After returning to the capital to farm, the abandoned concubine made a comeback.

The shop was as deserted as an ancient tomb, with only a few scattered customers sitting there, a stark contrast to yesterday's bustling scene.

Lin Qin's heart sank. She stood at the door, gazing longingly at the bustling crowd on the street, but not a single person turned into her shop.

"Waiter, why is it so quiet today?" Lin Qin suppressed her unease and asked casually.

Bai Xiaoer scratched his head and said with an honest look, "Boss lady, I've inquired. Boss Qin's shop is having a promotion today, it's buy one get one free, and they even hired an opera troupe to perform, which has attracted a lot of people."

Buy one get one free?

Still performing opera?

Boss Qin is clearly going against her!

Lin Qin gritted her teeth, a surge of determination rising within her.

"Ha, trying to play dirty tricks on me? I've never been afraid of anyone!"

The atmosphere inside the store was oppressive. Lin Qin paced back and forth, racking her brains for a solution.

At this moment, Grandma Sun walked in, leaning on her cane, followed by several neighbors.

Grandma Sun is Lin Qin's loyal customer and is also a well-known "fussy mom" with a very picky palate.

"Hey Mr. Lin, why is your business so slow today?" Granny Sun got straight to the point, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.

Lin Qin forced a smile: "Grandma Sun, you've arrived! There are indeed fewer people today..."

"That's right, I just passed by Boss Qin's shop, it was so lively, with drums and gongs, and a huge crowd. They were giving away discounts and gifts, while your place was so deserted, who would come here?" another neighbor chimed in.

Lin Qin took a deep breath, trying her best to remain calm.

She knew that if she couldn't turn things around today, her shop would probably go out of business.

"Everyone, please calm down..." Lin Qin paused, a sly glint in her eyes, "Bai Xiaoer, bring out all the equipment!"

Although Bai Xiaoer didn't understand why, he quickly brought out a large pot, several small stoves, and some oddly shaped tableware.

The neighbors looked at each other, wondering what Lin Qin was up to.

Lin Qin cleared her throat and announced loudly, "Dear folks, today our shop is launching a brand new gourmet set meal—'Country Feast'! It includes our signature dish 'Beggar's Chicken', a grilled fish with our secret sauce, a platter of freshly picked seasonal vegetables, and our exclusive 'Happy Fat House Drink'! For just five taels of silver, you can experience the most delicious food in the world!"

"Happy fat man's water?" Grandma Sun looked puzzled. "What is this? Can you drink it?"

"Of course you can drink it!" Lin Qin smiled mysteriously. "This is our shop's exclusive secret recipe. I guarantee you'll want more after you drink it!"

Some conservative customers began to gossip.

"This set meal is way too expensive! Five taels of silver could buy several chickens!" "Yeah, chicken and fish, how can we finish it?" "This 'happy fat man's drink' sounds unreliable, who knows what it is..."

Lin Qin wasn't annoyed. She explained with a smile, "Everyone, these aren't ordinary chicken and fish, but delicacies cooked in a special way! This 'Happy Fat House Drink' is a summer-cooling wonder, guaranteed to make you feel refreshed and happy after drinking it! Moreover, although the set meal is a bit pricey, the portions are generous, making it absolutely great value for money!"

She paused, then added, "Order now and receive a free small gift!"

These words caused the previously hesitant customers to waver.

The power of modern marketing rhetoric should not be underestimated.

"This...sounds pretty good..."

"Yes, five taels of silver for so much food isn't expensive..."

"There are small gifts too? I'll give it a try!"

Grandma Sun still looked doubtful: "I still think it's expensive..."

Seeing this, Lin Qin immediately went to Grandma Sun's side, took her hand affectionately, and said, "Grandma Sun, you're one of my regular customers! I'll give you a 20% discount on this set meal today. Please try it first, and if you don't like it, you don't have to pay!"

Grandma Sun hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the food and nodded: "Okay, then I'll give it a try."

With Grandma Sun taking the lead, other customers also placed orders.

The atmosphere inside the store gradually became lively, and the originally quiet shop instantly became bustling with activity.

Lin Qin looked at the busy Bai Xiaoer and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

Just then, a tall figure appeared at the doorway...

"Qin'er, what's wrong with you...?"

Zhu Ling, dressed in a long black robe, descended like a god at the entrance of the bustling shop. His deep gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Lin Qin's busy figure.

His lips unconsciously turned up, and his eyes were full of doting affection.

He quietly walked up behind Lin Qin and whispered in her ear, "Qin'er, what kind of magical drink is this 'happy fat man's water'? Give me a cup to try too."

A warm breath brushed against Lin Qin's ear, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at him reproachfully: "Your Highness, why didn't you tell me beforehand? If you want some soda, this princess will make sure you have plenty!" The waiters around them covered their mouths and chuckled; the prince and princess's sweetness was just too much!

"With the Princess's business so booming, I'll add fuel to the fire. All the hundreds of people in the Prince's mansion can dine at the Princess's restaurant tomorrow, what do you say?" Zhu Ling's eyes were smiling, and his tone carried a hint of boasting.

Lin Qin felt a warmth in her heart. This wasn't just adding fuel to the fire; it was setting a fire on fire!

Meanwhile, a gloomy atmosphere hung over Mr. Qin's shop.

He originally thought Lin Qin would follow his lead and lower the prices, but to his surprise, she did the opposite. Not only did she not lower the prices, she also improved the quality of some of the dishes.

This move really left him a bit bewildered.

"Boss, Lin Qin's shop is packed right now, shouldn't we also..." the subordinate cautiously suggested.

Mr. Qin waved his hand irritably: "What's the rush! She's just a woman, what does she know about business? It's just a lucky break! Let's wait and see!" However, his furrowed brows and slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner unease.

As night fell, Lin Qin's shop remained brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Lin Qin leaned against the doorway, watching the endless stream of customers, a satisfied smile appearing on her tired face.

Just then, a dark figure flashed by, and a hand gently rested on her shoulder...

"Qin'er, are you tired?"

Lin Qin's "Pastoral Feast" and "Happy Fat House Drink" quickly became a hit throughout the city, becoming a new traffic magnet.

The once deserted shop is now bustling with people, with every seat filled and even requiring customers to wait in line.

Many people come here specifically to taste the legendary "happy fat man's water" and experience the joy of "lying flat".

Mr. Qin's shop, on the other hand, was deserted, a stark contrast to the surrounding area.

He stood at the door, watching the endless stream of people pouring into Lin Qin's shop, his teeth itching with anger.

"Outrageous! A woman from the countryside dares to steal my business!" He slammed the teacup on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"Boss, what do we do now? If this continues, our shop will go out of business!" the subordinate said with a mournful face.

Boss Qin's eyes darted around, and he chuckled sinisterly, "Hmph, trying to play marketing games with her? I'll crush her! Go, spread rumors that her food is unclean and has killed people!"

The rumors spread rapidly throughout the city like a virus.

Some customers who originally planned to try Lin Qin's shop began to hesitate after hearing the rumors.

"Really? Someone died from eating it?" "No way? Her business seems pretty good..."

Lin Qin was still immersed in the joy of success and was completely unaware of the approaching danger.

She was busy greeting guests, her face beaming with a bright smile.

"Sir, what would you like to order? Our 'Country Feast' is our signature dish!"

Zhu Ling watched Lin Qin's busy figure with eyes full of doting affection.

He quietly walked up behind her and whispered in her ear, "Qin'er, you are truly a business genius. Even I admire your marketing skills."

Lin Qin raised her eyebrows smugly: "Of course! Don't you know who I am!" She suddenly sensed something was off; the surrounding chatter seemed a bit strange.

"Huh? What are they saying?"

A customer ran over in a panic and stammered, "Boss lady... I... I suddenly remembered I have something to do at home, I have to go first..." Immediately afterwards, several more customers got up and left, their expressions somewhat strange.

A sense of unease rose in Lin Qin's heart. She stopped a customer who was about to leave and asked, "Excuse me, sir, what happened?" The customer stammered, "I...I heard...I heard..."

"What did you hear?" Lin Qin pressed.

The customer glanced around and said in a low voice, "I heard... your food... has killed people..."