agreement, the partner listed was not Li Yi, but his maid, Yue'er!" Zheng An sighed to himself. "This Li Bo'an is truly deep and far-sighted..."

He had never expected Li Yi’s planning to be so meticulous. A sense of inferiority stirred within him.

Zheng Fengchi nodded and said with a smile, "Since that is the case, Dalang, you must handle this task well for Young Master Li and cultivate a good relationship with him." After a pause, he sipped his tea and added, "In this way, whenever he has a lucrative business opportunity in the future, you will surely be the first person he thinks of."

With that, Zheng Fengchi waved his hand, signaling Zheng An to leave. "Dalang, go about your business. Your father is old now and cannot exert himself; it is time for me to rest."

"Yes, Father. I take my leave." Zheng An bowed and withdrew with a smile.

Once outside, Zheng An immediately ordered his steward, "Steward, take the people brought from Young Master Li’s estate to the workshop. Start mass-producing the soap immediately. By tomorrow morning, have it ready for sale in all our shops. Do not delay!"

"Yes, Young Master, I shall go at once." The steward was delighted and hurried away.

As the steward’s figure faded into the distance, Zheng An’s face softened. However, after a moment, remembering his father’s advice, he realized he had almost been careless. He tapped his forehead and muttered to himself, "Steward, wait! I will go with you!" With that, he quickened his pace to catch up.

...

In the back kitchen of the Li estate, Yue'er tended the fire while occasionally glancing at Li Yi, who was personally stir-frying tea leaves.

The more she stole glances, the more curious she became. Unable to suppress her growing inquisitiveness any longer, she finally asked, "Young Master, what new method of stir-frying tea is this? I have never seen it before..."

Li Yi glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the tea leaves. He teased, "My talents are vast; how much of them have you actually seen?"

Yue'er blinked, her mind flashing to some unspeakable, "shameful" memories. Her face suddenly flushed a deep, rosy red. "Young Master’s 'talents' are indeed great; I have seen them with my own eyes," she whispered to herself. Afraid to meet his gaze, she lowered her head and focused intently on the fire.

She remained silent thereafter. Li Yi, hearing no response, paused for a moment and looked over as he removed the finished tea from the heat. Seeing her flushed face, he said with concern, "Yue'er, stop tending the fire. Look at you, your face is red from the heat."

Being called out by Li Yi made her face turn even redder. She shook her head like a rattle, stammering, "Young Master, I am fine..."

Li Yi rolled his eyes in exasperation. He knew this girl was stubborn. For his sake, she was willing to endure any hardship, and not only did she never complain, she actually seemed happy to do it.

"Enough, put out the fire," he urged impatiently. "Come, I will take you to drink some good tea."

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er stood up, extinguishing the fire in a flurry of confusion.