The Delicate Darling with Her Rough Man

This was the exact effect Lu Yuanbin was aiming for. Seeing the men with their heads hung low, looking completely crestfallen, he cleared his throat.

”Alright, stop looking so pathetic. I’m not giving up on the black market business. If any of you want to quit, you can leave. But anyone who stays must follow my orders without question.”

The men around him took one look at Lu Yuanbin’s expression and knew he had a plan.

The reason they had such faith in Lu Yuanbin was that no matter what trouble they’d run into over the years, he had always been able to resolve it with ease.

”Third Master, if you have a plan, just spit it out! We’ve followed you for years, so spare us the lecture.”

”Yeah, when have we ever questioned you?”

Their whole deal when following Lu Yuanbin was simple: obedience.

They were all well aware that they’d ended up in their current predicament because they weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed.

And since their own minds weren’t up to the task, their guiding principle was to follow someone whose mind was. That was a truth they all lived by.

Lu Yuanbin did indeed trust them. Seeing that no one had any objections, he immediately relayed the plan Leng Yuan had given him.

After hearing it, the men slapped their thighs in excitement.

”Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! This plan could work.”

In the past, the black market in the neighboring county would never have agreed to such a demand. But lately, they’d also made a small fortune thanks to the facial soap. For them, the commission they took from vendors was less than the profit from selling a single bar of soap.

They naturally wouldn’t be so foolish as to lose the greater for the less.

That’s what everyone was thinking, but they couldn’t be sure the other party would see it the same way.

Lu Yuanbin didn’t hesitate. He immediately picked out a few of the men who usually made deliveries to the neighboring county.

These men were all fairly sharp, so he sent them to the next county to negotiate the partnership.

”Third Master, what if they refuse?”

One of his men voiced his concern.

”After all, word of the situation in Qingshan County will soon spread to the other counties. They might use it as leverage to drive down our prices, or worse, bypass us and cooperate directly with the small-time vendors in Qingshan County. That way, they could make money without giving us a cut.”

Lu Yuanbin wasted no words. ”If they don’t agree, we’ll find someone who will.”

There was no room for negotiation. They either cooperated on his terms, or he would replace them.

Regarding the black market, he normally wouldn’t dare to be so forceful. But this was the end of the year.

Demand for goods skyrockets at the end of the year, but supply is limited. There’s simply not enough to go around.

If they’re willing to cooperate, everyone makes money.

If they’re not, they’ll only make what they used to.

As for them bypassing us to work with the vendors of Qingshan County directly—that’s not an issue.

The vendors are tied to the facial soap. Anyone who tries to go over his head will be cut off from the facial soap business for good.

These people know how profitable the facial soap is. Unless they’re complete idiots, they’ll know which choice to make.

After Lu Yuanbin’s brief explanation, his men’s confidence was restored.

”Go and negotiate the terms of this partnership today. This afternoon, get the word out. Starting tomorrow, I want our black market site completely empty.”

He suspected An Mingjiang wouldn’t act that quickly. It would be best to resolve the black market issue completely before his rival could make a move.

Without another word, his men all departed.

「The next day, December 11th.」

Gu Jiaojiao woke to find a heavy snow falling outside.

She glanced at the weather and promptly decided to stay in bed.

’On a day this cold, one should be snuggled up in a comfy bed.’

Leng Yuan glanced outside, then back at the young woman sleeping so sweetly, her face rosy and healthy. His gaze deepened.

’Today is Yun Hao’s wedding day,’ he thought. ’And it seems my little woman has completely forgotten!’