I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Chapter 499: Chapter 15: Why Don’t the Three of Us Share a Family Tree

He had shops of his own, but with shopkeepers to handle operations and the Zhan family’s accountants to manage the books, he never had to put much thought into it.

He had only been with Gu Shuo for half a month, and while Gu Shuo hadn’t explained much, Zhan Chi could see how incredibly complex everything was. It was impossible to manage without a sharp mind.

He finally understood why the young lady trusted Gu Shuo so much—why she was willing to discuss the Nanyuan business with him in detail and strategize together.

The Nanyuan contract involved planning, construction, and promotion for the first year or two, meaning they would barely make any money. On the contrary, it required a massive upfront investment.

If it had been him, the whole thing would have given him a headache. He wouldn’t have been able to handle it. But Gu Shuo was different. Every single detail was planned in an orderly fashion. From the initial stages to construction and even the flow of people on the ground, he could make definitive judgments based on a single blueprint.

’It was truly admirable!’

As Ye Qianning entered the main hall, she happened to see the look of utter admiration in Zhan Chi’s eyes and couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

It was the laugh that made Gu Shuo realize Ye Qianning had entered the hall. Her footsteps were too light—so light that even trained martial artists like them couldn’t detect her.

When Zhan Chi heard the laugh, he turned his head and saw the young lady looking at him. Recalling his recent thoughts, a blush crept up his fair face. He rubbed his nose awkwardly. "You don’t make a sound when you walk."

"You were so engrossed that you would’ve ignored it even if I had made a sound," Ye Qianning replied, her smile unwavering.

"*Ahem.* I was not."

"I saw that look perfectly clear. Has it only been a few days, and you’ve already started to idolize Boss Gu?" she teased, taking a seat.

Gu Shuo shot Zhan Chi a cold glare.

"It’s not idolizing, not at all. I just think he’s incredibly calculating. He can account for every little thing, down to a single needle," Zhan Chi denied defensively.

Gu Shuo let out a cold snort.

"What are you snorting at? It’s true!"

Gu Shuo ignored him and turned to Ye Qianning. "The ruler of Nanyuan has sent a reply."

"That was fast."

"Prince Yu came to the Water Mirror Platform early this morning with a message. Nanyuan agrees to sign the contract, but they want to raise the price for the seafood above what we offered."

"Raise it? The price we offered in the contract is already higher than what they get from local buyers. We’re just beginning to cooperate, and they’re already trying to haggle for more?" This was precisely why Ye Qianning hadn’t sent anyone to Nanyuan yet; she’d been afraid this would happen.

’I didn’t expect the Emperor of Nanyuan to actually bring it up. This move makes me doubt... does he truly want his people to prosper?’

"According to Prince Yu, their reasoning is that seafood prices fluctuate. No one knows what will happen in ten years, so they want to increase the price a notch." Gu Shuo paused, then added, "I already told Prince Yu that the price will not be increased."

Ye Qianning nodded. "Let them stew on it. If they mention it again, we’ll lower our offer!"

’They can ask for whatever they want, but they still need a buyer.’

An appreciative look crossed Gu Shuo’s face. "My thoughts exactly. We’ll keep lowering the price until we’re satisfied."

"Is the Emperor of Nanyuan afraid no one else will distribute their seafood for them?" Zhan Chi summed it up.

They’re desperate for a distributor, but when someone else has a monopoly and offers a high price, they get cocky and think they’re some kind of treasure that’s worth more. Serves them right if they can’t sell a thing.

"Let them keep treasuring themselves. Some people won’t eat even when you’re shoving the food in their mouths. There’s nothing you can do." Ye Qianning understood these kinds of people best. Playing hardball with her wouldn’t get them any benefits.

"No wonder they’re poor," Zhan Chi scoffed.

"Let’s not talk about them," Ye Qianning said with a smile. "The reason I had you come today was to have you try a seafood feast and see if it’s good enough to qualify for a restaurant."

"Have the aunts learned how to make everything already?"

"They’ve been practicing every day for the past half-month. Their skills are already exquisite. When the time comes, you two can find some trustworthy chefs to come learn the recipes and proper way to eat these dishes."