Lin Yuan greeted each person one by one, and because of her previous curiosity about Yecheng, famous for its wine, and Tingan Town and Tea Tree Town, known for their tea, she paid extra attention to the shopkeepers from these three places.
Shopkeeper Wu of Yecheng was the one who had just taken the initiative to speak with Lin Yuan, clearly a sharp and capable person, even more so than Shopkeeper Liu. However, he seemed somewhat sheepish and less confident in front of the others, not for any other reason but because while the other shopkeepers managed the leading restaurants in their areas, Shopkeeper Wu had to settle for second place in Yecheng—simply because they had the Drunken Immortal Residence there.
Shopkeeper Jeng of Tingan Town had a broad face and a thick nose, with eyes as big as brass bells. Upon seeing him, Lin Yuan immediately thought of a temperamental Big Yellow Ox—and it turned out she was right. Perhaps because Tingan Town produced strong liquor, Shopkeeper Jeng also had a fiery temper, as if he drank half a jin of spirits every day.
Compared to Shopkeeper Jeng’s volatility, Shopkeeper Wang of Tea Tree Town was much more refined and cultured, much like a cup of fresh, elegant tea, providing a very comfortable feeling.
Then there were two other shopkeepers who both seemed savvy and worldly. Among the group, however, Shopkeeper Wu of Yecheng was the shrewdest, which Lin Yuan guessed might have to do with the competitive environment he was in. Because of the formidable rival Drunken Immortal Residence, Xia Zheng had placed such a capable person in the most competitive location.
If it had been anyone else, Fragrant Full Building in Yecheng would probably have been suppressed by Drunken Immortal Residence so much that it couldn’t even claim the second place.
According to Shopkeeper Liu, Steward Zhou from the tofu shop used to work as a steward in Yecheng. It seems that in Yecheng’s Fragrant Full Building, everyone is talented.
Lin Yuan became even more curious about Shopkeeper Wu and Fragrant Full Building, especially the Drunken Immortal Tower. Having a competitor would stir her fighting spirit, and she felt the passion inside her beginning to boil uncontrollably. She wished she could fly to Yecheng immediately to meet this Drunken Immortal Tower.
Seeing Lin Yuan’s excitement and lofty fighting spirit, Xia Zheng wished he could pounce on her this very moment. How could he grow fonder of that mischievous glint in her eyes the more he looked?
With Xia Zheng’s full support and Shopkeeper Liu’s respectful attitude, the shopkeepers from the various branches recognized Lin Yuan’s position as the boss. After a meal, Lin Yuan had basically understood the situation inside each store.
"I’ve said what needed to be said. Now, do any of you shopkeepers have any questions for me?" Lin Yuan put down her chopsticks and seriously scanned each shopkeeper’s face.
The shopkeepers looked at each other, exchanging glances, but eventually, it was the restless Shopkeeper Jeng who slammed the table, his booming voice ringing out, "You fellows are all hesitating like shy girls, it’s making me anxious! Let me do the talking. Boss, indeed, we do have something to ask for your opinion on."
With his casual use of "I," Shopkeeper Jeng was clearly an unpretentious man. It was surprising that he managed Drunk Man Building well, suggesting that the local customs of Tingan Town must be similarly upfront and enthusiastic.
Lin Yuan nodded with a smile, indicating for him to continue.
Just as Shopkeeper Jeng was about to speak, Shopkeeper Wu interrupted, "Old Jeng, let me say it instead."
This Shopkeeper Jeng wasn’t good at beating around the bush and might offend the boss.
But Shopkeeper Jeng waved his hand, "I’m not like them with all their roundabout ways; I speak directly. Boss, if I say something unpleasant, don’t be mad, just tell me straight."
Lin Yuan was amused by his blunt manner and nodded with a smile, "Alright, if Shopkeeper Jeng says something not quite right, he can punish himself with three cups, how’s that?"