Entering the study in the back yard, the two sat face to face, tea was poured, and Shopkeeper nodded towards Xiao Yu.
"Alright, there are no outsiders here now. I’ve already come to a deep understanding of your cooking skills. Now you can speak your mind."
"Would it be acceptable for me to contribute recipes as my shareholding?"
Shopkeeper was initially startled, then burst into hearty laughter, "You girl are indeed clever enough, and very much a businessperson. Have you raised your asking price on the spot?"
Xiao Yu maintained a steady, composed demeanor, "This isn’t raising the price on the spot. This is about establishing a fair and reasonable partnership. You approve of me, I trust in you; that’s the only way for us to cooperate. Besides, if I sell you the recipes and they don’t sell well, you’d blame me. But if they do well, I’d feel aggrieved. So, the best solution is a shareholding arrangement. Since we’re close to the sea, I might also be able to attract more business opportunities if possible. Of course, we can only specify these clearly after signing a formal contract. If Shen Xiaoyu is going to do something, I’ll do it well and make sure your investment is worthwhile."
The Shopkeeper looked her over in surprise, "You’re not just quick-witted; you’ve got quite the gift of gab. Are you that confident?"
Xiao Yu chuckled lightly, then feigned a mournful face, "You have to believe that for a foreigner to come here, I really, truly am not fond of the local flavors. Once or twice is fine, but if you made me eat it every day... I... I just couldn’t stand it!" The source of this content ɪs novel※fire.net
Shopkeeper clenched his sides from laughter at Xiao Yu’s expression, an instant disruption to his composure, "Haha, it seems you’ve really suffered these past days!"
Xiao Yu didn’t hide her experiences, "Although people here usually eat light, hardly touching anything greasy, it seems like a healthy approach. Yet, prolonged adherence to such a diet might result in a loss of some nutrients, especially since we’re by the sea and deal with seafood all day. If we could integrate some of the inland dietary cultures, it would be better, don’t you think?"
Shopkeeper was a local, and although he had traveled, he didn’t know much about other places. He too had wanted to introduce some fresher ingredients, but no one was willing to come, all put off by the remoteness and poverty of the region. After a while, even he had given up on the idea.
But now someone was willing to provide recipes, which for him was clearly all gain and no loss. As for the shareholding, that too was worth considering. After all, with a stake in the business, her income would be directly tied to her efforts and she’d be more motivated to work harder.
Thinking this, he looked at her, "So what split do you have in mind?"
Xiao Yu thought for a moment, "Just for the recipes, six to four. You, the boss, take six, and I, the shareholder, take four. You’re in charge; I assist. After all, this is your family’s legacy."
Shopkeeper furrowed his brow, "Sixty-forty won’t do. Twenty-eighty, you take two, I take eight. You said it yourself, this is my family’s legacy. How can a foreigner take forty percent?"
Xiao Yu stood her ground, "Sixty-forty is my bottom line. Of course, you can refuse. I’m just lacking opportunity at the moment. If I have money in hand, do you think I would still sit here haggling with you? I might have already opened a competing restaurant across from you by then!"
Xiao Yu’s bold proclamation tightened Shopkeeper’s chest in anticipation.
"How would I know that after making money, you won’t go through with that step?"