Chapter 68: Becoming Enchanted

After hearing Xu Mo’s words, Ning Yaxin nodded, saying, “I am enlightened, Young Master Xu.”

Xu Mo waved his hand modestly, his expression humble.

Just then, Ling’er arrived with tea.

Ning Yaxin said, “Ling’er, go and tell Manager Xie to stop the ‘buy two, get one free’ promotion immediately.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

Ling’er replied, setting the teacup on the table beside Xu Mo’s hand, then quietly left the room.

At this moment, Ning Yaxin asked curiously, “Young Master Xu, as far as I know, neither your father, your grandfather, nor even your great-grandfather had ever been merchants. Where did you learn all these brilliant business strategies?”

Her curiosity about Xu Mo had driven Ning Yaxin to send someone to investigate his background.

Xu Mo had previously told Ning Yongqiang that his grandfather had been the manager of a restaurant.

In truth, that was never the case. His family had always been ordinary folk for generations. Except for Xu Tieshu, who was a carpenter and thus had the slightest connection to business, no one else had any experience in commerce.

Xu Mo immediately realized Ning Yaxin had looked into him, so he clasped his hands apologetically and said, “Forgive me, Miss Ning. I told Young Master Ning that my grandfather was a restaurant manager out of necessity, because at the time…”

Ning Yaxin immediately raised her hand to interrupt him, saying, “Young Master Xu, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not blaming you. I simply want to know—from whom did you learn such advanced business techniques?”

Xu Mo replied very seriously, “From reading books!”

“Reading?” Ning Yaxin frowned slightly. “You can learn such things from books?”

Xu Mo nodded. “Of course! But not from the Four Books and Five Classics, rather from miscellaneous texts.”

Ning Yaxin was surprised. “Miscellaneous texts? What kind?”

Xu Mo curled his lips slightly. “There are many—various records, unofficial histories, travelogues… all sorts of odd and curious books. Many don’t even have titles, so I won’t go into the details.”

Naturally, Xu Mo couldn’t reveal that he was someone from another world, so he could only brush her off in this way.

Ning Yaxin was eager to know which records and histories he referred to, so she pressed further, “Young Master Xu, do you still have those books? Could you lend them to me?”

Xu Mo shrugged and spread his hands. “They’re gone! I sold them all, and the money’s already lost—you knew about that.”

Ning Yaxin was very disappointed. She lowered her head slightly, lost for words.

Unwilling to continue this topic, Xu Mo quickly changed the subject, saying, “By the way, Miss Ning, tomorrow Wang Shunyang will shout from the city tower that he’s a useless fool. Would you like to come and watch?”

Ning Yaxin shook her head. “I think I’ll pass. Such things don’t interest me much. You and Yongqiang should go.”

Xu Mo smiled. “On my way here, Young Master Ning mentioned that there will surely be a huge crowd near the city tower tomorrow. So I think this is a golden opportunity to promote our Fragrant Skin Specialty Store and our Peony brand soaps!”

Ning Yaxin was taken aback and immediately asked, “Young Master Xu, what do you mean?”

Xu Mo explained earnestly, “Miss Ning, although business at the Fragrant Skin Specialty Store is currently good, that’s only among the wealthy. Among ordinary people, it’s a different story.”

Ning Yaxin said, “Young Master Xu, wasn’t it you who said that our target customers are the wealthy?”

Xu Mo nodded. “Yes, that’s what I said, but that’s only for now! Looking at long-term development, the most important and largest consumer group will still be the common people!”

Ning Yaxin looked puzzled, gazing intently at Xu Mo.

Xu Mo elaborated, “Miss Ning, there’s something you must understand. Whether it’s soap or scented soap, their production methods and techniques will inevitably become known. By then, we won’t be the only ones making these products. There will be Lotus brand, Crabapple brand, Willow brand, Mulberry brand—countless others will spring up like bamboo shoots after the rain!”

Ning Yaxin immediately furrowed her brows, clearly unwilling to see that day arrive.

Xu Mo continued, “When that time comes, the price of soap and scented soap will inevitably plummet, and soon it will be affordable for the common folk!”

“So our task now is to make our presence known to everyone—let everyone be aware of Peony brand, of the Fragrant Skin Specialty Store, and of us as the pioneers of scented soap and soap. Not only were we the first, but we are the best!”

As Xu Mo spoke, his confidence grew. “With time, people will subconsciously remember and recognize our brand. Whenever soap or scented soap is mentioned, Peony brand and the Fragrant Skin Specialty Store will come to mind!”

After hearing his words, Ning Yaxin quickly changed her mind and asked, “Young Master Xu, what should we do tomorrow?”

Worried Ning Yaxin might not remember everything he said, Xu Mo went to the table, fetched paper and brush, and wrote down all the preparations needed, explaining as he wrote.

Ning Yaxin watched and listened attentively, her admiration for Xu Mo growing ever deeper.

For a fleeting moment, Ning Yaxin felt as though Xu Mo was shining with a radiant light, mesmerizing her completely.

“Miss Ning… Miss Ning?”

Xu Mo’s voice suddenly pulled Ning Yaxin back to reality.

“Miss Ning, are you alright? You seemed lost in thought just now.”

At once, Ning Yaxin’s cheeks blushed crimson, her neck burning. “S-sorry, Young Master Xu, I… I was just a little… a little distracted…”

She hadn’t expected Xu Mo to catch her in such a lapse. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away, biting her lower lip in regret.

Xu Mo asked, “Miss Ning, did I speak too much too quickly? Do you need some time to process it?”

Xu Mo, a man of science and logic, could never have imagined that Ning Yaxin had just been so entranced simply by looking at him.

Ning Yaxin hurriedly agreed, “Yes, yes, I just need some time to take it all in. Let me process it on my own…”

Saying this, she took the paper from Xu Mo’s hand and walked quickly to the window, pretending to study the notes closely.

But only Ning Yaxin herself knew that she was really there to catch a cool breeze, hoping it would soothe her flushed face and neck.

After lunch, Ning Yongqiang returned to the Zhenwei Restaurant.

Ning Yaxin sought out Manager Xie, and the two began preparations for the next day’s promotion.

As for Xu Mo, he took Qin Moutou with him to the marketplace, where they ordered a large quantity of dried petals and spices needed for the workshop and arranged to pick them up the next day.

Afterward, Xu Mo and Qin Moutou returned to their home in Jiming Alley.

Everything at home was as usual, except for the thick layer of dust that had accumulated during their long absence.

Qin Moutou, ever diligent, immediately began to clean the moment they entered, and even though Xu Mo tried to dissuade him several times, he was determined to finish the task.

As evening approached, Xu Mo was about to take Qin Moutou out for dinner when, unexpectedly, Ning Yongqiang arrived.

The moment he saw Xu Mo, Ning Yongqiang tried to drag him outside. “Master Xu, come, come, come—I’m taking you to a wonderful place!”

“Where are we going?” Xu Mo was utterly puzzled, quickly being pulled toward a carriage.

Qin Moutou followed behind, watching them curiously.

Ning Yongqiang said mysteriously, “Master Xu, don’t ask. Just come with me and you’ll see!”

But Xu Mo refused to get in the carriage, saying firmly, “Young Master Ning, if you don’t tell me, I’m not going.”

With that, Xu Mo turned to head back home.

Ning Yongqiang immediately grabbed him, laughing. “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you…”

He paused, then lowered his voice, “To Lisui Pavilion.”