Chapter 22 - 0 Negotiation Expert
Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Negotiation Expert
Chapter 22 -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 immediately 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 excitement, 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.
Handsome as he was, he was not Zhang Sheng.
A chill ran down Lin Ping’s spine, a look of disappointment 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 came to see Bai Ruozhu,” Du Zhongshu greeted Lin Ping politely.
Snapping back to reality, Lin Ping asked, “My daughter Ruozhu is not home, who are you?”
At this moment, Bai Zehao poked his head out from the yard.
He saw Du Zhongshu and immediately 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 come 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 home, he had been called by the village head to discuss school matters.
Only Lin Ping and the two sons were at home.
Upon hearing the commotion, Bai Zepei, who had been studying inside, came 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 came home, 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 seemed 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 immediately rose to his feet and ceremoniously bowed, impressing with his scholarly demeanor.
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 come 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 meat’?
The young lad accompanying Du Zhongshu objected, “You are very rude.
My lord has come 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 messed up the medicinal supplies that day?
I don’t want anything, that’s why I am saying ‘no sale’.”
The lad turned red when reminded of the medicinal 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 members 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 time.
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 somewhat disgruntled, thinking she was being too greedy.
“A single formula is not worth those 20% profits.
Even if you offer them to me, 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 customers.
Additionally, I will come 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 stammered, 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 volumes.
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 moment 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 medicinal 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 medicinal benefits and therefore, a bigger market.
Higher-end customers would naturally be able to afford it,” Bai Ruozhu explained calmly.