Chapter 27: The Grand Opening

After speaking, Lin Qinshu officially began the ribbon-cutting ceremony. As another round of firecrackers echoed, her scissors descended, finally revealing the characters on the plaque.

Secret Fragrance Pavilion—a name Ning Ye had spent a long time agonizing over.

Following the formal opening, the crowd that had been waiting impatiently surged into the shop. Naturally, Xiao Qing stayed close to Lin Qinshu’s side to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from causing trouble.

As for the sales process, Ning Ye had already trained the clerks. The innovative service was refreshing; even though they only sold one type of product, they were instructed to praise it to the heavens.

Although the prices were fixed, customers inevitably had all sorts of questions, but Lin Qinshu handled them with ease. Ning Ye had no intention of intervening; she had to manage this herself, or how would she cope in the future?

The popularity of the soap exceeded Ning Ye’s expectations. In just over four hours since opening, their entire stock had been completely sold out. It was, after all, a remote county, yet there were clearly still many people of means. Fortunately, they had prepared enough stock so that everyone with a genuine need could make a purchase; otherwise, they would have remained blocking the doorway.

Just as Ning Ye was preparing to close the shop early for the day, a unique customer arrived. At a single glance, Ning Ye was certain this man was not from Qingyuan County; the aura he carried was not something this place could cultivate.

"Are you preparing to close already?"

Ning Ye nodded. "The inventory for today has been sold out. There is nothing left to do, so we might as well close early."

Chen Mingjing looked slightly disappointed. He had been curious upon hearing about this soap; after all, something unheard of always piqued one's curiosity. There had been too many people earlier, and he hadn't wanted to push his way in, but he hadn't expected it to sell out so quickly.

"Will there be any tomorrow?"

"If you truly desire it, sir, I could give you a piece now, provided that you never mention it was a gift from me."

Chen Mingjing asked with mild curiosity, "We are total strangers; why would you give me a gift?"

Ning Ye replied candidly, "Oh, I just happen to like your look, sir. If you want it, I’ll give it; if you don't, then consider it never said."

"I would prefer to pay for it, not receive it as a gift."

"I apologize, but I can only give you this piece of soap; I cannot sell it to you."

Chen Mingjing looked at Ning Ye, a spark of curiosity rising within him. This man was truly rather strange. A smile tugged at the corners of Chen Mingjing’s mouth. "Since you insist on giving it away, I insist on not taking it. I shall wait until tomorrow."

With that, Chen Mingjing turned and left without the slightest hesitation, as if he truly didn't care at all.

Ning Ye called out, "Don't come too early; we might not even open tomorrow."

Chen Mingjing, already some distance away, paused for a brief moment before continuing on his way. As to what he was thinking, no one could say.

After securing the shop, Ning Ye prepared to check the day’s earnings. All the staff had been sent home early; such a scene was not for them to witness, lest they be tempted by the wealth.

Looking at the pile of silver and copper coins before her, Lin Qinshu felt a bit dazed. When wealth is just a number, one might feel little, but when it is laid out before one's eyes, the reality hits home.

Seeing Ning Ye return, Lin Qinshu said directly, "Husband, we made over eight hundred taels of silver this time."

"It seems the profits from the soap are quite substantial. Given that much was sold at half price, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we could earn a thousand taels a day under normal circumstances."

Lin Qinshu covered her mouth and giggled. "You are being too idealistic, Husband. It is only like this because it is our first day. We cannot expect this every day."

Ning Ye raised a finger and swayed it gently. "I don't intend to limit my business to Qingyuan County. Once everyone here has used it, we will open shops in other places as well."

"Other places may not allow us to intervene. It probably won't be that simple to conduct business there."

"Then we shall outsource the profits. Let others earn money for us while we provide the supply. We will negotiate a share of the revenue, and their connections will become our connections."

Lin Qinshu’s eyes lit up. In this era of hoarding, if they did this, they might truly grow rapidly in a short time. "Husband, you are so clever to come up with such a strategy."

Ning Ye said proudly, "Your husband here once encountered an immortal who taught me many things before wandering off to the corners of the earth. Otherwise, I would surely introduce you."

Xiao Qing chimed in, "Master, are there really immortals in this world?"

Ning Ye paused, suppressing a laugh. Lin Qinshu realized at once that her husband was merely joking.

Lin Qinshu chided, "Enough, Husband, don't tease Xiao Qing. Should we keep this money here or take it home?"

"Leave it here for now. It’s inconvenient for us to carry, and I doubt anyone has the nerve to steal from here."

After all, Ning Ye had already left four men behind specifically to guard the shop and prevent anyone from losing their senses to greed. The more he thought about it, the more Ning Ye realized he had too few men at his disposal; he needed more.

The three of them rode back together, with Lin Qinshu sitting in Ning Ye's arms. Passing by a jewelry shop, Ning Ye specifically stopped to buy a bracelet.

"I heard that a lady must have her own jewelry box. I noticed you didn't have one, so I’ll start building your collection slowly."

Lin Qinshu slipped the emerald bracelet onto her wrist. "As long as it is a gift from you, I love it. Does it look good?"

Ning Ye laughed heartily while riding. "My lady is the most beautiful woman in the world, whether she wears jewelry or not."

Xiao Qing, following behind, called out, "Master, please show some restraint! My young mistress is thin-skinned; you shouldn't act like this in public."

As for Lin Qinshu, she was already speechless, burying her head deep into Ning Ye’s chest. Unfortunately, this only made Ning Ye laugh even more unrestrainedly. One should live life boldly, without being burdened by too many concerns.