Chapter 516 - Preparing Beijing’s Branch

Translator: Thyaeria

Cai Yan was extremely efficient as she went through the photos before she sent all the worthwhile photos to Zhao Jian for him to arrange a design blueprint. Thereafter, she turned to Ni Jingqiu and asked, “When can the workers come?”

“Any time you want. The money has already been paid, and the keys have also been taken.” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“Then, we will start tomorrow!” Cai Yan replied, “The blueprints will come out tomorrow for plumbing and electrical work.”

“Do you need me to recommend a renovation team?” Ni Jingqiu was shocked.

Shaking her head, Cai Yan smiled. “There’s no need for that! I already have a renovation team from Hanzhou, and they’re also familiar with the style of our Three Flavour Hall. After all, looking for a new team will only waste more time.”

After her explanation, Cai Yan took out her phone, gave a call to that team and requested for the plumbing and electrical work team to come over to Beijing tomorrow with their travel fees covered.

The other person on the phone straightforwardly agreed and promised to provide the highest quality work with other workers on standby.

In the blink of an eye, Cai Yan finished her arrangements. As for Su Tao, he did not even bother about anything and just wandered around like a young master.

Standing to the side, Ni Jingqiu’s gaze first drifted onto Su Tao before turning to Cai Yan. She was impressed by her efficiency and praised, “Alright. Feel free to contact me if you have other matters. As for the renovation fees, I’ll pay for them as well.”

“Let’s hope for happy cooperation!” Cai Yan stretched her hand out with a smile as she nodded her head.

With a sincere smile from the bottom of her heart, Ni Jingqiu smiled. “I trust Su Tao’s eyesight. Since he has given you the authority, then I also believe in your capability.”

Cai Yan’s hand was a little cold, while Ni Jingqiu’s hand was a little warm. As they shook hands, both of their hearts relaxed. Even the slight hostility that they previously had for each other was alleviated from this handshake.

After their interaction and got more familiar, Cai Yan felt that Ni Jingqiu was a capable and straightforward person, despite her status as a descendant of a wealthy family.

As for Ni Jingqiu, she felt that Cai Yan was not only gorgeous but also experienced and efficient; she’s not someone with an outstanding appearance and no talent. Thus, she also wanted to get to know this lady.

From the expression between Cai Yan and Su Tao, Ni Jingqiu could tell that their relationship was definitely not as simple as an employer and employee.

The two of them must be lovers, and they must also have a deep relationship.

Instantly, she felt envious, but she wasn’t jealous. After all, the temperament and character of Cai Yan made her feel comfortable.

Furthermore, Ni Jingqiu had only considered Su Tao as a best friend, and it was natural for her best friend to pursue his own happiness, to which she would give him her greatest support.

“Why don’t we find a location to have tea?” Cai Yan initiated.

“We have to discuss more about our cooperation. After all, our cooperation so far is just an empty promise, and it has to be written down in black and white.”

“Alright! There’s a café right beside, and we can go there!” Ni Jingqiu was a little surprised as she spoke because Cai Yan was in control of the tempo.

When they came to the café, they ordered drinks along with some desserts. After the coffee was served, Ni Jingqiu gave a signal to An Qian, which the latter took out a contract from her bag.

“We’re already prepared the contract, and you can take a look at it!”

Receiving the contract, Cai Yan wore a grave expression and frowned.

“I feel that a 50% split on profits is way too high and unfair. Although you guys bore the startup cost, the cost of operation is way higher, such as electric bills, the employees’ salaries, and equipment. You guys are only making a one-time payment while receiving long term profits.”

Hearing her words, Ni Jingqiu slightly locked her brows together. She never expected that Cai Yan would be so calculative. But when she turned to Su Tao, who’s busy dipping a butter biscuit in the coffee while looking at a beauty sitting nearby, her nose almost became crooked from her anger.

As she coughed, Ni Jingqiu replied, “We’ve already calculated our cooperation. Our initial investment is roughly about ¥8,000,000, and we can only take it back after a year. Meanwhile, we’re bearing the risk within this year. Although I have absolute trust in Su Tao’s medical skills, all investments still come with risks. So you have to consider it from my standpoint as well.”

“If you guys are afraid to bear the risk, then you can invest less. But on the split of profits wise, we will not take a step back. We can only settle with 30% and 70%, with you taking 30% while we take 70%.” Cai Yan casually smiled.

Evidently, Ni Jingqiu never expected that Cai Yan would be so overbearing. Truth be told, she invested in the Three Flavour Hall with the intention to give it a try. After all, it’s not the main focus of her company, and a few million wasn’t too great for her.

“Su Tao, this isn’t what we previously discussed!” Even if things weren’t going well for her, she still couldn’t lose in terms of momentum in a negotiation.

“Cai Yan makes the call here. So if you think that it’s not appropriate, then we can cancel our cooperation. As for the rented store, I can sub-rent it from you.” Su Tao replied.

Instantly, Ni Jingqiu rolled her eyes at Su Tao’s slyness. He definitely found someone formidable on purpose to negotiate with her, and it was probably his intention, but he spoke about it through Cai Yan’s mouth.

But in fact, he really did not expect that Cai Yan would try and make things difficult for Ni Jingqiu. But he knew that he had to stand on Cai Yan’s side at this moment, since it’s a business negotiation.

“How about this, I’ll invest a total of ¥10,000,000, but we need to take 40% of the profits. Aside from the rent, the money can be used on the renovation, equipment, and even maintaining daily operation.” In the end, Ni Jingqiu took another strategy, which her secretary frowned beside her. Evidently, her secretary was surprised that Ni Jingqiu would make such a huge investment.

Hearing her words, Cai Yan fell into a brief silence before she responded, “Deal!”

In his heart, Su Tao was filled with admiration for Cai Yan. She’s getting more formidable, since she actually made Ni Jingqiu invest another ¥2,000,000 so easily while cutting her profits by 10%!

If Su Tao was the one to negotiate, he would definitely wave his hand and sign his name without any negotiation.

After all, he had determined himself to be a physician and not a businessman. So he wasn’t too proficient in negotiating, since he has his pride as a physician, so he did not pay too much attention to money since it’s just a worldly item.

However, he knew that it wouldn’t be easy for the Three Flavour Hall to grow without money, and it would also be harder for him to fight with someone like Qin Jingyu. Thus, he threw the job to Cai Yan.

Naturally, Cai Yan was touched by his trust.

For a man to hand her the authority, how could she not work harder and fight for his benefits?

On the spot, An Qian altered the contract, ordering someone to print and deliver it over at the same time.

When Cai Yan went to the toilet, Ni Jingqiu took a deep glance at Su Tao and sighed, “It seems that you’re still treating me as an outsider.”

Waving his finger, Su Tao smiled. “Don’t you know that even brothers have to calculate their debt clearly? We might be friends, but we still have to put our cooperation in black and white.”

“But for some reason, I don’t feel comfortable.” Ni Jingqiu bitterly smiled.

“That’s normal! It’s because you’ve mixed your personal feelings with business.” Su Tao smiled.

Hearing his words, Ni Jingqiu was briefly stunned before she turned to look at her secretary, An Qian, who gave her a deep expression.

Wearing a bitter smile on her lips, Ni Jingqiu replied, “Thank you for giving me a lesson!”

Gravely nodding his head, Su Tao said with a stern tone, “But don’t worry about it. Although you’re receiving fewer profits, I’m sure that you will get your investment back very quickly. Furthermore, it will also grow into an important source of funds for you.”

“Let’s hope so! Oh, right! I have other thoughts, and I wonder if you might be interested?” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“What thoughts?” Su Tao asked.

“My company mainly targets the cultural industry’s development, that includes drama, animation, and cultural products. So I believe it should have some value in the market if we use you as a model to form into a popular intellectual property.” Ni Jingqiu wasn’t hot-headed, but it was an idea she had after she looked into Su Tao.

“Intellectual property?” Su Tao was instantly baffled. “Generally speaking, shouldn’t they usually be popular intellectual assets?”

“Here are my thoughts. You are currently famous, and you also represent China’s TCM culture. So I want to create a series of cultural works with your background, such as novels, animation, dramas, and movies. This way, we will be able to create a popular intellectual property. Not only do these sorts of cultural works have a long lifespan, but it can also increase your popularity even more.” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

After a rough understanding of Ni Jingqiu’s intention, Su Tao humbly smiled. “I’m only afraid that no one will pay attention to those works!”

Shaking her head, Ni Jingqiu solemnly replied, “That definitely won’t happen. Who’s not interested in a righteous robin hood? We can make them fit the younger population, and I believe that there will be a different effect. This is also a special innovation.”

Hearing her words, Su Tao fell into a brief silence to ponder before he finally yielded, “If many people can come to understand TCM because of it, then why not.”

Turning to An Qian, Ni Jingqiu instructed, “You will deal with this matter and start this project as soon as possible.”

An Qian knew that this must be the new TCM culture project that they’re going to start on, which Ni Jingqiu mentioned to Kohei Koizumi.

Ni Jingqiu had displayed her shocking business mindset on her cooperation with the Three Flavour Hall’s branch in Beijing.

Thereafter, Ni Jingqiu said to Su Tao again, “I might need some material from you at a later day, and you must cooperate with us.”

“Don’t worry about that. There’s no harm in it for me in this matter, and I will definitely do my best to cooperate.” Su Tao smiled.