No one expected that Elder Ying, such a prominent figure, would personally travel hundreds of miles to visit.
Although Liu Qingxi was a favored disciple of Elder Ying, no one could have anticipated that the affection would extend to this extent.
Suddenly, the young girl’s eyes lit up, and she quickened her pace, rushing over. "Master, what brings you here?"
"Hahaha, my precious disciple has been working hard for several months to save the real estate market. How could I not come and take a look?" Elder Ying was in high spirits, especially upon seeing the tall building and its exquisite decorations, which he praised endlessly.
"Very good, very good! Girl, you’ve really accomplished something after all this time. I can’t compare to you!" He reminisced about his own achievements at her age, realizing he had not reached the heights Liu Qingxi had.
The phrase "the student surpasses the master" might not perfectly fit his situation as a late-blooming mentor, but it was still somewhat appropriate.
Having not seen each other for many days and with Liu Qingxi finally completing her first high-rise project, it was essential for him as her master to come and see it in person.
The two walked together into the restaurant when County Magistrate Zhou hurried over. "Ah, it’s Elder Ying! You must have had a tiring journey."
Liu Qingxi quickly introduced the two. Elder Ying slightly bowed. "So it’s Lord Zhou. Thank you for taking care of Qingxi. She’s still young and inexperienced; I appreciate your understanding."
Despite their differing statuses, Elder Ying showed the respect and deference due to County Magistrate Zhou; after all, one was an official while the other was a commoner.
County Magistrate Zhou reciprocated with respect. He valued treating true talents equally: "Not at all! Elder Ying’s words are too kind. Miss Liu is indeed a blessing for Linyi. I should thank you for raising such an excellent disciple."
The two conversed like old friends, enjoying their chat immensely.
"Master, Lord Zhou, please go ahead and talk inside; there’s a private room upstairs that’s the best." Liu Qingxi personally led them in, causing those already seated in the hall to stand up in shock at the arrival of such distinguished guests.
Perhaps the common people in the lobby were unaware, but those in the business world were astute; they certainly recognized County Magistrate Zhou's status and understood Elder Ying's reputation.
With these two supporting the event, it truly was worth coming.
"Ah, I'm so glad I made it!" Many of these well-known merchants often consider themselves above others, looking down on Liu Qingxi, a young girl. What could a girl in her teens possibly do?
This reflects the prevailing attitude of the era towards women, and no one expected Liu Qingxi to have such a strong backing, especially with those influential figures coming to support her.
This was a great opportunity, and the nearest individuals quickly stood up and left their private rooms, just in time to encounter Elder Ying and County Magistrate Zhou coming upstairs.
"Greetings, Lord Zhou, and Elder Ying. It is truly an honor to meet both of you," said Boss Li.
"Thank you for giving me face with your apprentice," Elder Ying replied, unusually amiable in his dealings. The regret of not approaching them first weighed heavily on him.
After chatting for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Elder Ying smiled and said, "Boss Li, you've worked hard. The Opening Ceremony is about to begin; let's continue our conversation later!"
Once Elder Ying and County Magistrate Zhou left, Boss Li couldn't suppress the triumphant smile on his face. Look, Elder Ying spoke with him, and Lord Zhou greeted him with a smile too!
He seized such a great opportunity to make an impression. From now on, whether in business or anything else, this connection would be invaluable.
To him, this was a chance!
As time passed minute by minute, the auspicious moment was at hand. The Theatrical Troupe that had been performing was dismissed, and Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen, the nominal bosses, took to the stage.
Although women were generally not supposed to be in the spotlight, there were exceptions; historical figures like Hua Mulan were not unheard of. It all depended on one's capability and determination.
Having received modern higher education, Liu Qingxi wouldn't genuinely care about these conventions. Most of the time, it was about adapting to the era rather than making the era adapt to an individual.
"Thank you to all the distinguished guests, all the Bosses, all the ladies, and fellow villagers for your support. We adhere to the principle of serving our guests, where the customer is always king, and we will definitely provide everyone with the highest quality service and enjoyment."
"Yes, without further ado, our daily programs will have different arrangements, and each of our floors will offer various services. We hope for your continued support."
...
Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen harmonized together, winning rounds of applause.
"Next, please welcome Lord Zhou and my master to say a few words."
As the two individuals with the highest status present, they made significant contributions to this Opening Ceremony. It was their identities that laid the foundation for Liu Qingxi's successful opening.
At this moment, the sounds of fireworks erupted outside, filling the air. The bright red firecrackers exploded, scattering some red confetti that painted half the street in vibrant colors, creating a joyful atmosphere that spread far and wide.
At this auspicious time, the host kept a close eye on the clock, perfectly timing it for the crucial moment as the preliminary speeches concluded: "Here, I announce that Chenxi Tavern is officially open!"
"Congratulations!"
At this moment, waves of congratulations echoed throughout the bustling hall as people continuously applauded.
It was not just for this towering tavern but also for Liu Qingxi's noble intentions, her spirit that rivals that of men, and for Yang Yichen's well-known identity.
Indeed, although Yang Yichen is a scholar, there is no law stating that scholars cannot engage in business.
Most people believe that doing business brings a whiff of copper smell that tarnishes a scholar's integrity; however, Yang Yichen does not share this view because only by possessing ability can one have confidence.
Wealth can solve most problems in the world; otherwise, as a mere poor scholar, one cannot achieve anything significant.
For instance, during an earthquake, having money, ability, and connections allows one to calmly provide more conveniences to people and ensure there is food to help them through the toughest times.
At the same time, Liu Qingxi's Six-Story Restaurant has shocked everyone, both industry insiders and outsiders. It has become a landmark, a breakthrough in the history of architecture across eras.
Throughout history, no one has made such a significant breakthrough as Liu Qingxi has done; this achievement deserves to be recorded in history.
After the Opening Ceremony, performances resumed normally. These performances included not only traditional operas but also some fun and humorous acts prepared by Liu Qingxi herself, performed by those who were born for the stage.
This is yet another major innovation from Chenxi Tavern.
Every detail here, every item, brings surprises to people and evokes desires never seen before while sparking curiosity that draws them back time and again to support the work.
Later, Liu Qingxi was surrounded by several businessmen: " Miss Liu, your talent rivals that of men. We admire you and wonder if we could invite you to design a courtyard for us. Could it be as grand as this?"
One can imagine standing on the rooftop, overlooking the surroundings—whether it be the bustling streets or children playing by the walls, or the beautiful scenery of distant green mountains—all within sight...
This grandeur and the boldness in casual conversation are enchanting; being atop a high building feels like everything is within reach.
Seeing this restaurant sparked in him the idea of owning such a building.
Liu Qingxi smiled, her slender figure upright, exuding an air of confidence and elegance that was hard to overlook: "Of course. You can leave your requirements with me. I will first design a blueprint for you to review. Once agreed upon, we can begin construction."
"However, I would like to give you a piece of advice: if it's not for a restaurant like mine and you only wish to live there, I suggest you don't build it so high. Three stories are most comfortable for living; otherwise, six floors can be quite inconvenient."
This is her loyal suggestion: "Moreover, it's not just a matter of inconvenience; the costs have significantly increased, and it's not absolutely necessary. Of course, I will respect your decision. This is just a candid suggestion for you to consider."
Liu Qingxi's explanation was very clear. Everyone present was astute, and these were indeed the facts.
However, it ultimately depends on personal will: "Perhaps you all, Bosses, don't need to rush into a decision because winter is approaching soon. The construction timeline won't be met, so you can take this time to think it over carefully."
"By the way, I also have other designs here. Once the renderings are perfected, I will share them with everyone, and then you can choose according to your needs. How does that sound?"
The group of Bosses was thoroughly convinced by Liu Qingxi: " Miss Liu is a person of integrity. Rest assured, once we've made our considerations, we will contact you immediately. In the future, when building houses, we will only trust you!"
Such an exquisite and towering restaurant could be built so steadily that walking inside felt reassuring; naturally, everything else was secondary.
As for the builders they had frequently hired in the past, they were instantly forgotten.
Liu Qingxi was unaware that her remarkable development path had obstructed others' opportunities and had drawn quite a few enemies.
However, their so-called animosity stemmed merely from their own lack of excellence and effort, projecting these factors onto others.
Liu Qingxi found herself inexplicably caught in the crossfire.
In a spacious courtyard in Biqi Town, a lean man in his forties with a handlebar mustache sat sipping tea. The outside commotion was audible to him but weighed heavily on his heart.
The sudden emergence of the restaurant had erased all his achievements in an instant. Although he wasn't constantly busy, he often had guests coming in.
However, ever since Liu Qingxi's restaurant began construction and took shape with increasingly exquisite renovations, even those who intended to build houses were now hesitant and merely observing.
Observing Liu Qingxi's restaurant, he wondered how high it would ultimately reach, which would lay the foundation for his next choice of whom to partner with.
Over time, this person's business dwindled. The man, feeling frustrated, picked up a glass of Erguotou and downed it in one go. The bitter and spicy taste traveled from his tongue to his throat, burning all the way down to his fiery stomach.
Tears welled in the corners of his eyes, and he swallowed hard, the bitterness causing an unusual sense of suffocation in his heart.
This man was none other than Liang Siji, a well-known architect from Linyi County. Besides building houses, he also engaged in some simple designs, a skill passed down through generations that allowed him to accumulate this family business.
Although the courtyard was not large, it was commendable that he had earned it through his own efforts.
However, all of this was about to vanish along with his stable income; all of his clients were gradually drifting away to others.
At that moment, there was a sudden knock on the door. Liang Siji swayed as he got up to open it. "Who is it?" he asked, his vision blurred from intoxication.
Due to the alcohol, everything before him appeared hazy; no matter how hard he tried to blink, he still couldn't see clearly.
"What do you want? I don't know you," he said drunkenly, pushing against the door to close it.
"Hey, hey, hey! Brother Liang, wait a moment! I have something to discuss."
What? The other person actually knew his name? Liang Siji's mind went blank as he shook his head vigorously to think. When did he have a friend like this?
However, his movements became uncontrollably slow. He mumbled indistinctly, "Come in."
Finally able to see the other person's face a little clearer despite his foggy mind, he noticed that they appeared quite young for someone in their thirties. There was a spark in their eyes that indicated this person was extraordinary.
"What do you want from me?"
"Ah, Brother Liang, I've been looking for you for a long time. No need for small talk, I just want to ask you one thing: do you want to turn your situation around? Are you really going to just sit back and watch others take away your business?"
This person's words struck at the pain in Liang Siji's heart. Yes, he had actually been defeated by a girl: "What are you doing? How do you know?"
"Brother Liang, you're a sensible person. Actually, I share your plight. If it weren't for that shameless little wretch Liu Qingxi, I wouldn't have fallen to this point. No one wants to hire me for work; the construction industry has no room for me, making me feel like a rat crossing the street.
So our goal is the same: revenge, revenge against Liu Qingxi." A fierce light flashed across the man's face as he smirked slightly, his eyes blinking.
His still handsome face was marred by a sinister expression. This man was none other than Ren Qiangsheng, who had once been driven out of his home by Elder Ying.
After lying low for so long without finding a decent job and being rejected when he went out, he had had enough. He couldn't take it anymore; he was determined to make that culprit pay.
After much inquiry, he finally found someone who shared his grievances. Ren Qiangsheng began to secretly plot and deliberately chose the day Liu Qingxi opened her business to come and negotiate.
He didn't believe that while the other side was bustling with activity, Liang Siji would be at home drowning his sorrows in alcohol without feeling miserable. Thus, a strong alliance was the way forward.
Gradually, Liang Siji found himself moved. Why should he allow his opponent to enjoy themselves while he did nothing?
His gaze gradually cleared: "Alright, let's cooperate!"
The clinking of glasses echoed as they drank heartily, signaling the start of a collaboration aimed at Liu Qingxi!
Comment 0 Comment Count