A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

As Lin Wei listened, the blush on her face gradually faded. "Sister, you're right."

She took a deep breath, feeling somewhat ashamed. "I was blinded by the amount and only thought about the good things, without considering the difficulties and long-term consequences."

Chen Wanxing smiled slightly, her tone softening: "It's only natural. It's understandable to be happy when initial results are seen. However, after the initial joy, we need to remain calm. Let's take it one step at a time and get through these three to five days smoothly first."

Chen Qinghui, who had been listening quietly to the side, suddenly looked up and whispered, "Sister Lin, my father often says that a steady stream can flow forever."

Lin Wei took a deep breath, and the last bit of restlessness in her heart dissipated. She reached out and rubbed Chen Qinghui's head: "Qinghui is right. Slow and steady wins the race. We shouldn't be greedy for a moment of pleasure, but seek lasting peace."

That being said, today's result was indeed outstanding. Chen Wanxing looked at Lin Wei's tired face and bright eyes in the twilight and gave her another word of encouragement.

"We've taken this first step successfully, and very well at that."

After everything was tidied up and the shop door was locked, the sky outside was filled with stars. A cool evening breeze carrying the chill of night dew blew in, and Lin Wei couldn't help but shiver.

"Sister, it's not safe to go back to the village at this hour; the roads are dark." Lin Wei turned to Chen Wanxing and said with concern, "Why don't you and Qinghui stay at my house for the night instead? I'll have someone prepare two guest rooms."

Chen Wanxing smiled and shook her head, having already made arrangements: "Wei'er, although I met your father and mother once at the shop, we did not formally pay our respects to them."

Moreover, we came in a hurry today without preparing any gifts. It would be very impolite of us to stay overnight on our first visit.

She paused, glanced at Chen Qinghui leaning against her, who was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, and said, "I already had Han Feng book a room at that clean, old-established inn in the west of the city this afternoon. We can just stay there for one night."

Lin Wei knew that she was steady and methodical, so she didn't press the matter further. She simply said, "Then please be careful on your journey, sister. If there is any inconvenience at the inn, please have someone come to our house to let us know."

"Don't worry." Chen Wanxing nodded, then added, "The first three days are the most crucial for the shop, so please keep a close eye on it."

My house needs a final cleaning and tidying up soon, so I won't be coming over tomorrow.

"You can confidently hand over what you need to the manager and the staff. Just keep a close eye on things and focus on the overall direction. If you encounter anything you're really unsure about, then come and find me."

Lin Wei knew this was a trial she had to go through, and she felt both a great responsibility and the warmth of being trusted.

"I know, sister. You go ahead with your work. I'll keep an eye on the shop; nothing serious will happen. Once your house is all set up, you must invite me over for a housewarming party."

"Of course, you've mentioned it so many times, how could I forget you?" Chen Wanxing replied with a smile.

The two parted ways under the cool starlight. Lin Wei boarded her family's carriage and returned home, while Chen Wanxing, with a dazed Chen Qinghui in tow, took the carriage to the inn.

On the way, Chen Qinghui leaned against her, still clutching a slightly crushed bag of pastries she had just gotten from the shop, and asked groggily, "Sister, did your and Sister Lin's shop make a lot of money?"

Chen Wanxing gently patted her back and whispered, "Yes, that's a good start, but making money isn't easy, you have to keep putting in the effort."

"Yes, when I grow up, I want to open a shop and make lots and lots of money..." Chen Qinghui mumbled in response and gradually fell asleep.

It was nearly 9 PM when the carriage entered the side gate of the Lin residence. Most of the courtyards in the mansion were dark, but the light shining through the window of the study in the main courtyard stood out in the quiet night.

Lin Wei got out of the car, straightened her slightly wrinkled dress, took a deep breath, and then walked towards the study. She knew that her father was definitely waiting for her.

Sure enough, Lin Zhenye was not in bed in the study. He was sitting in a grand chair looking through account books, and a cup of tea beside him had gone cold.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and unexpectedly yawned.

"Father." Lin Wei stepped forward and bowed, feeling a little apprehensive. Although her father had shown up and expressed his approval for the shop's opening today, based on her understanding of him, she knew that the matter would not be easily dismissed.

"You're back." Lin Zhenye gestured for her to sit down. "Is the shop all tidied up?"

"Yes, the manager and his staff have finished taking inventory, and the door is locked," Lin Wei replied cautiously.

"Hmm." Lin Zhenye picked up his herbal tea and took a sip. He didn't ask about the profit margin, but instead asked, "Among those people who came to watch the excitement and buy snacks today, do you think there are more new customers or regular customers?"

Are people more drawn by the novelty of the pastries, or are they primarily interested in their taste?

Lin Wei felt a chill run down her spine, knowing that this was the key to her father's examination.

She carefully recalled what she had seen that day and replied, "Daughter, I noticed that strangers made up about 70-80% of the visitors."

Many people pointed at the rabbit and fish-shaped snacks before entering, indicating that they were more interested in those.

However, my daughter also noticed that some customers bought rabbit-shaped cakes for their children, and then said that our new recipe for fragrant cakes was refreshing, so they also ordered some.

As Lin Zhenye listened, he tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest: "It seems that your Sister Chen's method has indeed worked."

The tea shop made its first move, with servants relaying the message: its novel design was enticing, and coupled with its unique flavors, it gradually drew people in.

He paused, then looked directly at his daughter. "These ideas, including the name of Qiaoxinzhai, were they all Miss Chen's ideas?"

Lin Wei nodded: "Yes. Sister Wanxing is very perceptive. Many of her ideas are things I've never heard of before, but upon closer examination, they make sense."

For example, those animal-shaped pastries; the carpenter you arranged for him was astonished when he first saw them, saying he had never seen them drawn like that before.

"Did she draw those designs too?" Lin Zhenye pressed.

"Yes," Lin Wei replied. "Sister Wanxing's drawing skills are quite good. The patterns are clear and the annotations are detailed. The craftsman carved the mold based on her drawings."

Lin Zhenye remained silent for a moment, with only the faint crackling of the candlelight in the study.

He said slowly, "Wei'er, do you know what the hardest thing is to set up a shop? It's not the capital, not the shop, and not even the skills."

Lin Wei pondered deeply, then tentatively asked, "Is it about making people remember you, making them more willing to come?"

"That's right, good wine needs no bush. Weiwei, you must remember, in business, even the best wine needs a good location."

A hint of approval flashed in Lin Zhenye's eyes. "This reputation is just as important no matter what business you're in."

Most ordinary business people think about how to make their products cheaper than others, or use more ingredients and provide better service. This is certainly good, but it's not enough to just do these things.

But this Ms. Chen wanted to create something that no one else had done before, and use methods that no one else had used before, to attract customers who might not have come otherwise.

Whether it's the methods used to attract customers or the novel and unique molds, you must understand that this difference is the fundamental reason why Qiaoxinzhai has achieved such remarkable success today.

He put down his teacup, his tone turning serious: "You and she cooperated, agreeing to split the profits 30/70, with you contributing 70% and her 30%. This is based on the consideration that she provides the strategy and you provide the capital and manpower, which seems fair on the surface."

But having witnessed it with my father's own eyes today, and hearing your words, I now realize that she has given birth to far more than just these children.