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Seeing the expression on 6 Bei's face, Ye Xiaohan's excitement calmed down. "What do they want?"
6 Bei replied, "They think our pricing is too low and refuse to supply us at that price. They want to raise it by ten percent, or else forget it."
"That scared me! I thought their demands would be much harsher!" Ye Xiaohan patted her chest and felt happy again. "A ten percent increase does add quite a bit to our costs. However, it's still within an acceptable range. As long as we can buy the materials, it solves our urgent problem."
Since they had already collected a deposit from their customers, even if the price increased by twenty percent, they would have to endure it and sell at a loss if necessary.
Ye Xiaohan sincerely thanked him, "6 Bei, I really appreciate your help this time. If we couldn't get the materials, I wouldn't know how to face those ravenous customers when I go back."
"No need for thanks. If I can help, it makes me feel better too." 6 Bei reached out and touched Ye Xiaohan's face. "You've been so busy lately, managing the shop and dealing with my Second Uncle. You've lost quite a bit of weight."
Ye Xiaohan felt a bit embarrassed and wasn't sure if she should tell 6 Bei that her weight loss wasn't due to being overworked but rather because she had been adjusting her body and taking weight-loss herbal soup.
"Ahem." Ye Xiaohan cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Where is that shop? Let's go settle this matter first; otherwise, I'm afraid there will be more complications if we wait too long."
"Okay." 6 Bei received the instruction and wasted no time in taking Ye Xiaohan to the shop.
Thanks to 6 Bei's communication last night, the negotiation went very smoothly this time. Ye Xiaohan was willing to accept the price increase, and the shop owner was agreeable as well. Both parties cooperated happily and immediately signed a contract for future material supplies to Peach Blossom Studio.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper. I look forward to working together in the future," Ye Xiaohan said as she put away one copy of the contract. The simple black-and-white text on that paper was crucial for her livelihood.
"You're welcome, Boss Ye," the Shopkeeper said as he saw them off.
Having resolved the first major issue, Ye Xiaohan felt lighthearted and much more relaxed.
Next, they needed to tackle the second problem: teaching that reckless family a lesson.
"6 Bei, bring out the carriage. Let's head home early," Ye Xiaohan commanded with her hands on her hips.
The three-day agreement with 6 Second Aunt was approaching fast; if they didn't see them by then, who knew what kind of trouble 6 Second Uncle's family would stir up.
On their way back, everything went smoothly without any incidents, and they returned to the 6 family home without issue.
"Sister-in-law! Big Brother! You're back!" The entrance was lively; besides 6 Yang and 6 Qi, even Yang Juanjuan was there waiting for them.
Ye Xiaohan exclaimed in surprise, "You all came out! It's so late at night, come inside, come inside."
Li Yang helped to unload the luggage from the cart. "Sister-in-law, how did the business negotiations go? Were you successful? It must have gone well, right? You know that whenever you take action, there's no way it won't succeed!"
"You're such a smooth talker!" Ye Xiaohan laughed at his string of compliments. "Don't think a few nice words will get me to praise you. What about the tasks I assigned you? How did you handle them?"
Li Yang leaned in, lowering his voice. "Sister-in-law, do you still doubt me? As long as I step in, there's nothing I can't handle. I've already taken care of everything just as you instructed!"
"Good job," Ye Xiaohan said, pointing at the package in Li Yang's hand. "It's worth it that I brought you some delicious food."
"Really?" Li Yang joyfully lifted the package high. "Qiqi, there’s something tasty! Come here!"
Li Qiqi ran after Li Yang with her short legs, reaching out for the package. However, Li Yang playfully lifted it from side to side, making her spin around like a top.
Ye Xiaohan couldn't watch any longer and called out, "Li Yang, stop messing around! You'll make her fall!" She rushed over and picked up Li Qiqi.
Li Bei watched them laugh and play, a smile creeping onto his lips.
Yang Juanjuan stood nearby, staring intently at Li Bei. Seeing him smile, she softly said, "Brother Li Bei, your family is really wonderful. Everyone is so happy. Just watching makes me envious; I wish I could stay at your house forever."
Li Bei seemed to just realize there were others around him. He nodded lightly as a form of greeting. "Miss Yang is my aunt's niece and a distinguished guest in our home. At the Li family, there's no need to be formal; just treat it like your own home."
He gestured with the items in his hand. "I'll go organize these things first. Miss Yang, please make yourself comfortable." With that, he walked away.
"Hey, wait a moment!" Yang Juanjuan called out but was left behind as he quickly walked away. She chased after him for a few steps but found it futile as he moved too fast.
Yang Juanjuan pouted in frustration and stomped her foot angrily. "What an unromantic jerk! Hmph!"
Once everyone had left, she was left alone in the courtyard and had no choice but to return home feeling disgruntled.
The next morning, Second Aunt came knocking on the door of the Li household.
Ye Xiaohan smiled and said, "Second Aunt, why are you in such a hurry? It's still early; there's no need to rush over at dawn. Do you think I would run away?"
Second Aunt naturally dared not admit it. The last time she heard that Bei and Ye Xiaohan had gone out driving, she was filled with anxiety, fearing they would run away.
"I'm not here to chat with you. Just give me the money and come out quickly! Otherwise, your father's coffin..." Second Aunt gripped her only bargaining chip tightly, repeating her threat three times in just two sentences.
Ye Xiaohan interrupted her, "Alright, isn't it just one hundred taels? I'll give it to you."
Seeing her so straightforward, Second Aunt felt a bit more at ease, just waiting to take the silver back. However, she looked around and saw no silver in sight, and her heart sank again. "Ye Xiaohan, don't try any tricks. I'm telling you, if you don't give me the silver today, your father's coffin..."
Ye Xiaohan pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and waved it in front of her. Second Aunt thought it was a banknote and quickly snatched it away.
Upon unfolding it, disappointment washed over her. She wasn't very literate, but she recognized what a banknote looked like; this piece of paper clearly had her own handwriting on it.
She threw the paper aside and shouted angrily, "You shameless vixen! You specifically target us country women who can't read, trying to fool me with a piece of scrap paper! You won't get away with this! I, Zhou Fen, am not someone who can be easily deceived!"
Ye Xiaohan picked up the paper and gently brushed off the dust on it. "Second Aunt, you've misunderstood me. Take a closer look; there is indeed one hundred taels written here."
She read the contents aloud: "This is to certify that the eldest son of the Liu family, named Bei, hereby severs his uncle-nephew relationship with Liu Er Gou from this day forth for the sake of filial piety. He is willing to offer one hundred taels of silver for clothing and sustenance. From now on, there will be no further ties between our families; each shall live in peace. Signed by Liu Bei."
After finishing reading, Ye Xiaohan spread the paper out again in front of Zhou Fen. "Second Aunt, as long as you sign here agreeing to sever ties with Liu Bei and promise not to involve yourself with the Liu family again, I will immediately hand over this one hundred taels of silver."
"This..." Zhou Fen hesitated. She wanted to see and touch the silver, but if she severed ties with the Liu family, this would be the last money they could get.
In her mind, Ye Xiaohan was like a money tree; as long as she held onto her tightly, they would never have to worry about food or drink again. For the rest of their lives, they wouldn't have to toil as before; anything they wanted could be extracted from Ye Xiaohan's hands.
However, Ye Xiaohan had no direct obligation to support or show filial piety towards the Liu family. The only reason she could threaten them now was because of Liu Bei's presence.
Once Liu Bei severed ties with them, Ye Xiaohan would definitely not give them another cent.
Thinking about how they would never be able to benefit from Ye Xiaohan again made Zhou Fen feel heartbroken; she felt she was losing out significantly. But if she refused to sign, that shiny one hundred taels would slip away.
Ye Xiaohan raised one corner of her mouth, watching Zhou Fen's changing expressions with great amusement. She reminded her, "Second Aunt, think carefully; this is one hundred taels! With this money in hand, you won't have to worry for the rest of your life."
To provide some visual stimulation, she turned around and went back into the room to fetch the one hundred taels of silver. In front of Zhou Fen, she slowly opened the lid to reveal a dazzling pile inside.
"Ah! Silver!" Zhou Fen exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief as she saw so much silver for the first time. She pushed Ye Xiaohan aside and grabbed the silver, even taking a piece to bite into it.
Ye Xiaohan chuckled from the side, "Second Aunt, how does it feel? Are you sure it's real now? Once you sign and stamp, all of this will be yours."
Zhou Fen clutched the silver tightly, unwilling to let go. Initially, when they suggested one hundred taels, they thought of it as just a number, assuming Ye Xiaohan was wealthy. For a poor family like theirs, whether it was ten taels or one hundred, it was an unimaginable sum.
Seeing one hundred taels right in front of her made it impossible for her to give up.
Determined, Zhou Fen gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I'll sign! But one hundred taels isn't enough. You're so rich; a little more won't hurt. We won't be able to rely on you in the future, so consider this our retirement fund! I want two hundred taels!"
Ye Xiaohan laughed, "Second Aunt, do you think I'm running a moneylender's shop? Just by flapping your lips, you've doubled the amount."
"Yes, two hundred taels. Not a single tael less," Zhou Fen insisted stubbornly.
Ye Xiaohan looked troubled. "Aren't you taking advantage of me here? My shop has been in trouble lately; I've invested all my money just to keep it running. This one hundred taels is what I managed to scrape together from various sources. I can't possibly come up with more."
"I don't care about that," Zhou Fen said firmly, still holding onto the silver. "Where you get your money is your business; it has nothing to do with us. We want two hundred taels. Bring the money, and I'll sign."
Ye Xiaohan sighed in resignation. "Second Aunt, how about this? I have fifty taels set aside for buying materials for the shop; this is my last bit of money. If I give you this too, we can meet halfway at one hundred fifty taels."
Seeing that Zhou Fen still wanted more, Ye Xiaohan quickly added, "This really is my final offer. If you don't agree, there's nothing more I can do. I'll have to tear up this agreement and leave your family's matters for you to sort out."
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