Chapter 14: A Businessman
After the brief interlude with “Quiet Night Thoughts,” neither Jia Shengnan nor Lu Yuan wanted to waste any more time.
“Xuanxuan, go study.”
Jia Shengnan sent Jia Xuanxuan away. She felt as if she’d been granted amnesty—she had long since wanted to leave.
Only after seeing his daughter go upstairs and close her door did Jia Shengnan turn back.
“Lu Yuan, you really are quite unexpected.
Let’s not beat around the bush. You know why I invited you here today, right?”
“I do. You want to give me hush money. Once I take it, the zongzi becomes a product developed by Shiweixuan, and has nothing to do with me, Lu Yuan.”
“Smart!” Jia Shengnan clapped his hands. Lu Yuan really understood—he had thought he’d need to explain it.
“Then name your price.”
“President Jia, please go first.”
“Heh, you little fox.”
Jia Shengnan pointed at him but didn’t insist.
“You’re Jia Xuanxuan’s classmate, my junior. I won’t take advantage of you. How about this—one price, fifty thousand.”
“President Jia really is a businessman. Does your pricing even factor in your daughter?”
“Haha, nothing like that. Just trying to get a little closer.”
“Then I’ll also get a little closer. Jia Xuanxuan is my classmate, you’re my elder, so I won’t bargain. One price—1.52 million.”
The moment Jia Shengnan heard that number, his expression exploded with fury. He slammed the table and shouted:
“Lu Yuan, you’ve got some nerve! Don’t be so greedy! 1.52 million?! Do you think my money grows on trees?!”
He looked ready to throw Lu Yuan out.
But Lu Yuan ignored him, calmly lifting his teacup and taking a sip.
“Then there’s nothing to talk about.” Jia Shengnan crossed his arms and leaned heavily back into the sofa. “It’s just one product. Whether Shiweixuan has it or not doesn’t matter.”
“Ahem… I’m afraid you need this product very much, President Jia.”
“Heh. You know my situation better than I do?”
“Shiweixuan is currently expanding into other cities and lacks a flagship product to open up the market. Am I wrong?”
Jia Shengnan’s furious expression froze. He suddenly remembered that yesterday, when discussing this with shareholders, Lu Yuan had been nearby.
“You were eavesdropping.”
“Not really. I walked over openly. You were the one who didn’t avoid the situation.”
“Hahaha, fair enough. Who would’ve thought to guard against a student like you?”
Jia Shengnan immediately switched back to a smile. His earlier anger had all been an act. Since Lu Yuan had already grasped his weakness, there was no need to keep up the performance.
“But 1.52 million is still too much.
Lu Yuan, you should understand—my willingness to pay hush money is only to avoid gossip. But if the amount is too high, I have to weigh the cost and benefit.
Fifty thousand, I can give you as a gesture. But 1.52 million—that’s a large sum, not easy to earn.
Zongzi isn’t complicated. The staff already learned it last night. To be honest, Shiweixuan’s stores are already selling it.
So why must I pay this money?
Lu Yuan, I’m a businessman. Don’t blame me for being practical.”
This was Jia Shengnan laying his cards on the table. Though he kept saying he was a cold businessman, he was actually giving Lu Yuan a chance to persuade him.
If he truly intended not to pay a single cent, he could have simply shown him the door.
Lu Yuan wasn’t worried. He was completely confident.
“President Jia, you misunderstand. Zongzi is not a single product—it’s a whole series.”
“Not a single product?!” Jia Shengnan’s eyes lit up.
In the food industry, a hit product doesn’t last long—this is a rule.
Like the zongzi currently being sold by Shiweixuan. It may be wildly popular now, but how many people will still buy it in a few months? That’s uncertain.
Because people get tired of a single item quickly.
What truly supports a food brand is not one or two hit items, but a continuously evolving series of products.
Lu Yuan spoke confidently:
“Zongzi can be divided into three flavor profiles, six main shapes, four types of leaves, and sixty-two filling combinations. The red date glutinous rice zongzi you’re selling now is just a tiny fraction.
I taught them that one yesterday because it’s the simplest and fastest to make.
If I had a full day to prepare, I definitely wouldn’t bring out something so low-tier.”
Jia Shengnan stood up, pacing excitedly.
The ‘low-tier’ item Lu Yuan mentioned had already generated over two hundred thousand in revenue in one night—from just one store.
What about the high-tier ones?
If what Lu Yuan said was true, Jia Shengnan was confident he could expand Shiweixuan across the entire country within three years, instead of being stuck in a small city like Ningcheng.
As for the money—he would definitely have to pay. Lu Yuan had mentioned sixty-two fillings. Until payment was made, Jia Shengnan knew he wouldn’t get a single one out of him.
“Lu Yuan, if what you say is true…” Jia Shengnan forced himself to calm down. “Then 1.52 million is actually too little. Can I ask—why such a precise number?”
“1.5 million is to buy Xikanuo for my mother.”
“Your mother has Dusk Syndrome?”
“Yes.”
“And the remaining twenty thousand?”
“The application fee for Cultivator University.”
“You could’ve asked for more.”
“I’m not a greedy person.”
“Everyone is greedy. I want the truth.”
“That is the truth. Saving my mother is my greatest wish.” Lu Yuan sighed, thinking of his previous life and the helplessness of fate. “Heaven took pity on me and gave me this chance. I really don’t dare to ask for more.”
Those words moved Jia Shengnan. He stared into Lu Yuan’s eyes, unable to understand how someone so young could speak with such weariness.
“…I understand. Did you bring your bank card?”
Lu Yuan took it out. Jia Shengnan accepted it and called his secretary.
“Go transfer 1.57 million to this card. Do it now.”
The secretary took the card and left. Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Jia Shengnan smiled. “The extra fifty thousand is a gift.”
“No need for a contract?” Lu Yuan asked.
“No need. I trust your character. Someone who always puts family first can’t have bad character.”
“There’s still some time before the transfer completes. Let’s have more tea.” Jia Shengnan shouted upstairs, “Xuanxuan! Come down and pour tea!”
Jia Xuanxuan was furious. Why me again?
“I’m studying!”
“Come down!”
After dragging her feet for a while, she had no choice but to come down and pour tea. Jia Shengnan still carried authority.
“Lu Yuan, planning to apply to Cultivator University?”
“Still considering.”
“Xuanxuan is planning to apply to Qingying Cultivator University.”
“Dad!” Jia Xuanxuan was furious—she had never discussed this with classmates.
“Haha, Lu Yuan, want to consider Qingying?”
“I’m probably not at that level.”
“That may not be true. You won’t know unless you try.”
“Oh right, one more thing.” Jia Shengnan changed the topic. “Your younger sister, Lu Youbing—have you considered letting her develop in the entertainment industry? One of my shareholders specializes in training internet celebrities.”
Lu Yuan was shocked. “Huh? No, no. Xiaobing is still young. She needs to study. How can she become an influencer?”
Jia Xuanxuan smirked. “Your sister is already an internet celebrity. Her photos are everywhere online now—so impressive~~~”
She deliberately dragged out the tone, still holding a grudge from the morning phone call.
“Internet celebrity?”
Lu Yuan pulled out his phone and searched. The internet was flooded with Xiaobing’s photos from last night, taking pictures with people after her TV interview.
The most popular one was her holding two zongzi and smiling.
The comments were full of:
“Give me one minute, I need all her info now!”
“This feels like first love.”
“Move aside, this is my wife!”
“Get lost, she’s clearly my wife—draw your sword!”
Lu Yuan’s eye twitched.
Jia Shengnan suggested, “How about I sign Xiaobing as Shiweixuan’s brand ambassador? She can shoot some promotional content occasionally—it won’t affect her studies.”
Lu Yuan wiped sweat from his forehead. “I can’t decide that. I’ll talk to her first.”
“Alright.”
As they chatted, Jia Shengnan’s secretary returned and handed the bank card back to Lu Yuan.
“Since it’s a large corporate-to-personal transfer, it may take a few hours to arrive. But no later than midnight.”
“Thank you!”
With everything settled, Lu Yuan stood up to leave.
Watching his departing figure, Jia Shengnan fell into thought.
Finally, he instructed his daughter:
“Keep an eye on Lu Yuan’s Cultivator University exam results. If he gets admitted, tell me immediately.”
“I won’t! Why should I pay attention to him?!” Jia Xuanxuan shouted angrily.
“This kid has limitless potential,” Jia Shengnan explained patiently. “We need to invest early.”
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and then Add to home screen.