Finest Servant

Chapter 157 Confrontation

Eldest Miss Xiao slowly stood up, her slender form gracefully moving forward. She bowed to the assembly and with a smile, she said, "Yuruo is grateful for the kindness of the Chairman and the affectionate concern from all my colleagues. All present are my predecessors and peers who have supported the development of the Xiao family. Yuruo here expresses deep gratitude for your ongoing support."

With these words, she bowed deeply. The Eldest Miss was as beautiful as a flower, her demeanor warm and natural. Her talents and elegance surpassed others, easily winning the goodwill of everyone present.

"This perfume and soap are two new ventures initiated by my Xiao family and I believe everyone here has heard of them. The perfume, derived from flower essence, is made through a secret method, and its production cost is very high, hence it is precious. Its scent is long-lasting, subtle, and elegant, more convenient than the usual powder used by ladies, and the fragrance is more enduring, thus it is deeply loved by all the ladies and misses." Eldest Miss Xiao introduced the perfume in great detail. Although everyone present was a merchant, they were also potential buyers, so naturally, Miss Xiao would not miss such an opportunity to advertise.

"As for the soap, it carries the same fragrance as the perfume, fresh and natural, pleasant and comforting. Many ladies and misses have already tried it in the initial stage, and I believe have found it to be quite agreeable. Both products were carefully crafted by my Xiao family for the benefit of the common people. I hope all my elders will continue to support the Xiao family as always. Yuruo is immensely grateful."

After briefly introducing the perfume and soap, a female merchant from Zhejiang Province stood up and said, "Miss Xiao, I have heard and had the good fortune to use both the perfume and soap, and I find them extremely refreshing. However, I see that there is no supply available in various places in Hangzhou, which makes us sisters very anxious."

Her words elicited agreement from other female merchants surrounding her. As merchants, they were always interested in new products. Many of them had tried the perfume and soap at a high price and found them to be entirely different from the usual, common rouge and powder. Therefore, they were eager to ask Miss Xiao about the supply.

Miss Xiao smiled lightly and said, "Don't worry, sisters. The perfume and soap will be supplied soon. If you need any, you can directly register with our branch. Once the goods arrive, we will surely deliver them to you."

Tao Wanying took out a small transparent glass bottle from her bosom, inside which was a light pink liquid. She proudly introduced to the surrounding female merchants, "This is rose perfume, personally given to me by Sister Yuruo."

This immediately aroused exclamations from the women nearby. Each one held it in their hands, reluctant to put it down. A few of them even wanted to pay more to buy it from Wanying, but she quickly snatched it back.

Lin Wanrong watched with amusement. This was the perfume Miss Xiao had given to Tao Wanying when she was promoting at the poetry society. Unexpectedly, this little girl took it out to show off here today. In her hands, the perfume was certainly wasted.

Tao Dongcheng was seething inside, and he held Tao Wanying back while signaling to the corpulent Chairman Yu. The Chairman nonchalantly waved his hand, and another merchant stood up from the crowd and said, "Miss Xiao, your perfume and soap are indeed good, but your Xiao family seem to be acting a bit dishonestly."

Lin Wanrong saw Chairman Yu's gesture and chuckled to himself. Sure enough, this old man had no good ideas up his sleeve.

Eldest Miss Xiao slightly furrowed her delicate brows, "Master Li, what do you mean by that?"

It seemed like this Master Li was an acquaintance, and he hummed, "Miss Xiao, one should show some restraint and not push others too hard. Your Xiao family was originally engaged in textile business, but now you are moving into cosmetics. You've overstepped several industries. Isn't that reaching a bit too far?"

Lin Wanrong asked the woman next to him, "Sister Liu, what does this Master Li do?"

Liu Yue'er replied, "This guy is a well-known miser who deals in cosmetics in Hangzhou."

"Oh," Lin Wanrong acknowledged, understanding. Damn it, this guy must be jealous. With the introduction of perfume and soap, who would still use those outdated cosmetics? Trying to limit the Xiao family with industry regulations, he thought, did this youngster think he was the Ministry of Household, enforcing some kind of industry access system?

Eldest Miss Xiao sternly retorted, "Master Li, my Xiao family has been in business for generations, never abandoning our textile business. But are we not allowed to venture into other fields? Whose rule is this? In the past two generations, my family's business has been managed by women, and venturing into the cosmetics industry is only natural."

Master Li huffed, "This cross-industry leap of yours breaks the norms. If everyone were to act like your Xiao family, hopping from one industry to another, what rules and regulations would be left for the Chamber of Commerce?"

Eldest Miss Xiao, seeing that this man was just picking a fight, coldly snorted, "The world's business is open to everyone. Why can Master Li engage in an industry that the Xiao family cannot? Master Li's ancestors were blacksmiths, and now you are in the cosmetics business. Isn't this breaking the norms as well?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled. Eldest Miss Xiao had quite a knack for argument. He hadn't seen this side of her before and had underestimated her.

Master Li was fuming, "You're just twisting words to justify yourself."

Eldest Miss Xiao snorted, "Master Li, although you despise the Xiao family's involvement in the cosmetics industry, we would not mind your participation in the textile business. I wonder if Master Li is interested?"

Liu Yue'er gave a thumbs up, "This little sister of mine, she's impressive, outshining even the men."

Another cosmetics dealer also stood up and said, "Miss Xiao, no one can stop your Xiao family from entering the cosmetics business, but you can't just disregard the rules and leave us, who are engaged in cosmetics, without a way to make a living."

Liu Yue'er couldn't stand it anymore and stood up, "Are you people even reasonable? What business Miss Xiao decides to do is none of your business. Lacking your own competence, you blame others. This is indeed a wonder in this world."

Although there were many people from the Jinling Chamber of Commerce present, only Liu Yue'er stood up to speak for the Xiao family. The rest merely looked to Tao Dongcheng for cues.

Lin Wanrong gave a small smile and a thumbs up to Eldest Miss Xiao. Her face flushed slightly, and she gave him a chiding look.

"Master Li," she said coldly, "where there is competition, there will be conflict. It is a law of nature, the right path. As the saying goes, adversity leads to contemplation and then to change. My Xiao family has been engaged in the textile business for many years, but later several competitors entered the market, making it difficult for us to continue. So we branched out into new areas of business. If I were to grumble and blame others like you, I'd be swearing in the streets every day."

The few merchants who ran the cosmetics business exchanged looks, unsure of how to respond, and quickly turned to look at Chairman Yu.

Tao Dongcheng signalled Chairman Yu, who had been silent for a while. The Chairman suddenly stood up and laughed, "Let's not get heated, there is still room for discussion here. I see both sides have valid points, so why not let this old man suggest a compromise."

Master Li hastily laughed obsequiously, "Please do, Chairman."

Chairman Yu turned to Miss Xiao, "Miss Xiao, those in the cosmetics business have a hard time too. I think it would be better if you transferred the rights to distribute your Xiao family's perfumes and soaps in the province of Zhejiang to Master Li and his colleagues. This way, both parties can profit from the collaboration."

Damn it, their true colors finally showed. If they obtained the distribution rights, it would be a significant profit. Lin Wanrong snickered inwardly. He had planted the tree and harvested the fruits, and now they wanted to pick up the ready-made benefits. They dreamed of squeezing the Xiao family out of Hangzhou. What a pipe dream.

Miss Xiao's face changed, "Chairman Yu, my Xiao family has many shops in Zhejiang, and we have our own channels for distribution. We currently don't need anyone's help."

Chairman Yu smirked, "Miss Xiao, this puts me in a very difficult position. My colleagues in the province of Zhejiang also need to make a living. What do you think, Master Tao?"

Tao Dongcheng stood up, giving Miss Xiao a seemingly troubled look. "Younger sister, our Chamber of Commerce in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are like one family. If we take a step back, there will be a boundless vista."

These two scoundrels were clearly in cahoots. Eldest Miss Xiao thought about the humiliations the Xiao family had endured over the years. Her eyes began to brim with unshed tears, but she was a strong woman. She held back her tears and managed a sad smile. "When my Xiao family introduced perfumes and soaps, everyone saw only our success. But did anyone ever consider what would happen if these businesses failed? The several hundred members of the Xiao family would face ruin. Over the years, as our textile business faced hardships, we never thought to suppress our competitors by unfair means. The Xiao family relies on our own hard work, earning money in a straightforward and honorable way. Why should we face such accusations today? Although the Xiao family is made up of women, we can face the heavens without shame. I, Xiao Yuruo, am not as easily bullied as you imagine."

Chairman Yu and Tao Dongcheng only responded with cold, silent smiles, as though they already held the winning hand.

‘Damn it, I've been trying to reason with you, but you two think yourselves so important, don't you?’ Watching the two of them smirk, Lin Wanrong silently picked up a sturdy bench and walked over. He stood by Eldest Miss Xiao's side and gently smiled at her, "Don't cry, don't cry. You won't look as beautiful if you cry."

"Lin San..." Eldest Miss Xiao, seemingly finding comfort in his presence, reached out and grabbed his arm, as if he was her own kin. The tears she had been holding back finally came pouring down.

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