Chapter 42: Bargaining

A talent of the present age?

Cai Minde was immensely flattered and asked uncertainly, "Could it be due to insufficient capital?"

Li Qi sighed and remained silent, which was taken as tacit confirmation.

"No wonder, then." Cai Minde narrowed his eyes. He was well aware of the financial situation of the Drunk Immortal House, so he completely believed Li Qi's answer. He sighed with regret, "What a pity!"

"What a pity?"

Cai Minde sighed, "Young Master's stinky tofu is truly peerless in this world. If you could receive sufficient support, your name would surely resonate across the land someday. It's just—sigh."

How could Li Qi fail to understand the meaning behind Cai Minde's words? It was nothing more than an attempt to drive a wedge between him and the Drunk Immortal House. Wearing a look of regret, Li Qi said, "One can only do their best in all things. Perfection is naturally the best outcome, but if it cannot be achieved, I dare not force it."

"Young Master Li, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, birds fly high and water flows low. With your extraordinary talent, it is truly a great pity for you to remain cooped up in that Drunk Immortal House. If you do not disdain my humble establishment, I would dearly love to invite you to come and help out at my shop. Would Young Master Li be willing?" Cai Minde asked, narrowing his eyes.

Since the secret recipe for stinky tofu was in Li Qi's hands, as long as he could recruit Li Qi under his banner, the recipe would naturally fall into his, Cai Minde's, pocket. Moreover, Li Qi's previous flattery had greatly pleased Cai Minde, and he now genuinely wanted Li Qi to come and work for him.

Li Qi had anticipated this long ago. Had it been half a month ago, he certainly would have accepted Cai Minde's invitation. In truth, there was no deep enmity between him and Cai Minde; although he had heard that Cai Minde had committed many unconscionable acts, who among the successful was ever free of stepping over mountains of bones?

However, today was different from the past. As one of the co-owners of the Drunk Immortal House, Li Qi had long since regarded Cai Minde and the Jade Pavilion as his enemies. Besides, as the saying goes, it is better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox. He believed that no matter how generous Cai Minde might be, he would never give him half the shares. Giving a slight sigh, he regretfully said, "I appreciate the Estate Master's kind intentions, but—"

"What? Could it be that Young Master Li fears my 'sincerity' falls short of Manager Wu's?" Cai Minde hurriedly asked.

Naturally, Li Qi knew that the "sincerity" he referred to was about compensation. Waving his hand, Li Qi smiled and said, "The Estate Master worries too much. How would this junior dare to doubt your sincerity? It's just that—back when I was wandering the streets, had it not been for Manager Wu taking me in, I would likely have starved to death long ago. Although I am no hero, I know that a drop of water received in time of need should be repaid with a gushing spring. Manager Wu saved my life; how could I abandon him when he is in his greatest difficulty?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Minde's face filled with disappointment. "Since Young Master Li is so eager to repay this debt of gratitude, this old man will not press further. However, the Jade Pavilion always welcomes Young Master Li's esteemed presence."

Li Qi shook his head and smiled, "This junior does not dare to accept such high praise."

"However, there is something I wish to say, though I do not know if it is appropriate," Cai Minde said.

Li Qi smiled faintly, "Estate Master, please speak freely. I would be overjoyed to listen to your teachings, so how could I refuse?"

"I heard that Young Master Li is the head chef of the Drunk Immortal House, but why has your face not been seen since the very first day? The one running the kitchen has always been Wu Furong's little nephew," Cai Minde asked with a puzzled expression.

Li Qi understood Cai Minde's petty scheming all too well. He chuckled inwardly, thinking that this old fox was truly persistent, trying every possible means to drive a wedge between him and Manager Wu.

Yet, he was a dignitary—a chef from a super five-star hotel; how could he possibly fry stinky tofu on the street every single day? Furthermore, he was about to become an owner of the Drunk Immortal House himself; such drudgery naturally had to be delegated to subordinates.

Li Qi let out a long sigh and said, "Actually, this matter is part of our Drunk Immortal House's internal affairs and ought not to be spoken of to outsiders. However, I know that even if I didn't say it, it wouldn't escape the Estate Master's notice. Manager Wu is kind-hearted and deeply sentimental, so he let Wu Xiaoliu run the kitchen. This junior fully understands."

"Is that really so!"

Cai Minde's face revealed a look of regret. He sighed and said, "Young Master Li treats fame and fortune like floating clouds, which I deeply admire. However, while one must harbor no intention to harm others, one must always be on guard against them. Young Master Li ought to plan for your own future as well."

"Thank you for your concern, Estate Master. Of course I know this, which is why I have never told anyone the secret recipe for the stinky tofu," Li Qi smiled faintly.

Hearing this, Cai Minde was overjoyed and eagerly pressed on while the iron was hot, "Young Master Li, I have a plan that can ensure you live a worry-free life for the rest of your days."

"Oh, Estate Master, please tell me quickly," Li Qi said, feigning pleasant surprise.

Cai Minde smiled knowingly and said, "Young Master Li, you work heart and soul to make stinky tofu for the Drunk Immortal House, but all the money you earn falls into the purses of Wu Furong and the Qin family. As for what reaches your own hands, I reckon it is mere pittance. Why don't you use this secret recipe to directly exchange for a fortune and settle matters once and for all?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qi felt a surge of joy inwardly, though his face displayed a look of astonishment. "Does the Estate Master mean to suggest that I—sell this recipe to someone else?"

"Precisely!" Cai Minde nodded, and continued, "If Young Master Li is willing, I am prepared to offer eight hundred strings of cash to buy this recipe. Your establishment sells only a little over a hundred portions daily, and supply never meets demand. Even if my shop sells stinky tofu in the future, I believe it will certainly not affect your business. If Young Master Li does this, you cannot be considered to have failed Manager Wu."

Hmph! Only eight hundred strings of cash? Do you really take me, Li Qi, for someone who has never seen money!

Li Qi feigned hesitation for a moment before saying, "This certainly isn't a bad method. But to my shame, my hometown is in a small mountain valley in the north, where I still have elderly parents and seven or eight younger brothers and sisters. My entire family depends on this recipe. When I traveled thousands of li to Tokyo this time, it was precisely with the hope of establishing a foundation here through this recipe so they could lead a good life."

When it came to bargaining, Cai Minde was clearly no match for Li Qi.

Li Qi's words neither accepted nor refused outright, and he completely avoided mentioning the price. However, he subtly signaled to Cai Minde: these eight hundred strings of cash might ensure I don't worry about survival for a lifetime, but it is far from enough; you must ensure my entire family lives free of care before I will sell you the recipe.

Cai Minde had originally assumed that Li Qi was a country bumpkin who had seen nothing of the world. By slamming eight hundred strings of cash on the table, he would surely send the young man spinning with dizziness. Yet now, seeing himself subtly rebuffed, he couldn't help feeling a jolt of shock. Still, eight hundred strings of cash was not his absolute bottom line. Frowning in thought for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "I deeply admire Young Master Li's filial piety. How about this—one thousand five hundred strings of cash! I will buy the recipe in your hands for one thousand five hundred strings of cash. What does the young master think?"

A wave of joy washed over Li Qi. He knew this price was Cai Minde's bottom line. If he refused any further, things might take a turn for the worse. Feigning thought for a moment, he cupped his fists toward Cai Minde and said, "Since the Estate Master shows such profound sincerity, it would be my fault to decline any further. Very well, I shall bear the pain of parting with it and sell the stinky tofu recipe to the Estate Master."

"It is truly wonderful that Young Master Li agrees! But Cai has one small request, and I hope the young master can grant it," Cai Minde suddenly said.

This came somewhat unexpectedly to Li Qi, who shot two questioning glances his way.

"I would like to trouble Young Master Li to draw up an official written pledge with me, stating clearly that neither of us may ever sell this recipe to anyone else," Cai Minde said, narrowing his eyes.

Damn it! So this old fox wanted to buy out my recipe entirely! No wonder he was so straightforward; he really had a trick up his sleeve. It seemed I still underestimated him. Li Qi had indeed considered turning around and reselling the recipe to others, but this did not disrupt his overall plan. Nodding in agreement, he said, "That is only right."

"The young master is indeed straightforward. Then it's a deal." Seeing Li Qi agree, the heavy stone in Cai Minde's heart finally fell to the ground, though the price paid was indeed rather steep.

"It's a deal! However, I do not currently carry the recipe on my person. I must return to the shop to retrieve it, so I must trouble the Estate Master to wait a moment," Li Qi said apologetically.

"That is of no consequence. I shall send someone to deliver the money to your residence later, and then the young master can hand the recipe over to me," Cai Minde waved his hand and smiled.

This suited Li Qi's intentions precisely. He was worried that once Cai Minde obtained the recipe, the man might turn hostile and deny the deal. Therefore, conducting the transaction simultaneously—exchanging the goods for the money—was much safer. He immediately chuckled and said, "Then I will trouble the Estate Master. How about this: since the process of making this stinky tofu is extremely complex, when the time comes, I shall bring the recipe and personally come to your shop to teach you how to make it. What do you think?"

"To have Young Master Li personally lend a hand—that would naturally be for the best!" Cai Minde laughed heartily.

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Away from home and inconvenient for typing, today is still just one chapter. Apologies.

(End of this chapter)