The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“If we suddenly need forty more catties of tofu, other areas will have to give up some. Most of them, too, had agreed to set amounts previously. If we provide less than promised all of a sudden, it might not be easy for us to explain,” said Dong Dazhu awkwardly, while rubbing his hands.

“We did not anticipate that there would be such a high demand for tofu at the restaurant. Once the tofu dishes are on the tables, they are devoured instantly. The shop managers also wanted to take some home for personal use. Suddenly we found ourselves short of tofu. Initially, we considered asking each household to provide twenty more catties of tofu, which would make it an extra 80 catties in total. But we decided that placing such a large and sudden order might be difficult for you, Miss Zhuang. So we thought it might be better to ask each household for an extra ten catties first.”

“I understand the difficulties each household is facing. But it is a struggle for me to suddenly come up with forty more catties…”

Zhuang Qingning pondered for a while, then said, “How about this? Since you have already made the request, it does not look good if I do not comply at all. But if I agree to the full request, it might be very difficult for me. Hence, how about I provide an extra five catties to each household, making it a total of twenty catties?”

“From now on, if you want to make additional requests, please let me know one day in advance, so I can prepare. This will help avoid disputes.”

To outright refuse might look arrogant, but if she accepted completely it might suggest she has tofu to spare and did not value it as much. Therefore, Zhuang Qingning thought of a compromise to demonstrate her consideration and ability to negotiate.

“Deal. We will follow Miss Zhuang’s advice!” Dong Dazhu nodded in agreement.

When he was initially given the order, Dong was unsure and uneasy as he was aware that requesting additional tofu at the last minute wasn’t ideal. Unlike beans or wheat, tofu isn’t something that is always readily available, so being able to get an extra twenty catties was a good result. Although it wasn’t as much as the hoped for forty catties, at least he had something to report back to the restaurant and a valid excuse to avoid punishment.

He also saw this as an opportunity to communicate to the restaurant’s managers and other households that it is crucial to inform in advance for any additional orders, which in turn would alleviate the burden for him as an errand runner.

“Alright, we will weigh it for two hundred and twenty catties, then,” said Zhuang Qingning. She called Zhuang Mingliang and others over to weigh the tofu, and reminded Dong Dazhu, “Brother Dong, please convey this to the managers of the other households when you return. If everyone can try to understand from each other’s perspective, our businesses will all be more sustainable.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Zhuang. I will make sure to get your message across,” responded Dong Dazhu readily.

In no time, they managed to have the tofu loaded onto the bullock cart. Dong Dazhu set off for the county town, while Zhuang Qingning took the remaining tofu to the town market.

Since Ge Hetong was rejected by Zhuang Qingning the day before, he kept his distance, although he continued to sell pea cakes in town.

It was unclear whether it was out of anger or embarrassment.

Zhuang Qingning had no time to dwell on this; she just focused on selling her tofu.

The business at her tofu stand was booming and the sales value kept increasing. According to the system, Zhuang Qingning had received the second tofu-related recipe — Salt and Pepper Tofu.

At this rate, she will soon accumulate enough tofu dishes to host a whole tofu feast.

Should she consider opening a restaurant that only sells tofu dishes? It sounds like a good idea, distinctly unique, and would surely be a sell-out.

Haha, I’m on my way to reaching the peak of my life.

[Ding, the host has triggered a random task. The host can receive one labor credit as soon as she stop dreaming.]

Xiaowu’s voice faintly echoed in her mind.

Forget it, even one credit counts. I’m a frugal person and I should value every credit I earn.

Zhuang Qingning stopped daydreaming and went back to work.

News of Chang Yuanda and Li Fang’s envious attempt to sabotage Zhuang Qingning’s business by trying to kidnap and sell her in exchange for money quickly spread from the county town to the local town.

The entire town was abuzz with gossip.

“That Li Fang always looks slippery, definitely not a good person. He once explained himself that he was mistreated by his co-workers and had to find work elsewhere, only for me to find out later that he was actually kicked out by Fushun Tower. Now it turns out he is a wicked man, even capable of such heinous acts!”

“Those who are wicked should go down to the Eighteen Levels of Hell, taste the pain of being fried in oil and stabbed with swords, and never be able to reincarnate.”

“Chang Yuanda is no better. He is a businessman, isn’t it all about competition and survival of the fittest? If your business is not doing well, shouldn’t you think about how to improve yourself? Instead, he tried to harm others for his own benefit. What a malicious heart! He would totally spoil the atmosphere here!”

“Exactly, if you feel frustrated, just quarrel, fight or make a scene. But he actually dared to bring a kidnapper to our town. Do you know what kind of people the kidnappers arc? They would most definitely not just kidnap one person when they could kidnap more. Who knows how many children they might have abducted.”

“They are doing things as wicked as someone who gives birth without the orifice. His tofu shop deserves to go out of business. From now on, no one should go to his tofu shop and let all their tofu rot in pots!”

“Exactly…”

Others joined the conversation, filled with indignation, and decided not to buy tofu from Changji in the future. Those who were particularly furious even threw bricks and splashed dirty water at Chengji Tofu Stand.

Mrs. Wu cried helplessly at home.

The tofu business could no longer be sustained. Mrs. Wu packed her belongings and gathered the money at home, intending to go to Chang Yuanda’s uncles and aunts. With their help, she hoped to bribe the County Government Office and have Chang Yuanda’s sentence reduced.

However, when she informed Chang Yuanda’s uncles, none of them agreed to come with her to the county town. They could barely lift their heads due to the shame caused by Chang Yuanda’s actions. Even their own families were affected. For example, the girl who was to marry Chang Yuanda’s cousin refused to come for the meeting. Their families were embarrassed and felt that they had been dragged down by Chang Yuanda, hence they were unwilling to lend a hand.

Left with no choice, Mrs. Wu went to the county town by herself.

Despite waiting at the government office for a whole day, Mrs. Wu did not get a glimpse of Chang Yuanda, nor did she get to step into the government office. She couldn’t even bribe the government officials at the entrance.

In the end, after much coaxing and pestering, she heard some whispers that both Chang Yuanda and Li Fang had been sentenced to ten years of hard labor and had already been sent to serve their sentences..