Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter Seven: Making Money Through Cooperation

Ji Meiqing comes from the 21st century, so her thinking is naturally more flexible. While the ancients only knew that raising prices could bring more profits, she deeply understood the principle of small profits but quick turnover.

She stood with her hands behind her back, calmly scanning the two men, waiting for an answer.

Hearing her say this, the two apprentices were overjoyed, their eyes suddenly lighting up. But after thinking about it again, they hesitated. Where in the world could there be such a good thing?

The two brothers exchanged a glance, then stepped back a little distance and whispered in each other's ears. Ji Meiqing couldn't hear them clearly from the distance, but she could tell from their facial expressions that they were interested. Based on Ji Meiqing's many years of business experience, as long as she added fuel to the fire, the deal would definitely be done! Her eyes crinkled and her smile widened.

Ji Meiqing was absolutely right; the lure of half price was indeed tempting, especially given the clinic's financial difficulties. After some discussion, the older member spoke first, "As you heard, young lady, our concern is indeed about the clinic's expenses. If the medicinal wine here could be half price, we would certainly be willing to buy it. However, as you know, this is a clinic, and if the medicinal wine doesn't work..."

That makes sense. Their master taught them from a young age that doctors should have a benevolent heart. All those medicinal wines were ultimately used to save lives and heal the wounded. It would be absolutely unacceptable to violate medical ethics for a little bit of profit.

Ji Meiqing said, "Since I'm selling you this medicinal wine, I'll naturally be responsible for its quality. Don't worry, this medicinal wine uses my family's secret recipe, and I guarantee that the effect will be even better!"

After a pause, he reassured them, "Don't worry, before the official supply, I will provide you with samples of the medicinal wine. If you are satisfied, we can then draw up a contract. Even with the contract in place, you can terminate the cooperation at any time if you discover any quality issues during the cooperation process. How about that?"

Having said all that, what else could the two say? They readily agreed without hesitation.

Just then, Lu Yu also came out, so Ji Meiqing simply said, "Bring the medicinal wine in a few days," and then hurriedly took her leave.

Upon exiting the backyard, Ji Meiqing immediately noticed Lu Yu's pale face and asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Lu Yu waved his hand, said "It's alright," and took the lead in stepping out. However, the fierce aura around him was far from matching the words "It's alright."

Ji Meiqing was somewhat bewildered. She racked her brains for a long time but couldn't figure out what she had done to offend him. When she looked up and saw that Lu Yu's figure was far away, she stomped her foot and chased after him.

The car wheels creaked and groaned on the road, but the two remained silent. Ji Meiqing had something to discuss with him and thought she would wait until his complexion improved before speaking. However, the closer they got to Yuxi Village, the darker his complexion became.

She had been holding it in the whole way, and seeing him like this, she immediately became annoyed. Her eyes widened as she said, "Brother Lu, are you dissatisfied with me? If there's anything you're unhappy about, just say it. Why hide it like this and give me that attitude!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was taken aback. He turned to face Ji Meiqing, only to find her eyes fixed on him, sparkling with tears welling up. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained, "It's my fault. I had something on my mind, but I wasn't angry with you! It's just..."

Hesitating for a moment, he still didn't reveal a single word about Lu Cuiwei secretly poisoning him. Since it was only speculation, without evidence, he couldn't wrong an innocent person, and a sliver of hope lingered in his heart. Just as he was hesitating, unsure how to respond, he saw Ji Meiqing chuckle, looking at him with smiling eyes, and ask, "Is it true?"

This playful look caught Lu Yu's eye, and he couldn't help but smile, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Seizing the opportunity, Ji Meiqing quickly leaned closer and said, "Brother Lu, I'd like to discuss something with you, what do you say?"

Caught off guard, Lu Yu felt a faint fragrance enter his nostrils. Looking closer, he saw soft, warm jade so close to him that his head began to spin. He involuntarily leaned back half an inch before stiffly asking, "What do you want to discuss?"

Ji Meiqing smiled mysteriously, leaned close to his ear, and whispered two words, "Cooperation!"

In her previous life, she came from a family of medicinal wine makers. Although she wasn't an expert in brewing, she knew the family's secret recipe by heart. She thought that Lu Yu knew how to brew wine, so if the two of them cooperated, he could brew the wine and she could provide the recipe. That would be a perfect match, and they would surely make a fortune in the future!

Ji Meiqing became more and more excited as she thought about it, her blood boiling. She had been living a miserable life in this strange world since her rebirth, but now God had laid a broad road to wealth under her feet. If she didn't seize it, she would be demeaning herself!

Having grown accustomed to the pampered life of a young lady, she found it difficult to adapt to being a village woman. Due to her inherent laziness, she also thought about how she had been taken care of by Lu Yu for many days. If she could lead him to prosperity, she could not only live a comfortable life but also repay Lu Yu. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? At that moment, she became even more determined in her mind and told him everything that had happened in the pharmacy.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was surprised, "You actually want to provide them with medicinal wine?"

After thinking for a moment, he said with concern, "The doctor in this clinic, Dr. Xu, is an old acquaintance of mine. He is an upright person and certainly not the kind of person who would be greedy for small gains. I naturally do not object to you providing him with medicinal wine, but if the medicinal wine does not work, it is a small matter for you and me to lose money, but it is a big matter for the people who come to see the doctor to suffer!"

He paused, then frowned and said, "Meiqing, if you're worried about the cost of medicine, there's no need to worry. I, Lu Yu, have already sworn that no matter how much money it takes, I will cure your illness. I've saved up some money over the years, and we should be able to afford your treatment without any problems! You just need to rest and recuperate at home!"

Over the past few days, Ji Meiqing had come to understand Lu Yu. He was quite old-fashioned and a typical chauvinist, but thinking about it, this was a huge opportunity to make money, and it would be a pity to be rejected like this. However, explaining the safety of the prescription was an extremely difficult matter. She couldn't very well say that it was a family recipe passed down from her previous life! While she was struggling with this, a sudden inspiration struck her.

Lu Yu thought she had given up on the idea, but when he turned to look at her, he was startled to see her staring intently at him. His body stiffened, and he raised his gaze, focusing only on the top of her head, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Seeing the blush on his cheeks, Ji Meiqing couldn't help but find it amusing. A mischievous urge stirred within her, so she curved her lips into a smile and leaned closer. "Brother Lu, I'm going to tell you the truth, but you have to promise me you'll keep it a secret!"

Lu Yu felt her sweet breath lingering in his ear, his breathing became slightly disordered, his face tightened, and his voice carried a hint of unease, "Miss Ji, just say what you want to say, I certainly won't gossip with others."

"Brother Lu, do you know what my mother does?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu couldn't help but lower his gaze slightly. He was taken aback by the sudden slyness in her eyes as she smiled charmingly. He shook his head after a moment of surprise.

"To be honest, my mother used to be a medicine dealer, selling liniment for bruises and sprains!"

She paused, a mist rising in her eyes again. "That recipe was passed down from my ancestors. My mother died young, and before she passed it on to me. She knew the Ji family wouldn't accept me, so she had me learn this skill to survive, so I wouldn't end up starving to death on the streets..."

He broke down in tears as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. He felt sorry for Ji Meiqing's background, yet he was also pleased that she had told him such a secret, showing that she didn't consider him an outsider. Seeing her clenched fists and her upturned face as she assured him of the medicinal wine's efficacy, he was even more convinced. He then solemnly said, "Since you say so, I won't refuse anymore. I don't know anything about the medicinal wine's effects, but I'll make a sample and have Doctor Xu test it. If it really has miraculous effects, it will be a benefit to the people, a good thing!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Meiqing's eyes lit up. "Brother Lu, does that mean you've agreed?"

Seeing the joy in her big eyes, Lu Yu couldn't help but feel happy too. He nodded to himself, cracked the donkey whip, and galloped towards the village to the east. Perhaps the old donkey was infected by its master's joy, for its four hooves were even more diligent than usual, and it entered the village just as it got dark.