The Rise of a General's Daughter-in-Law Doctor

Li Muxia smiled slightly and said, "I don't care who you've offended, but don't worry, I have a way to make that person stop targeting Xiankelai."

Upon hearing this, Manager Wang's eyes lit up with hope, and he hurriedly asked, "What method?"

Li Muxia smiled mysteriously and said, "It's a secret."

Manager Wang didn't press further, and continued, "Then, young lady, why don't you tell me how we plan to cooperate?"

Seeing that Manager Wang had compromised, Li Muxia said, "The method of cooperation is very simple. It's true that I am the owner of the restaurant, but I will only work behind the scenes. As for the operation, that's still up to you. I can give you 30% of the profits. Our relationship is not just a simple employment relationship, but an equal one. You are also a shareholder of this restaurant, that is, one of the owners. Moreover, I will design new dishes for the restaurant from time to time. Rest assured, they will all be delicious dishes that are in high demand."

Manager Wang's eyes lit up at Li Muxia's suggestion of shareholders; it was indeed a novel way to cooperate. Not only would he save the restaurant, but he would also reduce his risk. He immediately agreed to Li Muxia's suggestion.

He said, "I never expected that such a young lady would have such a business mind. She truly is a woman who is just as capable as any man."

"I am very interested in the cooperation method you mentioned, and I will definitely do my best to run Xiankelai well in the future. However, a restaurant needs manpower. I wonder if you have found the right people?"

Li Muxia shook her head and said, "Not yet. Does Manager Wang have any recommendations?"

When Manager Wang heard Li Muxia say this, he was overjoyed and quickly said, "I do have a few suitable candidates. They used to be employees at Xiankelai, but after that incident, they don't have anything to do now. They are all honest and kind people. If you don't mind, I can call them over for you to take a look."

Upon hearing this, Li Muxia quickly replied, "No problem at all. I'll have to trouble Manager Wang with this matter. I'm not very good at business matters, so I'll have to rely on Manager Wang to take care of things in the future. However, let's do it another day. Let's sign the contract today. We still need to file it with the government office, so I'm afraid we won't have time."

Shopkeeper Wang nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, saying, "The young lady is right. Brother Fu, quickly bring out the contract. Dazhuang, go get the pen and ink."

After the contract was signed, Li Muxia handed the silver notes she had prepared in advance to Manager Wang. The total price was two thousand taels, which was indeed low. Normally, this cyclamen would be worth at least five thousand taels.

After carefully putting away the contract, Li Muxia glanced at the sky and realized that it was well past lunchtime. Seeing that Li Anran and the other maids looked rather bored, Li Muxia said to Manager Wang, "Manager Wang, let's go to the government office to file the contract after we've eaten."

Manager Wang then realized that it was indeed getting late, and that it would have been lunchtime long ago. He quickly apologized, saying, "Look, it was my oversight. Why don't you stay here for lunch today, young lady? You can also try some of our Xiankelai dishes."

Upon hearing this, Li Muxia thought that Manager Wang was a very shrewd person, and quickly agreed, "Then I will gladly accept your offer. Please accept my thanks, Manager Wang, for spending the money today."

The restaurant originally had seven or eight chefs, but since the incident, Manager Wang has only kept one chef, who usually cooks for himself.

The kitchen had already prepared the meal, but Manager Wang was busy and didn't go to the dining hall to eat. Now, Manager Wang instructed Dazhuang to notify the kitchen to prepare the food, and then led Li Muxia and the others to a private room on the east side of the second floor.

After everyone was seated, Li Muxia chatted with Manager Wang for a few more minutes, and then the conversation turned to the business circles of Kyoto.

Li Muxia also took the opportunity to ask, "Manager Wang, in the years you've been doing business in Kyoto, have you ever heard of a merchant with the surname Long, or a man named Long Ziheng?"

Upon hearing this, Manager Wang pondered seriously for a moment before speaking, "Although I am not a native of Kyoto, I have been working in Kyoto for the past few years and have some understanding of the business circles here. However, I have never heard of this merchant surnamed Long that you mentioned. Do you have some business dealings with this merchant surnamed Long?"

Li Muxia was also very disappointed after hearing what Manager Wang said. During the time he spent with Long Ziheng, it was not hard to see that Long Ziheng's business must be very large, at least able to open branches in various counties. The scale must be considerable. How could such a large business not be known?

Seeing the shopkeeper's puzzled look, Li Muxia replied, "No, it's just an old acquaintance I met during my travels. It's nothing. If you don't know, then forget it."

Qingyun, hiding in the shadows, was also somewhat puzzled: Ever since Li Muxia returned to the capital, she had been inquiring about the Long family merchant and a man named Long Ziheng. Could it be that this man was the one Li Muxia liked? No, he had to find an opportunity to inform the Pavilion Master as soon as possible. He couldn't let someone else snatch away the Pavilion Master's wife, whom he hadn't yet won over.

Before long, the food was served, with more than twenty dishes.

Looking at the exquisite dishes in front of him, Manager Wang warmly invited, "These are all our signature dishes at Xiankelai. Please have a taste."

Li Muxia picked up a piece of stir-fried pork with chili peppers and put it in her mouth, savoring the taste. It was indeed better than what she had eaten elsewhere before; the pork was very tender, and the green peppers were very fresh and juicy. She had to admit, the chef at Cyclamen Restaurant was incredibly skilled.

Li Muxia tasted every dish on the table and offered suggestions for improvement. Manager Wang even called the head chef to write down Li Muxia's suggestions.

After hearing Li Muxia's improved methods, even the chef, who was initially somewhat unconvinced, was filled with admiration. He never expected that such a delicate young lady would have such profound insights into culinary arts.

The meal was a success, enjoyed by both host and guests. Li Anran, in particular, ate with great relish, maintaining her ladylike image in front of others despite the delicious food.

After finishing their meal, Li Muxia went to the government office with Manager Wang. When registering the documents, Manager Wang was a little surprised to see that Li Muxia was registered under the name Li Muxia, but he didn't ask out of curiosity. After all, these days, everyone has secrets.

Li Muxia naturally noticed Manager Wang's surprise. Seeing that Manager Wang didn't ask her anything, her goodwill towards him deepened. After all the formalities were completed, Li Muxia said to Manager Wang, "I didn't lie to you. Li Jianxi is also my name. It's a nickname my grandfather gave me. I hope Manager Wang will use that name to address me in the future. As for the name Li Muxia, I hope Manager Wang can keep it a secret."